Page 71 of Sawyer

Garth sank his teeth into my previously injured leg, but a flash of my fangs made him back off. It was just like him to play dirty.

My leg started aching with every step, but I refused to give in to the pain. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

I thought of Casey, lying unconscious just feet away, and that thought gave me the strength to keep going.

My wolf was driven by the need to protect, to fight for what was mine.

Garth lunged again, his jaws aiming for my throat, but I sidestepped just in time, using his momentum against him.

He crashed into the side of the building, disoriented for a split second. That was all I needed.

I lunged at him, but Garth was faking it. With a sudden twist of his body, he threw me off balance and knocked me to the ground.

Pain shot through my leg as his claws dug in, the injured muscles screaming in protest.

Garth loomed over me, a sneer plastered on his face as he raised a fist, ready to deliver the final blow.

Before I could react, I heard a faint moan. My heart leaped—Casey was waking up.

His voice, weak but present, reached my ears, spurring me on. I thrashed beneath Garth, trying to break free, but he had me pinned.

Garth’s fangs gleamed in the dim light of the alley, poised to tear into me.

But just as he was about to strike, a metallic clang reverberated through the alley.

Casey, standing unsteadily behind Garth, had grabbed the metal lid of a garbage can and slammed it down onto Garth’s head.

The shock of the impact made Garth stumble, his eyes wide with surprise.

I seized the opportunity and rolled out from under him.

Garth growled and turned his attention to Casey, baring his fangs as he prepared to lunge at him.

Casey took a few steps backward. Smart mate.

But before Garth could reach him, I was on my feet, my wolf surging with renewed strength.

Fueled by a mix of adrenaline and my mate’s courage, I slammed into Garth with everything I had.

My claws tore into his flesh as we grappled. I felt an unstoppable force rising in me.

With one final surge of power, I tackled Garth to the ground.

His snarls echoed in my ears as I pinned him down, my fangs bared, ready to end this once and for all.

Garth growled, going for a final desperate bite, and I knew I couldn’t allow him to live.

I avoided his attack and sunk my fangs into his throat, ripping it out.

His body went limp beneath me. It was over.

Panting, I shifted back into my human form, my body aching all over, but relief washed over me as I saw Casey rushing toward me.

His face was pale, his eyes wide with worry. He knelt beside me, pulling me into his arms without hesitation.

“You’re okay,” I whispered, pulling him closer. “It’s over, Casey. He’s not going to hurt you again.”

Casey buried his face in my chest, and I could feel his body trembling.