Page 164 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
The man gripping my head laughs, not releasing his hold on me. “I don’t think so. We’re far too close to completing our work.”
My vision blurs as another wave of strength is ripped from me. I can feel my wolf weakening, her struggles becoming more desperate and frantic.
“The Eclipse Born power is almost fully extracted,” the man behind me announces. “Just another minute—”
A roar of pure wolf rage comes out of Lucian’s mouth. He lunges forward, but three guards with spears block his path. He fights with terrifying ferocity, but I can see the weapons finding their marks. A spear tip cuts across his flank, streaking his silver fur with red. Another lance catches his shoulder.
“Stop fighting them,” I gasp, terror making my voice shake. “There are too many!”
But he doesn’t stop. Can’t stop. His wolf form is magnificent and shocking as he tears through enemy after enemy, but I can see the wounds accumulating and the way his movements are becoming slightly less fluid.
As he fights, even more enemies pour into the chamber. Where are they all coming from? It’s as if Aldric has an entire army hidden in these tunnels.
Harper appears beside Zari, her face twisted with vicious satisfaction. “Corner the beast,” she calls out. “Make her watch him bleed.”
My wolf snarls so violently I nearly black out from the pain. She wants Harper’s blood. She wants to tear her throat out for threatening our mate.
PROTECT. KILL. MINE.
The ritual reaches a crescendo, and I scream as something fundamental is torn from my very soul. It feels like they’re pulling my wolf away from me piece by piece, draining the essence of what I am.
“Magnificent,” Aldric breathes, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light. “Such pure, Eclipse Born power. The Council will be very pleased.”
Lucian’s wolf rips out the throat of another guard but staggers as a spear finds his hindquarters. Blood mats his silver fur, and I can see him favoring his left rear leg as he continues to fight. He’s wounded, outnumbered, and more fighters keep coming.
Zari laughs, her voice cold and calculating. “Look at your precious prince now, Astra. Not so glorious when he’s bleeding, is he?”
Lucian’s response is another bone-deep snarl, but I can see the exhaustion in his movements now, the way his powerful frame trembles slightly. The blood loss is getting to him.
The man performing the ritual behind me makes a sound of triumph. “It’s working. The power is transferring beautifully. Soon, we’ll have everything we need.”
My wolf gives one last, desperate surge before something inside me snaps. The connection between us wavers, starts tofray. No! They’re severing the bond between me and my wolf. If they complete this ritual, I’ll lose her forever.
“Please,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face. “Please stop.”
But Aldric only smiles. “Don’t worry, dear. Before long, you won’t remember what you’ve lost.”
That’s when I see more guards arrive, flanking Lucian from both sides while he’s distracted fighting the ones in front. He doesn’t see them coming. In seconds, they’ll have him surrounded completely.
“Behind you!” I scream.
His ears flick at my voice, and he spins, snapping at one attacker as a spear shaft cracks across his ribs. He stumbles but keeps his footing, snarling as blood seeps through his silver fur.
“No!” I cry out, but the enemies keep coming. More and more guards pour into the chamber, and I watch in horror as they begin to overwhelm Lucian’s wolf through sheer numbers.
Zari steps forward, pulling a dagger from her dress. Her smile is pure poison as she watches the guards slowly corner my wounded mate.
“The mighty Prince Lucian,” she purrs. “You have nowhere left to run.”
His eyes find mine again, and even in his wolf form, I can see his fierce determination. He’s not giving up. Not ever.
“There are too many!” I sob, struggling against my bonds as more enemies surround him.
Then, something changes. The man behind me makes a strangled sound, and his hands tremble against my temples.
“What—” he gasps. “The power, it’s—it’s flowing back. This isn’t right.”
“What do you mean?” Aldric snaps, whirling around to face him.
