Chapter 29

29

Tami

J ulian's hand crashes against my face, harder than before, jolting me. My head snaps back, hitting the window with a sickening thud. Blood fills my mouth, and I instinctively cover my face, shrieking as I turn away from him.

“Once we cross this bridge, you’re going to regret ever choosing that shifter over me,” he snarls. “You’ll wish you never crossed me, you stupid bitch.”

“Fate chose me the moment I was born!” I snap back, but Julian slaps me again. My head slams against the window, and everything blurs.

As we approach the bridge, my heart aches with the thought of never seeing Kane again. I’m determined to fight for our baby, to ensure they have the life I never did. I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to Wintermoon.

I rest my head against the window, feeling the impact echo in my skull every time I move.

Sadness weighs me down as we near the exit, and I can’t help but wonder what’s next for me. Suddenly, something catches my eye. I blink, squinting into the trees. There it is again—a dark figure leaping from branch to branch.

Hope surges in my chest. Is it Kane, racing through the trees to save me? I keep quiet, glancing at Julian, who suddenly looks uneasy. We’re getting closer to the bridge, and I know it won’t be long before we hit the border.

A shadow suddenly looms over the truck, its massive wings flapping loudly, blocking out the moonlight. A monstrous screech slices through the air above us.

“Shit! What the hell is that?” Julian exclaims, glancing around. He rolls down his window and leans out, eyes wide, but whatever he sees makes him pull back in a panic, quickly rolling the window up.

“Kamel, step on it!” he shouts, yanking his pistol from its holster and checking the chamber.

Relief washes over me. Kane must have sent help. He won’t let me get off this bridge, and I’m grateful for it.

Suddenly, a massive, scaly dragon lands in front of the bridge, blocking our escape.

Its venomous green eyes glare at us, sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight, and thick talons digging into the ground. I scream at the sight, but Kamel keeps the accelerator pressed down.

“They won’t hurt us. We have their bitch; they won’t let anything happen to her,” Kamel says, his voice steady as he floors the gas. The dragon roars, fire erupting from its chest, creating a line of flames that scorches the snow.

Still, Kamel doesn’t hesitate. He pushes forward, racing through the fire, drawing closer to the dragon.

Suddenly, a figure leaps from the shadows of the trees, landing right in front of us, arm outstretched, palm up. But Kamel keeps driving, bracing himself for impact .

“No! Get out of the way!” I scream, but Julian slaps me hard again, and my head crashes against the window.

The truck flips over the man, and I brace myself against the ceiling. I scream along with Julian, Kamel, and the other passenger. The truck hangs in the air, flipping for what feels like forever before it finally slams back onto its tires, my head jerking forward to hit the driver’s seat.

Before Kamel can hit the gas, the driver’s side door is ripped off its hinges. A massive hand reaches in, grabbing Kamel by the neck and yanking him out of the truck. He screams while I hold my forehead, trying to shake off the impact.

Julian suddenly grabs the back of my neck, dragging me out through the back passenger door. I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth as I hit the ground.

Pain shoots through my body, and I instinctively touch my abdomen, worry flooding my mind about the baby.

Julian wraps an arm around my throat and presses the pistol to my temple, pulling me around the truck. A man stands tall ahead of us, rugged yet refined, with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. His skin is a deep mahogany, smooth and flawless.

His icy blue eyes seem to see right through me, framed by shoulder-length dreadlocks that sway in the breeze. He’s muscular, exuding strength, yet his posture is relaxed. He’s shirtless, wearing only sweatpants, his bare feet sinking into the snow. His large hands are clenched at his sides.

He looks so much like Kane that I can’t help but wonder if he’s another one of his brothers. He meets my gaze, gives a slight smile, and nods. Suddenly, the front passenger door swings open, and the man inside leaps out, sprinting into the forest. He must know he’s a dead man for this.

“Let her go, and I’ll make it quick,” the tall man says, low and growling. But Julian doesn’t relent. He keeps the pistol pressed hard against my temple, his grip tightening around my throat as he drags me away.

The dragon's roar startles me, sending fear coursing through my veins. The man raises his hand to the massive creature, signaling it to stop.

“Stop, you’re scaring our princess,” he says, and the dragon huffs, silencing its roar.

“Back off!” Julian yells, pressing the pistol harder against my head.

“You aren’t crossing the bridge with her. She’s a princess of Wintermoon,” the man replies, stepping forward. I wince as Julian squeezes my throat tighter, cutting off my air. I start to gag, and the man pauses.

“I'm not letting her go until I'm across the bridge,” Julian yells, his pistol pointed at my head with a shaky hand. Just then, a cloud of black smoke rises behind us. I grin, knowing exactly who it is.

Kade appears, knocking the gun from Julian’s hand and freeing my throat. I drop to my knees as Kade lunges at Julian, sending him crashing into the snow. Kade pulls me up.

“I’ve got you, little princess,” she says, lifting me and cradling me against her chest. The man brushes his fingers over my forehead.

“The baby is fine. The heartbeat is strong,” he murmurs. He meets my gaze briefly before looking away.

“I’m Gabriel, sister. I hate that we had to meet this way, but it’s a pleasure to welcome you to the pack. Welcome to Wintermoon.”

Two large, black-furred wolves leap from the trees. I recognize them immediately.

“Kane!” I call weakly, reaching out my bloody hand. The silver-eyed wolf shifts into Levi, who stands beside Gabriel. Kane stays in wolf form, moving closer and brushing his snout against mine.

Julian scrambles to his feet and bolts for the bridge, but the dragon’s tail swings and knocks him down, sending him sliding through the snow. He struggles to get up and then disappears into the forest.

Kade looks back at me with a smile.

“No more mates on the border,” she jokes. I lean my head against her chest, too tired to respond.

“She’s fine, Kane. A little banged up, but your baby is strong,” Kade assures him.

“How about a kill in your mate’s honor?” Kade suggests, and Kane’s wolf howls into the night sky in agreement.

Gabriel leaps into the forest, and within seconds, I hear Julian's screams as Gabriel drags him out and drops him in front of Kane.

My eyes shift to a large SUV speeding across the bridge, blocking the entrance before cutting the engine. Damon and Tristian step out, approaching us slowly.

Relief washes over me, and I start to sob against Kade's chest, desperate to return home to Kane. Kane's wolf whimpers at my cries, and Kade gently rubs my back.

“Don't cry, princess. You're in good hands now,” Kade says. Damon gives the dragon's tail a pat, and it suddenly leaps into the air, flying off into the night. I had no idea dragon shifters existed.

“Looks like the radicals are escalating,” Damon says, gripping Julian by the neck and lifting him like a rag doll. Julian kicks and screams for help as Damon holds him in front of me.

“You’re sheriffs of Wintermoon! You have to return me to Michigan law officials!” Julian yells. “Do you know who my family is?” Damon laughs, still gripping him.

“Brookstone, we’ve dealt with your bloodline before. You're trespassing in Wintermoon; your laws don’t apply here,” Damon replies, dropping Julian to his knees in front of Kane's wolf. Kane's wolf growls, saliva pooling as it bares its teeth just inches from Julian's face.

“You broke Fate's biggest law. You can't take a mate from a mate. Fate will never allow it,” Kade says, smiling.

“You’re the police! You can’t just let them kill me! My family will come for me!” Julian screams, but fear flickers in his eyes. I tighten my grip on Kade, watching Julian beg for his life.

I'm watching Kade look around, confusion on her face. “I don’t see anything but pack business. Do you see anything, Damon?” she asks. Damon stuffs his hands in his pockets, whistling as he heads over to Julian’s truck, climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.

“I’ll need their heads to deliver to the police,” he calls from the doorless seat.

“See, Levi? I can handle this without King Amir’s help, and I know how to mind pack business,” Kade teases, and Levi growls back at her.

“Two of them have a head start. Looks like we have our hunt for the night,” Gabriel says to Levi.

They share a knowing glance before leaping into the forest, heading in opposite directions. Kane’s wolf growls, getting closer as Julian starts to back away.

“Why is Tami so important to you, Julian? You should have left her when you found out she was mated. Now, you’re a dead man,” Kade says, stepping around Julian while carrying me to the side. Tristian steps forward, smiling at me .

“Everything is going to be alright, little lady,” Tristian says.

“Goodbye, Julian. May the other radicals be smarter than you,” Kade adds.

Kane’s wolf lunges at Julian, sinking its teeth into his flesh. I watch as blood splatters onto the white snow, painting it red. Julian screams, choking as Kane’s wolf tears into him. I can’t look away as the wolf bites down hard, ripping Julian's head off and tossing it at Kade’s feet.

“Look, a gift from your wolf,” Kade says with a smile. That’s all I remember before my eyelids grow heavy, and sleep takes over. I can still hear Kane’s wolf howl into the night.