I opened my eyes and stared up into Ty’s face. “Castro killed my parents, then tried to take me as his own.”
Ty’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? Dad never mentioned that.”
I shook my head. “He probably thought one of his men got to my parents before he could.”
I’m sure Ty was relieved that his dad hadn’t killed my parents, but if Castro hadn’t shot them, someone from Dominic’s army would’ve taken them out. They never stood a chance.
Castro grunted and started slow clapping, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. “I’m surprised you remember so much, Aliza. You were only four at the time. I’d always wondered how much you would actually recall from that night, seeing as you were practically a toddler. But when you didn’t instantly recognize me that day at the farmers’ market, I figured you had no memory of what happened, which was good for me. It made my plan so much easier.”
I pulled myself from Ty’s embrace and stood tall, staring at Castro. I willed my body to stop shaking, pulling the blanket tighter around my naked body. Now that the initial shock had worn off, I needed to show him that he couldn’t scare me withhis words. He couldn’t intimidate me. I was no longer the scared little girl, powerless and small in comparison.
I was a fucking omega.
Castro looked at me and raised one eyebrow but continued his rant. “I had hoped when your wolf fully awoke that your omega powers would lead you to your heart’s desire. And they did. They led you home, and I was waiting with open arms just as I promised you I would be. The one snafu in my plan was that I didn’t expect you to remember every little detail, Aliza.”
His face twisted as anger overtook him. “Your sudden burst of memory throws a bit of a wrench in my plans, but there’s no need to worry. I’m not the least bit concerned. I don’t need you to love me, Aliza. It is yourdutyas the princess of the Wylde pack to restore the pack to its former glory. It’s our duty as the only survivors to bring forth a new generation and honor our ancestors.”
Castro’s eyes were wild as he took one step closer. “My father told me it was my duty. I’d grown up hearing my parents discussing my rightful place at your side, the one who would bring forth a new generation. Then my father took all of that from me the night he told me we were leaving Heather Falls for good. He said I’d no longer be able to see you, Aliza. It was a permanent move.”
Castro paced back and forth, cracking his knuckles, breathing rapidly. “I was out when the attack happened. I knew we were all about to die, but I couldn’t stand the thought of my precious Aliza dying. I didn’t want to leave you. I refused. So, I did what had to be done. I killed my parents. For you! With them gone, they couldn’t take me from you. I killed your parents for the exact same reason. And now, I’ll do the same to your mate, and anyone else who gets in the way of us achieving our dreams. Together.”
Ty slowly pushed me behind him once more. “Stay back, Liza.” It was a command, and his aura was so strong that I nearly folded from the force of it.
Castro narrowed his eyes on me. “You will be mine, Aliza. I just need to handle this pest first.”
31
TY
The shift took over, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Unable to hold my wolf back any longer, the transformation was almost instantaneous. He burst forth so quickly that it took me a moment to focus on my surroundings. The woods blurred around me, but I quickly set my sights on the only thing that mattered: protecting Liza from Castro.
Castro’s wolf looked very similar to Liza’s, with the light fur and pale, gray eyes. The hair on his back stood on end as he crouched low, ready to attack.
He would be a formidable opponent. It wouldn’t be an easy fight. His snarling face and flashing teeth made it clear that he was here to win and would do anything to come out on top. He’d already made it abundantly clear that he would do anything to get what he wanted. The motherfucker had murdered his own parents.
We circled one another, our growls filling the air as we prepared to strike. Castro lunged first, his claws extended, teeth bared. I dodged to the side, snapping at his flank. We danced around each other, looking for an opening.
Castro fought dirty, trying to use every trick in the book to take me down. He feigned weakness, only to launch a surprise attack when I was off guard. But I was skilled and knew how to handle myself in a fight. I managed to keep him at bay, using my speed and agility to dodge his attacks and counter with my own.
As the fight raged on, I could see that Castro was tiring. His movements were slower, his attacks more predictable. This was my chance. I lunged forward, sinking my teeth into his shoulder. He howled in pain, thrashing wildly in an attempt to throw me off, but I held on; my jaws locked tightly around his flesh. His warm blood coated my mouth. Now I had the upper hand. I could taste victory on the tip of my tongue.
Suddenly, a sharp pain penetrated deep into my side. Castro had managed to get a claw in, and I stared in disbelief as blood poured from the wound. I howled in pain, but I refused to let go. I tightened my grip on his shoulder, determined to finish the fight.
The blood loss weakened me. Castro twisted and sank his claw deep into the existing wound, bringing me to my knees. I blinked hard, my vision blurring. Just when I became light-headed, a familiar scent filled the air. I knew that scent.
I could handle it—could fight against it. Castro, however, responded immediately. He lifted his head, cocking it to one side as his eyes glazed over like a teenager in heat.
Liza had unleashed her pheromones to distract Castro, and it worked.
He was sidetracked, staring at Liza as if she were a fresh piece of meat. Now was my chance to end his life, but as I gripped his neck, I decided against it. I would give him grace, even though he was undeserving of it.
Castro would face his crimes and would be punished accordingly.
Summoning what little energy I had left, I slammed Castro’s head onto the hard ground. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, his body going limp. He wasn’t dead, but I had rendered him unconscious.
He transformed back into his human state. Castro was lifeless, naked, and completely vulnerable. From my vantage point, he suddenly didn’t seem like the fucking monster he truly was. But looks could be deceiving, and I shuddered at what he would’ve done to my precious Liza if he had succeeded in getting his hands on her.
I glanced down at the gash in my side as I collapsed, breathless. My injury was serious, so I howled, hoping the other pack members would hear and respond. Within seconds, a return howl reached my ears, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
