Page 79 of Fallout

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before, but he may be able to. I don’t know much about my powers or how to control them. For all I know, Blaze can read me as easily as I can read humans.

When I hear the sound of car doors shutting outside, I know that Parker is here.

My stomach churns with anxiety and nerves. If I could send Parker far, far away from here, I would. I want to protect him from Blaze. But I know that nothing could keep him away from me.

Parker is strong enough to take Blaze on. He’s an alpha. Nobody in the pack is stronger than him except maybe his dad. And there is no way Alpha Thorne isn’t here with Parker.

Will and Blaine will be at his side too.

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale.

Everything is going to be all right. I just need to trust that Parker knows what he’s doing.

A loud crash makes me jump. I look over at the doorway to see wolf shifters start pouring into the building. Some of them are in their wolf form, some are in their human form. I spot Parker walking in with Blaine and Will both behind him. They come up to his side as he walks in.

My heart races as our eyes meet. I want to rush down to him, but the stupid invisible barrier keeps me from taking a step closer.

Still, seeing him is a comfort. It’s like a warm blanket of familiarity. But when I see Blaze heading straight my mate, my heart stops.

No. Blaze can’t touch him.

Before he gets close, a wolf barrels into him, knocking him over.

He can’t get to Parker. The pack won’t let him. Parker is their future alpha. He’s the most protected guy here, which is a flaw in Blaze’s plan.

The pack is strong enough to defeat Blaze. They’ll find a way. I know they will.

A group of wolves descends on Blaze, but he teleports faster than my eyes can keep up. He’s better than I am at teleporting—he’s better than I am at most phoenix talents.

Because he was taught how to control his powers. By his parents. And I’ve been blindly trying to figure this out without any real direction.

I scan the room, looking for Blaze. A sound behind me captures my attention. Before I can move, I feel something sharp and cold pressed against my neck. Every wolf shifter in the room freezes.

“Leave her alone,” Parker commands.

I feel Blaze’s chest move as he chuckles. “You’re worried about her? This knife can’t hurt a phoenix. If I slit her neck, she’ll only come back to life.”

Parker growls, taking a step forward.

“I’m okay,” I tell Parker. I lick my lips. “He’s right. I will come back to life. But you won’t. He only wants you—” My voice is cut off when he presses the knife tighter against me.

“Shut up, Serephina.”

Parker, not able to stand the sight of me in pain, rushes forward up the stairs. When he hits the invisible barrier, he snarls. His eyes glow gold with their rage.

“No, Parker!” I scream at him, knowing this is what Blaze wants. He wants Parker on his own.

Faster than I can comprehend, Blaze teleports from me to the top of the stairs behind Parker. Before Parker can react, Blaze shoves the knife deep in his chest. Parker lets out a wheezed breath and he looks down at his chest. I scream as Blaze rips the knife from his chest and Parker falls backward.

The pack, as one, rushes forward. Will gets to Blaze first. He shoves the knife into Blaze’s chest and rushes past him. Blaze falls to the ground, though I know he won’t be down for long. Surprisingly, Will is able to rush through the barrier. He lifts me into his arms and rushes back down the stairs.

“Parker,” I manage to say through my sobs.

Will shakes his head. “You don’t need to see that.”

My heart feels as though it’s being ripped from my chest. My stomach burns and my entire body feels numb.

This can’t be happening.