Page 99 of Mortal Blood
Cain’s fury mounted as Cole’s hit and run attacks continued. He could scarcely put weight on his leg now, each step labored and clumsy. Blood left a scattered trail in his wake.
Just a little more. Cole’s strength was waning too, but Cain was weakening faster. Cole circled for another strike at the crippled leg. Cain’s jaws closed on empty air.
Desperation drove Cain to a final reckless charge. He leaped, crashing down on Cole from above. They tumbled across the blood-stained ground, a snarling tangle of fangs and claws.
Cole’s agonized yip cut through the night. The wolves broke apart once more, both swaying unsteadily. A ragged slash ran down Cole’s muzzle, dripping crimson into the dirt. But Cain looked barely able to stand.
Cole saw his chance. With his last dregs of strength he rushed Cain head-on. His teeth closed round Cain’s throat, biting down viciously. Cole’s full weight slammed into him, sending them both crashing down.
He would end it now, I was sure of it. It was over—Cain had nothing left in him.
Cole’s teeth remained clamped round his father’s throat. One savage twist would end Cain’s life, ending his brutal reign over the pack. But after an agonizing moment, Cole released him. He took a single step back, chest heaving from exertion and adrenaline.
Slowly, Cole began to shift, fur receding to reveal bruised and bloodied skin. He forced himself to his feet and stared down at his father, standing tall despite his obvious pain.
“I’ve taken your pack and your pride,” Cole said, his voice ragged but carrying clearly across the silent field. “I won’t take your life as well.”
There were murmurs and restless stirring among the pack at Cole’s words. But Cain could only lay there, lacking even the strength to lift his head. His wolf form was broken, defeated.
I rushed to Cole’s side, pride and relief flooding me. He leaned heavily on me but kept his feet, determined to face his father as the new alpha.
“Get the healer,” Cole ordered. The shifters turned and searched amongst their ranks, and both Malik and Fletcher started forward.
Slowly, agonizingly, Cain began to shift back. It was clearly torture forcing his battered body to change shape. At last, the massive black wolf was gone, leaving a naked and ruined man crumpled on the ground. I wanted to feel pity for him. But when Cain lifted his head, the malevolence in his eyes froze any sympathy in me.
No. I wouldn’t waste my sympathy on him. Cain had been a vicious, cruel man who’d inflicted untold pain on my mate throughout his whole life. He didn’t deserve my pity. I turned my attention back where it belonged: my mate.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I murmured. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
Movement flashed in the corner of my eye, and before I could even gasp, Cain lunged up with sudden, manic strength and grabbed me from behind, yanking me away from Cole. His arm pressed crushingly across my windpipe.
I choked, clawing uselessly at the iron band pinning me. Cain’s other hand shifted into a deadly claw, the pointed tips digging into my vulnerable flesh. I froze, panic widening my eyes.
“You’ve taken everything from me,” he hissed through bloodied teeth. “Now I’m going to take everything from you.”
Cole’s eyes met mine, filled with fear and fury. Then he moved. At the same time, I threw my whole weight back into Cain, sending him off balance. With lightning speed, Cole leapt and slashed with his own clawed hand. His razor-sharp nails ripped open Cain’s throat in a spray of hot blood. Cain’s grip on me vanished as he collapsed backward, gurgling wetly as he hit the ground. In seconds, the light left his eyes, his last breaths bubbling from the tattered ruin of his neck.
Cole pulled me into his arms, both of us shaking. Around us, the pack erupted into howls and cries at their fallen alpha and the new leader before them.
“It’s over,” Cole murmured, holding me close. “You’re safe now.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “You had to kill him, because of me. You were going to let him live. Cole, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not,” Cole said firmly, meeting my eyes. “My father made his choice. I will always protect you, princess. No regrets.”
I leaned into him, overwhelmed with relief and love for this man. He was right—Cain had chosen his path a long time ago. Thanks to Cole, the pack stood a chance now.
Around us, the pack continued to howl and chant their new alpha’s name. Cole straightened, wincing slightly, but stood tall and proud before them.
“My pack,” he called out, and something about his voice changed as he spoke, alpha power infusing it as the pack’s magic recognized him as its leader. “My friends. You were loyal to my father, long after he stopped being worthy of it. I will try to be worthy of your loyalty, and your trust. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. A lot of damage to undo.”
Low murmurings of agreement started up around the pack; some resentment, too, I thought. Noteveryonehad disagreed with Cain’s actions. Cole would have to watch his back.
“I can’t do it alone. I need you all, and,” he turned to Jax, “I need you, Jax, as my beta. Will you accept?”
Jax nodded once and then dropped into a crouch, his head bowed. “I will.”
“Then rise, Beta Jax.”
