Page 47

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

NAKOA

I must protect my mate. 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.”