Christian’s eyes zero in on our interlocking fingers, and a growl breaks free from his chest. He slowly rises, and terror ripples through me like magma.
“Ashton,” I whisper, barely moving my mouth. “Let me go.”
The fur on Christian’s back stands straight up. He stalks forward.
“We need to leave.” Ashton gives my hand a tug.
That’s his first mistake.
The second is when he tries to run, practically dragging me with him.
Christian pounces before I can even scream his name and lands on Ashton’s back, ripping him away from me. His claws burrow into Ashton’s spine through his shirt. Ashton cries out, and I don’t think, just react, lifting my hand and sending a bolt of magic at Christian.
The wolf tumbles off of Ashton, rolling a few times before settling to a stop.
But he’s still.
Almost too still.
“Oh my god.”
Did I just kill him?
Please, no. Please.
“He’s not dead,” a laughing, jovial voice says from somewhere above.
A second later, Travan drops from the tree branches in a crouch, directly beside Christian. He places his fingers to the wolf’s neck, and I only breathe easier when Travan says, “He’s alive. Just unconscious. Good work.”
He flashes me a pleased, proud smile.
“W-what the fuck?” Ashton sputters, staring wide-eyed at my crazy-ass bio dad. “Where did you come from?”
Travan very pointedly glances upwards, towards the branches of the tallest tree. “Heaven.”
“Were you following us?” Ashton’s cheeks turn red, and he’s not the only one.
If Travan’s been here this entire time…then he no doubt witnessed my fight with Ashton.
Darkness springs to life in Travan’s eyes, capable of slicing a lesser man to ribbons. “You know…I could kill you now, and no one will ever know.”
He slides his gaze to me, and I realize he’s being entirely serious. He literally would murder Ashton if I asked him to.
Just who the fuck is Travan?
It takes me a solid second to find my voice. “N-no. That won’t be necessary.” I level a penetrating glare in Ashton’s direction. “Ashton’s an asshole, but I can handle him.”
“I know you can.” Travan once again tosses me a beaming smile, the darkness in his eyes dissipating. “I would’ve intervened sooner if I thought you were in danger. Nice punch, by the way. Good form.”
“Enough of this!” Ashton throws his hands in the air, though his attention never wavers from his brother. “Is Christian okay? What the fuck did you do?”
The last he directs at me, venom infusing every word.
“I just saved your life, asswipe! Maybe be a little grateful.”
“Contact the others. Let them know we found him,” Travan instructs, still kneeling beside Christian.
He grabs the wolf’s tail, studies it, and then drops it back into the dirt. I swear Ashton’s right eye begins to twitch.
