Page 36 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

She dove past a reaching arm, grabbing the wrist and twisting until she heard a satisfying pop, then released him to jab an elbow into the face of another.

This was madness, but it was a madness she was thriving in.

They'd taken out most of the enforcers when one came from behind and grabbed Serenity's hair. She yelped before instinctively lashing out with a sharp kick to his knee, breaking free and sending him stumbling directly into Ronan’s path.

The Alpha didn't hesitate, delivering a punishing punch that knocked the man out cold.

The tide was turning in their favor when Serenity saw a flash of metal.

"Ronan, knife!"

He spun, but not fast enough. The blade sliced across his ribs as he shielded Serenity from the attack. Ronan roared in painand fury, his eyes blazing alpha-red as he crushed the attacker's wrist.

Serenity's mind raced.

He'd taken that hit for her. Why?

She hesitated for a split second before making a decision she knew she might regret.

With a vicious elbow strike, she took down the last enforcer standing.

Breathing hard, she grabbed Ronan's arm and slung it over her shoulder.

"I know a safe place," she panted. "Neutral ground. But I'm only bringing you because you protected me, not because I like you or thought it was hot watching you fight."

Ronan chuckled, wincing as the movement pulled at his wound.

"Sweetheart, I'd slaughter an army if it meant getting to taste that pretty, sensitive clit of yours."

Serenity felt her face flame.

"Shut up before I knock you out myself."

Serenity dragged Ronan into a narrow alley, the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Christmas lights twinkled overhead, casting an eerie glow on Ronan's pale face.

"Shit," she muttered, lowering him against a wall. She ripped off a piece of her shirt, pressing it to his wound. "This is going to hurt."

Ronan hissed as she applied pressure.

"I've had worse."

"Yeah, well, your macho bullshit isn't going to stop you from bleeding out." Serenity's hands worked efficiently, but her mind was in turmoil. Why did she care if this alpha lived or died?

She glanced up, catching Ronan's intense green eyes.

The air between them crackled with tension.

"Why'd you take that hit for me?" she demanded.

Ronan's lips curved into a pained smirk. "Maybe I just wanted to impress you."

"Bullshit," Serenity snapped. "You don't risk your life for someone you're hunting."

"Perhaps I'm not as simple as you think, little omega."

Serenity scoffed, tying off the makeshift bandage.

"Nothing about this situation is simple."

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