Page 35 of A Kiss From a Wolfman
There is a fury of activity. Bullets fly as guns fire over and over before a member of my pack snuffs out each hunter. Screams echo around the clearing, and crimson blood soaks the grass and beds of fallen leaves. Limbs litter the clearing, and I spat the hunter’s head onto the ground. Once the final hunter falls and Lukar is freed, I turn towards Stella, needing to feel her in my arms and assure myself she is safe.
At first all I can see is Stella’s smile. How brittle it is causes my hackles to rise. Then I glance down and notice the blood blooming across her abdomen.
11
CIARYN
Stella sways on her feet, and I catch her before she can hit the ground.
I was unaware I had even moved until I’m cradling her small body in my arms. Her skin is sickly pale. She feels cold and clammy to the touch. I press my hand to her wound, and it is instantly wet with her blood. Her eyelids are heavy—her blinks are too long.
“Stella,” I whisper hoarsely. “Stay awake. Keep your eyes open, please. Stella.”
Her hand limply raises to my cheek, caressing it softly. The look of adoration in her eyes causes my heart to crack. Each breath is painfully shallow. I curl myself around her. Members of my pack have gathered close, each one whining and lowering on all fours.
“I love you, Ciaryn,” she says softly. Tears fall down her round cheeks. “I always will.”
I hold her close and howl up towards the sky. This cannot be happening. I just found her, and I’ve already lost her. She can’t die. There has to be something I can do. Someone as wonderful as Stella should be saved. If there is any force out there, I silentlybeg for it to come and help her. I’ll give anything for this not to be the end of us.
My heart shatters with each of her ragged breaths. I clutch her close, vowing that if she doesn’t make it, neither shall I. I understand my father more now than I ever have. How had he lived thirty years without his mate? I don’t know if I can bear even thirty seconds without her. My agony yawns open and threatens to swallow me whole.
Her body is cold as I howl once again. The sound shakes the trees above. My cries echo around me until I feel the ground beneath me rattling with despair. My body shakes with the force of my trembling. I can hardly stand it. I kiss her face, whispering words of love and devotion in her ears as the world around us ripples. I will my broken heart to kill me so that we can be reunited in whatever comes after this life.
Perhaps the ground will open and swallow us both.
A startled yelp goes up amongst our pack, and the wolves around me dig their claws into the grass. Only once their unease tickles my neck do I finally realize the ground is actually shaking. The trees around us wobble and pull back as the ground below us opens. Bright light spills up from beneath the crack in the soil—the pungent scent of fresh flowers and dank earth soaks the air.
From the crumbly ground, a lone figure appears.
Its skin is milky green, and its eyes are wholly black. A crown of gnarled branches rests over its brow. It’s dressed in a silk skirt and matching pants. Its bare hands are black and tipped with deadly claws. I snarl at the intruder and haul Stella harder against me.
“What are you?” I demand. “Why are you here?”
If this is some demon that has come to spirit her soul away, I will slay him where he stands. No one is touching my mate—I refuse to let even death separate us.
The creature arches a delicate white brow.
“A friend,” it replies simply.
In a flash of white light, he appears beside me. His long fingers glide over Stella’s brow, and I snap my teeth at him and pull her away. The creature merely waves a hand, unperturbed by my threat.
“She’s dying.”
The blunt statement feels like being gutted by a silver knife. I look away, pressing another kiss to her cold brow. Her breaths are even fainter than before. The creature huffs beside me before rising to his full height and brushing invisible dirt from his pants.
“You wolves are such obstinate creatures. It’s been ages since I dealt with one. Only for my blossom would I do something like this.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“Speak plainly,” I spit.
Rolling his eyes, the creature extends a hand towards Stella.
“I will save your little mate.”
Apprehension tickles the back of my neck. I’ve heard of creatures like this who live inThe Woods. One’s who bargain and make deals. One’s who have power over life and death. My father warned me of such beings and to take care when dealing with them.
An offer like this is not given without repayment.
