Like lightning, his demons, led by Jorin, materialized swiftly, engaging the attackers with ferocious intensity. The ground trembled under the combatants’ feet as they traded blows, each hit echoing like thunder through the realm.
Unleashing a powerful roar that resonated deep into the fabric of the nether realm, I transformed into my lion form. Muscles tensed and ready, I charged into the fray. My instincts were sharp, and my movements were driven by a fierce determination to protect my mates.
Despite our efforts, the enemy minions seemed relentless, their numbers not dwindling. As I fought my way through the chaos, I finally reached where Lucas and Ez were. Lucas, still in his rabbit form, was protected by the plattag. The beast stood like a guardian, its massive body a formidable barrier. It growled menacingly, snapping its jaws at any attacker daring to come too close, its eyes blazing with a protective fury that matched my own.
Surrounded by the melee, Lucas looked up at me, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. The plattag, sensing my presence as an ally, gave a low, gruff acknowledgment before returning its attention to the encroaching enemies.
“There’s too many, my lord,” Jorin called. “It’s Juls, Martag, and Prince Mal’zak’s men.”
Dominic growled as he swung his mighty blades. “Jorin, open a portal, take Lucas and Talon out of here,” Dominic called.
I snarled in protest as I scratched another minion.
“Talon, you have to go, love. Lucas can’t stay here. Take him. Go. I’ll follow. Now go,” Dominic said desperately. “Jorin, now!”
Jorin raised his hand, and the air shimmered, opening a portal that looked like a puddle of moving shadows. I hated leaving Dominic behind, but he was right; this was no place for Lucas. With a reluctant heart, I scooped Lucas up by the scruff in my lion form and leaped through the portal.
Dominic, please be safe,I thought as we hurtled through dimensions.
“What the hell is going on?” Edward’s voice boomed as we landed with a thud in the Pride house’s living room.
“Lucas!” Brian exclaimed, rushing over as I transformed back into my human form.
I groaned from the impact, then quickly gathered Lucas into my arms as he reverted to his human form. “Why’d we leave? We need to go back!” he protested, panic edging his voice.
“We have to go back for him!” Lucas’s plea was desperate.
“He’ll be okay,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
“What happened?” Edward pressed, his tone demanding.
I looked up at my king. “We were ambushed. Several demons attacked us. Dominic got us out of there.”
“We need to go back, Talon. We need to help him,” Lucas pleaded, his voice desperate.
“I don’t know if we can,” I replied softly. “It wasn’t safe to stay.”
“But… Talon,” Lucas’s eyes welled with tears, his distress palpable.
“Jeremy, get Leon and issue an alert through the pride. Have everyone take shelter here,” Edward commanded, then turned to his second. “Walter, contact Reginald Adams of the Hawthorne coven. Tell him I need their assistance immediately.”
Returning his gaze to me, Edward’s expression was resolute. “We’ll see if magic can help us. We’ll fight for Dominic if we have to. You have the pride’s full support.”
I nodded, pulling Lucas closer into a tight embrace, my heart aching with worry.Please, Fate, watch over my mate,I prayed silently as the room sprang into action around us.
The Emperor....Oz?
Lucas
“Here,”Briansaid,handingme a pair of sweats. “Thought you both would want to cover up.”
Even though I nodded and dressed, I truly didn’t care. I couldn’t shake the image of Dominic surrounded by chaos. I wanted him here with us. The fear of having left him behind gnawed at me.
“He’ll be okay,” Talon assured, guiding me back to the couch.
“You don’t know that. There were so many, and….” My voice broke as tears stung my eyes, the image of the swarming demons too vivid to articulate further.
“Dominic is strong, and we would feel it here,” Talon said, placing a hand over my heart, “if something were wrong. We’re connected—his soul.”
