Page 39 of Into the Dawn

The full moon bathes the scene in silvery light, and I know with terrible certainty that there’s going to be bloodshed. And soon.

I just hope it’s not ours.

21

BEN

While I stand there, my beast's fur brushing the inside of my skin, I know he's about to burst free any second. The primal energy coursing through my veins demands release, begging to protect what's mine. I go to take a step forward, at this point, beyond caring about strategising or coming up with a cunning plan. I’m more focused on getting my mate away from these men than the consequences of my actions.

Attention focused entirely on Vanessa, I don’t notice Jed slipping his hand behind me. When I feel a tiny prick in my back, nothing more than a small pinch, I snarl at him, immediately knowing what he’s done.

The effect is instantaneous, like a door slamming shut inside my mind, locking my enhanced abilities down. My beast withdraws, forced into dormancy by whatever chemical cocktail just entered my system.

I turn and stare in disgust as Jed waves a syringe in the air with a smug look on his stupid face. The empty vial gleams in the firelight.

"These idiots might not use any means necessary to ensure victory, but I will. A real leader needs brains as well as muscle." His voice drips with self-satisfaction, knowing he's found a way to neutralise the biggest threat to his position in the clan, but in a way that nobody here would respect.

Rusty's gaze flicks to us, ever so briefly, and I see the look of disdain that flashes across his face before he returns to staring at the lineup in front of him. He's not pleased. It's a dishonourable act, and even though Rusty is hardly a paragon of ethics, he prides himself on being strong and able to defend his role as leader if he needs to.

The old guard might embrace violence, but they still believe in letting beasts settle things the natural way: by tooth and claw. To shifters, a fair fight is a point of pride. And right now, Rusty is not proud of his son.

"It's not permanent, but you should start to feel the side effects immediately. It's just a little something to calm you down, to keep the animal inside you contained, to make this all go a little bit smoother. For me, that is. It's going to make this all very frustrating for you, though," he says with a dark laugh.

The chemical smell of the drug mingles with the wood smoke, making my head spin. My vision blurs, and the world before me tilts as my balance begins to falter.

Jed's beady eyes return to Vanessa, who’s standing bravely in front of her row of suitors, trying to pretend as best she can, that she's willingly going along with her father's plans for her.

My knees shake while I struggle to stay on my feet as the drugs Jed’s pushed into my system start to flow through my bloodstream, weakening me. Whatever he used, it's potent stuff.

It's pure stubbornness keeping me standing. I won't fail her. The mate bond between us pulses weakly, like a fading radio signal, but it's enough to keep me conscious.

"You coward." I growl at him right before my beast disappears into the very back of my mind, trapped in the darkness, despite his eagerness to stay here with our mate and protect her.

The separation is like having part of my soul ripped away, leaving me hollow and vulnerable. I can’t remember the last time he wasn’t with me, like a best friend there to support you at every turn. It’s like missing a limb.

Looks like I’m really on my own now.

The first man steps forward, looking Vanessa over from head to toe with appreciation.

Immediately, I hate him. I might be drugged, but the instinct to protect my mate runs deeper than chemistry. It’s not just the beast who wants to destroy anyone who dares touch her.

Vanessa gives me a warning glance, our tenuous connection still strong enough for her to sense my rage. Begrudgingly, I have to admit, she's right. This might not be how we pictured it, but the three of us here together are no longer locked up. We'll take our chance when it arises.

I will my body to metabolise the drugs faster and clear them from my system. I won’t be able to do this as just a man.

"Vanessa has decided she wants a baby," Rusty says. "Is that something you're willing to go along with, Troy? Because I want grandkids. Soon. Someone has to carry on my legacy."

Jed bristles beside me at the subtle dig that it won't be him. Clan politics are as clear as ever. Rusty's looking for a plan B, or maybe, even a new plan A, someone stronger than his own blood to lead the next generation.

Troy raises one eyebrow and reaches out a callused hand to brush Vanessa's hair back from her face, which makes me want to vomit. The sight of another male touching my mate causes a red mist to descend over my vision, but with a waveof her fingers, she tells me to stay put. Even without my beast, possessive rage burns hot.

I do as she asks, though. I trust her. I trust that she's able to handle this, but still, in the back of my mind, there’s a nagging fear that we're in too weak a position to stop whatever is about to happen, especially now. But Vanessa doesn't know my beast is gone, so she's counting on backup that no longer exists.

"Last time I asked you out, Vanessa, you told me you wouldn't go near me if I was the last man on earth," Troy says. "You still feel that way?"

Delighted by her previous rejection of the big shifter, I snort, but he doesn't pay me any attention, his eyes glued to her pretty face.

I can't blame him.

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