“Don’t worry, Thorn,” Olcan snarls, voice guttural in his wolf form, his saliva hot on my maw. “She’ll still be an Alpha’s mate — just not yours.”
My blood pounds, rage boiling. I lunge, but my ankle gives. Olcan’s paw slaps me across the muzzle, stars bursting in my vision.
Then the killing blow — his skull slams into mine, hard and merciless. White light blinds me, ringing fills my ears. My legs buckle. The world tilts.
Ember’s scent fades in the haze.
Darkness swallows me whole.
Chapter 30
EMBER
What the hell?
My fingers close around something cold and solid buried beneath the dirt. I wiggle it, pulling it loose until it comes free with a sucking sound. Long and hard. A femur? Gods, itisa bone. Roman had told me the Sacred Circle was built on the bodies of those who died building the castle, their bones part of the holy ground. I didn’t think they meant literally.
“That’s right, loosen up, baby.” My attacker’s voice is a growl at my ear, his hot breath burning my neck as he lines himself up behind me.
Rage explodes in my chest. I whip the femur free and swing. The bone cracks against his skull with a sickening thunk. His dark eyes go wide with shock as he topples off of me, groaning.
I don’t hesitate. I scramble on top of him, raising the bone again. He bares his teeth, fangs elongating, and claws raking at the dirt.
Smash. The bone collides with his temple. Blood splatters across my arms. He chokes, claws slipping weakly against me.
“You virgin bitch.” He coughs.
My grip tightens, white-knuckled. My arm arcs high, and I bring it down again. Crack. His face splits. Again. And again. Each blow fueled by the terror and rage clawing through me.
“Fuck this out of me—” Whack.
“You—” Whack.
“Stupid—” Whack.
“Son of a bitch!” Whack.
By the time I stop, his face is in ruin. His blood soaks the grass and drips down my arm, painting the femur slick and red. My breaths come in heaving, shaky gasps.
But he’s finally silent.
I rise slowly, the bone that’s dangling from my hand as blood pools at my feet.
My gaze lifts and I freeze.
Olcan stands a few feet away, the full moon carving sharp edges across his smirking face. Behind him, Thorn’s white wolf lies limp in the dirt, blood staining his white fur.
No.
I really screwed everything up. If I had just mated Thorn when I had the chance ... this wouldn’t be happening. Is he hurt or dead?
“There you are, virgin.” Olcan’s voice is thick with triumph.
“Are you memory impaired or just stupid? My name,” I snarl, “is Ember, you maggot.”
“Whatever you say.” He grins, flashing sharp teeth. “It looks like it’s just you and me now.”
I point at the broken bloody body at my feet, “That’s whathethought, too.”