Page 96 of Alpha Queen
"Stay back!" Kane shouted to the remaining guards, but it was too late.
Titan was lost to his mind, his movements fluid and lethal as he tore through anyone who approached. A third guard screamed as Titan's hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground before hurling him across the room. His head hit the stone fireplace with a sickening crack, his body going limp as it slid to the floor.
"Enough!" Kane roared, tackling Titan from behind.
They slammed to the floor, wrestling amid battered furniture and shattered glass. Kane managed to pin Titan, straddling his torso as he delivered punch after punch to the face of the man who'd been his best friend and younger brother for more years than he hadn't. Blood sprayed with each impact, Titan's features becoming a crimson mask.
Kane's wolf spurred him on. Take it all. Make him submit.
But Kane had no desire to take what Titan had built. He didn't want to be Alpha. He only wanted his little brother back.
Titan struggled against him. Trying to buck Kane off.
"Stop!" Kane shouted between blows. "It's over!"
"Never! Traitor. Bastard."
The remaining guards watched in horror as their leaders balled, but none dared intervene.
Footsteps clicked rapidly across the floor as Vanessa appeared, eyes widening at the carnage. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, a syringe clutched in her hand.
She dropped to her knees beside the struggling men.
Kane pinned Titan's shoulders with all his strength as Vanessa jabbed the needle into Titan's neck, depressing the plunger in one swift motion.
Titan's roar shook the room as he bucked upward with inhuman strength, throwing Kane off him. He staggered to his feet, swaying as he turned toward Vanessa.
"You're dead, bitch."His voice slurred as he lunged for her.
Vanessa tried to dodge, but Titan's backhand connected with her face, the impact lifting her off her feet and sending her into the remaining guards. Blood streamed from her split lip as she crumpled to the floor.
More wolves gathered at the doorway, drawn by the commotion. They watched their Alpha, the man they'd followed in exile and rebellion, stagger to the center of the destroyed room.
Titan swayed, his blue eyes glassy as the sedative took effect. His blond hair plastered to his bloodied face as he stumbled forward, before his knees buckled.
"You..." Titan snarled, his voice growing thick, but eyes still burning. "You… my brother! You… betrayed me? For her?" Spittle mixed with blood flew from his lips as his voice rose to a thunderous roar. "For the Luna that is MINE!"
Vanessa pulled herself up, pressing a hand to her split lip. "No one's betraying you, Titan. We're trying to save you."
"LIES!" He slammed his fist into the floor, leaving a crater in the wood. "When I wake..." He stumbled, catching himself against the bookcase. "I will hunt each of you down," he slurred. "I will tear… your throat… my teeth. I will bathe in your…"
His gaze swept over the assembled wolves, many averting their eyes from the madness burning in his.
Kane moved forward. "Titan."
Titan lunged for Kane but collapsed to the floor instead. "I'll save the longest death for you." His voice slurred into incoherence as his eyes closed.
Silence fell like a shroud, broken only by the labored breathing of the injured. Blood pooled on the hardwood around Titan, spreading like a crimson halo.
Kane wiped blood from his face, wincing as his fingers brushed his broken nose. That made what, three times, four times broken?
"Everyone out," he ordered. "Except you." He pointed to Vanessa.
The guards hesitated, looking between their fallen Alpha and his lieutenant.
"Now!" Kane barked, and they scattered, dragging their injured comrades with them.
Kane turned to Vanessa. "What was in that syringe?"
