Page 52 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

They were no strangers to long runs. Over the years, they had pushed their endurance to its limits, testing themselves against time and terrain. But this was different.

This time, their women were in danger.

They had been running without pause for hours, not even slowing to drink. Their bodies screamed for rest. Visions swam, limbs burned. Yet they could not stop.

"Let us cut through the Dark Woods—it's shorter," Daemonikai said, veering left.

"Yes, but more dangerous.” Vladya followed. “Wild animals and ferals lurk there."

"We take what we must."

Plunging into the forest, the call of wolves rose in the night. By the time they reached the heart of the woods, Daemonikai smelled them and tensed.Ferals.

Beside him, Vladya tensed too. Slowing their pace, they readied themselves for battle.

A low growl slithered through the trees.

Flickers of movement.

Within seconds, ferals surrounded them. Their hungry, glowing yellow eyes peering from the undergrowth.

Beasts lunged.

Daemonikai and Vladya moved as one, their backs pressed together.

Going for the throat, the heart, the spine... weak points to save them a lot of time. Claws and fangs met flesh. Fast. Brutal.

More ferals poured from the tree line, their numbers endless.

They were being hunted like a feast in a famine.

Daemonikai hesitated.

Seven centuries ago, he would have slaughtered them without a second thought, but that was before he became one himself. Since his return, he had not ordered a hunt for ferals as was customary.

Tonight, however, the stakes were too high. The last thing they needed was to lead a pack of bloodthirsty mad beasts back to the fortress.

So they killed.

Heads fell. Blood splattered against the ground. Bones snapped beneath their hands.

The fight stretched long, the road still endless before them.

Daemonikai forced himself to focus on the battle even as impatience coursed through him.

Emeriel was alone.

Going through heat without him.

He had promised her—sworn to her—he would be there when it happened.

That broken promise burned worse than his deprived lungs, the battle wounds.She would be in so much pain.

A claw raked his back, pain snapping him back to the present. Snarling, Daemonikai whirled and ripped the feral’s spine in two.

Fists dripping with blood, he lunged for another feral.

I am on my way, Little Star. Hold on for me.

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