"Run from him! "The "
The words ripped from my mouth as the competing Alpha locked Luca to the ground, his claws set to attack. I rushed on without thinking, my pulse pounding with a mix of terror and will.
The pendant around my neck blazed with light, its energy coursed through me. Though I knew I couldn't watch Luca fall, I had no idea what I was doing.
"Aria, no! Though terror permeated Luca's yell, I didn't halt. swinging the stick, I had seized from a dead warrior, the power of the impact sent the opposing Alpha staggering back.
He turned to me, his golden gaze narrows. "Brave, but foolish," he snipped.
Blood pouring from a wound on his shoulder, Luca staggered to his feet. His voice low and urgent, he urged, "Aria, get out of here."
I shot back, gripping the staff tighter, "I'm not leaving you."
"Your fight is not this one."""
"It is now," I said, squarely between him and the Alpha.
The competing Alpha laughed quietly and looked at us from one side.
