Page 6 of Guarded By the Bigfoot (Mystic Ridge Monster Mates #1)

brOCK

T he path to the Veil twisted up the mountainside like an ancient scar. Parker kept pace beside me, her determination evident in every stride despite the treacherous terrain. Her breath fogged in the cooling air, but she didn’t falter, not once.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said as we crested another ridge. The air thickened with power, a sudden weight pressing against my chest. My fur radiated with static electricity, and I knew we were close. “The fracture isn’t something most humans can handle.”

Parker shot me a look that would have cowed lesser beings. “Are you trying to scare me off, Guardian?”

“Yes.” There was no point in lying. Ahead, the corrupted energy threaded the air like dark lightning, visible even to human eyes. “Because what we’re about to see should scare you.”

We reached the clearing where the Veil stretched thinnest, the tension in the air coiling like a live wire.

Normally invisible to all but my Guardian eyes, now it rippled with sickly shadows, pieces of reality warping where the Dreadnull’s power pushed through.

Dark energy crackled across the barrier’s surface like frost creeping over glass, twisting the lattice of light into jagged fragments.

Parker’s sharp inhale of breath told me she could see it too. “It’s... beautiful. In a terrifying way.”

“It’s all wrong.” I stepped closer to the fracture, letting my energy flow out to stabilize the worst of the corruption.

Golden light surged from my hands, meeting the shadows with a hiss.

Pain lanced through my skull, sharp and relentless.

“The Veil is supposed to be invisible, impenetrable. What you’re seeing is it breaking down. ”

A tendril of dark magic snaked through one of the cracks, writhing like a living thing.

I caught it before it could spread, golden light snaring it like a whip.

The effort burned in my veins. “The Dreadnull has tried to break through before, but never with this much power. Never enough to make the Veil visible.”

“Tell me about them.” Parker stepped closer, her warmth brushing against my side like a steadying anchor.

I gritted my teeth as another pulse of corruption surged against the barrier. “It’s ancient. Powerful. Some say it was once a guardian like me, before the darkness took it. Now it feeds on joy, on hope, on everything that makes this place magical.”

“And these fractures?” She reached a hand toward the writhing barrier, curiosity outweighing caution.

I caught her wrist before she could touch it, my fingers encircling hers.

“The evil that’s leaking through is just a taste of what’s waiting.

If the Veil collapses completely...” I couldn’t finish the thought.

The memory of our last battle centuries ago still haunted me.

The screams, the destruction, the darkness that had devoured everything in its path.

Parker’s pulse raced under my fingers, but her voice stayed calm. “Show me,” she said. “How can it be stopped?”

I hesitated, the weight of her request settling heavily on my shoulders. Then, slowly, I pulled her closer, positioning her to my side. “This is Guardian magic in its purest form.” I lifted my hands, golden light spilling from my palms to illuminate the clearing. “Watch.”

Energy poured from me in waves, wrapping around the fractures like burning rope.

Where it touched the corruption, steam hissed and shadows writhed.

The lattice of the Veil briefly glowed brighter before fading back into the fragile threads of its damaged state.

Parker gasped, her hand tightening against mine.

“It’s incredible.” Her voice was filled with awe, but beneath it, I could hear the thread of fear. “But it’s hurting you, isn’t it? Using this much power?”

“I’m fine.” The lie came automatically, even as exhaustion dragged at my limbs. The barriers required more energy every day, and it was getting harder to hide the toll.

A violent surge burst through. I staggered under the weight of containing it. Parker spun in my arms. When had I started holding her? Her hands steadied me with surprising strength.

“You’re not fine.” Her hands pressed against my chest, and the contact sent sparks through me that had nothing to do with magic. “You’re exhausting yourself.”

“It’s my duty.” But I couldn’t seem to step away from her touch. The energy radiated between us, urging me closer, demanding I protect and cherish and never let go. “The Veil must hold.”

“At what cost?” Her eyes searched mine, filled with concern that made my chest ache. “There has to be another way.”

Before I could answer, a sound like thunder tore through the air. Shadows writhed at the fracture, darker than anything we’d faced before. The Dreadnull’s laughter floated through the clearing, ancient and cruel, its power pushing through the Veil in an explosion of dark energy.

I shoved Parker behind me as the magic lashed out, a whip of shadow cutting across my shoulder. Pain seared through me, but I forced golden energy into the breach, driving the darkness back with a burst of raw power.

“Brock!” Her voice reached me through the haze of pain as I sank to one knee, barely able to hold myself upright. Warm hands cupped my face, grounding me as the world tilted. “You’re bleeding.”

“It’s nothing.” But my vision swam, and I could feel her trembling as she held me. “We need to leave. It’s not safe here.”

“Take my hand.”

I nodded, trying to stand. My legs buckled, but Parker caught me, her small frame somehow supporting me. Her touch burned through the exhaustion, easing some of the weight pressing down on me.

“Easy, big guy.” Her voice was gentle as she guided me away from the clearing. “Your turn to let someone else help.”

The trek down the mountain passed in a blur of pain and Parker’s steady presence. By the time we reached the lodge, my fur was damp with sweat and my hands shook with fatigue. But none of that stopped me from watching her. This fierce little human had faced horrors without flinching.

“Sit.” Her tone left no room for argument as she guided me to the couch. She disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of running water and clattering cabinets reaching my ears.

“Where do you keep your first aid supplies?” she called.

“Don’t need them.” I tried to straighten, but the world tilted again. “Guardian healing...”

“...is obviously not working fast enough.” She reappeared with a makeshift kit and a mug of steaming tea that smelled of Calla’s healing blend. The determination in her gaze was impossible to argue with. “Let me see your shoulder.”

I should have protested. The Guardian wasn’t meant to show weakness, least of all to humans. But something in her quiet insistence disarmed me, and I found myself shifting to give her better access.

Her touch was gentle as she cleaned the gash. Her fingers trembled only slightly, betraying how much the events at the Veil had shaken her. “I saw how that magic affected you,” she said, her voice softer now. “How long have you been fighting this alone?”

“Centuries.” The word slipped out before I could stop it. “I protect the Veil. It’s what I was chosen for.”

“And who protects you?” Her fingers stilled on my shoulder, her eyes locking with mine. The concern in her gaze hit harder than the Dreadnull’s threat, stealing the air from my lungs. “Who makes sure you’re okay while you’re trying to save everyone else?”

No one had ever asked me that before. The question opened something raw inside me, a vulnerability I’d buried for longer than I could remember. I caught her hand where it rested on my shoulder, my thumb brushing her wrist. “Parker...”

A howl shattered the quiet, closer than before, carrying the weight of dark power. I stiffened, exhaustion momentarily forgotten as I surged to my feet. Parker stood with me, her body tense but her expression resolute.

“You need to rest,” she said firmly, stepping in front of me as if she could shield me from what was coming. “You can barely stand.”

“And you need to stay safe.” Without thinking, I cupped her face, my thumb brushing her cheek.

The warmth of her skin burned into me, grounding me even as the Veil’s corruption threatened to pull me apart.

“I can’t...” The words caught in my throat.

I can’t lose you. I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.

Understanding flickered in her eyes, along with something deeper. For a moment, we stood frozen in thick, charged silence.

The spell broke when Tali, my assistant, yelled from behind us. “Excuse me!” Her voice pierced the air and shattered the fragile moment.

I pulled back from Parker as Tali bustled in, her wings fluttering, arms full with a battered duffel bag. Her red hair was windswept, and she had that look that meant she was about to deliver bad news.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “But I’ve got what’s left of Ms. Woods’s stuff from the Jeep. The mechanics down in the village took one look and...” She winced. “Let’s just say they suggested donating it for parts.”

Parker’s shoulders slumped. “That bad?”

“The front end looks like you tried to headbutt a mountain. Which, technically, you did.” Tali set the bag down and pulled out a cracked cell phone. “Found this wedged under the seat. Screen’s busted, but it still turns on.”

“Right, introductions,” I said, stepping forward. “Parker, this is Tali, my assistant, and the general mischief coordinator. Tali, meet Parker.”

“The human who survived a Shade attack and managed to get our grumpy Guardian here all worked up? Trust me, I’ve heard plenty.” Tali’s grin was pure mischief. She thrust the bag toward Parker. “Salvaged most of your gear. The laptop’s toast, though.”

Parker grabbed the bag. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure I’d see any of this again.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Tali’s expression turned serious. “You’re basically stranded here until we can figure out transportation. The nearest rental place is three towns over, and with the Veil acting up, this guy stays...” She glanced at me meaningfully.

“We need to get you off this mountain.” I crossed my arms, trying to ignore how the movement pulled at my injured shoulder. “It’s not safe.”

Parker’s eyes narrowed. “Not happening.”

“This isn’t up for debate. It’s not safe for you here.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” She stepped closer, chin lifted in defiance. “Especially not after what I just saw up there.”

Tali leaned against the doorframe, watching our exchange with poorly concealed entertainment. Her lips twitched as she fought back a smile.

“Something funny?” I growled.

“Oh no, please continue.” She waved a hand. “This is better than those reality shows humans love so much.”

I shot her a look that would have sent most beings running. “Instead of enjoying the show, make yourself useful. Set up a Veilcom with the pack and clan leaders. Tonight.”

“All of them?” Tali straightened, amusement fading. “That serious?”

“Yes.” My voice dropped. “We need everyone.”

“I’ll send the alert.” She pushed off the doorframe, but paused to grin at Parker. “Good luck with this one. He’s extra growly when he’s worried.”

“Out,” I ordered.

Tali’s giggle echoed down the hall as she left.

“I mean it, Parker.” I turned back to face her. “The sooner the better.”

“And I mean it too.” She planted herself firmly in front of me, hands on hips. “There is no way in hell I’m leaving this mountain. Not while that thing is trying to break through, and definitely not while you’re running yourself into the ground trying to stop it.”

“I don’t need...”

“If you say you don’t need help, I swear I’ll throw something at you.” Her eyes flashed. “And don’t think I won’t aim for that shoulder.”

I didn’t bother to argue. Fighting her stubborn streak would be like trying to move a mountain. Technically possible, but never worth the effort. Besides, a part of me, the part I wasn’t ready to examine too closely, wanted her near.

“Of course you would.”

Her expression softened, and she reached out to touch my arm. The warmth of her hand burned straight through my fur.

“This isn’t over,” she said quietly, her voice as steady as her gaze. “This conversation, this fight. None of it. We’ll do this together.”

The words wrapped around me, warming something deep inside that had been cold for centuries. As she stood, her shoulders straight with resolve, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She was fierce, determined, and impossibly precious.