And then everything went silent, and my body shifted back into my human form.
The last thing I remembered before the darkness took over was the dagger still in me and the sound of his voice, low and cold: “You should’ve stayed dead.”RYAN’S POV
FUCK!
I could feel it. I could fucking feel it. My Anna was in pain. Her heartbeat was erratic and weak, and the bond between us was screaming in my head so loud that it was hard to even think. I was so close. So fucking close. My chest was burning, my whole body was shaking with rage and fear, and I couldn’t stop the growl that tore from my throat as I sped faster. The closer I got, the stronger the pull became, dragging me toward her like my soul knew exactly where she was.
When I finally saw it, a beautiful mansion standing tall and perfect, I froze for half a second. It looked peaceful, almost too peaceful, but I knew better. That wasn’t a home. It was a fucking dungeon wearing a disguise. And my Anna was in there.
I slammed the brakes hard, but I didn’t even bother turning the car off before I jumped out. The gate was locked, thick and heavy, but it didn’t matter. “FUCK!” I roared, my voice echoing through the air. I could feel her groaning in pain through the bond, could feel the sharp twist of agony hitting me in waves. My body moved on its own, my claws slicing through the metal until the gate bent and came crashing down. I ran straight in, my feet hitting the ground hard.
The main door was open, which made me even angrier because it meant whoever did this didn’t even think anyone would dare pass through the gate. They had no idea who the fuck I was. They had no idea that I would tear the world apart to get to her. I followed the pull, her scent, the faint whimpers through the link, until I reached a door at the far end of the hall.
The closer I got, the more it hurt. The pain in my chest was unbearable now. I pushed the door so hard that it broke right off its hinges, and then everything stopped. My whole world stopped.
Anna.
She was on the ground, bleeding, shaking, her body trembling with pain. A fucking silver dagger was lodged deep in her side, blood seeping through her clothes, staining the floor beneath her. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt tight, my vision red.
“Anna!” I yelled, rushing to her side. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with pain and fear.
“Ryan…”
“I’m here for you, baby.”
“NO! Ryan! There’s a bomb!” she struggled to say, her voice cracking.
“Shh, I’ve got you, baby,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice calm, even though every part of me was falling apart inside. I pulled the dagger out fast, and she screamed, her body shaking violently. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, baby, just hold on,” I whispered, tearing off a part of my shirt and pressing it against her wound to stop the bleeding.
“Ryan! Ryan, please!” she cried, her eyes darting toward something behind me.
That’s when I felt it. Someone was there.
I turned fast, my body tensing, and saw him. George. The bastard who’d started it all. The man responsible for everything. The sight of him made something inside me snap. I didn’t think, I grabbed him by the throat before he could even lift his weapon, and with all the fury burning in me, I plunged the silver dagger straight into his chest. The sound it made was sickening, but it didn’t stop me. His eyes widened, blood spilling from his mouth like a fountain as he gasped for air.
“This is for her,” I said, my voice low and shaking with rage.
He tried to speak, but all that came out was a gurgle. I let him fall to the ground, watching the light in his eyes fade. But I wasn’t done. Not yet.
He was still moving, still breathing, his hand twitching as if trying to reach for something, so I grabbed him again, yanked the dagger out of his chest, and plunged it deep into his neck. His body jerked once, twice, then went still.
“Ryan! The bomb!” Anna screamed, her voice raw with panic. “It’s counting down! It’s in seconds!”
I turned to her, my heart pounding. “Shit.’
Behind me,
>>
I heard George’s voice, weak and fading. “You… you can’t leave me here.”
I didn’t even look at him at first, but then he said, “Please, Ryan… for the sake of our family’s friendship.”
That made me laugh, loud, bitter, angry. “Friendship?” I spat, turning my head toward him. “You’re fucking pathetic.” I leaned down slightly, my voice low and venomous. “If you really are the Alpha King, then use your powers and save yourself.”
Sophie’s weak voice came next, barely a whisper. “Please, Ryan…” she said, her tone shaking. “Please… help us
I glanced at her, her face pale and desperate, and then back at Anna, my Anna, who was barely holding on, her blood soaking through the fabric I had pressed against her side. My decision was instant.
I didn’t waste another second.
I picked Anna up bridal style, holding her close to my chest. “It’s over,” I said quietly, even though my heart was racing. She was breathing fast, her fingers gripping my shirt weakly. “Hold on, baby. I’ve got you.”
I ran out of the room as fast as I could, ignoring the cries behind me. The sound of Sophie’s pleading mixed with George’s dying groans, but I didn’t stop. They could die in the mess they created. I didn’t care anymore.
The second I stepped past the gate, the explosion hit.
The ground shook violently, and a massive blast of heat slammed into my back as I shielded Anna with my body. The mansion, the beautiful, perfect mansion, was now nothing but a flaming nightmare. The explosion roared, sending debris flying everywhere, the fire swallowing the building whole. I held Anna tighter, crouching to protect her as much as I could while the flames consumed everything behind us.
When the dust started to settle, I heard shouting. Voices. Familiar ones.
“Ryan! Anna!” It was Mom. Her voice broke as she ran toward us. Dad was right behind her, along with Beta Logan, Gamma Steve, Alex, the old sheriff Adam, his son Jim, and Saul, Jim’s assistant. Behind them were several armed policemen, all of them staring in shock at the burning building.
Mom fell to her knees beside us, wrapping her arms around both me and Anna, crying uncontrollably. “Oh my God! Oh my God, Ryan! Anna!” she sobbed, her hands trembling as she touched Anna’s face. “Are you okay? Baby, please talk to me!”
Anna was breathing weakly, but she managed to whisper, “I’m fine, Mom… I’m okay…” even though she clearly wasn’t.
Dad stood back with the others, his eyes fixed on the fire. No one spoke for a few seconds. The heat from the flames was so intense that even from where we stood, it burned against our skin.
“Damn,” Alex muttered under his breath, shaking his head. “Such a beautiful mansion…”
I let out a short, cold laugh, still holding Anna close. “They set the bomb,” I said quietly, watching the flames rise higher. “So they’ll die in it.”
Mom cried harder, pressing her forehead against Anna’s shoulder while I held her tighter, my heart still pounding, my eyes still burning red with anger and fear. I didn’t even realize I was shaking until Dad’s hand landed on my shoulder.
“It’s over,” he said softly.
I looked at the fire again, my jaw tight. “No,” I whispered, my voice low and filled with rage. “It’s just beginning.”
RYAN’S POV
“Ryan…” Anna called softly, bringing my attention back to her.
“Yes, baby…” I replied, carrying her bridal-style to the car, leaving the rest in the hands of Dad and his team.
“Please take me home,” she said weakly.
“What? No, baby. I need to take you to the hospital to get this treated.”
Anna shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “No, Ryan, please… just take me home. Please.”
The look she gave me was enough to make me agree without thinking twice.
I carefully placed her in the back seat and closed the car door before moving to the driver’s side and starting the engine immediately.
“I’ll call the doctor. He’ll treat you at home,” I said, already dialing the new doctor since Dr. Kellan wasn’t in the city.
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