Burke he opens his mouth to speak, but before he can get a word out, light floods the living room. But this time it doesn’t flash. It stays on.
I look up, shocked to see the recessed light bulbs glowing bright.
The power’s back on.
“Excuse me?” Basil emerges out of the hallway, his eyes zeroed in on Burke. I scan the alpha head to toe, relieved to see that he isn’t hurt. “Can I help you with something?” Basil asks my father.
“What?” Burke turns to my mate, clearly confused by his overly polite tone.
“I don’t believe we invited you in.” Basil comes to a stop next to the couch.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Burke puffs his chest out, looking Basil up and down as if he were a joke.
I turn my attention back to Killian, trying to wake him while Burke is distracted. “Alpha,” I whisper, smack his cheek. “Wake up.” I smack him again, and his eyes slowly peek open. Relief slams into me, but I try not to react. I don’t want Burke to know.
“Please, leave.” Basil sounds so calm, so sweet, but I can feel trickles of his unimaginable rage pounding in our bond. He’spissed.
“I’m not going anywhere without my daughter,” Burke snarls, planting his feet and curling his fists.
“That’s not going to happen.” Basil gives him a tight smile. “Please, go.” He steps to one side as if waiting for Burke to obey.
“Listen here, you little shit,” Burke snarls, “I already took down the monster and your leader. I won’t hesitate to fucking gut?—”
I blink, and Basil moves. He’s on top of Burke, throwing his fists at the alpha’s face, neck, and throat. One blow after another, hitting the asshole repeatedly in a blur of brutal flurry.
I stare in disbelief, weirdly detached from what is happening right in front of me. It’s like I’m in a haze or a trance.
“Beth?” Killian stirs, then sits. There’s so much confusion in his dark eyes as he scans my face.
“Basil.” I point to the alpha beating the ever-living-fuck out of my father.
Is this really happening?
Killian squints as if he’s struggling to process what’s going on too. Then he moves. “Upstairs.” He stands as fast as he can, and I do the same. “Hold onto me.” He bends to pick me up, but he sways and I grab his side to steady him.
“I can walk,” I say, taking a quick step. A sharp pain cuts up from my ankle, but I ignore it, walking as normally as I can.
Killian wraps a protective arm around me, guiding me back down the hall. We’re almost to the front door when a large figure at the end of the hall stops me.
“Tristan?” I say, but I’m not sure.
“Here.” Killian flicks a light switch next to the door and light floods the hallway. Tristan moves toward us, carrying a dazed Jeremy in his arms.
“Beth!” the beta gasps, practically jumping out of our mate’s arms.
“Are you okay?” We both ask each other in a flurry of fear and relief. Jeremy examines my nose—which apparently is dripping blood—and I look at the cut along his hairline.
“Is he dead?” Tristan asks Killian.
“Not yet,” the pack alpha says, holding me a little tighter.
“I’m sorry, omega.” Tristan looks down at me. “He can’t leave this house alive.”
A tinge of sadness grips me, but I don’t cry or beg. I give the alpha a simple nod, understanding.
“Let’s get you two cleaned up.” Killian bends, lifting me into his arms.
I should protest, but I don’t. I let my packmates take me to our room, while I listen to my father beg for his life.
