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169


The beast loomed before me, lowering its massive jaw to reveal rows of blade-like teeth.

My ten-inch knife was still buried in its chest, yet the wound barely seemed to faze it. Its breath, hot as embers, washed over my face as it lunged, teeth poised to tear into my flesh. I ducked at the last second, yanking my knife free and slicing across its torso.

A guttural howl ripped from its throat, piercing my ears with its unholy resonance. I sprang to the side, narrowly dodging the razor-sharp claws swiping for me. It was fast—faster than any wolf I had ever faced. But I had no time to process my fear. I lunged, risking proximity, and slashed my knife across its stomach before swiftly leaning back. But I wasn’t quick enough. Four curved claws raked across my side, sinking deep into the flesh just below my ribs.

A scream tore from my throat. Gritting my teeth, I lifted my gaze, locking onto the creature’s eyes—vicious, glowing, and disturbingly aware. I swore I saw satisfaction in them, as if it relished my agony.

Its jaws parted wider, preparing to rip me apart. This was my only chance.

With every ounce of strength left in me, I drove my knife upward, plunging it through the soft underside of its chin, deep enough to pierce its brain.

The monster’s head snapped back violently, releasing a wet, gurgling roar as blood spattered from its mouth. Its claws remained buried in my side, forcing a sharp gasp from my lips as I twisted, pushing against its grip with sheer desperation. The pain was searing, but I refused to stop. With one final wrench, I tore myself free, stumbling back just in time to watch the creature convulse in agony. My knife was still lodged in its skull.

This had to end now.

Ignoring the blinding pain, I let out a furious growl and surged forward. Using its bent knee as a foothold, I climbed up, dodging another wild swipe of its claws. My fingers wrapped around the hilt of my knife, and with one ruthless motion, I dragged the blade through its throat, severing muscle and bone.

I hit the ground, trembling and gasping for air. The monster teetered, then crumpled to its knees.

Blood-soaked and breathless, I clenched my jaw and swung once more. The head fell.

Silence swallowed the clearing, save for my ragged breathing. Yet even as I stared at its lifeless, headless form, I remained tense—unsure if the nightmare was truly over.

“Thalassa!”

Leif’s voice, raw with urgency, snapped me from my trance.

I turned toward the sound, spotting him sprinting toward me from the second house. He was alone. As he neared, I noticed the blood smeared across his bare chest, his sweatpants the only clothing left after shifting. I clutched my knife tighter, scanning the surroundings for any more threats.

“Where’s the rest of us?” I asked, though I already knew.

Leif’s jaw clenched. “Dead,” he ground out. “We fought three of those things… I barely made it out.”

Three.

The word barely left my lips.

I had fought werewolves and vampires before, but this creature—this abomination—had struck a fear deep in my bones. A fear I hadn’t felt since before my alpha genes awakened.

“And the humans?” I asked, though I braced for his response.

Leif shook his head. “No survivors.”

I exhaled sharply, closing my eyes for just a moment. Not only had we failed to save them, but we had lost three of our own. Guilt sat like lead in my stomach. This mission had been doomed from the start. I should have known. I should have calculated the risks better. But I had wanted—so desperately—to protect human lives.

Their helplessness against these horrors had only fueled my frustration. And now, that helplessness burned like acid inside me.

“Let’s go,” Leif muttered, pressing a hand to my shoulder. “Those fuckers might still be around.”

I nodded, forcing my feet forward toward the van. But after only a few steps, I felt it.

The air thickened with malevolence, heavier than before.

I halted, eyes slipping shut as I listened. The sound of rustling—quick, coordinated—spread from all sides. At least six.

“Run!” I seized Leif’s wrist and bolted toward the van.

We weren’t fast enough.

A hybrid landed on the hood with a deafening thud, blocking our escape. Two more emerged behind us, while others prowled in from both sides. We were surrounded.

Leif shoved down his pants and shifted, his massive wolf form bristling with fury.

I gripped my knife, my pulse a wild drumbeat against my ribs. Every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready. My senses sharpened, my focus honed to a deadly point.

Then they attacked—all at once.

We fought for our lives with every ounce of strength we had. My kicks and punches were useless against them, so I slashed and stabbed, cutting deep wherever I could. But there were too many. Too fast. Too strong.

Leif and I were forced apart.

He disappeared into the fray, chased toward the opposite side of the clearing, leaving me to fend off four of them alone. Blood dripped from my wounds, my healing slowed by sheer exhaustion. I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.

Then, through the chaos, I thought I heard an engine.

Help?

I prayed it was. My vision blurred, my limbs heavy with fatigue.

Desperate, I sprinted toward a tree, climbing high enough to meet one of the creatures at eye level. As it lunged, I dropped, driving my knife in a brutal arc from its throat down to its chest.

I hit the ground hard, my body screaming in protest. But I had no time to recover. I rolled, barely dodging snapping jaws and raking claws. With a final surge of defiance, I swung my blade—one last desperate strike—cleaving another monster’s head from its shoulders.

I had nothing left.

Pain swelled, my wounds refusing to heal. My stance faltered. Still, I raised my knife, prepared for whatever came next.

The beast in front of me opened its monstrous jaws.

And then—

A guttural snarl erupted from behind it.

In a single heartbeat, the creature was torn apart, split clean in two.

I gasped, blinking through the haze of blood and exhaustion as the severed halves of its body collapsed. And then I saw him.

Hadrian.

His claws dripped with fresh blood, his expression dark with fury.

Relief hit me like a tidal wave, my body giving out as my knees buckled.

Hadrian was there in an instant, wrapping me in his arms.

“Are you insane, my love?” he growled, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead. “Why the fuck did you come alone?!”

I barely managed to lift my arms around him, my voice weak. “I didn’t. I came with four wolves.”

His sneer was sharp. “You brought four weaklings.”

“Leif?” I croaked, leaning from his embrace, searching.

Hadrian cursed and effortlessly lifted me into his arms. “That mutt is alive,” he muttered, jerking his chin in Leif’s direction.

Relief washed over me. I sagged against his chest. “Thank you for coming to my rescue… again,” I murmured with a tired chuckle.

Hadrian’s grip tightened. “Next time, take soldiers from the Royal Army. At least twenty. Thirty.” His voice was rough. “I was terrified, Thalassa.”

I swallowed hard. “I just wanted to save people…”

“Did you?” he challenged, eyes sharp.

I winced. “I know. I was reckless, but—”

“There’s always time to think,” he cut in.

He placed me gently in the car, his hands cradling my face.

“You cannot save everyone.”

I held his gaze. “Then I’ll fight harder.”

Hadrian exhaled. “You need more strength.”

I smirked. “No. I need a bigger weapon.”

His lips twitched. “Oh?”

“Next time, I’m bringing a Dai.”