I take a deep breath, and then I focus. I pour everything I have into Fitz. All my strength, all my magic, all my love. He has to live, he has to.
I pour and pour. All of myself into him. I hold nothing back. Time passes in a daze. Until I’m done. I can do no more.
I’m empty, I’m dizzy. I’ve given him everything and I’m about to pass out. I hope it was enough. I hope he knows I tried. I really have. I couldn’t save my birth pack, but I’d like to save Fitz. Even if it costs me my life. Which it feels like it has.
He is still out cold. Hopefully, it’s just going to take time. He is going to wake up. It would be nice if he did before I fade away. It would be a comfort to know it had worked. That I have succeeded in something.
Booted footsteps sound in the alley’s mouth. Wearily I turn my head. The hunters. I’m too exhausted to feel much of anything.
“You didn’t get far,” one of them drawls.
It’s true. But at least I tried. Someone put that on my gravestone please. Here lies Jake, he tried. It’s a very fitting epitaph. Maybe there will be time to utter them as my last words.
Chapter thirty-six
Ittakesallmystrength to get to my feet and face the hunters. I hate leaving Fitz on the alley floor, but hopefully I can buy him some time, even if it’s just shielding him with my body. I’ve never been more grateful that I’m a big guy. I’m covering him well.
There is still a chance he will recover. He can wake up and flee down the alley. All I need to do is stand here and take as many crossbow bolts as I can. I won’t fall. I won’t fail Fitz again.
There is not a drop of magic left in me. There is no strength left in my body. I can’t shift. I can’t fight. Being a shield is the only thing I can do. And I’m going to do it well.
The hunters are just standing there. One has his crossbow aimed directly at my chest.
“Get on with it,” I growl.
“Where is the fun in that?” one of the hunters drawls. “We want to see you beg first.”
His tone is mocking but I can smell his fear. He doesn’t know I’m drained. He only knows I’m an alpha shifter. He has probably made the same calculation that I did earlier, that I could kill at least one, quite possibly two of them before they could defeat me. I’m guessing none of the three want to be tribute. So much for their noble crusade.
Looks like we are in a standoff. Fine by me. Anything that buys Fitz more time.
I’m straining my ears, trying to hear any signs of movement behind me. Is Fitz stirring? Has it worked? I can’t hear a thing and I can’t take my eyes off the hunters, not even for one second. They will attack the moment I do.
The crossbow moves an infinitesimal amount but I see it. He is going to fire it. I brace myself for agony.
Suddenly a blur of movement rushes by me. Fitz launches himself at the crossbow wielder. The weapon crashes to the ground. Fitz kicks it towards me as he wrestles the hunter. I tear my eyes away to scramble for the crossbow. Fuck. It hit the alley wall and it’s broken. I whirl back to the fight. One hunter has Fitz by the throat and is throwing him at the brick wall. But Fitz kicks his legs and runs up the wall and flips, landing behind his opponent. Fucking hell, I’ve only seen that move in films before.
Fitz grabs the knife from the hunter’s sheath whilst dealing a Bruce Lee style kick to the hunter behind him. In almost the same move he spins, dragging his newly stolen knife across the throat of the third hunter. Jeez. I knew Fitz could fight, but this is incredible.
I take a step forward. I need to help. But the world spins and I fall to my knees. I’m weaker than a newborn kitten. A whine of frustration and dismay sticks in my throat. I can’t distract Fitz. If I can’t help, the least I can do is not hinder.
Fitz stabs one of the hunters in the chest and the man falls backward, hitting the ground hard. But the remaining hunter takes the opportunity to wrap his arm around Fitz’s neck and get a choke hold on him. Fitz kicks back and the hunter grunts but doesn’t let go. Fitz thrashes hard, fighting with everything he has but the man is twice his size, even with his shifter strength it’s an unfair match.
Fitz’s half healed face starts to turn purple. I crawl forward. I have to help. A yell of surprise echoes around the alley. Fitz has shifted to his wolf form. The remnants of his clothes flutter to the ground. The change of shape has made his opponent’s grip loose. Wasting no time, Fitz breaks free, turns around, leaps up and closes his jaws around the hunters throat. Blood spurts everywhere and the heavy man falls backwards, Fitz doesn’t let go of him, he follows him down so that he is standing over him. Jaws still tight, blood still spurting and a deep growl coming out of his throat.
“Well, that’s impressive.”
My gaze snaps up to the entrance of the alley. The Grand Master is standing there in a long black leather coat. He crosses his arms. He has clearly seen that he is not needed.
My omega has taken out three hunters all by himself. All while still severely injured. I’m so proud I might burst. I’m glad the Grand Master is here to see Fitz’s glory. As well as being impressive, it proves once and for all where his loyalty now lies.
Fitz releases his kill and shifts to his human form. He launches himself at me and I fall backwards. My arms wrap around him. He is warm, alive, safe, and in my arms. His green eyes are staring down at me, wide and anxious.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod. “Are you okay?”
He nods.
