Page 82 of The Wolf's Mate
The Dragon Queen smiles. “Told you we could be friends.”
A loud howl interrupts our moment. I turn and see a large wolf charge for us. Michael. He’s still alive amidst the chaos. He’s a wolf who knows he’s losing and plans on taking down anyone he can before they take him down.
I go to push Rip out of the way, but he doesn’t budge. He pushes me behind him, and I yell in protest. I just healed him; he’s nowhere near ready to fight. Michael lunges, and I can do nothing but close my eyes and wait for the pain of his jaws.
Except it never comes. A loud thud followed by a crunching noise makes me blink in surprise. A purple dragon sits in front of Rip with a wolf dangling from their mouth. The wolf howls and desperately tries to claw itself free, but the powerful dragon clamps down.
And then Michaels falls.
In two pieces.
“That was very dramatic, Vivia.” Rose rolls her eyes but smiles.
“Friend of yours?” Rip asks, hiding his shock better than me.
“One of my best friends,” she says before addressing the dragon. “Can you tell us what is going on?”
The dragon shifts and, in her place, is a petite but muscular woman. Her black hair is cropped short, and blood runs down the sides of her lips. She’s not pretty per se, but there is a certain attractiveness about her.
“King Alpha. Queen Luna,” she greets with an elaborate bow. For anyone else, it might seem as if she’s mocking us. But she’s able to make it look sincere.
“Six Nephilim are down. The wolves are taking care of the last few. The rogues,” she looks at Michael’s dead body in two on the ground, “are now dead. No casualties on our side, but a few injuries. Should we burn the bodies of the Nephilim?”
“Hettie,” Rose says gently, “would you like the dragons to dispose of Nephilim bodies?”
The question is so absurd, I choke out a laugh. These are not questions I ever thought I’d be asked.
“Oh, there goes another one,” Vivia says, staring at something behind me.
I turn just in time to see a giant creature with shredded wings. I didn’t expect the Nephilim to be so tall, and it makes me feel smaller than an ant next to them. Their large, skinny bodies are blackened, almost charred-looking. Where their eyes should be, white orbs stare hauntingly at me.
These horrific creatures were what Michael believed he could take down on his own? I’m almost sad that Michael’s dead because I would have loved watching him fight these monsters—and fail.
The Nephilim falls, shaking the ground on impact. Wolves howl as they jump on top of the creature, tearing viciously at its body. I have to turn my head because the sight is too gruesome to watch.
“Yes, burn them,” I say, because what else is there to do with creatures of that size? “And the rogues too.” I look over at Rip to make sure he’s okay with that, and he’s smiling at me with pride in his eyes. It feels…good.
Vivia gives a curt nod and shifts back to her dragon form. “She’s off to let the others know,” Rose explains. “You did amazing, Hettie, but Rip still needs to see a healer. I don’t think your alpha will take kindly to riding a dragon?”
The disapproving growl from Rip tells us exactly how he feels about that. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. In which case, let’s load him up on a horse. Have you ever ridden before?”
I just stare at her before she bursts out in giggles. “Right. Grym Hollow resident. Not exactly the best place to learn how to ride a horse.”
“I know how. I’m well enough to navigate us home,” Rip says, though he doesn’t sound overly pleased with the idea. I’m just glad he’s not being difficult about it. “Send your injured my way. Our home is closer, and they’ll receive immediate care.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you,” she says as a black dragon lands beside her. His dark scales are a stark contrast to the white scenery. Horns protrude from the top of his head, looking just as deadly as his piercing teeth. The dragon huffs and wraps its tail around Rose. “My husband, Malix,” she says. “He’s ready to get me home.”
“Wait.” I untangle myself from Rip and stand. “Thank you. Both of you. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you all didn’t show up.” Rip wouldn’t be sitting, talking, and smiling like he is now. That I know for certain.
“Of course. The fight might not have been on our land, but it doesn’t make it any less ours. We can’t stop until they’re no longer a threat,” she says.
“So, I’ll see you again?” I love the friends I made in my pack, but Rose is from Grym Hollow and knows how it feels to come to a strange new world and marry a man you know nothing about. The thought of not seeing her again makes me feel empty.
Rose smiles with her whole face. It’s contagious, and I can’t help but return it. “Of course. Our kingdoms are so close, and we can write.”
“I would like that. A lot.” I close the distance between us and hug her. Rose returns the embrace. We stay like that for a minute. Just two women who came from Grym Hollow and now have kingdoms to run.
When we finally break apart, Rose gives me one last wave before climbing atop her dragon husband. Malix nods once and then pushes off the ground, stretching his powerful wings. And then they are airborne.