And they were both so strong, so powerful, I didn’t know who would come out of this alive.
They crashed into each other again, fists flying, canines and fangs bared as they snarled. I saw scratches marring flesh, the scent of blood filling the air. It was too much, too violent and barbaric.
“Stop!” I screamed and scrambled off the ground, taking a step forward. But my voice and plea fell on deaf ears as they kept going at each other.
Over and over again, Adryan bellowed.
“Stay the fuck away from my sister, you Lycan bastard.”
Banner snarled. “I’m going tae kill ye for getting between me and my mate.”
It was a mess.
“Stop!” I screamed again as loud as I could, my eyes squeezed shut, my lungs burning from the force of pushing that one word out.
And then all fell silent, and the only sound penetrating the cavern was from the droplets falling from the waterfall and landing in the pool. Once I filtered out the noise, I could hear both males panting, their breaths sawing in and out of their lungs. I could smell even more blood coating the air, and I slowly opened my eyes, my stomach twisted in dread as I stared at them.
How could something start out so perfectly and end so disastrously?
Chapter Eight
Luna
For long seconds, no one spoke. I didn’t think anyone even moved.
Adryan and Banner were covered in gore, scratches along their exposed skin, bruises starting to form. Banner was still barely hanging on to his control, his wolf right there at the surface just waiting with anticipation to come forth.
And then there was my brother, looking every bit the psycho that was his namesake.
“What?” Adryan asked and held his hands out, palms up, fingers claw-tipped and covered in blood.
I looked at Banner and saw he was in much the same condition.
When my attention was back to my brother, all I could do was stare at him. “What are you doing? Are you insane?” The words were breathless, and when he opened his mouth, I shook my head and lifted a hand, stopping him. “Don’t answer that.”
Banner was pacing a few feet to the side of where Adryan stood, growling low. I knew his focus was on my brother, as if he were waiting for the go-ahead to attack.
“What are you doing here?”
Adryan, in all his arrogant glory, had the nerve to laugh. I watched as a droplet of blood slid down the corner of his mouth, and he promptly lifted his hand and trailed a finger along it. He collected that bead and brought it back to his mouth, staring Banner in the eyes as he dragged his tongue over the blood-covered digit.
This had my almost completely shifted mate baring his canines and leaning his upper body forward.
“Stop, both of you. You’re acting like lunatics.”
“That’s my calling card, baby sister.”
I clenched my jaw at Adryan’s arrogant tone.
His humor faded, and his nostrils flared as I picked up on his anger and protectiveness. Banner must have been able to scent it because he growled in warning at Adryan.
“Watch it, vampire.”
Adryan kept his focus on me but lifted his hand and flipped Banner off.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. This was going from bad to worse.
“Did you actually think I’d let you go on a boat across the fucking world and be alone in some strange, obscure country, Luna?” Adryan cocked a black eyebrow. “You know me better than that.”
I knew I shouldn’t have been surprised at Adryan’s actions or words, but… I was. “I can handle myself,” I gritted out, my hands in tight fists at my sides. I was seething in newfound anger and annoyance. “The fact you are so controlling, that you can’t even let me breathe makes you even more unhinged than I initially thought.” And when he smirked, I felt my rage build.
I knew Adryan would have ripped out the throat of anyone who spoke to him the way I just had, but he just chuckled after the words left me.
He glanced at Banner. “She gets that fire from me, wolf.”
“Focus,” I snapped. “I mean it, Adryan. I want you to leave. I want to figure this out with Banner on my own.” I was so angry I could have attacked him myself, especially when he kept that smirk trained on me, as if I were a child he could swat away with my tantrum. “I can't believe you followed me,” I said again, low and more to myself this time.
I closed my eyes and breathed out through my nose to gather my control. I knew he meant well, but sneaking behind my back to watch me crossed a line, no matter his good intentions.
“I mean I guess I can believe you did it, but gods, Adryan—”
“Luna,” he cut me off. “I hate that you’re pissed at me, but you have to know I’d never let anything happen to you.”