Chapter 46: The Battle
317words
Through the melee, I saw Liam going straight for Richard, who had drawn a silver dagger from his jacket. My heart seized with fear.
"Liam, be careful!" I shouted. "Silver!"
Whether he heard me or not, Liam dodged Richard's first strike with supernatural speed. But as he lunged for Richard's throat, another guard appeared from behind, raising his gun.
Without thinking, I broke from our shelter and threw myself toward Liam, shouting a warning. The guard fired, and I felt a searing pain tear through my shoulder as the bullet meant for Liam hit me instead.
I collapsed to the floor, dimly aware of Liam's enraged roar and the sounds of renewed fighting. Strong arms lifted me—Jackson, pulling me back to safety while Sophia pressed her hand against my wound.
"Stay with me, Charlie," she urged, her voice sounding distant. "Just stay awake."
Through blurring vision, I saw Liam corner Richard against the wall. The older man had lost his dagger and stood defenseless before the massive wolf. For a moment, I thought Liam would tear out his throat—could see the rage and desire for vengeance in those golden eyes.
But then Liam's gaze found mine, and something shifted in his expression. Instead of killing Richard, he knocked him unconscious with a powerful blow, then turned back toward me, shifting forms as he approached.
The transformation was fluid and beautiful—fur receding, limbs elongating, until Liam stood before me in human form, naked and magnificent. Someone—Maya, now also in human form—tossed him a guard's jacket, which he quickly donned before kneeling beside me.
"Charlotte," he said, his voice rough with emotion as he gathered me into his arms. "You foolish, brave human."
