Page 93 of Simon

The other wolves backed away, leaving my mate and two males standing next to her.

I huffed, my chest heaving, and shoved my horns toward them to back away.

Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw me coming to her rescue. “Simon! Stop!”

But I didn’t stop. I turned and picked her up, feeling the weight of her body against my chest, and the warmth of her presence seeping into my skin. As I lifted her, her scent filled my lungs. With a swift motion, I threw her over my shoulder, hearing her gasp.

The male with vibrant green hair, his robes adorned with intricate black swirls, held a pulsating green ball of light in his hand. As he stood there, a faint hum emanated from the ball, creating a mesmerizing glow. Beside him, another man with a stubbled face reached out and firmly grasped his wrist. “It’s alright,” he reassured him, his voice carrying a gentle tone amidst the yelling of the wolves in the background.

I bared my teeth, feeling my adrenaline surge as I locked eyes with them both. The sharp scent of anger filled the air as I slowlybacked away, but the piercing sound of crackling from the ball of light echoed from the warlock’s hand. Despite my retreat, the vibrant green-haired male stood firm, and his unwavering gaze increased the tension in the air.

Suddenly, a soil-shattering explosion rocked the ground next to me, causing a cloud of dirt to billow into the air, stinging my eyes and filling my nostrils with the heavy smell of burned dirt. The deafening sound of the blast echoed through my ears, leaving them ringing in its aftermath. The sheer terror of the moment made my cursed body tense up, my muscles freezing. In the chaos, I fell, my body crashing onto the ground. As I fell, I twisted my body to shield my mate from bearing the full impact of the fall.

Lucy screamed, but she was protected.

“Rune, stop! It’s alright!” Lucy stood in front of me, putting out her hands.

I could soon stand, and I quickly jumped in front of Lucy to protect her.

This Rune rolled his hands, and another ball of light appeared. He pulled it back, ready to wield it at me again, and Lucy scrambled passed and stood in front of me.

The warlock hesitated, his glowing ball of light wavering as Lucy bravely stood between us.

“Please, don’t hurt him. He was just trying to protect me. He’s my mate!” Lucy pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.

I growled as I bent my knees and lowered my head, ready to charge.

Rune’s gaze softened as he looked at Lucy, then at me. He slowly lowered his hand, the ball of light dissipating into thin air. The tension in the clearing eased as the other wolf shifters backed away cautiously.

“I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Rune spoke, his voice calm yet authoritative.

Lucy turned back to me, concern etched on her face. I shook off the dirt and leaves that clung to my fur, eyeing Rune warily as he approached us.

“On behalf of Lucy’s father, please let me thank you for protecting her,” Rune said, his green eyes meeting mine. “You are a formidable guardian, and I can see the bond between you and Lucy is strong. He has spoken highly of her and hoped of her safety.”

A male stood next to Rune with his arm now gripped tight around his arm. He nodded quickly and swallowed. “Yes, yes. Thank you. What he said, certainly.”

I grunted in acknowledgment, but still on edge but willing to listen.

“Simon,” Lucy tugged on my arm. “This is my father, James Watts.” She nodded to the male with the beard on his face. “And this warlock is… well, his mate, Rune.” Lucy let out a huff of unbelievable laughter.

My eyebrows rose, and my eyes bounced from both of them. When they approached, my arms wrapped around Lucy as I pulled her back.

While they perhaps were her fathers now… I wasn’t about to let them get close again. They had taken her away from me once, and I wasn’t about to have them do it again. She was unclaimed, and I have not had my time with her. It wasn’t enough.

Lucy went to her father so willingly, and he wasn’t even sick. Did she not want me anymore? Was her father being sick a lie? Would she rather go to her father than me?

My anger rose, and I huffed warm air through my nostrils as I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder again.

“Simon!” Lucy squealed and banged her fists against my back. “What in the gods’ names are you doing!?”

Lucy’s father barked out in laughter. “I see ruts are the same in all animalistic species.”

Rune smirked and agreed with a knowing nod. “Agreed. Even with these new species that grace the realm, it appears no matter the origin of animal they will all present a rutting instinct. I suggest you assure your daughter of our blessing so she doesn’t worry about you or herself.”

Blessing? My mate did not need her father’s blessing. I would take her anyhow.

I turned and saw the wolf shifters all staring back at me. Most of them were wide-eyed, staring at me with wonder, but they were the least of my worries. I could outrun them on my two legs easily, even when they were on four. I knew these woods better than any of them.

---