Page 85 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Trying to run?" The witch approached with a cold laugh, looking down at me. "How naive. You think we'd let you escape that easily?"

She raised her hand. Black magic coalesced in her palm, growing larger, radiating the stench of death.

"Serena wants you alive. But she didn't say you had to be in one piece." The witch's icy voice made my heart skip. "I'll cripple your legs first. Save us the trouble of chasing you again."

The magic orb grew brighter. I bit down hard, trying desperately to move, but my body refused to obey.

Just as the magic was about to hit me, a furious howl tore through the night sky, shaking the entire forest.

The next second, a massive shape leapt from the trees like lightning, instantly blocking me.

The black magic orb slammed into his back. The acrid smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cedric

Magic seared through my fur, the burning pain nearly shredding what was left of my sanity. I couldn't even bear to think—if I hadn't made it in time, that spell would've hit Alice.

The witch still held her casting pose, black magic pooling in her palm. When she saw me burst out, terror flashed in her eyes.

She didn't even get a chance to scream. I was already on her, claws tearing through her throat. Hot blood sprayed out, soaking my fur. Her eyes went wide. She clutched at her neck in disbelief as blood gushed between her fingers, pooling on the ground.

I released her. Her body crumpled, the light in her eyes snuffed out.

Only then did I turn to Alice. She sat collapsed on the ground, dress torn, hair wild, exposed skin covered in blood and bruises.

I shifted back, practically stumbling to her. My hands shook as I reached for her, terrified of hurting her more.

"Are you hurt?" My voice came out raw, trembling. "Where does it hurt? Tell me."

"I'm fine." Alice shook her head. Her hand came up to touch my face, worry in her eyes. "You... your wounds from before haven't healed. You shouldn't be fighting."

"I'm fine." I gripped her hand—so cold it made my chest ache. "Alice, listen. The Black Witches are with us now. They'll help us defeat Serena. I've arranged for people to get you out of here. It's too dangerous."

"No!" Alice cut me off, her eyes so fierce it stopped me cold. "Whatever happens, I'm staying with you."

"Alice—"

"You fucking bitch, I'll kill you!" Victoria's shriek tore through the night.

I whipped around. She charged out of the darkness, face twisted with madness and hate, jealousy blazing in her eyes. She gripped a dagger, aimed straight at Alice.

"Die! All of you, die!"

I shoved Alice behind me, catching Victoria's wrist. I wrenched hard.

Crack.

She flew like a rag doll, slamming into a tree. The dagger clattered to the ground.

"Victoria." I walked toward her, each step heavy with threat. My Alpha authority pressed down without restraint. "You do have a death wish."

"Why?" Victoria struggled up, voice shrill. "Cedric! You're still protecting her! This woman's carrying someone else's bastard! All this danger—she brought it! I'm the one who's been by your side, so why can't you see me? Why her?"

"Enough!" My voice was ice. Each word ground out through clenched teeth. "I've made it clear, Victoria. I never loved you. I only looked after you because of Arcales's dying wish. So I tolerated you. Again and again."

I stepped closer, fury burning in my eyes. "But you shouldn't have hurt Alice. You framed her. You conspired with witches to kill her. Victoria, stand down now, and I'll leave you a whole corpse."