Page 42 of The Werewolf Cowboy
Ah shit. Poison. This more than anything else confirmed Grayson’s suspicions. His alpha and foster father had embraced evil in return for power. He felt the poison seeping through his bloodstream, slowing him down.
As Grayson started to move away from the deadly venom-tipped claws, Cedric whirled and slashed out. The move cut Grayson across the throat. Blood spurted and he gasped with the pain and shock as Katy screamed. Groaning, Grayson clapped a hand over his bleeding throat, trying to stem the flow, knowing he could die if he didn’t call upon his healing powers.
He’d been gone from Wolf Haven far too long. He either could use his inner light to destroy the alpha and save Katy, or save his own hide.
Katy came first. She always had.
Summoning all his magick, he forced his powers to surge, and threw two energy balls at the Lupines holding Katy. Shrieking, they dissolved into puddles of dark goo. Grayson lifted a trembling hand to the stunned Katy.
“Run, darling,” he called out hoarsely. “Go inside the cottage. That ole bastard can’t get to you there.”
He turned to Chase. “Teach her, buddy. Teach her to use her magick and kill Cedric. He’s going to kill her, just like he did to Edith. He doesn’t want a mate, he wants to live forever and siphon out all Katy’s energy until she drops dead.”
Shocked gasps rippled through the pack, but he was too weak to care. Grayson collapsed on the ground. He tried to call upon his magick to heal. No use. Poison already started seeping through his veins, destroying cells, killing his magick.
Grayson struggled for breath, knowing the inevitable truth.
He was going to die.
This could not be happening. Not Grayson, her friend, the male who risked all to come here and bring her back from the darkness. He was her light, her love…
She loved him.
Grayson shifted into wolf and struggled to stand on all fours. Lupines healed faster in wolf form, but she didn’t know if that applied to this world.
Cedric laughed. “You think shifting will save your life? You’re dead.”
Use your magick, Katy. Your powers and free yourself. You have the powers of light and darkness inside you. You are a child of this world. Do it.
She felt his light dying, winking out like a sputtering candle.You’ve got to hang on. Grayson, please!
Sorry, sweetheart. I’m trying, but his claws are poisoned. As long as you’re safe, I can die in peace.
Screw that. You are so NOT DYING!
Pure instinct drove her, fueling her with strength. Calmness settled over her. She remained quiet, despite the blood gushing from Grayson’s throat. Power gathered within in, such power she wanted to burst with it.
Katy centered herself, focusing on the calm. She was a tsunami, collecting energy in her wake, a destructive force ready to unleash a terrible power. The magick pushed to the surface with inexorable force, and kept rising and kept coming until she knew the exact moment to release it.
Focused and centered, she ran to Grayson and knelt before the magnificent wolf. Katy put her arms around his neck, stroking the blood-soaked fur where the alpha’s talons had gouged skin.
Light shimmered around her, an ethereal bluish-white light that warmed her but did not burn. She pushed all her magick to the surface and centered her powers in her hands, willing them to heal Grayson’s terrible wound.
Others rushed forward to pull her back, but were forced away from the light shimmering around her. Katy focused all her attention on Grayson, healing him, watching the deep gouges in his throat slowly close, feeling the poison turn muted and ineffective.
She felt him inside her mind, stronger now, forceful.Thank you.That’s my girl. Now step back, stay safe.
What are you going to do?
He’s going down. Right now.
Then Grayson spoke again, but not to her.Chase, buddy. Create a diversion.
The other male raced forward, danced before Cedric, shadow boxing. “You bastard. So you think you can take whatever you want, whenever you want? Ignore us and what we need?”
Cedric lunged forward to attack, but Chase darted away. “Save your strength, old man. Your days in this pack are done.”
“I am not a man,” Cedric snapped.
