Ezra's Second Chance

Assassination

Ezra snapped to attention, scanning the perimeter. He slept in front of the King as he did so. The bullet had grazed the throne, but missed the King entirely. "We have to get you out, your majesty!"

A voice rang out, "no one move!"

Ezra knew immediately that it was Bridgit. She was hiding somewhere above the hall. This may have been what the maps were for. If only he had worked faster! If they'd made an arrest! He was working with incomplete information right now and he didn't like it. He kept himself positioned in front of the King, guessing which direction she was coming from based on where the bullet had hit.

"Ezra, you have a choice to make!" she continued. "I have Aria in my cross hairs, or I can shoot the King. You must choose!"

People screamed and fell to the floor, covering their heads. They clutched lovers or children to themselves. Ezra's earpiece was going crazy, they were trying to find Bridgit. Someone was taking them out with a sniper rifle, though. It had to be the imposter, Markus Daniels. Ezra said as much, through the communicating device in his sleeve. They already knew about the maps, so they knew he could be anywhere. They meant to try to capture, not kill, so they could be interrogated. Ezra didn't know if that would be possible though.

Another bullet rang out and Aria's chair splintered right next to her head. She looked at Ezra, her eyes wide, but her face firm. "You must save the King!"

Queen Margaret trembled, "Aria, what are you saying?"

"Ezra has a duty to the King, we all have a duty to the King."

Ezra's eyes darted between Aria and the perimeter of the room. If only he could see where Bridgit hid...

"Isn't that sweet, she wants to die for her King!" Bridgit laughed.

"He is not your King!" Margaret shouted at Aria. "We are still guests. I pledge myself to him, but you are free. You have not made such a choice!" Margaret implored.

Aria looked calm and at peace. "This is a solution that solves two problems. Ezra's dilemma and my mate will no longer have power over me."

"Your mate doesn't have power over you," Queen Margaret said. "He hurt you and betrayed you, but separation will weaken the bond over time. You'll be able to choose a mate."

"No, mother," Aria said sadly. A tear ran down her cheek.

"Enough!" Ezra said harshly. "No one is sacrificing themselves for anyone! Bridgit! Come and face me like the warrior you think you are. You're going to hide and pick off targets like a pathetic weakling? That is not the way of wolves! We face our enemies!" Suddenly Ezra felt a sharp pain radiate through is chest. This couldn't be possible! The mate bond was causing him pain again. She accepted his rejection! The pain grew and he fell to his knees clutching his chest.

A shrill laugh rang through the hall. "You fool!" Bridgit laughed. "You thought you'd rid yourself of me! Didn't you feel the pull still? Didn't you feel the longing for me? My name isn't Bridgit! You never rejected me! The pain you felt when you rejected me was all in your head. We're still mated. Doesn't it hurt so badly when I'm with someone? How about when I let him mark me?" she laughed again.

The pain ripped through Ezra's chest and blurred his vision. He thought he might vomit, but fought the urge with all his might.

"You becoming the King's bodyguard really aided me in my mission. It was a surprise, but a helpful one," Bridgit said. "Oh, Joran, yes, mark me!" she moaned loudly.

Ezra didn't know that name, but he knew it had to be Markus's real name. As Joran marked Bridgit, Ezra felt as if he was being ripped in half. His chest hurt more than any pain he'd ever felt in his life. He had to fight through though, he couldn't let this beat him. He scanned the areas he thought a sniper could hide. Vents with space enough for people behind them etc. Finally, he saw it. A glint of a rifle barrel. He drew his own side arm and shot. Guessing, but using his knowledge to guess as accurately as possible. A howl told him he'd done some damage. Just then, two men from the guard burst through the doors. "They were locked!" they panted.

"You, get the King and these people to safety, now!" Ezra shouted as he shifted. He bounded off to get the place Bridgit and her man were. If he killed or severely wounded one of them then the other would be incapacitated due to the mate bond they'd just created. Her desire to injure him had lead to her downfall. If only he could reach them in time!