Reasa cried out when Liam swiped his talons across Kothari’s face, forcing the younger man to stumble backwards and run a hand across his eyes to clear them of blood. Their wounds healed instantly but their blood got in the way at times. Liam followed up his swipe with a kick to the midriff, catching Kothari off-guard and sending him crashing to the ground.
“Yes!” Reasa jumped up, throwing her fist up high. “Go, Liam!”
Her cry distracted him and Kothi was back on his feet, cutting the legs from the larger man as his head turned to look at his mate. Liam rolled agilely and leapt back up, managing to avoid the fist that was aimed at his neck.
Kothari was wild, attacking him in a flurry of movements so fast it was hard to avoid them. Liam managed to, but it took all of his concentration so he tuned out all external sounds around them. He was panting heavily; feeling the effects of the long days spent sitting by the hospital beds. Kothari didn’t have that level of fatigue to slow him down, and he appeared intent on taking Liam’s head.
“Kothari!” Liam called to his friend, but he didn’t appear to hear him. Talons found purchase in his body and he groaned as they sank into his side. “Kothi! Stop!” He tried again, as he felt his knees buckle under another attack. This time his friend had snapped his left leg and there was nothing to hold him up.
*****
Annoying sounds… buzzing around his head and fuelling his rage.
“Go away!”
His prey was weakened… he was almost there. Another moment longer, a quick slice to the femoral artery, and his prey would bleed out so quickly it would be enough to divert his attention. Then his head would be his. Then he would be victorious!
Kothari’s talons whipped downward, scythed through flesh to find the artery he required. The sounds were buzzing louder, the noise unbearable as he closed in for the kill. All breath left his body, as he was suddenly catapulted backward, landing hard in the dirt, the largest deep brown wolf he could remember seeing landing squarely on his chest.
A huge jaw wrapped around his neck in an instant, and he froze where he was, waiting for the inevitable moment to come.
“Kothari!”
The name resounded in his head and he tried to shake it away.
“Kothari, you better fucking answer me because I don’t want to have to explain to your parents why I had to take your head. Speak to me! NOW!”
“Kallum…?”
The cold haze of fury that had enveloped him began to clear, and he realised that it was his friend with his powerful jaws around his neck. What the fuck had happened? One minute he’d been teasing Liam and the next he was a hairsbreadth away from death. It was only as the fog continued to clear from his mind that he noticed he was pinned down on all sides by wolves, and Karn and Mac were crushing his legs.
“Kallum?” This time the words croaked out of dry lips, and the large wolf moved away, shifting form back into his friend.
“He’s back,” Kallum announced, his expression grave as he rose up to tower over Kothari.
It took another moment for the others to release their hold and move away, their expressions distrustful as they watched him keenly.
“What happened?” Kothi asked, though inside he was quivering with fear. Deep down he was only too aware of what had happened. He had lost control. “Liam…” Panic filled him, fear clawing at his gut as he sat up to find his friend.
Liam was sitting up gently disentangling Lily and Reasa from his large body. “I’m fine. No harm done,” he grinned, though his clothes were drenched in blood that could only indicate that he’d had a severe arterial bleed.
“You almost killed him,” Kallum ground out, fury dancing across his face as well as concern. “What the hell were you thinking? Does anyone matter to you at all? Is there even one person here that you give a shit about? You’ve crossed the line this time, Kothari. Rafe is going to have to be informed about this.”
“I didn’t… I didn’t mean to hurt Liam. Kallum, you know how I feel about everyone, about the pack. You’re my family.” Always before he could count on the Varcolac to keep him in check. They always had his back no matter what. Now Kallum and his other pack members were looking at him with such distrust. If he lost them… if he didn’t have them as his anchor…
“I remember a time not too long ago when we once sparred together, Kal. It got a little out of hand that time too.” Lily’s quiet words were the only sound for what felt like forever and then her brother let out a long sigh.
“Touche,” he muttered, though he still didn’t look very pleased.
“There is no harm done,” Liam repeated, coming over and reaching a hand out to Kothari. “We’re good.”
Kothi hesitated for a moment and then tentatively accepted Liam’s hand, allowing him to pull him up. “Kal is right. Rafe needs to be informed of what happened. I think it’s best if I head back to the pack.”
Lily gave him a reassuring smile, laying a hand gently on his arm. “That sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you catch up with Dara while you’re there. Have her keep you company for a little while. Don’t spend too much time on your own, Kothi.”
The thought of possibly losing control again and in front of Dara wasn’t one he was willing to risk. No, he would speak with Rafe and see what advice his Alpha had to offer. Then he would go home, lock the doors, and stay there until his parents came home. When they did… he would tell them everything. Maybe they would be able to help him. Maybe he didn’t have to fight this thing alone…
Turning away, he took off running, flying as fast as he could away from the tragedy that had only barely been averted. He wasn’t safe around his friends any longer. He wasn’t safe around anyone any more.