Page 41 of His Claim

I released her, staggering back on four legs, my chest heaving, fur dripping red. The berserker’s body crumpled to the floor, twitching once before going completely still.

The silence after was deafening.

I stood there, trembling, my paws slick with blood, my muzzle dripping. My new form towered over the body of the girl who had been both victim and monster. My lungs burned with every breath, the taste of her death blood still hot on my tongue.

And then it hit me.

I wasn’t afraid anymore.

My heart still raced, yes. My body shook with adrenaline. But beneath the terror was a wild fierceness that sang in my bones.

This is what you are now.

Wolf.

The world was clearer than it had ever been, brighter, alive in ways I’d never known. The hum of electricity in the walls. The rhythm of Varek’s labored breathing as he dragged himself up from the floor. The copper tang of blood, the cold sting of antiseptic. Every detail crashed into me at once, overwhelming and intoxicating.

I turned my head. Varek stared at me through wide eyes, blood running down his leg where she’d bitten him. His chest heaved, torn and slick, but there was no fear in him.

Only awe.

I padded toward him, my claws clicking against tile. His hand reached out, shaking, and I pressed my muzzle into it. His fingers tangled in my fur, hot and sticky with blood.

“My mate,” he whispered hoarsely. His palm slid to the back of my neck, steadying me. “Breathe, little wolf,” he murmured. “In. Out. Find the woman inside. Let her come back.”

His words wrapped around me like a tether. I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on the rhythm of his voice, on the sound of his breathing, rough, labored, but still thankfully alive. My lungs followed his cadence, slower, steadier.

The fire in my blood receded, my fur prickling, my bones snapping back into place. Pain lanced through me as mybody folded inward, reshaping. My muzzle shortened, my claws shrank. My hands—human again—pressed flat against his chest.

When I opened my eyes, I was me. Naked, trembling, and covered in blood that wasn’t only mine.

Varek caught me as I sagged, his arms wrapping tight around me. His lips brushed my temple, his breath ragged. “You did it,” he whispered fiercely.

I clung to him, shaking, not trusting my legs to hold me. “I thought I was going to die. I thoughtyouwere going to die!”

“I’m so proud of you,” he said, his eyes blazing.

I pulled back just enough to see the gash in his leg. My stomach lurched. “You’re hurt.”

He grimaced, but pushed up to his feet, keeping me steady with one arm. “Not the first time.” He limped toward the shattered door, keeping his iron grip on me. “We can’t stay here. We need to disappear.”

My heart pounded. “And go where?”

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and I froze. For a heartbeat, I thought it was more soldiers coming to finish us, but then Varek took me into his arms and held me close.

“It’s okay, Mariah. They’re with me.”

I turned my head to see a group of four.

The scarred one at the front gave a little grin. Behind him came two who looked so alike they had to be brothers, and a woman who looked like she would do whatever it took to win in a fight.

“Commander,” the scarred one said, a little bit breathless. “We’ve got you covered.”

Varek nodded, his arm still locked around me, blood dripping from his leg. “Joren. Rafe. Gareth. Brenna.” His gaze flicked toward me. “My mate, Mariah.”

They all looked at me at once, quick, appraising glances, like they were trying to decide what kind of weather I might bring.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I managed a nod, and my voice came out small. “Hello.”