Page 85 of Assisting the Alpha
Zaiden catches sight of me struggling to get up. He tries to rush over but is stopped by a tiger shifter attacking him. Ethan’s howl must have brought everyone to our location, because the fight seems to be getting larger and more ferocious around us.
“Ethan,” I try to whisper, although it comes out low and rumbly and not all that quiet.
Ethan cocks an ear in my direction, not taking his eyes off Nyoka.
“Bring him to me,” I rumble.
Ethan snarls and leaps at my cousin. I watch them fight as I struggle to my feet, clutching my shredded hospital gown to my chest to try to stem the bleeding. The moment Ethan guides their fight close enough, I throw myself at Nyoka, landing half on his back.
He yowls and tries to throw me off as I grip on with all my strength and examine his active spellwork. He has active runes on his body, which I expected, but he also has some sort of magic on his front paws. His rings?
Oh, goddess. There’s a faint, familiar hint of navy blue. Magic I haven’t felt in ten years.
Mum’s core. Or rather, what’s left of it.
I don’t hesitate. I channel power straight from the ley line, the magic combining with mine and coming out purple as Ishred every rune, blast apart every ring, and destroy the last remnants of Mum’s core.
Nyoka’s piercing feline scream mixes with my own agonised yell. It breaks something inside of me to do it, but it’s what Mum would have wanted, especially as her magic is likely the only way Nyoka was able to get through my shield.
Ethan’s jaws clamp around Nyoka’s neck, forcing my cousin to go completely still. I ignore the pain in my chest, the blood coating me, and the frantic fighting around me as Nyoka’s people who still remain standing attempt to flee. I move to kneel beside Nyoka, grip his furry face in both hands, and search for the Nagual inside of him. It’s deep, wrapped around his core like an oil slick, black and toxic.
I channel the ley line power, making sure there’s absolutely no chance of failure as I dissolve the Nagual and magically bind Nyoka’s core.
Nyoka screams, his eyes going dark with pain before he shifts back to human form, still fully clothed but with his usual rings missing from his fingers. Blood trickles from his throat where Ethan’s fangs nick the skin. “You shouldn’t take the Nagual from me. You don’t know the mistake you’re making.”
I remove my hands and glare at my cousin. “You’re a disgrace to the name Muroyi. Qadir would have been ashamed of you.”
Nyoka’s eyes flash with malice. “You have no idea how Qadir would feel.”
Ethan lets go, shifts in the space of about half a second, and crouches to manhandle Nyoka’s arms behind his back, restraining him before he can attempt to slither away. “Nyoka Muroyi. You are under arrest for multiple homicides, kidnapping, and anything else we decide to charge you with.”
“Fuck you, Lupo.”
I grip my cousin’s chin, forcing him to look at me. “Your core has been bound until such time as you are convicted orfound innocent. If found guilty, your magic may be permanently removed. Do you understand?”
All remaining fighting around us stops. Raj, Cal, Skye, Jet, Kit, Uncle Vittorio and Aunt Lexie, Zaiden, Dante, Teo and plenty of other friends I recognise easily subdue Nyoka’s remaining minions now that their leader has been captured.
Holy shit. How many people did Ethan call to search for me?
“It’s over.” I’m not sure who I’m saying it to. Myself? Ethan? Nyoka? Everyone else?
Cal strides over, his eyes cold as he slaps handcuffs on Nyoka before hauling him to his feet and dragging him away.
A second later, Ethan is pulling me into his arms and kissing me senseless. With him still glowing, it’s like kissing sunlight. I wonder if the gold colour is because he’s my fated mate?
“Are you okay?” Ethan asks me between kisses. “Your voice… And you’re bleeding.”
Right, Ethan knows what my rumbly voice means. I’m still dialled in.
“Someone get Doc P in here!” Ethan yells, putting pressure on my bleeding chest like he’s only now realising the extent of my injuries. “Time to disconnect, sweet thing.”
No, I need the extra power. I have to keep everyone safe. Yes, definitely best to not let go yet.
Doc P appears with Uncle Lorenzo, both of them rushing towards me. Doc P does a double take when he sees Jet, his pure white aura flickering for a moment before he hurries over.
“Are you an angel?” I blurt out. No one knows what Doc P is, so it could be the case. Demons exist, after all.
Doc P barely reacts as he and Ethan carefully peel my gown off, making sure it covers my junk. “No, I’m not an angel.”
