Then Devlin became aware of the sound. It was like someone had left a tap running nearby, and the cool water was hitting the ground in a relentless stream.
Wait.
Devlin looked down at himself, realizing that his wound had not even begun to heal. The sound was his own blood pouring out onto the ground. Cold horror ran through his heart as he realized he could not win this fight.
Maybe, I can take him with me, though.
They circled each other even more slowly. Devlin tried to conserve his energy with every movement, saving it for the final charge. The tiger lingered at a distance, watching him with cruel eyes.
He’s going to wait until I bleed to death.
Devlin realized he had to make a move. He held the tiger’s eye as he tried to figure out a way to take down the other cat without dying himself.
That’s the challenge, isn’t it?
Devlin paused, feigning to the left. The tiger bought it and squared up. Devlin tried to leap and twist in the air to make use of his feint, but he couldn’t move fast enough. When he came down out of his heroic leap, it wasn’t on to the tiger’s unguarded flank. It was right in front of him.
The tiger brought up both front paws and carved its long, sharp claws into Devlin’s neck. He roared, the sound becoming a human scream as he sank to the ground.
Devlin tried to scream at Kate, to tell her to run. He had no strength, no breath left. More than half the blood in his body was all over the ground. He couldn’t even move a finger, let alone get up.
The tiger stood over him, growling as if it meant to end Devlin’s life right then and there.
“Stop it!” screamed Kate, charging at them. The tiger looked up and fixed its eyes on her. The hunger in its gaze was unmistakable.
It wants her.
Kate stopped, her face white with fear. “Devlin?” she whispered. “Devlin?” The tiger took a slow step towards her. “Devlin!” screamed Kate.
Devlin couldn’t move. His muscles were locked, and his body was frozen. His heart was barely beating. The wounds on his neck and across his stomach kept bleeding. Devlin was surprised that he had any blood left.
The tiger kept stalking toward Kate, licking his lips. Devlin heard Kate gasp as she realized what was happening. The swift clicking of her heels on the road told him that she’d bolted for the alley, probably headed for the theater.
The tiger watched her run, then loped after her at a casual pace. It wasn’t worried. He knew he had plenty of time to catch her.
Especially since there is no one to stop him.
Devlin made a final attempt to get up, struggling against his wounds with all his strength. The element of surprise had given the tiger the edge he needed … it was the only way he could beat an alpha.
Am I beaten?
Devlin felt the thought drift with him in a cold, dark sea. The noise of his blood hitting the ground had slowed.
That must mean I’m dead.
Even as unconsciousness rose to claim him, Devlin denied that he was dying.
I can’t be. I just found my mate, and we have too much life to live.
I refuse to die!
NINETEEN
DEVLIN
Even as the coldness of the abyss started to close around him, Devlin fought death with the entirety of his being. He simply would not accept losing … losing the fight or his mate.
Devlin attempted to stand, which sent fresh waves of pain flowing through him. He collapsed again, but this time his face was pointed up the alley. He could see Kate running for all that she was worth.