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“Call the rest here,” he said with a vicious taunt. “I’d love to finally meet them all. To gaze upon the males my future queen preferred overme.”

I gasped, trying in vain to rip his hand off me but he was too strong. He kept a firm enough grip to restrict the air flow, enough where I couldn’t think clearly, but not enough where I would pass out.

“Use that bond of yours. I want to see the look on your face when I turn your packs’ organs to mush right in front of you.”

I shook my head, concentrating on my breathing. I couldn’t lose consciousness now, we were so close.

“And where’s that vampyr boy? I see you’re still cozying up to those bloodsuckers. I thought you’d been smart enough to learn your lesson by now, but apparently not.”

He looked over his shoulder in disgust at Ezra, now seizing on the ground. He tsked and shook his head, turning back to me. “Honestly, I’m not sure I have any use for either of you at this point. As far as omegas go, you’ve been a grave disappointment.”

His grip on me tightened. “The question now is which will satisfy me the most—killing you in front of your pack, or killing your pack in front of you?”

My face felt cool, and stars lined my vision, my hands barely moving as I struggled to get myself free.

No, it couldn’t end like this!

Pained howls sounded behind me, and Kian let out a scream, soon drowned out by the yelling of fae soldiers.

All I could see was Alaroth’s cruel face, the hatred and malice seeping through every pore of his pale skin.

He lowered his nose and took a deep breath, his body shuddering slightly. “Yes, it would be a shame if I never fully tasted you. At least once.”

A sad whimper made its way from my chest, and the sound carried to the Berserker melee Cam was still fighting in.

The feral alphas all stilled, turning towards me and sniffing the air.

“Come…” I whispered.

Alaroth leaned closer. “What was that, beloved?”

“Come,” I said louder.

“Why, yes,” he laughed. “I fully intend to…” The smile on his face faltered once he heard the approaching snarls.

The Berserkers stampeded en masse, ripping Alaroth away and grabbing me roughly. “Him!” I screamed, pointing at the king. “Go after him!”

They paused in their mating pursuit, their wild eyes widening in understanding, and they redirected their manic energy towards the Starborne fae. Deep growls sounded from their chests, their fingers flexing and ready to slice.

“Back!” ordered Alaroth, a crazed look falling across his features. “I am commanding you to stand down!”

They snapped their teeth as they descended, snarling and swiping, and he was quickly swallowed up by the pack.

I knew he wouldn’t be down for long, though. From the center of the brawl, a bright light flashed, and the Berserkers, one by one, were thrown several feet away. Their bodies landed with a thud on the ground, their faces burned clear off.

I wanted to check on Cam and Ezra, but I couldn’t allow myself to miss my chance. I clenched the stone on my necklace, feeling its power absorb into me. Pure energy flooded my veins, my body heating and starting to glow beneath my skin. I felt invincible. Divine.

Damn, was this Aetherium or PCP?

Finally in one big burst, Alaroth emerged from the fight, the Berserkers falling around him in pieces as his chest heaved. He was covered in blood, his clothes ripped to shreds, and he extended his hand towards me to deliver my punishment.

But it was too late for him. Strength surrounded me like a whirlwind, and I summoned my magical weapon once more. The bow grew and I pulled back its string, nocking the arrow as I aimed.

Finally he gasped, his anger slipping away to fear. “What are you doing?” he rasped.

I concentrated on the tip of the arrow, channeling all the Aetherium into that one point.

“You’re the one who was obsessed with that stupid prophecy,” I spat with untold hostility. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m just living up to my destiny.”