CHAPTER 267: WHO IS HE?

Before she could understand what was happening, the guard grabbed her hand and pulled her through the wall of fire. Angela wanted to scream and she tried to push him away, but it was useless. Heat slammed into her chest and she knew she should be burning, but the pain did not come. Her heart thudded so hard she thought it would break, yet the flames faded and she could hardly feel anything at all. Fear and relief tangled inside her as she opened her eyes.

"We are out of the fire. Move," the guard said.

Angela stared at him, stunned. She kept looking at her arms and clothes, checking and checking because she could not believe she had walked through the flames and come out whole. A cold thought struck her then. She had powers she did not understand, but how did the guard know she would pass through the flames unharmed?

"Who are you?" Angela asked, her brow drawn tight. She needed to trust him, but she needed answers more.

"There is no time for that," he said, pulling her along into a dark tunnel that led out of the castle. It was colder there, but he moved like he knew every step. He never told her his name.

They slipped out the back and ran toward the watch tower, but voices and footsteps closed in behind them. Guards were coming.

"I have no choice," he said, drawing a pistol. Four shots rang out and four men fell. Angela could not speak. He moved like someone who had done this a hundred times. After he checked the area, he said, "All clear. Wait here. I will come back for you."

"What?" Angela said, her voice small even though she wanted to shout. Around them people were running for shelter, crying and calling names. She felt raw and alone.

"Trust me..."

"That’s the only shit you’ve been saying all day," Angela hissed, slamming her foot on the ground. She was tired, angry, and desperate to get out of there before the enemies caught up with her.

"I thought you weren’t scared and wanted to fight the Patriarch," the guard reminded her of her earlier decision.

"Yes, but you killed that zeal for me. Now I don’t have the damn passion to fight him anymore."

"Fine... just wait a minute. I’ll be back," he said, then disappeared before she could say another word.

Angela bit her lower lip and hid beside the tower, her heart pounding fast. "I swear, if this motherfucker dares to fuck me up, I’ll make him pay dearly," she muttered angrily.

She leaned against the tower, closing her eyes, whispering a short prayer to the moon goddess not to let her enemies win this time. Suddenly, she heard Renn’s voice in her head. He was asking if she was fine and assuring her that they were coming to save her.

Angela’s eyes snapped open as she looked around in shock. Was that real? Could she really connect with Renn through their link?

"I’m at the Patriarch’s tower," Angela said through the connection. "The situation here is really bad."

"Don’t worry, babe. We’re coming, okay?" Renn’s voice sounded firm and calm, easing her fear a little.

Angela nodded even though he couldn’t see her. Just then, the sound of a horse neighing pulled her attention. The mysterious guard returned, riding a horse instead of a car. Before she could ask why, he leaned forward and, without warning, slipped his hand around her waist, lifting her onto the horse in front of him.

A cold shiver ran down her spine as the horse took off. His arm stayed around her waist, steady and strong. Angela tried to focus, but her thoughts were spinning. Her body reacted to his touch, to the warmth of him pressed against her back. It made no sense. She didn’t even know his name, hadn’t seen his face.

Maybe it had to do with the way he acted, like a hero. He was a hero for saving her. Or was he doing it for the fake promises she had heard all day?

Angela bit her lower lip as the cold breeze hit them once they left the castle gate. There were no guards at the gate. It had to be her new partner’s trick. He must have sent them away.

The horse raced across the bridge and plunged into the thick forest. Angela had no idea if they were going the right way; she had been drugged on the road here and the thought made her blood boil again.

"Where are we going?" she asked, trying not to press her back too hard against his chest. She could tell he was built, but she would not give him that. She had seen men more handsome than him...four were already hrr mates. She would not fall for some stranger riding behind her.

"To meet the others," he said.

Before she could ask who the others were, a shot cracked through the trees. They ducked and the horse twisted. Her savior moved like a trained soldier. He changed course and pushed north.

Angela glanced back to see who fired. About fifteen men rode in black, and one man on a white horse stood out from the rest. He did not rush. It was the Patriarch.

"Fuck no," she hissed, wishing they would pass by. Luck was not with them. Two bullets found the guard riding with her. Her heart dropped. She swallowed and turned to see where he was hit.

"Don’t look... keep looking straight," he said, his voice laced with confidence yet heavy with pain. After a few minutes, the horse began to slow down because of how badly he was hurt. Angela wanted to take charge, but she had never ridden a horse before and had no idea how to keep it moving at a good pace.

Another bullet came flying toward them. The guard tried to control the horse and make it dodge, but even after avoiding the shot, the horse stumbled and fell, throwing both of them to the ground.

Angela groaned but managed to get up quickly. She ran to the guard’s side. Blood was dripping from his arm and his stomach. "Shit... what am I going to do?" she muttered, her voice shaking.

"Run... you can still make it," he said weakly.

"And leave you here? Is that it?" she snapped, shocked at his words. He nodded, but she shook her head stubbornly. "I’m not leaving you here no matter what."

"Don’t be a fool. You just met me, girl," the guard coughed, clutching his stomach as more blood soaked through his clothes. His voice was rough and fading. "You can’t help me. It’s a moon-etched bullet... made for our kind."

Angela froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" she whispered.

He was a werewolf? That couldn’t be. How come she hadn’t sensed it? How come she never felt his presence like she usually did around their kind? It didn’t make any sense.

"I am not leaving you and that is final," Angela said sharply, tearing her uniform and tying it around his arm where the blood wouldn’t stop. Her hands shook, but she pressed on. "I have to take out the bullet, just like Taros did when Hiro was shot. I’ll use my—"

"You know," a cold voice cut through her words. The Patriarch’s voice. "I never thought I’d see a scene like this."

Angela froze. He wasn’t on a horse this time. He marched in on foot, each step heavy. His face was still hidden, but his presence made the air thick. "Two cousins falling in love after only a few hours together," he said mockingly. "I’m not surprised. The Malynsters are capable of any abomination."

Angela’s lips trembled. She turned to the guard lying on the ground, writhing in pain. Was he a Malynster too? If he was, then what was he doing here in the castle?

"We are getting married tonight," The Patriarch insisted. "Forget about—"

He didn’t finish. Bright headlights swept over them, forcing Angela to raise a hand to shield her eyes.

The van stopped right close to them. The other two behind it came to a halt too. The doors opened wide and her mates came running out toward her. Angela froze, her heart leaping as she saw them. She had not expected them to come so soon when Renn said they were on their way. Tears rolled down her back as she watched them rush to her. They came just in time.

"Why will you get married to a girl without her father?" Marcus asked with a chuckle as he walked closer. But his smile faded fast, his eyes darkened. "You should learn to follow traditions because you are messing with the Malynsters. I bet you knew what was coming and you are ready for it."