“I'm a coward?” James sneers. “If I were, I wouldn't have orchestrated this elaborate plan to get you here,” he snickers. “How do you think I found out who your mate is?” He swishes the knife through the air. “I grabbed some of your hair when we fought the last time.”
I stand tall and protectively in front of Arianna when James comes closer, calculating each of his steps so I'll know exactly when to attack. “So, all of this is revenge?”
“Revenge for killing my mate,” he concedes with a snarky grin. “But the warlock promised more if I delivered the hybrid child to him. You see…once they used your hair to identify you, they found that you had a true mate, and she was a witch from a coven they'd been to war with. We kill two birds with one stone if I lead them to the witches and bring them the precious child who is destined to have great powers. They promised me—”
“I don't care what they promised you!” I roar, disgusted by these revelations, my claws distending from my fingertips as I prepare to attack. I speak to Arianna through the mind link. “Get Noah!”
When Arianna inhales, I shift into wolf form, lunging for the mutated rogue wolf who shifts into his wretched form. My claws lash at him as I attempt to get his throat, majestic howls and roars ripping from my chest as we fight.
Arianna rushes toward Noah, and I keep James distracted long enough for her to free our son from the cage. Once he's safely in her arms and they escape through the backdoor of the warehouse, I growl and tear into the disfigured creature, slicing its furless neck with my sharp claws.
James whimpers as he collapses to the floor in a pathetic heap, his last breath drawn out as his malevolent spirit leaves his body and his human form spreads out.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I shift into human form, just as Dominic and Nicholas enter the warehouse to see James's dead body.
“We've taken care of the others,” Dominic informs me as they both come to stand beside me. “This group won't be a problem anymore.”
I nod thoughtfully as I remember what James said. “They may not be a problem, but he mentioned a dark warlock who was behind all of this.” I continue explaining what James told us, and Nicholas pats my shoulder.
“We'll have to speak to Delilah about this. She will know who the witches’ enemy is.”
“Yeah,” Dominic agrees as he glances at the door Arianna left from. “For now, you need to protect your family, Tyler. They need you.”
I gulp hard as I nod, knowing full well that Dominic is right.
No more walking on eggshells around Arianna or my parents.
I'm going to man up and take my responsibilities seriously, and tell my parents exactly what I want as soon as they return tomorrow.
Because what I truly want and desire the most is standing outside the warehouse, waiting for me.
Chapter 23 - Arianna
I slide into bed beside Noah, not wanting to leave his side after what happened tonight.
It took a few seconds for danger to wrap its claws around my son, and I can't let it happen again. I’m still kicking myself for these gifts that aren't useful if I’m not having my visions in time to act before the danger comes. Now that the damage is done, Noah hasn't said a word since we found him and brought him back to Tyler's place, and it's because of the trauma he faced tonight.
I'll have to give him my undivided attention and time, and that's why I didn't argue with Tyler when he brought us back to his house and insisted we stay the night.
Truthfully, Noah needs both his parents around.
I'm just about to close my eyes when a faint knock sounds on the door. Glancing at Noah to check that he's still asleep, I carefully climb out of bed and tiptoe to the door.
“Is he asleep?” Tyler whispers, and I step out into the hallway, gently closing the door behind me but leaving it open just a crack for Tyler to peek in.
“Yeah, he's asleep now,” I confirm in a whisper. “I'm just worried about him. He hasn't said a word.”
Biting my bottom lip nervously, I can see the worry flash across Tyler's face. “He'll be fine, Arianna. What happened was bound to be a traumatic experience for him. He just needs time and patience. But he will heal from this. He's an alpha's son, after all.”
I gasp when Tyler says this, lifting my eyes to find him staring at me observantly. The moment our eyes meet, hehesitates and averts his gaze, running an awkward hand through his hair.
There's a part of me that wants to fling myself into his arms and thank him for rescuing Noah, and also apologize for keeping Noah a secret to begin with. But I hold myself back, mentally fighting my urges because I know there's no way Tyler can forgive me for lying to him.
Just as I can't forgive him for hurting me in the past. How can I, when he's never apologized for it?
“Er—my parents are coming back tomorrow,” he says as he clears his throat. “I'll have to report the incident to them, as well as the pack. They can't be left in the dark.”
Gulping, I nod tersely. “Does that mean…they're gonna find out about the witch stuff?”
