Page 86 of Broken Forced Mate
But before I can intercept him, another figure appears near Raegan. Bastian, moving in human form, approaches while she’s focused on disrupting weapon systems.
“Hello, Raegan,” he calls out. “Time to come home.”
Raegan turns toward him, and her wolf pelt melts as she changes to human to match him.
“You want to take me?” she asks. “Let me show you what I’ve learned.”
She extends her psychic abilities directly into Bastian’s mind. His confident advance stumbles to a halt as his face contorts with sudden terror.
“Please,” he gasps, dropping to his knees. “Make it stop.”
“This is what you wanted,” Raegan tells him. “Complete access to my abilities.”
Bastian’s emotional signature becomes so saturated with horror that even I can sense it from across the battlefield. He scrambles backward, then flees in panic, screeching with every step he takes.
Focus on the weapons,I remind her through our bond.
Raegan nods and redirects her abilities toward the magical artillery. Her enhanced psychic power begins interfering with Amanzite resonance frequencies, causing weapons to misfire or lose targeting capability entirely.
But the effort is clearly destroying her. Blood flows from her nose and ears as she pushes beyond every safe limit to disrupt their entire weapons array. I skid to a halt and redirect toward her.
Watching her pour everything into saving all of us—not because I asked her to, not because anyone ordered it,but because she chose to—makes my chest ache. This is what partnership really means. Not me protecting her from danger, but both of us fighting side by side, each using our strengths where they matter most.
If she falls here, it won't be because I failed to shield her. It'll be because we both gave everything we had to protect what matters. And somehow, that knowledge brings clarity instead of terror.
Sera’s voice sounds through communications. “Llewelyn units have eliminated three weapon teams. Remaining artillery vulnerable to psychic disruption.”
Dora adds her report, “Eastern approach secured. Thornridge forces are trapped between our positions.”
Mordaunt reaches Raegan just as I arrive. The three of us form a triangle on the small rise that’s become the focal point of the entire battle.
“Impressive,” the enemy commander growls through pack communication despite our different allegiances. “But ultimately pointless.”
He lunges toward Raegan, but I intercept him midair. Our impact sends both of us rolling down the slope, teeth and claws seeking purchase on enemy flesh.
Mordaunt is larger and more experienced, but I have something he doesn’t—absolute commitment to protecting my mate. Every attack I make is driven by the certainty that Raegan’s survival depends on my success.
We separate and circle each other, both puffing and panting. Around us, the battle rages as allied forces clash with Thornridge fighters across the valley, but everything narrows to this moment.
You fight well for a bodyguard, Mordaunt observes.But you lack the killer instinct of true leadership.
I don't bother responding to his taunt. Through the pack bond, I can sense Dorian moving into position on Mordaunt's left. Oren is approaching from concealment at exactly the right moment. Theodore is providing cover fire for our coordinated assault.
This is the difference between us. Mordaunt fights like a man who's always fought alone, expecting others to follow because he demands it. We fight as a unit, each of us covering the weaknesses of the others.
Theodore’s wolf appears on the battlefield, supporting pack fighters who are engaging Thornridge reserves. His military experience shows in how he coordinates defensive positions.
Elder Nettle’s magical barriers flicker and strengthen around civilian shelters as witch covens pour more energy into protective spells. “Non-combatants remain secure,” she reports.
Captain Morwen leads a decisive assault on the remaining magical weapons. “Llewelyn forces neutralizing final artillery positions.”
Mordaunt attacks again, trying to use his size and strength to crush me. I dodge rather than meet him head-on, letting his momentum work against him.
Support incoming,Dorian sends, just before his wolf appears on Mordaunt’s left flank.
Oren rushes out from his concealed position at the optimal moment, and together, the three of us execute an assault that Mordaunt’s individualistic approach can’t counter. He’spowerful enough to defeat any one of us, but not prepared to take us all on.
Through the chaos, I catch glimpses of the battle unfolding around us. Thornridge's newest recruits—the ones Raegan told me about, the disgruntled pack members Mordaunt recruited—are being torn apart on the front lines while his veteran forces hang back. He's using them exactly like she said he would. Disposable assets to test our defenses.
