Page 51

S erena's fingers dig into my fur, and I know it should be painful. I should shake her off, but I barely register it, not with Lyle right there.

Seeing him the night he changed was one thing, but this...

I can't remember a time before the guys.

Every memory I have, they are there, just like my own siblings, like my twin.

Having him missing has been hard, but I'd convinced myself it wasn't permanent, as if he was simply away on vacation.

That isn't what this is at all, and now there's no denying that.

Lyle stands atop a home, and by some miracle the roof holds.

One of his giant claws holds a man who kicks and thrashes, trying to escape.

We'd never make it in time; even if the sight of him hadn't frozen me in my tracks, Lyle's claws are quite literally dug deep in the man’s back.

It's only a matter of time before he chokes on his own blood or he punctures a lung.

It’s a terrible way to die.

I feel the others, even though I can't bring myself to look away from Lyle. We all knew it was possible to see him here, but this, we weren't ready for this.

For the monster that stands in the place of our friend, our brother.

Lyle's my best friend, but this isn't him.

That might be his beast, but he's not in control.

He might be an asshole, but he could never harm someone like that.

He's always cared about people, even if he liked to pretend he didn't. His feelings for Serena are what made them fight so often.

He's overbearing and overprotective; it's just who he is.

Unable to look away, I watch as Lyle rips the man in two as if he's nothing, drops him off the roof, and continues on his way, leaving bloody footprints in his wake.

"Lyle." The heartbreak in Serena's voice hits me hard, the bond pulling tight as we all mourn our friend. Even Garrett, who was constantly at odds with him, feels the weight of this change.

Lyle doesn’t so much as look our way, no sign that he knows us, and somehow that stings just as much.

One second Lyle fills my vision, and the next I’m walking face first into a set of legs that I know for a fact weren’t there before. I didn’t even realize I was following him until I stopped. That wasn’t a great idea.

I’ve only ever seen one person who can do that. His scent is that of the woods itself, but with a bitter note that I can only describe as sour. It’s strange but also kind of fitting with him.

Taking a step back, I look up to find him staring down at me like I did something wrong.

“Why the hell did you bring her here?” Ryker hisses, looking back over his shoulder as if he’s worried we might be attacked.

For the most part we should be safe, between the others and the fact that Serena’s taken out most of the chimeras we’ve come across so far, but you wouldn’t guess that with the way he’s reacting.

Without another word, he moves to my side. I feel Serena’s weight as she leaves my back, but it’s not until I turn to look at them that I see she didn’t get down on her own.

Ryker’s hand is wrapped around her biceps as he drags her back the way we just came. Serena doesn’t fight against him, instead staring at where we last saw Lyle, despite him no longer being there. I’m honestly not even sure she’s aware of what’s going on around her.

Serena doesn’t need protecting; she’s strong, maybe even stronger than the rest of us combined, but seeing his hands on her like that pisses me off, and my beast is moving without me even having to say anything.

I’m behind them one second and in front of them the next, skidding to a stop, making Ryker stagger to a halt as well.

“Get out of my way, Storm,” he growls, his voice low and menacing, and for the first time I get a glimpse of the monster Garrett says he is.

Wait, he knows my name?

It’s not that crazy. I suppose I just didn’t expect it. I’ve been to a few of his and Rena’s training sessions now, but he never really talks to or even acknowledges us.

Shaking off the shock, I crouch low to the ground and let him know what I think about his demand.

I don’t care who the fuck he is. Nobody put hands on Serena.

We stand locked in a staring contest that neither of us intends to lose as I feel the others move in around us, their growls and rumbles a clear indication that they’re on my side.

Ryker caves first, looking around for some kind of help that he doesn’t find. “Serena isn’t safe here!” he snaps, throwing his free hand in the air as he once again turns to face me.

That seems to be enough to pull Serena from her daze as she yanks her arm from Ryker and takes a step away from him.

“I’m more than capable of handling myself. You of all people should know that.” Ryker opens his mouth, but Serena doesn’t stick around to hear his excuse, leaving him to scramble after her as she once again heads back toward where we last saw Lyle.

“Yes, you're strong, but this isn’t about physical or even magical strength, Serena. You're not ready to face Lyle mentally, and I can’t help you!” His words spill out as fast as his feet hit the ground as he chases after her, and we all follow.

For the most part, the village is empty. The only area we haven’t checked is where Lyle was, and that’s where we’re headed.

Serena stops and spins around so suddenly that Ryker has to sidestep her in order to avoid plowing her over. They stand face-to-face, neither looking like they are going to be the one to back down.

A crash sounds not far away, followed by a scream, and the rest of us are moving to handle that, leaving Ryker and Serena to figure out whatever that is on their own.

“Can’t help us? Or won’t?” Serena’s voice is low and harsh, but with our shifter hearing, none of us misses the accusation.

“Don’t do that, Serena. Don’t act like I don’t want to help you.”

Garrett flies up with a few more villagers in his claws, taking them into the forest where we lead the others. I see him look back, and I have a feeling he hates Serena being near Ryker, even more so when he’s leaving.

I can’t say I disagree. While I might not have the same distrust for Ryker that Garrett does, I still don’t really know him, other than the fact that his father is the fucking asshole who’s not only tried to kill Serena but also the guy responsible for Lyle’s current state.

Yeah, can’t say he’s winning brownie points like that.

“All I want is to help you. That’s what I’ve been trying to do since the moment I found you in the woods.”

I clear the house the villagers had come from just as Pike, Sol, and Blair clear the others.

Sol comes out with a few more people, but Pike and Blair shake their heads, letting me know there’s nobody for them to help.

I just hope that means the houses were empty and not that the people inside are dead.

Sol makes his way toward the forest in the same direction Garrett headed a moment ago, but unlike with Garrett, I feel the need to accompany Sol.

‘I’m fine, ’ he growls through the bond. I can picture the eye roll that went with it, even if he’s a few paces ahead of me.

‘Never said you weren’t.’

We make it to the trees and leave the villagers with others who are quick to offer water and lead them the rest of the way to safety before we head back.

‘I don’t need you treating me like a kid and following me around.’ Sol takes off at full speed toward the village, and I follow with ease. He can be mad, but I almost lost him not long ago in a situation a lot like this.

Besides, it’s not like he can outrun me; we learned a long time ago that our beasts are pretty evenly matched.

‘Knock it off, Storm.’ He snaps his jaw, and I know he’s annoyed, but I can’t bring myself to care.

I nip at his hind legs, and he spins around to face me, teeth bared, his eyes shining with annoyance.

‘No. We almost lost you.’ The memory hits me like a brick wall, and I have to take a second to collect myself. ‘I almost lost you, and I can’t lose anyone else.’

I watch his annoyance melt away. I know he hates feeling like a weak link, but that’s not what this is. This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with me, and more importantly, Serena.

‘She can’t lose anyone else.’

I’m right; we both know it. Serena is strong, but people are only made for so much. Everyone has a breaking point, and fuck if this isn’t all more than that already. Sometimes, I’m not sure how she keeps going.

Would I be able to if I were in her shoes?

The thought of Serena in Lyle’s place is terrifying, but it also makes my stomach roll.

“Why are you still doing what he says?” Serena’s words carry to us through the trees, happily pulling me from the nightmare I’d just imagined.

Sol and I make it back to the village to find Serena walking away, headed toward the far side of the village.

The same way Lyle headed only a few moments ago.

Thankfully, we already cleared that area, meaning there won't be anyone for him to hurt, but the area between here and there still needs to be handled.

As do the few chimera stragglers.

Ryker stands, his eyes glued to Serena as she walks away, and we follow like her loyal guards.

I hear his groan of frustration, but I don’t dare turn around and look, not as we turn the corner and come face-to-face with four more chimeras.

Fuck, why the hell are there so many?

We’re a well-oiled machine at this point. Nobody is willing to risk another situation like last time. But even with how ready we are to face them, it’s unnecessary when Serena throws a hand in the air and her shadows descend on them, wiping them out with a simple flick of her wrist.

Damn, that shouldn’t be so attractive, but fuck me if it’s not one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen before.

They drop, hitting the ground with a thump before turning to dust, and Serena hasn’t so much as paused in her pursuit of Lyle.

“Serena!” Blair’s voice bounces off the houses, loud and clear, making her pause before turning back to glare at him. Blair doesn’t crumble under the weight of it, though, instead looking almost completely unfazed, typical.

Whatever he’d been about to say is cut off by yet another boom that sounds a lot like a bomb going off. The ground shakes, and screams fill the air, some from those in the forest who are probably only frightened, some from deeper in the village.

The conversation is forgotten as we race through the village to get to whoever needs us. Smoke fills the air, mixing with the unmistakable scents of blood and death.