T
his had to be some crazy dream. A horrible nightmare that I could wake from. I couldn’t have lost Griffin before we even had a chance to embrace our relationship.
Watching him bleed out forced me to realize my biggest regret.
Being too scared to bond with him.
A loud howl vibrated all around us, and it took a moment to realize that the cry was coming from me. My heartbreak shattered my soul, and hatred flowed through my body.
I’d be damned if I left with these assholes. After everything they’d taken away from me, I’d rather die than give them what they wanted.
The thrumming of the boat engine indicated it was almost upon us. We were running out of time, no one more than Griffin.
“Ssseee,” Goatee slurred, barely able to keep his eyes open. “We will always wiiinnnn.” Not if I have anything to do with it.
Anger fueled my body, and I gathered enough resolve to put weight on my front paws and reach his neck to rip out his throat. For the first time ever, I didn’t feel remorse. Numbness took over.
Large black wings rushed past me, helping rage ward off the strange haze I was locked in.
That damn bird topped my shit list, seeing as he’d probably been watching me for longer than I’d ever realized. I’d pluck him feather by feather until he couldn’t handle it and turned back to his human form.
I turned to attack before the crow could hurt Griffin more but stopped short when my gaze landed on Rosemary instead. All of the enemy guards lay dead on the ground except two. One was engaged in battle with Killian while the other swung his gun in the dark wolf’s direction, ready to shoot.
No. I can’t lose him too.
I tried to stand on both legs but fell hard on my stomach. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, Goatee had done a number on me. All I could do was lie there in agony as the last man got ready to shoot Killian.
As the gun fired, Rosemary circled her wings, making her feathers blend together and surround her. She stepped between the bullet and Killian.
Did she have a death wish? I watched in horror as the bullet hit her…and bounced off her wings.
“What the-” the guy stuttered as he dropped his gun.
She unfolded her wings, a smirk on her face. “Angels are hard to kill.” She jumped, flying directly at him, and the guy had enough sense to turn and run.
The idiot ran in the direction of the boat, like that would protect him.
Before he could escape from view, Rosemary caught up and grabbed him around the neck. A loud crack followed, and his body smacked to the ground, clearly dead on impact.
Thank God she was here because Killian would have been dead if she hadn’t arrived.
Killian.
I turned to find his dark fur soaked with blood, but the last enemy lay dead at his feet. For the moment, we were safe, so I crawled toward Griffin and laid my head next to his. I whimpered as both my wolf and I mourned the man beside me.
He brushed his head against mine and nuzzled my face.
This was wrong. We couldn’t even communicate in this form. I couldn’t tell him my regrets or how I wished things had gone differently. All I could do was lie beside him as he died.
“I need you to move,” Rosemary said as she squatted on Griffin’s other side. She reached her hands toward him, and I growled.
No one but me could touch him right now. I needed to be the one he was with when he transitioned out.
Rosemary arched a brow and tilted her head. “Did you growl at me?”
I bared my teeth, emphasizing my point. My wolf surged forward. I wasn’t sure how much clearer I could get.
“Do you want me to save him or not?” She bobbed her head as she tapped her fingers on her jeans. “Once he’s dead, I can’t bring him back.”
I lifted my head and stared at her. She could save him? Was this some sort of joke? I looked at Killian, wanting him to give me a sign.
He nodded, alleviating some of my concern.
Griffin’s breathing began to slow, and his eyelids fluttered close. He was fading, and I had to put his life before my own possessive tendencies.
Everything inside me screamed for me to not allow her to touch him, but I reined in my animal. Of course, being injured made it more difficult for me. If she did do something to him, I wouldn’t be able to protect him, and that made me more volatile.
“I’m going to try again.” Rosemary narrowed her eyes at me. “And if you bite me, this will be the last time I help you.”
She might not be the nicest person in the world, but she was blunt, and I knew where she stood. I did respect her for that. Not many people were that forthcoming. I scooted away, letting her know that I wouldn’t be a problem.
“Good girl,” she chuckled.
Great, she’d already gotten cocky enough for dog jokes, but if that was what it took to save Griffin, I’d gladly take them.
She placed one hand on Griffin’s wound and the other on my hip. Her skin began to glow.
White light poured from her fingers, and a warm buzzing sensation smacked me straight in the chest-a fluttering feeling of safety and security like everything would be okay. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and my mom would hold me in her arms.
Rosemary’s stardust irises glowed a brilliant white as her power charged all around us. If I’d thought she was breathtaking before, I was wrong. Now she was transcendent.
I watched in awe as Griffin’s chest rose once again. After a long moment, Rosemary’s skin began
to fade into her normal pale complexion. She dropped her hands and faced me. “Your leg should be better also.”