"Make your decision, alpha," Terranus said, digging his claws into the ground. His patience was gone.
My claws sank into the soil, too. "My name is Bear, not alpha. And I already told you no."
"Then you've given me no choice."
Terranus exploded, rushing at me faster than a creature his size should've been able to move. I reared up on my hind legs and channelled strength into my powerful shoulders, ready to strike him.
But Terranus wasn't aiming for me. He jerked to the side and grabbed Ashe in his clawed hands. Ashe squealed, his delicate legs flailing. He was a prey animal. He didn't have the strength to fight off a predator, much less an angry spirit.
The fleeting moment of cold panic within me burned up, replaced by a hot inferno of fury.
Terranus could fuck with me all he wanted, but the second he hurt my mate, it was over.
My roar split the landscape. All the strength in my muscles channelled into one big impact as I slammed my bear paw into the side of Terranus's face. I felt the crunch of teeth under my palm. The punch took him off guard. He flew to the side with a snarl. Ashe sprawled out of his grip. My gaze snapped to him. Was he okay?
Thankfully, Ashe was no pushover. He bounced up on his feet and was swearing up a storm at Terranus. He quickly trotted out of range so the spirit couldn't grab him again, then ran to my side.
"Are you okay, Bear?" he asked.
My chest was heaving with effort, but I felt light and exhilarated. I looked at my paw. Had I really just punched a spirit in the face?
"Yes," I signed to Ashe.
He sighed in relief. "Good." Then he glared and gently headbutted me with his antlers. "That was so stupid and brave! What the hell were you thinking?"
"I won't let anyone hurt you. Nobody. Not even a spirit."
Ashe pressed his forehead to my cheek, nuzzling me. Even as a deer, he smelled warm and good.
"Did he hurt you?" I asked.
"Nah. Well, he squeezed me a little, but it's nothing I've never felt roughhousing with my alpha cousins."
Overwhelmed with affection, I licked his face. He laughed.
But our tender moment was cut short. Terranus got back up with a loud, deep growl.
"Won't let you go," he was muttering, his face hidden. "I'll take the magic whether you like it or—"
An orb of blackness suddenly swallowed up Terranus's head. He whipped around in confusion. "What is the meaning of this? I can't see!"
I didn't know what was happening, so I put my paw in front of Ashe's chest pre-emptively, but he didn't seem as concerned as I did. When I looked at his face, he was slowly grinning.
"Wow, I guess he's not a good-for-nothing after all," Ashe mumbled.
"Who?" I asked.
A rush of cold air manifested behind me, ruffling my thick fur. When we turned around, someone I'd never seen before was standing there. As my brow furrowed in confusion, Ashe just nodded casually in greeting and said, "Took you long enough to show up, Animus."
19
Ashe
My heart was still racingfrom my dangerous encounter with Terranus, but watching Bear stand up for me calmed me down immensely. He was always protecting me, wasn't he? He saved me from the mountain lion, he led me when I was afraid of the dark, he dug me out of the tunnel collapse, and now he even attacked a spirit to rescue me. I always felt safe by his side.
Animus strode ahead, his shadowy cape billowing behind him. It was strange seeing him in the sunlight, since I'd only seen him underground in the darkness. In the light, I saw the odd translucent quality of his pale skin, almost sickly.
Bear nudged me and signed, "Who is that?"
