She had a bump beneath the loose dress she wore. A round, unmistakable bump that spoke of life growing inside her.
It could not be. My mind refused to process it at first. Surely it could not be possible. She could not be...
But one deep breath confirmed what my eyes were showing me. Her scent had changed from what I remembered. Sweeter and richer and layered with that distinct maternal quality that made my wolf whine with the need to protect.
She was pregnant. Not just barely showing. Heavily pregnant. Months along from the size of her belly.
How much time had passed for her in the human realm? How long had she been carrying my child without me there to protect her? To provide for her? To take care of her the way a mate should?
My heart ached with a pain that had nothing to do with my physical injuries. I remembered the last time I had seen her in this throne room. She must have been pregnant then. Just beginning. Too early to show. When I rejected her in front of the entire court and called her worthless and disgusting. When I had Andreas’s people attack her in the library.
No. The thought crashed through me and brought waves of shock and horror and terrible despair. I had rejected my pregnant mate. Had sent her away alone and scared and carrying my child. Had made her think I did not want her when she needed me most.
I wanted to fall to my knees right there in the middle of the battle. Wanted to beg forgiveness I absolutely did not deserve. Wanted to burn the entire world down for what I had done to her.
The entire room had frozen at her scent. Every wolf turning to stare at the pregnant female who had just walked into a battle. The maternal pheromones were impossible to ignore. Instinct demanded protection. Demanded safety for the vulnerable female.
But Andreas broke the moment of stillness first. I saw understanding dawn in his eyes as he looked between Wen and me. Saw him realize exactly how to hurt me. Exactly where to strike for maximum damage.
He shifted midstride and ran straight for her.
“NO!” The roar tore from my throat.
I felt the bond snap fully open between us. All the walls I had built came crashing down. Energy flooded through me in a massive wave that made me gasp. Her presence was helping. Strengthening me. Giving me power I had been missing for months.
I slashed wildly at the men still surrounding me. My blades moved faster than they had all fight. Fueled by desperation andterror. One went down with his throat cut. Another fell clutching his stomach. The remaining three backed away from the feral energy radiating off me.
But Andreas was already halfway across the room. Moving fast. Too fast.
Wen’s scream cut through everything else. High and terrified. She was backing away from the massive wolf charging at her but there was nowhere to go. The wall was right behind her. She was pregnant and slow and completely defenseless.
I shifted without thinking. My wolf burst through in a cascade of breaking bones and reforming muscles. The pain barely registered. All I could see was Andreas closing in on my mate. All I could feel was the absolute certainty that if he touched her, I would burn this entire kingdom to the ground.
My paws hit the stone floor and I ran. Faster than I had ever moved before. Faster than should have been possible. The bond was wide open now and energy poured through it in both directions. She was feeding me strength. Making me stronger.
Andreas’s claws were extended as he leaped for her throat.
I jumped and intercepted him in midair. We collided with enough force to crack the stone wall behind us. Crashed to the floor in a tangle of fur and fangs and rage.
He tried to go for my throat but I was faster. Twisted and got my jaws around his shoulder. Bit down hard enough to taste blood. He howled and thrashed but I held on.
We rolled across the floor, crashing into fallen bodies and overturned furniture. He got his back legs under me and kicked hard enough to send me flying. I hit a column and felt something crack. Pain exploded through my ribs but I forced myself back up.
He was stronger than I expected. Motivated by desperation and the knowledge that if he lost, he died. But I had faced him before in our challenge. Knew his patterns. Knew his weaknesses. And now I had something he did not have.
I had my mate nearby. Had the bond open and feeding me her strength. Had the absolute certainty that I was fighting for everything that mattered.
Andreas charged again. I sidestepped and caught him across the flank with my claws. He yelped and spun to face me. We circled each other. Looking for openings.
He feinted left and went right. Tried to get past me. Tried to reach Wen again.
Not fucking happening.
I slammed into him from the side and we went down hard. My jaws found his throat. He thrashed and tried to shake me off but I held on with everything I had. Bit down harder. Tasted more blood. Felt him weakening.
He made one last desperate attempt to break free. Clawed at my face. Caught me across the eye. The pain was blinding but I did not let go.
I bit down with crushing force and ripped. Tore. Did not stop until I felt him go limp beneath me. Until his heart stopped beating. Until I was absolutely certain he was dead and could never threaten my mate again.
