"Get up, Liam," Jacob ordered, grabbing my arm and hoisting me to my feet. "You can't lose it now. Not when we're so close." I clenched my teeth and willed myself to stay grounded, focusing on the rhythmic sound of my breathing and the steady beat of my heart. But the pain was relentless, clawing at me with a ferocity I'd never experienced before.
We stumbled forward, the pain threatening to consume me at any moment. And then, just as we rounded the corner, I saw him: Grant, standing tall and menacing at the end of the hallway.
"Grant," I snarled through gritted teeth, fury igniting every cell in my body. "Get out of our way."
"Can't do that, Liam," he replied coolly, a twisted smile on his face. "You see, Erica belongs here now. With us."
"Stay the hell away from her, Grant," I growled, my fists clenching at my sides as I fought to control the anger roiling within me.
"Or what?" he sneered, his eyes filled with a venomous hatred. "You think you can just waltz in here and take her back? She belongs to the Shadow Night pack now."
"Belongs?" I spat, incredulous. "She's not some object you can claim ownership of!"
"Of course not," he replied, a sick smile stretching across his face. "But she's also not someone you can hurt anymore."
"Me? Hurt her?" My confusion battled with my rage. "You're the one who kidnapped her, who let goddess knows what happen to her!"
"It’s all part of the plan, I know that now. Sometimes people need to be pushed to find their true potential," he snarled. "And if Erica stays with you, she'll never reach hers."
"Her 'potential'? Is that what you call it?" I snapped, struggling to keep my wolf at bay. "Erica is my fated mate, and we will find a way to get her to shift." Grant's laughter echoed through the hallway, cold and cruel.
"You might want to ask my mother about that," he said, smirking. "I think you'll find it... enlightening."
"Becca Hughes?" I thought, puzzled. What could she possibly have to do with Erica's inability to shift? But before I could dwell on it further, Grant lunged at me, his fists raised and ready for a fight.
I dodged his first swing, my mind racing as I tried to come up with a plan. Every fibre of my being screamed at me to protect Erica, but first, I had to get past Grant. He was relentless, fueled by his own twisted sense of loyalty, but I couldn't let him win. I couldn't let him take her away from me. As Grant lunged at me, I barely managed to dodge his fist, feeling the rush of wind against my face. I countered with a swift punch to his ribs, but he was relentless, driven by his misguided loyalty to protect Erica.
"Her destiny isn't yours to decide!" I yelled, blocking another one of his blows.
"Neither is it yours!" he spat, landing a hit on my shoulder that made me wince. My anger flared, but I knew I couldn't let it cloud my judgement ment. There had to be a way to end this without resorting to lethal force. As we traded blows, I searched for an opening, something that would give me the upper hand. Finally, I saw it, a brief moment of hesitation in Grant's eyes as he threw another punch. I dodged, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind him. With my free hand, I delivered a series of quick strikes to his torso, forcing him down onto his knees. My heart raced, adrenaline and victory coursing through my veins as I tightened my grip around his neck, preparing to snap it.
"LIAM! DON'T!" The sound of a door slamming and Erica's desperate scream pierced the air, and I froze. The overpowering citrus scent of her filled my nostrils, pulling at my wolf like a magnet. It took everything in me not to shift right then and there.
"Please, Liam," she sobbed, her green eyes sparking with fear. "Don't kill him." I looked into her eyes, those beautiful, vulnerable eyes, and knew I couldn't do it. Instead, I slammed Grant's head into the wall beside us, knocking him unconscious. Then, without sparing him another glance, I rushed toward my mate.
"Erica," I whispered, reaching out to her. But she backed away from me, trembling like a frightened animal. It tore at my heart to see her like this, but I understood why she was scared. She had been through so much in such a short time.
"Erica, I'm here," I reassured her softly, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I promise, I'll protect you."
As if a dam had burst, tears streamed down her cheeks and she collapsed onto the floor, her sobs echoing through the now-silent corridor. In an instant, I was by her side, pulling her into my arms and holding her tight. Her cries tore at my soul, each one a painful reminder of what she had suffered, and what I had failed to prevent.
"Shh, it's alright," I murmured, stroking her hair as she cried into my chest. "You're safe now, Erica. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
Chapter 26
Jasper
Thefirecrackledandsnapped in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the room as I lounged on the plush armchair. Kieran and Grant sat nearby, engaged in a heated game of cards. My fingers idly traced the rim of my glass, a small smile playing on my lips. Erica's scent still lingered in the air, sweet and intoxicating. Despite her stubbornness, I could feel her resistance waning; she was coming around to my way of thinking.
"Cheer up, Grant," I chided, taking a sip of whiskey. "You look like someone just killed your favourite pet."
"Maybe because I don't believe for a second that she's actually coming around," he grumbled, tossing down his cards and slouching further into his seat.
"Ah, always the cynic." I shook my head, my good mood undeterred by his negativity. "You underestimate me, Grant. I'm not some lovesick pup. I know Erica was trying to get rid of me, but it doesn't matter. She'll give in soon enough. I can feel it in every fiber of her being, she's resisting herself more than she's resisting me. And when she finally gives in..." I paused, savouring the thought. "It will be that much sweeter."
"Whatever you say, Alpha," Grant muttered, rolling his eyes. I could sense his frustration, but the thought of Erica's eventual surrender filled me with such anticipation that I couldn't bring myself to care. Kieran chuckled at our banter, his hazel eyes catching the flickering light from the fire.
"You two are like an old married couple, bickering over any little thing," he teased. "Just play your cards, both of you."
