His Divine Reborn Hybrid

CHAPTER 3

ARIEL

I didn't respond. Instead, my eyes surreptitiously scanned for any way I could get the upper hand.

I saw it. He was the white wolf I had shot in the leg. I heard his silent pain in the way one hand gripped his injured leg.

“Let go of me. I haven't come here for you but for your leader.”

“Well, princess, you've found yourself the leader.” He pressed the gun deeper into my neck.

My spine straightened. He was the leader? Then why hadn't he shot me yet? What was he waiting for?

“Don't call me that,” I gritted the words through my teeth.

I needed him a little distracted.

He scoffed, and I felt his grip weaken just enough to bring a straight smile to my lips. “What if I do, princess? Are you going to hurt me? Females like you shouldn't—”

He gasped the rest of the words when I sent my foot straight into the bullet wound. The gun flew to the ground as he collapsed. He growled and tried to reach for it, but I was quicker to grab it.

I hovered above him, aiming the gun down at him with a victorious smirk. Too easy—much easier than I had expected.

I recognized him well enough. He was the Beta, the Alpha's brother. Adam Howler, Alexander's son. I wasn't the least bit surprised he was the leader of the wolves that had assassinated Seraphim. Unlike his brother, he was a sweet poison.

I had never personally experienced his cruelty, but I had heard the rumors—so many terrible things he'd done, how he put on a charming smile yet hid motives that were pure evil.

I had been wrong. He couldn't be the cursed male.

“Maybe I underestimated you,” he groaned, clutching his foot as he tried to stand. But I slammed my boot against his shoulder, sending him crashing back to the ground.

He choked out a huge chunk of blood.

“I wouldn't try anything funny if I were you.”

“I swear, you're going to pay when I get my hands on you,” he growled, eyes barely open as he glared up at me. His blonde hair was tipped with blood.

“I'll spare your life only if you don't make things difficult for me.” My grip on the gun tightened.

“You might as well kill me now.” His eyes were wide open now, brown like carved wood, staring darkly into mine. Then it flashes red as a cruel smirk curves up on his lips.

My heart lurched as his gaze hardened on mine. My hands froze against the gun. It felt as if I'd turned to stone. What was I doing?

Before I could snap back to my senses, his leg swept mine, and I crashed against him. His arms locked tightly around my waist. My hand flew to my pocket as he shifted our position, just enough for me to pull out my knife.

Both of us were holding weapons to each other's throats.

He sucked in a sharp breath, wincing. “s**t, this hurts like hell.” His furious eyes snapped toward mine. “Hard to resist my charm, wasn't it?”

“I won't spare you once I get my hands on you.”

“I'm so scared,” he sneered, pulsing my anger.

I jerked for his throat, but he slapped the knife from my hand. It sliced into his arm as he grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head.

His woody scent flooded my senses as his face hovered barely an inch from mine.

“Signal your people to back down unless they all want to get killed,” he growled. “What kind of rogues are you—thieves or fools—coming to attack unarmed?”

“My people don't need guns or swords to prove their strength,” I snapped, glaring viciously at him. “We aren't like you inhumane wolves who take lives for fun!”

“And terrorizing a pack that's done you no harm is humane?”

I chuckled bitterly. “You killed one of our own! A mother and her child who visited your pack.”

His scowl deepened, his brows knotting together. “You must have mistaken us for the wrong pack.”

“Two weeks ago, her body was found by the riverbank separating our borders. The physicians scented one of your wolves on her.”

He grew silent, his confused eyes locked on mine. Slowly, his grip slipped from my wrists, though his knife never left my neck.

“How certain are you about this?”

“Certain enough to want you dead.”

He glared at me. “I'd mind what comes out of my mouth if I were you.”

Just then, two wolves rushed in—not from my pack, but his. My eyes widened.

“I'll only let you go once you prove to me my people killed yours.”

Panic washed through me. My knee connected with his chest, and he collapsed again. I jerked to my feet and tried to run, but one of the wolves, now in human form, shot something into my neck.

My bones turned to steel instantly.

I crashed to the ground, paralyzed. They seized me.

Let go of me!!!

I screamed silently as they dragged me to a car and threw me into the trunk. My gaze collided with the Beta's just before the lid slammed shut.

Not again, Goddess. Why had you taken me back here?