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I looked around but couldn’t see Esmeralda.
“Where is she? What have you done with her?” I asked.
“There will be no mercy for the likes of you! To take one of ours and make it your pet . . . What an insult!”
“Give her back,” I insisted.
I heard a muffled scream, but I couldn’t see her anywhere. She had to be somewhere nearby.
The man spat the next words with disdain. “You’ll die like the bloodsucker you are.” He got down on all fours. His nose and mouth lengthened to form a snout as his muscles swelled, tearing his clothes in the process. A tail stretched down his back while hair grew everywhere. It was the first time I’d witnessed the transformation, and it was quite impressive. In a matter of seconds, a huge wolf stood before me.
His wolf was much more massive than the others, and I realized he had to be the Alpha. At the nod of his head, the whole pack pounced on me. Teeth dug into my flesh from all sides, claws tore into my skin, but I didn’t care. The will to save Esmeralda was stronger and knowing she was close by, the adrenaline carried me even more.
I used my vampiric powers, throwing a wolf to the ground. I scratched others with my sharp nails and even sank my fangs into one who tried to bite me in the face. I fought them off one by one, but there were so many of them that I didn’t know how long I could last. A mixture of blood and spit soaked the ground, and at least one wolf turned back into a man, his body lying naked to the left of me. I had no time to wonder if he was dead as I continued to fend off my attackers.
It seemed like there was always more coming. I’d push one away, and another would jump out at me. I was getting tired, but I kept on fighting.
I’d get Esmeralda back or die trying.
I screamed as the Alpha’s claws planted themselves into my back without warning, forcing me to my knees. The pain was unbearable, and I gasped. The muscles in my back spasmed in response, sending hot fiery agony through my body. The wolves all stood around me, baring their teeth, waiting for a sign from their leader. My vision blurred with nauseating force as the Alpha pulled his claws down, opening my flesh further. I tried to push him away, to stand up, but my body wouldn’t let me. I heard his howl of victory even though I wasn’t dead yet, and his pack answered his call.
“Stop!” cried Esmeralda’s voice.
Sounds of cracking branches echoed, followed by a woman’s voice. “Get back here!”
I looked up for a moment to see Esmeralda being chased by another woman. She was older and had graying hair, but she looked very much like Esmeralda. She quickly caught up and yanked the young woman to a standstill.
The whole pack was preparing to pounce on me. My strength was leaving me, but I still roared as loudly as possible, “Give me back my mate!” The word slipped out without me even thinking about it, but I didn’t care. I wanted everyone to know that she was mine.
“Wait!” shouted the woman holding Esmeralda.
All the wolves stopped momentarily, all staring at her. Warm blood poured from my back as the Alpha removed his claws from me and turned back into a human. My breaths came out in strained wheezes, but I forced myself to my knees and bit back a violent wave of pain.
My gaze rested on Esmeralda, imprisoned with her people. They had been loyal, as I knew they would be. I’d been a fool to think they wouldn’t find her. But I couldn’t help but feel warmth at the thought of her trying to escape her pack to stay with me. She was so close but out of my reach, and I didn’t have the strength to get up and join her.
The man roared angrily, and the spell was broken. “Why did you order to stop? Are you defying me?”
I recognized the same look Esmeralda had in her eyes when I first saw her in the woman’s gaze. I realized then that it was her mother.
She approached the man, still holding Esmeralda in her arms. She looked unimpressed, even though the Alpha was taller than her by more than a head.
“Since when do you question your Luna’s choices?” she asked with authority.
“Since my daughter’s life is at stake, Alyson!” he barked.
Now I understood why they had come back for her. She was the daughter of the Alpha and the Luna. She was the next leader of the pack, probably the most valuable member after her own parents. They would never have given up on her.
“My life is not in danger,” argued Esmeralda, still a prisoner of her mother.
“She said he saved her life and treated her well,” Alyson replied.
“I don’t fucking care!” yelled the Alpha. “She’s my daughter and coming back to the pack with us! You were so worried, asking everyone to find her.”
“Yes, of course, she’s my daughter too,” the woman retorted, outraged. “But what that vampire just said changes everything.”
“Bullshit! The Moon Goddess doesn’t mate bloodsuckers with our kind.”
“Thomas, you know very well that the Moon Goddess doesn’t give a damn about races and does as she pleases,” Alyson remarked. “There’s no bond more pure and important than that of the fated mates. You should know that!” At these words, she released Esmeralda. I breathed a sigh of relief as she threw herself into my arms, a soft purr escaping my chest. Though I was battered, bruised, and bleeding, at least she was with me. To think her father had almost killed me . . . I hugged her tightly, never to let go again, inhaling her sweet lilac scent. Warm tears rolled down Esmeralda’s cheeks.
