Page 9 of Doyle

His face turned an endearing shade of pink as he looked at my assets, then swiftly turned his attention back to my face.

"Who are you?" I demanded, keeping my voice low but firm.

He flinched, his gaze darting around as if seeking an escape route.

"I...I don't want any trouble," he stammered. "I just want to get away from here."

"You were part of Liliana's coven?" I asked, stepping closer.

He backed up against a tree, his pale face even more pronounced against the dark bark.

“No,” he whispered. “Her people took me when I was out getting dinner with my dad. She forces people to do terrible things. I had no choice."

The anger surged within me, not just at Liliana but at the entire situation.

Here was someone who had suffered terribly, someone who had the courage to run, and now he was afraid, thinking he was facing another threat.

"What's your name?" I asked, softening my tone.

“Michael Wilson,” he replied, a spark of hope flickering in his eyes. “You?”

Don’t look at me like that, I thought, like I’m your white knight or saviour.The last person I loved, I failed.

“I’m Doyle. Michael, if you want to get out of here, you have to trust me," I said, extending my hand. “I can protect you, but you have to come with me now."

He hesitated for a moment before placing his trembling hand in mine. As I pulled him to his feet, a sense of resolve washed over me.

No matter what happened next, I wasn’t going to let Michael die.

Suddenly, a crackling sound pierced the air, and I turned just in time to see a burst of magical energy heading straight for us.

Instinctively, I put myself before Michael and tackled him to the ground.

Michael gasped, clutching my arm as the ground around us sizzled from the impact.

Shifting to my other form now would leave me vulnerable as it would take some time. Our only option was to run.

“We have to move, now!" I urged, pulling him along.

We darted through the trees, the sounds of the battle growing louder. I could feel the presence of Liliana's forces closing in on us.

Every step was a race against time, every breath a struggle to stay ahead of the danger. As we ran, Michael stumbled, and I caught him before he could fall.

"Keep going," I urged. "We're almost there."

Finally, we burst through the trees and into the main battlefield, where the coven house was still burning.

Our allies were holding their ground, but the fight was far from over. I scanned the chaos, searching for a safe path through the melee.

"There!" I pointed to a group of our bear allies gathered behind a truck.

We sprinted towards them, dodging spells and bullets. The forest was a blur of motion and danger, each step a gamble.

As we reached the circle, one of the bears—a massive grizzly shifter named Mayhem—recognized me and nodded.

"Doyle, who is this?" Mayhem asked, eyeing Michael.

Another bear noticed my nakedness and handed me a spare pair of jeans, which I hastily put on.

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