Chapter 74 74
Damien POV
Fuck what was I doing?
The gunshot cracks through the air and something inside me snaps. I don’t think. I don’t plan. I just know it can’t hit Aurélie.
My body moves on pure instinct, shoving past its limits as I launch myself toward her faster than I ever have in my life.
She’d pushed the boy out of the way, leaving herself exposed. Ready to take the bullet meant for him.
But the shooter didn’t change his aim.
He kept it on her.
Why was she the target now?
Our eyes lock just as I collide with her, driving us both to the ground. Her gaze isn’t filled with fear of death it’s wide with shock. Shock that I put myself between her and the bullet.
The impact slams into my back. I grunt, pain flaring sharp but brief. It stings nothing more. A bullet shouldn’t stop a fully grown werewolf.
Then I feel it.
Fuck.
The bullet’s soaked in wolfsbane.
The burn spreads immediately, seeping through the wound, crawling into my bloodstream like fire with a purpose racing for my heart.
“Mum!” Dominique screams, his voice breaking as he struggles beneath Theo’s arms.
“Stay there!” I bark, throwing my arm out toward him.
Theo already has him, holding him tight.
Restrain the bastard, I snarl through the mind-link at Lucas.
He’s already got the coward by the throat.
“Are you okay?” Aurélie whispers, breathless, her eyes frantic as they search my face. I’d knocked the wind out of her when I took her down but that’s better than a poisoned bullet in her chest.
Anger coils tight in my gut. At him. At myself.
If I hadn’t listened to her voice earlier if I’d followed my instincts and killed the short prick when I had the chance this wouldn’t have happened.
She wouldn’t have been in danger.
Note to self, Damien: trust your own gut first.
“Are you hit?” she asks, worry lacing every word.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I push myself up and off her, turning toward the shooter.
“What did you do that for?” she mutters. “I’d already pushed Dominique out of the way.”
I pretend I don’t hear her.
What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?
“Damien your back…” She gasps, reaching for me.
I hiss as her fingers brush the wound.
“I’m fine,” I protest, even as she lifts my shirt and presses her hand to my bare skin.
The touch sends heat through me. Not pain something else. Something that makes me lean into her without meaning to.
“Something’s spreading through your veins,” she says quietly.
I hear the fear she’s trying to hide.
I’ve seen it before. The poison will glow faint green as it travels, veins lighting up as wolfsbane does its work.
“It’s wolfsbane,” I say flatly, eyes locked on the man who shot me.
I don’t know what I want more to tear his throat out for hitting me, or for aiming at Aurélie and Dominique.
“Get him away from me,” Aurélie suddenly roars, her alpha aura exploding outward, raw and commanding. “Before I do something I’ll regret.”
Lucas freezes for a split second, staring at her in stunned awe until human voices begin drifting into the graveyard.
Gunshots don’t go unnoticed in a village this small.
“Y-Yes, Alpha,” Lucas answers quickly, dragging the bastard back toward the pub.
“Our car’s a couple miles away,” Maurice says grimly. “Still parked in that human driveway.”
“Ours is close,” Theo cuts in. “I’ll get it.”
Aurélie gives a short nod.
Her hand never leaves me. It’s resting against my lower back now, warm and steady and fuck, I don’t want it gone. The sensation is addictive. I could stand here forever if it meant her touch stayed exactly where it is.
“Does he need a hospital, Mum?” Dominique asks, edging closer, staring at my back with wide eyes.
“No, kiddo,” I tell him. “I’ll be okay.”
“But it’s in your back,” he says, fascinated.