This time, his angle was more vicious. The bullet went straight for my kneecap, shattering bone on impact. Fenrir howled in agony and rage inside me. Wolfsbane ravaged my system. Blood poured from both wounds like water. No matter how hard I tried to hide it, the damage was too severe. I collapsed to my knees, stumbling into a nearby church pew.
My fall drew mocking laughter from the hunters around me. They roared with amusement while Serenity screamed my name. It sounded distant.
But I heard her call.
So I braced my hands against the ground and staggered back to my feet.
The laughter died. They stared at me like they were witnessing something impossible. Fear and disgust crossed many faces. They instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons.
"Now let her go." I fixed my gaze on Falcon and rasped the command.
His expression soured. His eyes darted between Serenity and me. Finally, just as my patience was about to snap, he shrugged, pulled a key from his pocket, and unlocked her shackles.
"Elias!" The moment she was free, Serenity didn't run. She sprinted straight toward me.
But she'd barely taken a few steps when two hunters blocked her path, guns aimed at both of us.
I could no longer maintain human form. My teeth began shifting into fangs as I snarled at them. "Let her leave! What is this?!"
"Relax. We have no intention of breaking our promise." Falcon raised his gun again, aiming at my heart. "This is just the final step of our deal. Take this last bullet, and she can go."
Serenity froze at his words.
"Let her leave first." I narrowed my eyes dangerously. "Otherwise, let's see which is faster. Your bullets or me killing all of you."
Falcon considered it, then looked at Serenity. "Fine, I agree… Go on, then, Miss Serenity. Leave while I'm still feeling generous."
The armed hunters still wouldn't let Serenity near me, but they opened the church's back door, clearing an escape route. Serenity looked at that door, then at me. I burned her image into my mind. This might be the last time I would ever see her.
"Go." I forced a smile and kept my voice sounding calm and composed. "I signed a divorce agreement. Herman will tell you where to find it… Get it, take Arian, and live a good life."
Serenity bit her lip, but still didn't move.
When I saw impatience creep across Falcon's face, my tone turned harsh, and I shouted at her. "Go!"
Tears rolled down Serenity's cheeks. She turned toward the back door. Everyone thought she was leaving and relaxed their guard slightly. But then she suddenly whipped around with a snarl and charged at Falcon!
Her body shifted mid-run. She lunged in wolf form, her fangs sinking straight into Falcon's arm!
"Damn it!" Falcon hadn't expected this. He was pulling the trigger on me, but Serenity's attack threw off his aim. The bullet grazed my cheek and flew past. I didn't even care about myself. Terror ripped through me at Serenity’s reckless move!
"Be careful, Serenity!"
Hunters all around raised their guns at her. I tried to shift, but the silver bullets must have contained something that suppressed transformation. I couldn't change! But even in human form, I had to protect her! Ignoring the agony in my legs, I charged forward and took down the nearest hunters. Just as I snapped one's neck, the church doors exploded open. A flood of wolf warriors finally arrived, led by Herman!
"Alpha! Luna!" Herman rushed in first. He took in the scene and barked orders. "Protect them!"
Chaos erupted inside the church. I spun and raced toward Serenity and Falcon. Mid-run, I saw Falcon kick Serenity hard in the stomach, sending her flying. Then he scrambled to his feet and grabbed his gun from the ground. "Damn monsters! Die!"
He aimed at Serenity's head. She was struggling, unable to get up.
In that moment, time seemed to slow. The sounds around me and the pain in my body faded away. Only one thought remained: I could not let him hurt my mate!
"Serenity!!"
I launched myself through the air and threw my body over hers.
BANG!
