The lioness lunged—and merged with her in a burst of golden light.
Brielle screamed as the power tore through her body, her skin glowing with molten fire.Her bones reshaped, muscles rippling and reforming as light poured from every inch of her.The sound of fabric tearing split the air, followed by a crack like thunder as her human form gave way to something vast and wild.A massive lioness now stood where she had fallen, her coat shimmering with threads of gold, her mane-like curls gleaming white-hot in the moonlight.Her eyes glowed like twin suns, sharp and untamed, and her growl rolled across the rooftop like an earthquake.For a moment, everyone froze—awed and terrified by the sheer power that radiated from her.
Hunter’s breath caught, awe in his gaze.“She’s magnificent.”
Lennox whispered, “You are stunning, our mate.”
Before Brielle could answer, the air shifted.The wards cracked, the light around them turning red.Saffie spun toward the edge of the roof, shouting, “They’re here!”
Caleb and the remaining Council stepped from the mist, black demons pouring in behind them like smoke given teeth.Liam and Nolan moved first, shifting partially, claws gleaming.Isaac and Jacob swung their swords, their light cutting through the dark.
“Ah,” Caleb purred, voice dripping with malice.“There you are, little lioness.”
Brielle’s magic pulsed through her veins, golden fire licking her fingers.The lioness within her urged her forward, but Brielle knew her human self had work to do.She took a trembling breath and forced the shift back, light cracking across her skin as her form reshaped.When the glow dimmed, she was kneeling—bare, sweat-slick, her golden eyes still alight with power.She lifted her chin, meeting Caleb’s dark gaze with calm fury.“You shouldn’t have come.”
He smiled.“On the contrary.I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”The Druid Stone lifted from the altar, drawn to his hand.Brielle threw a blast of energy, colliding with it midair.Sparks flew—creation against corruption.
“Hold the circle!”Ursula shouted, reinforcing the wards.Willow flung light bolts at the demons, and Saffie’s magic carved glowing sigils in the air, sealing breaches faster than they opened.
Brielle’s lioness roared inside her.Fight.
She let go.Golden flames erupted around her, slamming into the nearest demons and turning them to ash.Hunter and Lennox moved with her, shifting partially, their growls vibrating with the same wild rhythm as her magic.
Caleb sneered.“You can’t stop me.You were born to feed me.”
Saffie’s voice cut through the chaos.“Brielle!Can you sense them—your mates?”
Her heart jumped.She reached deep, past the fear and the power, and then it happened.The bond snapped into place like a lightning strike.Hunter and Lennox staggered, both dropping to their knees as the magic surged through them.
Brielle gasped, her body shaking.“Yes,” she whispered.“I can feel them.”
Saffie’s voice came fierce and clear.“Then you know what you have to do.You’ve got ten minutes before midnight.Let them claim you—and then we finish this.”
Caleb’s laughter rose, dark and cruel.“By all means, little lioness.Show me what destiny has left you.”
Brielle turned, fire blazing in her eyes, as Hunter and Lennox rose beside her—her mates, her anchors.“You want to see destiny?”she said, her voice fierce and certain.“Then watch us end yours.”
The moon reached its zenith.The countdown had begun.
****
The moment the bondsnapped into place, Hunter felt it burn through his veins—raw, consuming, and undeniable.The rooftop was chaos around them, but all he could see was her.Brielle.His mate.Their mate.
The lioness’s echo still shimmered in her golden eyes as she turned to them, breathless but steady.“We need a shield,” she said quickly, her voice low and deliberate.“No one can see this.”
Lennox blinked, confusion cutting through the haze of battle.“See what?”
Brielle’s eyes flared with magic.“The claiming.”She raised her hands, whispering a string of words that made the air hum.Power rippled outward, cloaking them in shimmering light.To anyone else on the roof, they vanished—hidden behind an illusion of flame and smoke.
Hunter felt his pulse hammer in his throat.“You sure about this, sweetheart?”
She nodded, her voice fierce.“We don’t have time to question it.The Goddess said by midnight, or the world burns.We make the bond complete now.”Her lips quirked faintly as she glanced down at herself—already bare from her earlier shift.“At least I’m saving time on the whole undressing thing.”
Lennox barked a short laugh even as Hunter’s pulse kicked harder.Without hesitation, they stripped in record time, movements brisk and efficient, urgency thrumming through every breath.There was nothing sensual about it—just purpose, need, and the fierce determination of warriors who knew this wasn’t about pleasure alone.It was survival, and their souls demanded it.
Lennox gave a crooked grin, even in the midst of madness.“Quick and dirty, huh?We’ll make it up to you later.”
Brielle laughed softly, breath shaking.“You’d better.”