Resisting the Moon (Royal Shifters #2)(47)

The time had come. Jaret lunged first and it was on. Sebastian jumped out of the way and Finn countered with a leap in Stefan’s direction. Teeth snapped and the sound of ripping flesh echoed in the wind. The smell of blood was everywhere, including Sebastian’s.

Laila came running over and fell to her knees beside Amelie, her throat already healing shut. She looked at Amelie’s wound and placed her hands over it.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m channeling the earth’s energy to heal her.”

“You can do that?” I asked incredulously. I’d heard of the fae, but I’d never met one. Their magical capabilities far outstretched our own.

“Yes,” she whispered. “It’s part of being a fae. Since I’m part fae and part wolf, my magic is unchartered. I don’t have anyone like myself to compare notes with.”

The wind picked up and the ground trembled. I could feel the earth’s energy seeping up through the soil, binding itself, not just Amelie, but to me as well. “What’s going on?” I’d never felt anything like it.

Laila smiled, the wind blowing her long, red hair in all different directions. “It’s the earth’s way of saying hello to you. It’s a gift.”

A yelp caught my ear; it was Finn. “Oh no.” I got up and raced down the hill. Finn hobbled on three of his legs, and Stefan used his momentary lack of weakness to creep up on Sebastian from behind. I could see the twinkle in Jaret’s eyes as he watched Stefan close in.

If he turned to Stefan, Jaret would get him from behind. There was only one thing left to do. Taking a deep breath, I raced down the hill and shifted, my clothes tearing as they ripped off my body. Stefan was getting closer, but I was gaining on him. I jumped in the air and time stood still as I waited for my body to land on his. When I landed on his back, I bit into him and we tumbled on the ground.

“Tyla, no!”

Stefan bared his fangs and bit me in the shoulder. The pain shot through my arm and down my spine. Sebastian was too far away, but he turned and headed straight for me. “Stop. I’ve got this!”

Finn interfered first and tackled Stefan to the ground. Biting him under the neck, he held on until his body went still. Sebastian and Jaret both stopped in their tracks when Stefan went down. Jaret’s eyes blazed and he howled. He was outnumbered and he knew it, but that wouldn’t stop him.

Finn hung back and stood guard over me, while the final battle ensued. Their growls made the earth shake as they tore into each other. But it was easy to see who had the upper hand. Sebastian was the better fighter.

In a momentary slip of Jaret’s judgment, Sebastian got a hold of one of his hind legs and latched on. Twisting and shaking, he ripped it clean off. Jaret howled in pain and tried to run away, but Sebastian tackled him and swiped his claws across his belly. Visions flashed in his mind, all of them centered on ripping Jaret apart. He wanted to make it as painful as possible. While Jaret lied on the ground, Sebastian bit into his other leg and tore it off as well.

“Tyla,” Laila shouted. I looked up at the top of the hill and saw she wasn’t alone. Amelie had awakened, eyes glowing and dialed in on Jaret.

“Sebastian, stop!”

He jerked his head to the side, his white fur covered in splatters of red. “He needs to suffer.”

“And he will. Just let Amelie deliver the final blow. She needs this.”

Amelie raced down the hill, as if she was never hurt in the first place. She then circled Sebastian and Jaret, waiting for her turn to strike. A brief moment passed when Sebastian and Amelie stared at each other. I knew they couldn’t speak mind to mind, but it was like there was an unspoken oath there.

When Sebastian was done, he walked away and stood beside me. “Don’t ever do what you did again. Promise me,” he growled.

I rubbed my head against him and looked up into his glowing blue eyes. “I was worried about you. You say you refuse to lose me, but I refuse to lose you too. I’m not raising this baby on my own.”

“I had it under control, Tyla. I knew Stefan was coming at me from behind. I was prepared.”

“I didn’t know,” I said honestly.

He nudged me with his nose. “That’s why you’re going to let me start training you. Micah and I can help you and Amelie, and even Laila if she decides to come back with us.”

The way he said Laila’s name with such meaning bothered me. I knew he had been with countless women before me, but if she was his daughter, I couldn’t help but be jealous of the fact. Laila joined us and stood beside Sebastian, keeping her gaze on Amelie as she continued to circle around Jaret. He yelped in pain, most likely wanting her to end it, but she let him suffer. That was exactly what I would’ve done. He didn’t deserve a quick death.

By the smell of Jaret’s blood, it wasn’t going to be long before he bled out. Amelie knew this was her last chance. Instead of ripping out his throat, she shifted and grabbed a large stick off of the ground. Holding it high, she slammed it down, piercing it through his chest. He was gone in a matter of seconds.

Amelie fell to her knees, burying her head in her hands, the sound of her cries filtering back to us. Laila rushed off toward her as the rest of us shifted.

“It’s over,” Finn murmured.

I reached for his hand and held it. “I’m sorry you lost everyone. I didn’t even get the chance to see them again.”