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“How?” I ask, but am interrupted as he drags me to my feet.

“You think I’d let you fight alone?” he asks, again, as if he didn’t have a fucking harpoon wedged into his abs moments ago.

“Don’t die on me because I’m going to fucking kill you for that stunt,” I croak.

My heart aches at the sight of Nakoa struggling to strangle the guard as Grace keeps bashing the bastard’s head in from the side.

The rescue mission can wait. My pack needs us. And we will never fight alone.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

NAKOA

Imustprotectmymate.I will protect my baby.

Those are the only things keeping me teetering on the verge of death rather than crossing over into the abyss. I can barely make out the puffy red face of the man in front of me, trying to murder him before he can get to Grace. The strength in my hands is maybe a third of my usual power, and there’s no way I can summon my ability as an apex alpha to have the trash take itself out. So I keep applying pressure while the pig squeals for its life.

He gurgles, kicks, and meaty fist slams into my face. I don’t know if my nose or broken or if the blood pouring down my face onto his is from something else. I can’t spare a single thought other than putting my energy into the kill.

I have to keep my fated mate safe. And Grace. Poor Grace is trying to kill him, too, trying to help. But I don’t think she’s ever killed in her life. And I don’t want her hands dirty now.

“Run,” I croak out, collapsing on the unconscious alpha, only regaining enough strength to reach over and grab her hand.

“No!”

She tries to lift me, but she can’t even drag my chest skyward, collapsing back on the ground with my body. I groan from the impact, and she kisses my cheek, face smeared in blood, tears, and sweat when she finally pulls away from me.

I try not to lean on her, to crush her, but everything hurts too damn bad to cling to my pride. I have to hold fast to my love to find the strength to keep charging ahead.

We round the embankment and slide down the sand as bullets, arrows, and harpoons shooting from mounted boat guns fly in the air. It’s a war zone everywhere. Nowhere’s safe. So I have to make it safe for them.

We kiss, and we savor each other for what I hope isn’t the last time.

He has me by the throat, lifting me off the ground. He’s pulsating with the serum, eyes bloodshot and wild.

I’m fading fast, fading away. Am I going to die like this, finally, by Wilder’s hands?

“No!”

The scream pierces the air before the blow strikes his leg.

“Nakoa!” Raphael and Leo shout in unison.

“No,” I say, gripping Raphi and Leo’s collar. “This is her revenge.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

GRACE

He’snotmyfather.He’s not my alpha. He’s just a pathetic beast that can die by my hands.

“Run, bastard, run,” I say as Father flinches, shock and anger flooding his desperate expression.

“You’re my… Prince—”

I take the hatchet and hold the handle tight with both hands. The scream that claws its way out of my throat is inhuman.

Before he can get the words out, I cleave his disgusting mouth in half. The sound he makes isn’t really a word. It’s a wail filled with teeth, blood, and flesh.