Chapter 40

Forty: Killian Killian's P.O.V.

Her eyes were wide with wonder as she looked up at me, a smile pulling at the corner of her lips.Something about the way she was looking at me had heat rising in my cheeks and the tips of myears, and I cleared my throat as I looked away.

It was that siren look she had, with her big green eyes and her long brown hair. Her red lips wereparted just enough to show a small sliver of teeth, and her chest rose and fell faster and deeperthan normal.

She was pulling me in, calling me to her.

'Boss!" My driver called out as he slammed on the brakes. My arms tightened around Natalie as shesat in my lap to prevent her from going flying at the sudden stop. My eyes burned as they flashedred, and my beast made himself known as I let out a loud growl.

My pack was surrounding the car quickly. All but the drivers were stepping out of the vehicles andshifting into their Lycan form as they roared, announcing they were prepared for battle. We werejust outside the city, a mile, if not less. But the chance of us getting back into the city without anissue had gone.

I didn't need to ask what caused the chaos. Up ahead, I could see him very clearly. The smirk on hisface, the black eyes, and the pale skin. He stood in the middle of the road, not bothering to hide. Hewas just a decoy, there to taunt us.

"It's an ambush,” I whispered as I looked out the windows to the tree line on either side. No vampirewould be so stupid as to stand against me and my guard on their own.

I gently moved Natalie off my lap and into the middle seat before pressing a kiss to her head andopening my car door. "Code Green!”

My voice carried through the trees, and several birds scattered from the treetops as my men tookformation. Natalie reached for my arm, just barely brushing my skin with the tips of her fingers as Istepped out of the vehicle.

"Killian..." She called out with fear in her voice.

"It's going to be okay. I'll be home soon.” As the words left my mouth, Tobias brushed by me in hisLycan form and shoved himself into the car. Natalie gasped as he shifted back into his skin. Iwatched her for only a moment longer as my men continued to surround the vehicle.

Tobias used one forearm and pushed it against Natalie's chest to keep her from fighting him as hereached over and clicked her seatbelt in place with his other hand. Another guard jumped into theother side of the car, and Natalie jumped, turning to look at him. I took advantage of her turning tolook away from me to shift into my Lycan form.

The impenetrable wall around me began to sprint forward toward the vampire as the car containingmy mate sped away. They knew their orders. They had to protect the Queen at all costs. She wastheir priority right now.

The other half of my men stayed with me as I ran into the tree line, not wanting to stay out in theopen.

I looked back just in time to see one of Natalie's guards launch himself out of the tree line andthrough the apparition of the vampire, landing on the other side of the road just as the SUV spedpast him. Black smoke filled the area where the vampire had just been standing but dissipated in theair quickly.

Black Magic.

“Update,’ I demanded as we sprinted toward the downed guard. His screaming sounded as if he hadbeen doused with acid.

'Ilt's Heath, Your Majesty." Nolan called out as he tried to hold down the struggling and torturedguard to get a better look. 'l can't see any injury.’

As I approached, I could feel the thickness in the air, something no other wolf had ever mentionedbeing able to do. It was as strong as Joselin's magic, if not more so, and I felt myself slow as I movedthrough the wall of darkness.

Whoever the vampires were working with was strong.

Health continued to scream as he shifted back into his skin, his limbs flailing while he tried to pat hisbody down as if putting out a fire that only he could see.

“Grab him. We need to keep moving. Any sign of others?" I knew asking was pointless. The wall ofmagic ensured that we wouldn't be able to follow or find them, but my team of trackers was stillscouring the forest thoroughly.

“No, Your Majesty.’ They reported back, and I felt my anger build. I wanted to find one of thosebloodsuckers and rip them to pieces so small even their creator wouldn't be able to recognize them.Nolan tossed Heath over his shoulder, and the pack formed a protective barrier around the twomen.

I ran with my pack, feeling the freedom that came with the fresh air and movement bogged downby the heavy unease of the possibility that I could lose another man today. I glanced to my left,seeing Health's body give out as he fell unconscious. A string of blood fell from his mouth anddown onto Nolan's arm.

My gaze went past them as we continued to run, and to the tree line on their other side. There wasnothing out of the ordinary. My trackers were still spread out, combing the grounds quickly as weapproached the gates of the city walls.

Rows of warriors stood ready for battle as we raced past them. I wanted to turn back and stand withmy people, but I knew the vampires would not attack today. Whatever they had planned, they hadaccomplished.

The color had drained from Heath's skin, and I spared him one last look before separating from thegroup that was taking him to the infirmary.

My first stop would be to ensure the safety of Natalie, then I would lead Joselin with a small armyback out to the road where Heath had been injured and see if there was anything she could tell me.Guards stood alert by every doorway and corner as I barreled through the corridors, following mymate's scent.

'Natalie," I called out as I rounded the corner. My beastly form forced me to have to duck to fitthrough the doorway. She jumped to her feet as I entered. My eyes scanned her over as I tried tocalm my beast so I could shift back, assuring myself that she was okay.

I knew she wouldn't want to come near me in this form. The last time she had seen me this way, shewas horrified. The chance of her even recognizing me seemed low. But as our eyes met, she rantoward me, crashing against my chest with her arms wrapped as far around my waist as they couldgo, and she held me tightly to her.