Red Moon Rising(75)
The two Lycans shed their clothing and shifted into their Lycan form. As they started through the trees, Draken called softly, “Bring me their heads.”
Chapter 23
“Put me down Kaden! Put me down right now!” Bree was struggling against him, and he winced when her foot kicked him in the meat of his thigh.
He cursed loudly and dropped her to her feet. She immediately punched him in the chest and made a break for the trees. He snagged her arm and yanked her to a stop, spinning her around and grabbing her shoulders firmly.
“Enough Bree! I will explain everything later, but for now we need to keep moving.”
“No!” She shouted at him. “I will never forgive you for this Kaden! Never! Sophia is my friend and I won’t leave her behind with Draken. I don’t care if – “
“We’re not leaving her behind.” He muttered and shook her lightly. “Be quiet Bree and trust me.”
She gave him a cautious look. “What do you mean we’re not – “
There was a low growling behind her and her face paled.
“Kaden.” She whispered.
“Get behind me.” He pushed her behind his large body and handed her the silver dagger.
She gripped it tightly as the two Lycans emerged from the trees.
“He gave me his word.” Kaden said loudly.
The two Lycan’s growled in unison and stalked forward on stiff legs. The one circled behind him and stared at Bree.
“Back to back – now Bree.” Kaden instructed.
He felt Bree’s bony shoulders pressing into his upper back as she whipped around to face the Lycan creeping closer towards her.
The Lycans crouched as one as their growling grew louder.
“C’mon then you cowardly dogs!” Kaden shouted. “What are you waiting for?”
The Lycans leaped and Bree screamed shrilly. There was loud snarling, and Kaden watched with amazement as a large grey wolf bulldozed into the Lycan leaping for him. It knocked it to the ground, and the wolf buried its snout into the Lycan’s neck and tore it open before it could even whimper.
Bree screamed again and her small body was yanked away from his. He turned, shouting her name, and staggered back in surprise. The second Lycan lay dead on the ground, its head torn from its body, and James was pulling Bree into his arms.
He lifted her small body against his naked one and rained kisses on her face and throat. She sobbed his name and clung tightly to him.
“Are you okay little one? Are you hurt? Have you been bitten?” James’ voice was hoarse as he lowered her to the ground and scanned her anxiously. His fingers traced the bruise on her cheek.
“No, my lord. I am fine.” She gave him a trembling smile, and he pulled her close and lowered his mouth to hers.
“I love you Bree.” He whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you too James.” She hiccupped and sniffed as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt? Did he – “
He hesitated and she shook her head immediately.
“No, he did not. Kaden and – “
She stopped and gave him a look of wide-eyed panic.
“Sophia! She is still with him! Please, we must go back and – “
She was interrupted by a piercingly loud howl of pain from Draken’s camp. The large grey wolf barked impatiently as James cupped her face. “Stay here Bree.”
“I’m going with you.” Bree gasped.
“No!” He glanced at Kaden. “Keep her here.”
Kaden nodded as James shifted and followed his father towards Draken’s camp.
Bree paced back and forth nervously for a few minutes before looking at Kaden. “We should go and help them. They don’t know how dangerous Draken is.”
“They can take care of themselves Bree.” Kaden replied.
She shook her head. “I don’t feel right about standing here while they – “
There was an enormous howl of pain that seemed to go on forever before it abruptly cut out. Bree, her eyes huge and her face pale, twitched violently.
“James?” She whispered. She gave Kaden a brief guilty look. He had just enough time to realize what she was planning before she unexpectedly darted into the trees. Kaden, cursing loudly, raced after her.
* * *
Draken smiled at Sophia and took her by her bound hands. “Come pretty one. Join me in my tent.”
On legs that felt like wooden stilts, Sophia followed him into his tent.
“Sit, please. You are my guest after all.” He motioned for her to sit down. She sat down on the floor of the tent and crossed her legs beneath her.
Draken gave her a pleased look and sat down beside her. He caressed her cheek before producing a knife from a sheath around his belt. She inhaled sharply but he simply cut the rope from around her wrists.