Cadel goes flying over my head, landing heavily, but in two seconds, he’s up, his teeth sunk into the throat of the Ravage Wolf. The two go around and round, tearing up concrete, stones, and destroying anything that gets in their way. The goddess hisses and jerks her arm as she grabs one of the guards, ripping through his clothes until she pulls out a tiny gold bell.
With a malicious grin, she shakes it. The Ravage Wolf rips free of the Anarchy Wolf and trots up to her, snarling over his shoulder.
I’m working my way towards her, but I can see her mouth moving as she whispers to him. I don’t know what she’s saying, but I get a horrible feeling. He presses his face to hers and then whirls back, attacking Cadel before my alpha can even finish his jump.
No! What did she do? I watch the wolf, terrified for Cadel.
Pain stabs through me like a burning lance. I exhale with a moan as my knees crash to the wood. The bonds, the sudden loss of them, is going to kill me. It will take a long time, but this pain isn’t something I can survive.
Cadel has stumbled, too, his burning red eyes on me. I hold up a hand, waving him off, but he just snaps at the Ravage Wolf, forcing it to keep its distance until I shove myself back up on my feet.
The goddess weaves, but when I look at her, she’s pale, almost white, and suddenly, her eyes roll into the back of her head, and her body just drops to the ground. The dull thud and way she’s sprawled make me think she’s dead, but that’s impossible.
“What the?” I murmur, peering at her but trying to keep my eyes on the two giant wolves who keep rolling around. One blow from them could break my bones and kill me. A kick could open up my stomach and allow my insides to fall out.
I hold my breath, wait for an opportunity, and then dive, rolling until I’m crouched beside her. Her skin has burst in several places, but she looks like a dried-up husk, emaciated, her hair limp and lusterless. She has become skin over bones.
She looks dead. I hold out a hand over her mouth while I watch her chest. For the count of sixty, she doesn’t breathe. I jostle her, and nothing. She’s lifeless.
I sit back on my heels, wondering what to do now.
I expected this win to feel so much more. Nothing feels like it’s changed.
Cadel and the Ravage Wolf are locked in an endless battle, teeth and claws flashing, their growls are sonorous booms that deafen me. They fly off the stage, rolling through the blood and bodies.
I walk to the edge, glancing down at Mordecai and Jarek. The pain rips through me again, ceaselessly ripping me apart. I bend over, gasping and clutching at my chest. Cadel lets out a howl, and I jerk my eyes up, seeing that the Ravage wolf has his leg in a vicious hold.
“Cadel!” I shout and focus on calm, white noise. I don’t know if it helps, but he gets his leg free, and they go again.
“Don’t move!”
I jerk my head to the right. Out of the shadows, braving the world now that the wolves are gone, are the pledges and guards, and they’ve worked themselves into a posse. Their hard gazes fixed on me like I’m some dangerous monster.
They hold swords up and creep towards me with scowls and bravado that grows with each step.
“Stay away from me!” I shout, snarling at them.
They come closer. I sit down and drop off the stage, slipping in some blood and banging my knee hard. I look up, and Jarek’s eyes are staring right at me, but they aren’t seeing anything.
“Sorry, Alpha,” I whisper and snatch up a sword. It fits almost perfectly in my hands. It’s light and comfortable and feels a bit like it was meant for me. I look up, seeing the side profile of Mordecai.
My heart beats hard in my chest. All I want to do is go and sit with them. Touch them, say goodbye. I reach my hand out.
“Omega!” the beta snarls.
I retract my hand with a pained whimper, jerking several steps back before I even realise what I’m doing. I glance at my alphas.
They’re dead. There’s nothing I can do for them, but Cadel is still fighting. I can help him.
I spin, racing after the two wolves, who are leaving a trail of destruction behind them. The guards and pledges shout, but I ignore them. Jumping over bodies and weapons.
“Hey!” a guard shouts from far too close.
I bare my teeth, putting on a burst of speed, but he stays with me. I whirl and whip the sword out, snaking it across his stomach, leaving him holding his insides.
“Stay back,” I snarl at the others who eye me like I’m the monster.
They dog my steps, spreading out to trap me. I hold the sword up and focus only on them.
