Chapter 167 167
Aurélie’s POV
I chased him straight back into the carnage.
I wouldn’t let him escape. Not now. Not ever. He would not leave these grounds again not after what he had done in the past, and certainly not after what he was doing now. Letting him live meant giving him the chance to come back, to plan, to strike again. I wouldn’t allow that.
My body was wounded. I could smell my own blood, feel the way my muscles screamed for relief, for rest. But adrenaline burned through me, sharp and relentless, forcing me forward. I would crash later hard but not now. Not until his neck was locked between my hands.
Tight. Unforgiving.
I refused to look at my injuries. If I did, they would hurt more. My mind would finally acknowledge what my body had already endured.
No. I couldn’t afford that.
The adrenaline carried me, and I used it, pushed myself beyond what I should have been capable of.
The rogue once under house arrest was fast.
But I was faster.
I was Alpha. The superior predator.
Still, I could feel it now as I chased him my strength was faltering. I’d already fought through the first wave of rogues, then the second. My body was paying the price.
He was heading back toward the main battle.
I vaulted over bodies, shoved past rogues and warriors alike, closing the distance until I was barely a hand’s width away. One touch. One finger. That was all I needed. Once I had him, every finger would wrap around his throat.
Through the pack bond, I felt my people dying.
Not as many as I had feared thank the Goddess but even one was too many.
Grief threatened to break me open, but I forced it down. I needed this. Their deaths could not be meaningless.
I stretched my arm out and finally touched him
And he shifted.
His wolf snapped around, jaws clamping onto my outstretched arm. Teeth tore through skin and muscle, crunching into bone. I felt it crack.
The pain was blinding.
I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to watch the satisfaction in his wolf’s eyes as he mauled me. I would not give him that. I would not let him win. I would not let him escape.
With my free arm, I slammed my fist into his side, forcing my fingers between his ribs, digging deep hurting him where it mattered.
It worked.
His wolf whimpered, the pain overpowering his grip, and he released my arm. He bolted immediately, and I had no choice but to follow.
We were nearly off the pack grounds when I heard heavy footsteps behind me.
“Aurélie, wait”
Damien.
He was chasing after us, gaining ground fast.
“He can’t get away!” I roared back, refusing to slow, refusing to fail.
Then Damien slammed into me.
My legs weren’t prepared for it. I went down hard, tumbling headfirst into the ground. I snapped my head up just in time to see the rogue disappearing into the distance.
I wouldn’t catch him now.
No.
All of that for nothing.
“What did you do that for?” I snarled, twisting to face Damien, fury lacing every word.
“Look at yourself, Aurélie,” he shot back. “There’s no way you could take on another group of rogues alone.”
“That’s not your decision to make!” I snapped. “And he was alone. I almost had him.”
“You don’t know that!” he roared.
But the anger in his voice didn’t match his actions. He hauled me up off the ground, his grip firm but careful, concern burning unmistakably in those sea-blue eyes.
Then I saw it.
The sword in his hand caught the light.
My breath left me all at once.
Not the fighting. Not the blood. Not the countless rogues who had invaded my land.
That sword.
It was identical to the one that haunted my dreams.
When I focused on it, I saw the blood coating the blade. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Damien followed my gaze and slowly moved the sword behind his back, hiding it from my sight.
“Aurélie…” he said softly. “You’re injured.”
“I’m fine,” I replied coldly.
I wasn’t.
But that didn’t matter.
He got away.
I had failed them. Failed their memory.
I couldn’t let that stand.
I could still track him. I could still follow his scent.