He tries to rush past me again.
He’s aiming…forKenny.
My own vision mists as I barrel into him, knocking him sideways. Razor sharp teeth flash inches from my throat, much longer than they normally are as he turns to face me. His body is broader, bigger, his suit torn and filthy.
But I’d know the alpha that roars at me anywhere.
No longer Charles Rivers.
Somethingworse.
Movement flickers from the corner of my eye, and my soul leaves my body.
No.
I told her to run. Itoldher.
But alpha barks only work on omegas.
They don’t work onferalomegas.
And as Kennedy flings herself past me, her movements too quick for me to grab her, I see them. The flash of claws, lethal and sharp.
She launches herself at Charles Rivers with a shriek. And her claws… they slash across his throat, opening up a thin line of scarlet. He shoves her away, but she only throws herself back at him, darting around his body too quickly for him to track.
Too fast for me to grab her. My heart in my throat, I’m forced to watch, my hands up and ready in case there’s something I can do. Her name sounds like a heartbeat, whispered on my lips.
Kenny. Kenny. Kenny.
All this time.
I can’t lose her again. None of us will survive it.
The bellow that reaches me from the other side of the clearing sends pain rippling through my chest, even as Kennedy tears into Charles. He staggers, falling to his knees.
Her claws lift, again, aiming for his jugular—
“Kennedy!” Theo roars. Not a bark. But a plea. “No!”
Charles slumps. Blood dots the floor around him.
And Kenny… stops. Her eyes flicker, her claws against his neck.
If she kills him—
“You did good.” Slowly, I lift my hands. Coaxing. “But we can put him away, Ken. He’s not going to hurt you. You did really good.”
She snarls down at him.
“Or us,” Theo says quietly. He stares at his father. And there’s nothing there but grim understanding, before he lifts his eyes to our mate. “Come back, Kenny. It’s okay.”
I can’t breathe as I watch her. If she’s turned again…
She can’t go through that again.
Kenny’s eyes flicker. Once. Twice.
And this time, it’s… easy. Her eyes shift into a familiar brown, and she staggers.
