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Scuttling backwards, Lacey did her best to suppress her inner screams as panic threatened to consume her. Murder blazed in the shifter’s eyes, as red hot as the fear burning her stomach.
Then her fingers brushed something hard, covered in wet.
As soon as her hand wrapped around the hilt, the shifter’s eyes widened.
Then he dove towards her.
A cry tore across her lips, and she shoved the blade upwards. Black eyes stared into her own, wide and shocked. His body fell forward on it, shuddering as Lacey’s hand made contact with his chest, his dripping blood forming a crimson glove.
With one last shudder, the fire burning in his eyes died out, and the last breath from his mouth faded into nothing.
Lacey shoved him off her and sucked in a shaky breath, realising that she’d taken a life.
“Bitch!” the other shifter shouted. “You’ll pay for that.”
“Bill me, fuckface,” Lacey snarled, rolling onto her side as the second man’s fist hurtled downwards, narrowly missing her face. Reaching for the blade, slick with one shifter’s lifeforce, jumped to her feet and thrust it into his gut, through flesh, hitting bone. Without thinking, and holding onto anger and terror and dread, she yanked it upwards, then twisted it around.
The man’s eyes widened in surprise, his mouth dropping open as he gazed down, unable to believe where she’d struck him. Lacey followed his eyes, savouring the satisfaction of his imminent death.
Panting, Lacey kicked him away from her. With a thud, he fell backwards, spasmed, and moved no more.
Two down, one to go.
A yelp of pain pierced the night air. Lacey twisted her head around to find Mason slumped before Sam’s feet, blood coating his fur. Horror clasped her heart in its icy grip.
“No,” she whispered. She’d just found her mate. She couldn’t lose him now.
Sam stood triumphant over Mason, his back to her. “You worthless pup,” he crooned, his tone layered with satisfaction and disgust. “You’re not fit to lick my boots. Your sister is mine. The pack is mine. You’ve lost.”
Without thinking, Lacey charged forward, the blade pointed directly towards his heart.
Mason’s words echoed in her ears. Mates don’t let mates get hurt.
The metal sank into his back, and she shoved it in harder, right until her fist gripping the hilt hit his flesh.
Sam arched his back and howled with pain. His hand shot backward, sending her spinning to the floor once more. Desperately, he fumbled for the embedded blade but couldn’t seem to reach it. Turning her way, rage and pain twisted his features into a dangerous mask.
Terror seized Lacey’s heart as he stumbled towards her, her death blazing in his eyes.
With a strained growl, Mason struggled to his paws, but determination blazed within his eyes, even as hurt as he was. Sam turned, but it was too late. With a deafening roar, he leapt forward, his jaws snapping around his uncle’s throat.
Within seconds, the ground welcomed the next libation of death.
Lacey could only lay there, her eyes fixed on Sam’s body. She had to make sure he wouldn’t be getting up again.
It would be just their luck if he did.
But after several long, agonising seconds, it became apparent that unless he was Lazarus, he wouldn’t be rising anymore.
Mason padded over towards her, his movements slow and unsteady. Energy pooled around him, followed by that glorious iridescent light. Fur melted away, paws stretched into human limbs, and Mason the man collapsed beside her feet, his breath coming in low, shallow pants.
Relief swam through Lacey as she grabbed hold of him, pulling him into the comfort of her arms, needing to feel him to chase the terror of almost losing him away. Tears spilled from her eyes onto his skin, mingling with layers of blood and sweat. Exhaustion and pain painted his face, but he was alive. They were all alive. That was all that mattered.
After a moment, his fingers gripped her hand. “Karis,” he croaked.
Lacey’s heart stilled once more. In the midst of everything, she’d lost sight of his sister. A snap of branches shot through the clearing, quickly followed by the sound of footsteps. Mentally preparing herself for anything, Lacey twisted her head.
Karis stepped out of the trees, blood trickling down the side of her face, but relief shining within her eyes.
Lacey heaved a sigh. “She’s safe.”
Mason slumped into her lap, his breathing thick and heavy. Running a hand through his hair, she swept her gaze over the bodies littering the ground.
They were all free at last.
