Page 34 of Cursed (Blood Moon Pack #1)

Z ayne leads the men west of town after breakfast. Finding no evidence of Rogues by midday, Ryland is about to call a halt to the search to break for lunch.

Suddenly, Zayne raises his sword to quietly indicate to the others that this is the right direction.

Ryland rolls his eyes in relief; finally, they are on the right track.

Spread about twenty feet apart, the men pick up their pace and continue riding west until they catch the scent of the Rogues. Galloping toward the stench, a large male Rogue lunges out from his hiding place toward Chief Enforcer Kane .

Sword in hand, Kane slices through its shoulder.

For such a large male, he’s extremely agile.

He quickly slides off his horse to engage the Rogue on the ground.

It takes only a moment for Kane’s sword to remove its head.

Leaping back on his horse, the Enforcer hurries to catch up with the rest of the riders.

Zayne glances left to watch Ryland’s sword run through a Rogue’s heart. When movement catches his eye from behind, he flips around on his horse, riding backward. Using his crossbow filled with silver-tipped arrows, Zayne eliminates the Rogue barreling toward him.

The Enforcers and Guards meet up with the rest of the Rogue Pack, twenty strong. The Rogues are grouped together, bracing for battle, having easily heard the horses’ hooves pounding the ground toward them.

As one, the Rogues spring through the air toward the riders. The Enforcers divide themselves evenly; half using swords, and the other half use crossbows and guns. The town Guards are holding their own with their swords.

Zayne and Ryland are undeniably the best fighters. Both of them jump from their horses and destroy the Rogues in their sector.

Ryland is the ultimate predator. His sword is an extension of his body as he carves through any Rogue that comes near him.

He moves like the wind, slashing through flesh and bone with deadly efficiency.

A Rogue lunges at him from his right. He pivots, sidesteps, and drives his sword through its chest, twisting the blade before ripping it free.

Zayne is equally deadly as he swings low, severing the legs of a Rogue running toward him from his left. He mercilessly delivers a strike to its throat before grappling with the next snarling beast.

The slaughter is over in minutes. Lifeless bodies litter the clearing; the scent of blood and the stench of Rogue hang thick in the air.

Before lowering their weapons, the warriors turn in every direction, searching for the next threat.

When there are no more attacks, they raise their swords and cheer, celebrating their win.

Two Enforcers walk through the Rogues’ makeshift den, looking for any clues that could identify where they came from. Five Enforcers check the Rogues on the ground, slicing off the heads of any beasts that are still alive.

Ryland is in conversation with Kane and one of the town Guards across the field. Zayne sheaths his sword and moves to check on the Silver Pine Guards nearest him.

As Zayne takes his first step, a giant, snarling Rogue sails through the air, slamming into him.

He falls to the ground, momentarily stunned that the Rogue got the drop on him.

Zayne grabs the animal around the throat, trying to keep its mouth off him while he punches it in the face.

Within seconds, the two Enforcers closest to Zayne run over to help, knocking it off Zayne and removing its head .

Ryland rushes across the field to his brother, reaching out a hand to help him up. “Hey, are you alright?”

Zayne laughs at the concern on Ryland’s face. “Yeah, Ry, I’m fine.”

As Ryland pulls him to his feet, Zayne winces and bends at his waist. Ryland frowns and inspects Zayne’s middle anxiously. When his hand moves over Zayne’s left side, Zayne winces again. Ryland rips his brother’s leathers apart with his claws.

“Whoa, man! It’s probably just a rib.” Zayne looks down at his tattered vest, astonished by his brother’s actions.

“FUCK!” Ryland bellows out in a roar. “KANE!” Ryland grabs his brother’s arm, pulling him toward his horse.

Kane runs over to his Alpha from the other side of the field, and Ryland starts barking orders. “You’re in charge. Run through the cleanup process and lead the men back home. Zayne’s been bitten. I’ll take him back to the castle on my horse now.”

Zayne jerks his arm out of Ryland’s grip.

“No way, what? That fucker did not bite through my vest.” Looking confused, he lifts his vest to inspect his left side, and sure enough, there is a huge bite mark with multiple puncture wounds.

Zayne sucks in a harsh breath as he watches thin black lines radiate outward from the bite.

The Rogue’s poison has entered his body and is already starting to spread .

Ignoring Zayne for the moment, Ryland rattles off more orders to Kane. “Grab our stuff from the Inn, and don’t forget Zayne’s horse when you leave.”

Kane is frozen in place, his mouth hanging open, staring at Zayne’s wound.

“Kane! Are you with me?” Ryland yells, grabbing one of Kane’s shoulders.

The Chief Enforcer tears his gaze away from the bite mark. “Yeah, yeah. I got it, Ryland. You just get him back to the castle fast! We’ll handle everything here.”

Ryland grabs his brother by the upper arms, turning him so they are face to face. As calmly as he can, he says, “Zayne, you’ve been bitten. We have to go, right now! You cannot ride by yourself because you’ll start to feel the side effects of the poison before we can make it back to the castle.”

Zayne, with tears shimmering in his eyes, clears his throat and nods at Ryland. Ryland’s heart aches as he remembers his brother at six years old, trying not to cry when their father yelled at him. Zayne has that same look on his face now.

The brothers quickly mount Ryland’s horse, with Zayne in front. As Ryland turns to leave, several of the men shout, “Wait!”

They run to their horses and pass Ryland whatever food they have on them, extra water, and blankets for the long ride back .

Ryland gallops away with Zayne through the snow-covered forest. The remaining men all hang their heads.

After a moment, Kane looks out over the crowd.

“There’s nothing more we can do for him.

All we can do is pray to the Goddess that Princess Drakemoor’s antidote saves him. Come on, let’s get to work.”

B y the time Ryland and Zayne pass back by Silver Pine and turn south toward the castle, it’s late afternoon, maybe 4:00 p.m. Ryland’s thoughts are flying through his brain, calculating how long it will take to get to the castle—roughly eight hours.

How many stops to rest can they afford? Hopefully, just one.

If they are lucky, the total trip time should be about eight and a half hours, putting them back at the castle a little after midnight. The poison generally takes two to three days to kill its victim. He’s confident they will make it back in plenty of time.

Zayne is in shock, panting. Ryland wraps his arm around his brother’s chest and squeezes gently. “You need to calm yourself; slow your heart rate to slow the spread of the poison. We will get there, Zayne. Adele’s antidote will work.”

“That’s a gods damned lie, Ryland! I am dead already,” Zayne shouts, wiping his nose with the back of his arm.

“You need to listen to me. I am not going to let you die. We have time to figure it out, but seriously, you need to help. Slow your breathing.” Ryland is having a hard time keeping the tremor out of his voice, but he needs Zayne to calm down.

Zayne tries to do as his brother says, taking several deep breaths. “You need to promise me, Ry. Promise me you will take care of Sadie.”

“Zayne, you are not—”

“Ryland! Promise dammit! You will protect her with your life, and…” His breath hitches. “...you will take care of my son or daughter. He or she will need a father figure, and you’ll be far better than Dad was.”

Ryland’s eyes widen, and his eyebrows rise in surprise. “Sadie’s pregnant? That’s wonderful, Zayne. Why didn’t you tell me?” Ryland swallows hard. “Yes, of course, I vow to take care of your Mate and child should anything ever happen to you.”

“Good. Good. Thanks, Ry.” Zayne takes a deep breath and slows his heart rate, confident that Ryland will keep his word. He leans into his brother as they hurry back toward the castle, resigned to the fact that he’ll be dead in just a few days.

R yland’s timeline is dead on; they only stopped once for a little less than thirty minutes. As soon as he is in range, he mind-links to Garek and Adele, having to shout in their heads. “ WAKE UP! ”

Adele answers first. “ Ryland? What the hell? ”

Next, Ryland hears Garek’s groggy response. “ I’m up. ”

“ You both need to get up and head to the hospital wing. And…bring Sadie with you. ” Ryland is trying to keep his tone calm and free of the emotions bombarding him.

“ What’s happened? ” Adele asks, her voice full of concern. She jumps out of bed, throwing on some clothes. If he wants her to bring Sadie, then it must be Zayne who’s injured.

Zayne has grown weak over the last hour.

Ryland actively holds him steady in the saddle as they race down the dirt road toward the castle.

He switches arms to get a better grip, then says, “ Zayne and I are twenty minutes away. He’s been bitten by a Rogue.

I’m going to need help to get him into the clinic, and then Adele can give him the antidote. ”

“ Fuck! ” Garek yells through the mind-link. “ I’m dressed. I’ll meet you there. ”

Adele doubles over, putting her hands on her knees, trying not to throw up. “ I’ll get Sadie. ”

Ryland takes his first deep breath in hours when he sees the outline of the castle. They ride around the outer perimeter, directly to the hospital wing, where Garek, Adele, and Sadie are waiting. Ryland jumps down and reaches up to support Zayne as he dismounts the horse.

It takes both Ryland and Garek to walk Zayne inside. He’s too weak to walk on his own from the poison’s effects on his body. They gently lay him on the bed, and Adele gets to work, cutting off his leathers and shirt and cleaning the wound.

Ryland dumps his weapons and gear out of the way and steps up next to her to help, following her instructions.

Sadie leans over Zayne with tears in her eyes, kissing him gently. “I missed you.” She smiles sadly and runs her fingers through his hair.

Zayne reaches up to touch her face. “I’m so sorry, love. Ryland and Adele will be here for you and the baby, always. So, don’t you worry. You will not be alone.”

Sadie shushes him, trying to put on a brave face. She takes his hand in hers, kissing his fingers. “You are going to be fine, Zayne. It will all be OK.”

Adele’s eyes flick to Ryland’s at the news of the baby. He nods, and her pulse spikes, her bottom lip trembling. Ryland quickly grabs her hand, squeezing it tightly for support. She nods her head, takes a shaky breath, and regains control over her emotions.

Once they have freed him from his battle leathers and the wound is cleaned, Adele turns to the tray table next to the bed and picks up the syringe containing the antidote. The antidote that she knows doesn’t work. She pauses, freezing in place, her mind turning in a million directions.

Ryland anxiously yells at her, “What are you waiting for? Give it to him! ”

She turns to him, trying to hold back her tears. “It doesn’t work, Ryland! You know it doesn’t work. This won’t help him at all.”

Adele’s eyes widen, and she snaps her gaze to Garek. “You need to run to Ryland’s rooms and bring Nori here as quickly as you can. Carry her if she can’t keep up with you!”

“Nori?” Garek frowns and yells, “Why the hell would I do that?”

“Garek! There is no time to explain; you need to trust me and move your ass! Now!”

Garek grumbles and turns to the door, flinging it open. “Wait!” Adele yells.

Garek’s eyes narrow on her. “You want me to go or not?”

“Yes, but don’t scare her. She’ll freak out, which will waste time. Tell her…tell her I need her in the clinic urgently, and she’ll come with you willingly.”

Garek nods and bolts through the door.

Adele turns to one of her nurses in the room. “Shauna, I need you to run and bring Lyra back here because Nori is going to need her.”

Shauna doesn’t question the order and takes off running to Lyra’s cottage.

Sadie is losing her composure, running her hands through her hair. “Adele, you give my Mate that shot! He’s your brother! You need to save him. Please, Adele!”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, Sadie. Save him. Nori is the only hope we have.” Adele sets the syringe down and rolls up her sleeves.

Ryland grabs her arm hard. “What the hell is going on, Adele?”

Trying to pry his fingers off her arm, she looks up at her frantic brother and gently says, “You need to trust me, Ryland. Do you trust me?”

Eyebrows raised, Ryland releases his hold on her. “I trust you, Adele.”

“I swear to you. Nori is the only one who can save him from this Rogue poison.”

Ryland frowns, not understanding anything that’s happening. “How? How exactly is my Mate going to save our brother?”

Adele steps back so she can face Zayne, Sadie, and Ryland. She holds out her left hand, palm up. “Do you see my hand? Do you see any injury on my hand at all?” She flips her hand from one side to the other, looking at all three of them.

“No. Who cares? What does your damn hand have to do with Zayne?” Sadie’s anger and confusion are all over her tear-streaked face. She’s literally going to combust if someone doesn’t start doing something to help her Mate.