We stared each other down. What was I supposed to do? I needed to get him to the clearing—and soon. Inside, scuffling of chairs sounded alongside muffled, harried conversation.

  “Well?” He leaned against the wall.

  “Nobody’s going anywhere. They came for a wedding, but they only got half.”

  His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “You’re up to something.”

  “Saving lives!”

  “And I’ll never do that.”

  “No?” I stepped closer.

  Fen shook his head. His mouth formed a straight line so tight his lips turned white. “What are you up to?” he growled.

  I stepped closer, holding my fists so tightly that my nails dug into skin. My skin grew hot. Did he know we were planning to trap him?

  Chapter 131

  Victoria

  I had to do something risky. Something to lure him away from everyone inside—if he knew some of them had gone after him, he would kill them all. We continued staring each other down. My pulse raced through me like an out-of-control locomotive. I took one step away, and he flinched.

  Good. I burst into a run, heading toward the open field. I’d moved his attention from the guests on his list to me. He would follow me—I was certain of it. Sure enough, his footsteps sounded from behind. I picked up my speed, as hard as it was in heels, listening for him. He was catching up. I darted through less-used paths, not wanting to accidentally run into someone who might be on his list.

  We were about halfway to the clearing. He was gaining on me. I didn’t care, as long as he was still trailing me. My mind still raced, but that wouldn’t stop until the witches worked their magic. The bottom of my dress kept catching on fallen branches, thorns, and twigs. It was probably also picking up plenty of dirt—not that I had time to worry about that.

  Three fingers touched my shoulder. I gasped and picked up my speed. Fen held onto me tighter, causing me to stumble.

  I skidded to a stop and spun around. “What are you doing?”

  “Why did you run away from me?”

  “To get you away from the wedding.”

  “You’re impossible. I never should’ve granted you immunity.”

  “Why? Am I on your list?”

  He glowered at me. “As a matter of fact, you should be. Your pack’s family line is filled with loathsome wolves.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. Although killing me would only make them happy—they already tried and failed.” I arched a brow.

  “Is that a challenge?” Fen stood taller.

  As much as I wanted to try and kill him for having come to kill my loved ones, I couldn’t. Not when that could potentially kill us all. But I also couldn’t let him continue his spree. “What if it is?”

  He threw his head back and laughed maniacally. “You, a she-wolf, want to take me on? Have you not heard that I’ve taken out entire packs on my own?”

  My heart thundered against my chest. I didn’t want to die this close to marrying Toby. Then I’d be sent to the other side, where I’d have to face both my old pack and Toby’s old pack—both would have even more reason to hate me than before. I needed to get Fen to the clearing.

  It was time for another risk. I punched him across the face. Seeing his shocked expression was more than worth it. Hopefully, I wouldn’t pay for it with my life.

  Before he recovered, I kicked off my shoes and ran again. Twigs digging into the souls of my feet was much easier to deal with than the squeezing of the tight heels that hadn’t been broken in. Fen’s footsteps sounded again. I gasped for breath and focused on the witches. They weren’t far away, and they were ready with an ancient spell—the only thing that could safely trap the original werewolf.

  His steps grew closer and his breathing was only just behind me. I ran faster, but so did he. Fen yanked on my hair, forcing my head back. I skidded to a stop and crashed into him. We were still so far from the witches. He grasped my hair, holding a fistful next to my head and pinned me against him.

  “You’re going to regret that.” His breath smelled of blood and guts.

  I struggled to get away, but his grip only tightened. Blue glowed from somewhere. Red joined the blue.

  The stone. It grew warm against my skin and a bolt of strength flashed through me. I jumped from his hold and spun around. His eyes were wide and his mouth gaping.

  “What the…? How’d you get out of my grip? Not even the strongest alphas have been able to escape my hold.” He stared at the necklace. “So, that’s how you did it.”

  “Yeah. You want to keep chasing me now, pretty boy?”

  His brows came together, and his face reddened. “Just for that…”

  I readied myself for him to attack. The stone was giving me more strength than I’d ever had before.

  But he didn’t lunge for me. He turned around and headed for the Faeble.

  Dread washed through me. I dashed after him, my entire body shaking. He had to be stopped before he killed everyone I loved. I gained on him quicker than expected. With energy pulsating through my veins, I jumped for him, slamming into his back. He stumbled but didn’t fall. I wrapped my arms around him, kneeing and kicking him.

  Fen spun around in circles, elbowing me. I refused to let go. He slammed me into a tree, knocking some air from my lungs. I let go and collapsed to the ground, struggling to capture a full breath.

  The stone glowed brighter, and air filled my lungs. I scrambled to my feet, my energy replenishing. He glowered at me, his back hunched forward. “You really think you can stand up against me?”

  I held the stone. “I think it wants you back.”

  “Don’t taunt me, little girl.”

  Rage ran through me. That was what others had called me—strong wolves that were now dead. A primal scream clawed its way out of my throat. I ran at him, eager to take him down. When I crashed into him, I’d built up enough force to knock him over. We both flew down and rolled on the rocky path. My bare arms skidded over jagged stones, but I didn’t care.

  While he was still on the ground recovering, I clawed at his face, tearing a beautifully manicured nail. Four lines, all spilling blood, ran down both sides of his face. He sat up and felt his cheeks. Blood dripped onto his hands.

  “How dare you?” he yelled. “No one has even been able to touch me. The power of the stone runs deep in me!”

  “Maybe it wants you back!”

  “No. I was stupid to let you have it. I’m taking back what’s mine.” He reached for the stone and lunged for me.

  It heated more, nearly burning my skin. I had to let go. Fen reached for it, but a loud shock struck him. He flew back. I cried out, surprised I hadn’t been hurt by it. He crashed into a tree and shook his head.

  I pushed myself up to standing. I shook, the sound of the shock still ringing in my ears. My inner wolf clawed to get out, begging for her chance to fight Fen. Several of my ribs popped, telling me I could shift if I wanted. But I didn’t. I ordered my wolf down and fought to regain control. This was between me and Fen—and there was no way I was going to risk losing the stone during a shift.

  “You’re going to pay,” he muttered.

  “Newsflash. It was the stone, not me.”

  He released a low growl and thundered toward me.

  “Bring it.” I met him halfway, punching and kicking. He blocked each move. Growing rage tore at me. I fought with all my increasing might. Fen continued blocking each hit. I pretended to go in for a left jab, but just before he stopped me, I hit him with a right hook in the nose. His head snapped back and blood gushed from his nose onto my hand. I wiped hair from my face, smearing his blood across my cheek and forehead.

  “I’m impressed.” He wiped his nose and thrust a punch against my chin. I barely felt the hit, though it swelled immediately. I kneed him in the groin. His eyes widened, and he shoved me. I flew back and hit my head on a tree trunk. My vision went double. Two fists came at me. I shook my head and ducked. Fen punched the tree. He grunted and shook his bloody fist.

  While he was distracted, I darted away. After only a few steps, I stumbled and started to fall back. He’d stepped on my dress, holding me in place. I twisted around and spit in his face, missing his eyes but getting some of his bloody scrapes. I grabbed a handful of fabric and yanked. The train tore, the ripping sound cutting me more.

  I lunged for him, fists swinging. He was ruining my wedding dress, and I would make him pay. Fen’s fist crashed into my nose with the most horrific crunching sound. It echoed through my head as blood gushed out, dripping down over my lips, chin, and to my chest. It trailed down and soaked into my beautiful white gown. I reached for my nose, and surprisingly, it didn’t feel broken.

  Blind fury exploded within me. I jumped onto him, clawing and hitting, not even paying attention to my own actions. Some primal part of me had taken over. It was as though I were watching the fight as a spectator from a distance. My head flew back, but I felt nothing. My knuckles cracked as my fist collided with his jaw. I flew backward, yanking to a halt because he remained on my dress.

  My arms flew out, desperate to reach something. They found only air. I landed on the hard ground with a loud thud. I hit a large rock barely an inch from my right eye. A flash of light shone as I hit. Or was it the stone?

  Pressure released from the dress as Fen lifted his feet from the train. I ran toward the clearing. It was still a ways away, but fighting him wasn’t going to accomplish anything. I couldn’t risk killing him, though I wanted to.

  I released a scream as loud as I could, a warning to the witches that we were close. Maybe they would prepare the final touches on their spell or if they could, run my way. Fen’s footsteps grew close again. My body ached. I needed to get to the witches—then I could finally get the rest I needed.

  Stones dug into my feet, my muscles hurt and burned, my throat ached, and various cuts and bruises throbbed. Yet the warm stone kept me going. Still behind me, Fen shouted at me in Icelandic.

  We were nearing the witches. My heart raced. The air against my skin grew colder. Small snowflakes floated down. Goose bumps formed on my arms. The necklace warmed, sending waves through me. Soon, I felt strong and the chill had left.

  Something pulled on the train of my dress. It nearly yanked me to a stop.

  No. Not now. I needed to get him to the clearing.

  The dress nearly pulled me to a stop, but I kept running. The sounds of tearing fabric sent chills down my spine, but I continued on, leaving the formerly beautiful train behind. Fen continued cursing me in his native tongue.

  I rounded a corner and the field came into sight! The witches were gathered together in a circle. A light shone from between them. I ran straight for them.

  They turned. Gessilyn looked straight at me. “Get as far away as you can.”

  Gasping for air, I ran past them.

  Chapter 132

  Toby

  I ran through the woods, tracking Victoria’s scent. There was something off about it, and I couldn’t figure out what. Maybe it was because she’d left with Fen, and their smells had intermingled as Victoria led him to Gessilyn’s spot. Or more likely, it had something to do with the stone—everything seemed to come back to it.

  Slowing, I came to an area that had broken branches spread all over the ground. Blood pooled near a tree and more was spattered on other trees. My stomach twisted in knots. At least there weren’t any dead bodies.

  Two sets of footprints trailed away off to the side. I followed them and the scents. At least I was finally getting closer. After I left the Faeble, I couldn’t pick up either of their trails between the snow and the fact that they’d, so I’d had to guess where they’d gone—and Victoria hadn’t chosen the most direct path to the clearing.

  The footprints led to another area that looked like a struggle had taken place. More blood and broken branches. Some small white fabric pieces lay scattered around. My own body ached as my mind put together the pieces of the struggle. It was impossible to tell who had gained the upper hand, but at least they were nearing the coven.

  Not much farther ahead lay the train of Victoria’s dress—it had splatters of red throughout. Hands shaking, I picked it up and sniffed the blood. Relief washed through me. It wasn’t her blood.

  How was it that she’d been able to fight Fen off when so many packs had been murdered by him? Could it be the stone? Shivers ran through me. I hoped she fought to keep it on.

  I held the train close to me and sniffed the air. The mixed scent went toward the clearing, but I picked up just hers in a different direction. I closed my eyes and sniffed again, holding onto her aroma until I was certain where she’d gone. Hopefully, that meant she’d taken Fen to the witches. She was probably headed for the Faeble.

  I dropped the train and burst into a run, taking a shortcut through thick trees. Her sweet smell continued growing closer—stronger. I was headed the right way. My heart raced at the thought of wrapping my arms around her. Waiting while she left with the deadly werewolf had been one of the hardest things I’d done, but I’d needed to stay in order for the plan to work—for her to lure him to the witches. Everything in me had wanted to chase after them and protect her.

  Now I wished I had.

  I broke free of the thick woods into an open path. Her scent was even stronger. I hurried toward her. Finally, she came into view.

  “Victoria!”

  She spun around, her hair whipping with her. Her face was bruised and bloody, and her dress was in no better shape—ripped and full of dirt and blood. But she was alive. Safe.

  We both ran to each other. She crashed against my chest, and I held her as tight as I could, kissing her profusely. She kissed me just as eagerly.

  “Is Fen with Gessilyn?” I asked breathlessly.

  She nodded, raking her fingers through my hair.

  “Let’s get back to the Faeble. I’m sorry about your dress. You’re just as gorgeous as ever, though.”

  “I’m just glad Fen won’t be terrorizing any more packs now.”

  “Thanks to you.”

  Victoria shook her head. “No, that’s all on Gessilyn and her family.”

  “Only because you led him right into their trap.” I kissed her again, never wanting to stop. Big cold flakes fell, landing on us. She shivered. I kissed her forehead. “We’d better get back to the Faeble, but maybe we should check on them first.”

  “You mean the witches?”

  “Right. Make sure they’re not having any trouble with Fen.”

  “Are we going to finish the wedding?” she asked.

  “Now?” I exclaimed. “Your dress is destroyed.”

  “I don’t care. Think of the stories we’ll be able to tell our kids.”

  “I’d rather give you your beautiful wedding—the one you deserve.”

  Victoria frowned. “Let’s just see how the coven is doing with Fen. We can decide on the wedding later.” She slid her hand into mine and led me to the coven. We stopped behind a grouping of trees and peeked in between the trunks.

  The witches all stood in a circle, hands linked and raised as they chanted. Fen stood in the middle, frozen in place. A grayish fog danced around him, darkening as it moved upward. Once it reached the top of his head, it hid him completely. The fog appeared to solidify and it took his form.

  Victoria turned to me, wide-eyed. I brought my finger to my mouth, indicating for her to remain quiet.

  The chanting grew louder. Fen appeared to be encased in stone. In fact, he looked like a statue.

  I turned to Victoria and whispered, “It appears he’s taken care of. Let’s go back to the Faeble.”

  She nodded, and we made our way to the pathway. The bar would be nearly empty, as nearly everyone had headed out to find her and Fen. Only a few remained to help clean the mess left in Fen’s wake.

  I put an arm around her. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, but I’ll be better once we’re married.”

  I needed to tread carefully, given her earlier reactions to putting it off. “What if we have to wait?”

  She stopped and stared at me. “What do you mean?”

  “You know I want to marry you—more than anything—but with everything going on…”

  Victoria stepped back and folded her arms across her chest. “I already told you I don’t care what my dress looks like. Not finishing the wedding would be the same thing as quitting. I led him to the witches who are going to trap him for good. Now we go back and get married so we can finally start our lives together.”

  “We already have our life together, but I know what you mean. Let’s head back to the Faeble and see what’s going on there. Can we agree to decide then?”

  “I suppose.”

  “You know I love you.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I just want everything to be perfect.”

  “It is. We started the wedding, took down the worst bad guy around, and then will finish the ceremony. Who else has a story like that?”

  “Well, when you put it like that…”

  We headed back to the bar hand-in-hand in a comfortable silence. If she didn’t mind getting married in a bloody, torn wedding dress, then who was I to complain—especially after how many years we’d waited for this day?

  Before long, the Faeble came into view. Everything sounded quiet. Inside, Tap, Quinn, and a few others were cleaning. Quinn didn’t look up from sweeping as we passed by. Silence echoed around us. Flowers hung upside down from walls. Scraps of paper and other random objects lay strewn around.

  Tap came out from the room we’d had the ceremony in and wiped his forehead. “Is Fen taken care of?”

  I nodded. “It would appear so—he’s now encased in what looks like granite.”

  “Let’s hope it’s really strong.”

  “Knowing Gessilyn, I’m sure it is.”

  “Where’s everyone else?” Victoria asked.

  “Looking for you.” Tap glanced at her

  I pulled out my phone. “I’d better let everyone know to come back.” I sent a quick text.