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“You’re welcome, Hank.” Halley responded before taking off, back to whatever part of the fight needed her the most.
Pulling my dad to his feet, I steadied him before I released his arms.
“You okay, Dad?”
“I’m okay. Now let’s get back to this fight. You’re not done yet, son.”
His pressed his forehead against mine for one quick moment, before separating and pushing me towards the center of the battle. Eyeing the fight taking place, my muscles tensed as I prepared myself. It wasn’t over. Not even close. And with blood dripping down my chest, I rushed back into the fray, praying that I wouldn’t lose anyone I loved before this day was over.
Chapter Thirty-One
Madden
In my tiger form, I cut through the enemy like butter, shredding to pieces anyone who dared get in my way. As I attacked, my power worked in the back of my mind, focusing in on my family to make sure they were okay. I also tracked Halley and the others, refusing to lose any of them today.
More men and women came at me, prepped to attack, and I bared my teeth, growling with menace. They were treading towards a creature built to kill and their death was promised the moment they set their eyes on me. A figure approached my side as the attackers near and with a quick glance I spotted Kalani’s shadow wolf, jaws open as she flanked me.
Together, we charged those running towards us, colliding in the middle. My jaws widened before clamping around one man’s throat, his neck snapping beneath my strength. I heard the scream of pain to my right and watched as Kalani’s mouth dripped with blood, her enemy falling to the ground.
Together, we turned, our creatures in sync, as we locked on our next victim. Prowling with intent, my eyes locked on the shadows and then one again I was lunging, killing them before they had the chance to attack. Before I could celebrate another fallen enemy, my tracking ability alerted me, Hayes suddenly far away from the battle.
Instinctively, I knew something was wrong, and without a backwards glance, I took off, shifting into my wolf form, knowing I could run longer and faster. Chasing the scent of my brother, I found him by a batch of trees, several Drax closing in on him. He was in his human form, his eyes wide with fear, and I knew that he hadn’t enough practice to shift back into his wolf.
With a howl, I sprinted towards the Drax, refusing to let them lay a hand on my brother. With a snarl, I grabbed the first Drax with my teeth, ripping her arm clear from her body. Her screams burned my ears, but I didn’t falter, clawing at the next and ripping their chest open. Body after body, I attacked, before they were all dead at my feet.
Shifting quickly to my human form, I grabbed Hayes in my arms, holding him close. And then I shook him, anger replacing the fear now that I knew he was safe.
“What the fuck were you thinking? This is why I told you not to fight. You don’t have the training.”
Hayes’ eyes began to well with tears and I felt guilt at yelling at him. But I couldn’t lose my brother. He was only a fucking kid.
“Can you shift?” I begged. “If you can’t shift, you’re just a sitting duck.”
Hayes shook his head, tears falling down his cheeks. “I can’t shift. I’m so sorry. I just wanted to help. I wanted to be a warrior like you.”
Grabbing him again, I held his head against my chest as his words hit me. I was no warrior. I was only a man that fought for those he loved.
“Run, Hayes. Run and hide. I won’t let my little brother die today.”
“No, I won’t hide. I won’t be a coward.”
“A coward would be someone that stays in a fight knowing they’ll lose. A warrior is someone who protects his family. And right now, you need to protect Mom’s heart. She can’t lose her children.”
Howls and shrieks came from behind us and I knew that the fight wasn’t waning. I needed to get back there. Pushing him towards the trees, I begged with him one more time.
“Run Hayes. And don’t look back. I’ll come find you when it’s over.”
Without waiting to see if he listened, I shifted back into my tiger, heading back into the midst of the fight. Checking in on the others, I made sure they were all okay, before targeting my next prey. The sooner this ended, the sooner my family would be safe.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Wilder
Flashing through the crowd of Divines, I took out shadow after shadow, none able to reach me as I flew past them all. As I reached the next Dark Divine, I tore their throat, blood dripping down my chin as they fell to the ground, their life slowly slipping away from them.
Refusing to watch, I continued on my rampage, knowing that the guilt for who they truly were would eat away at me if I stood still for too long. They didn’t deserve this ending, but it was either theirs or mine. And I refused to be killed. Not when I finally had so much to live for.
Sprinting into the fray of battle, I spotted Knox, his sword drawn, blood dripping down his chest as he swung at anyone daring to move close to him. Madden roared on the other side of the crowd, his bright orange color a beacon amongst the Darkness. I watched as his claws tore into the enemy, shredding their insides in one swift move. And in the center of it all, my fierce woman, killing anyone in her vicinity, with a quick flick of her wrist. As the attackers closed in on us all, I knew this may be our last moments. And I couldn’t leave this world with regrets.
