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“Fuck you,” Bloom spat.
“Oh yes, he had to go. See, that’s how I got my special training. Oh yes, Mr. Tree, my Havenshaw, had to go. Those were the Dark one’s words.”
Out of the corner of his eye Rollo saw movement on all sides. Dax looked ready to spring. But so did Frederick. The whole room was full of tension. And he could tell it was about to explode.
“But why? Why? He never hurt anyone!”
“Oh, people always ask ‘why?’ What a stupid question. You know the funny part is, I didn’t even have to use my magic, I just had to pretend I was hurt. It was too easy!”
“Why?” Bloom said once more.
“Well, I do believe he knew too much…” But even as he said it, Frederick made a move to grab Winona full by her throat. In the same instant, with lightning speed, Dax delivered a blow that would have send any other man, or creature flying. It barely affected Frederick. It was enough so that before Frederick could grab her, however, Winona was able to lunge right under his reach and incredibly make a move to tackle him instead. He easily threw her to the side, but the completely unexpected move gave Rollo the precious moment he needed.
Frederick was heaving back and clearly intent on delivering a killing blow to his mate.
There would be no more answers.
He wasted no time. He shifted and pounced within a second, landing on top of Frederick, his head in his mouth ready to tear it off.
Winona and Julie jumped back, shocked by the suddenness of it all.
But even as he seized his head in his jaws, Frederick continued to fight. He began to spin his hands and Rollo could feel an energy building. He knew he would be denied the chance to do all the things he had dreamed of doing to the monster that had terrorized his life for over three years now, but he knew he couldn’t let him live. He had forfeit that right when he killed his brother, and threatened his children and the pack, not to mention his mate.
Even as Frederick fought and mumbled curses, he could feel him beginning a shift. He was going to bring all his weapons to bear against them all, but Rollo wasn’t going to let that happen. With one powerful shake of his head, he quickly ended Frederick before he could do more harm, either with tooth and claw or dark magic. He dropped his lifeless form to the ground. He wished it could have been different, but Frederick had left him no choice.
Bloom stood there stunned, with Dax by her side. Winona and her friend clung to one another as well. Just then Clint and Dayton came in the room to bear witness.
He held little remorse. Frederick was beyond saving, and whatever secrets he had held would have only come at risk of the lives of his friends and family.
It was clear there was going to be no redemption arc for him either. Tonight, had made that clear. He had been slightly odd when he was with the pack, but he had clearly come almost completely unglued since their last meeting. Ironically, that was probably the only reason Rollo was able to dispatch him with such relative ease. God only knew what carnage he could have wrought with his magic, but he had been so set on explaining his revenge, and so arrogant in his belief in his own superiority, that he had allowed himself to be taken down in the most basic, and most savage attacks. Again, Rollo reflected, ultimately, he had no regrets. Frederick was defeated. That was what mattered.
With his grisly work done, he shifted back, not caring that he stood there naked before them all, his clothes in rags around them. He looked up to Dax with sweat pouring off his brow.
“It’s over. It’s really over.”
Dax nodded.
“Bloom, I’m sorry we couldn’t get more answers for you.”
“You put him down, Rollo. That is enough.”
He just nodded as he went to his mate and pulled her to him. She collapsed in his arms.
“I’m so sorry, love. I’m here. I’m here.”
CHAPTER25
Winona couldn’t believe it was over. Even after a few days of recovery, it was like it had all happened to someone else. She saw Rollo shift into his powerful beast. She had watched Frederick’s lifeless body hit the ground. Thank God. It was horrible to say, but it was true. She didn’t want to even think about what Frederick was planning. She was in the hottest shower of her life, trying to settle her nerves and she just couldn’t do it. She got out, got dressed and padded out to the kitchen to find the boys and Rollo all around the kitchen island, apparently waiting for her.
After helping clean up and comforting Julie for a while, she had finally decided that the safe house was where she wanted to be. But this time, it had been her choice.
“What’s everyone doing here? You can’t really be hungry, can you? After all that?”
Rollo tussled Jaye’s hair. “Come on, Winona! I thought you said you had experience with shifter kids! You must know they’re always hungry! I mean, you are the nanny, right? Isn’t this your job?”
Winona didn’t know what to make of it. After everything, he had to be kidding.Heiskidding, right?
Unsure, she sort of stumbled on her way to the fridge, to see what they had for dinner makings, before Rollo caught her elbow. The boys crowded around them both.
