Protéger (verb) to protect

The werewolf charged, its hulking form silhouetted against the faint glow of the silver river.

Its fur was a mottled blend of deep grays and blacks, matted and soaked. Its teeth gleamed like daggers, and its eyes glowing with an ember-like hunger.

Had I made the right choice bringing Claire into this lawless land, where danger lurked at every corner?

We were barely past the barrier, and I might've condemned her to a fate worse than death.

The power of my matebond was as deep and consuming as that silver river, and my need to protect her at all costs thrummed through my veins.

But as beasts surged toward us, muscles rippling beneath their fur, I focused on one thing: ending their lives.

They moved with lethal grace, each step echoing the heartbeat of the cavern.

"We should capture one," Natalia shouted in Sanguisi, her voice slicing through the clamor of battle as she delivered a swift blow. "For questioning."

Tyson chuckled, shoving a wolf back with practiced force, a confident smirk on his face. "You trying to add another member to your harem, cousin?"

As I fought off another wolf, Natalia's suggestion nagged at me. Capturing one could yield vital information, especially if their transformation was fueled by moonstones—tokens of power akin to my bloodstone.

I wondered if they might help in breaking Claire's spellbind. The thought ignited a flicker of hope amidst the chaos.

"Focus, you two!" I barked, deflecting a clawed swipe just in time.

I felt a rush of adrenaline as a heavy paw caught me in the jaw, knocking me off balance, which served as a reminder of what was at stake.

We could figure out the mystery of the Witches of the Light's motives—if they had any—and perhaps even turn the tide of this battle. The thrill of the hunt thrummed through me as I considered our options.

But first, we had to survive this encounter.

I gripped my sword tighter, eyes locked on the incoming wave of fur and fury. I felt the steady pulse of determination beneath the chaos.

We were a unit, mon sang, bound by loyalty.

The clang of metal against claws reverberated deep within me.

This was what I was good at. This was what I was made to do.

The werewolves were relentless, fighting with the ferocity of creatures driven mad by their own nature. Or whatever nature the witches had spelled them with.

Their claws glinting dangerously in the low light as they fought to break through our defenses.

But I was distracted. My mind was divided between the battle and Claire. I shot a glance at her, my heart swelling with pride at her bravery, only to feel a fresh wave of jealousy as Alec positioned himself beside her, protecting her.

Yes, I knew that was the point of bringing him. But still...

My fists tightened around the hilt of my sword. He was supposed to cover her, but why did he look at her like that? With that infuriating mix of admiration and desire?

She was mine to protect. Mine to keep safe. Seeing him beside her drew out my rage.

In my distracted moment, a werewolf barreled past me, its claws gleaming in the dim light, elongated and wickedly sharp as it made for Claire. I watched in horror as it swiped at her, the brutal stroke catching her across the arm. Blood blossomed on her skin, a crimson flower blooming against the backdrop of darkness, and the world tilted on its axis.

I was right. Alec was ill-equipped to protect my mate.

She shouldn't be here.

My heart plummeted as I rushed to her side. The pain in her eyes pierced me deeper than any blade. I snatched the beta by its throat, snarling in its face, and threw it clear across the tavern for Natalia to take care of.

I needed to tend to Claire.

My mate. My love.

"Let me see your arm," I said.

She held it away from me. "It's just a scratch!"

That stubborn fire only fanned the flames of my worry.

I wanted to take her away from here, to a place safe and warm, but that wasn't an option for a vampire like me, bound by duty. I had to keep fighting.

She deserved much more, but even with a battle raging around us, she didn't cower.

No. Not my brave witch.

Alec moved closer, his concern etched on his face as he positioned himself as a barrier between her and the advancing wolves. Each glance between them felt like a dagger twisting in my gut.

He wanted to run away with her. He wanted to give her a better life.

"I've got her," Alec shouted. "You focus on the werewolves."

He had her?

Was this boy giving me orders? I growled, low and deep.

Claire gave me a shove. "You need to help Tyson and Natalia."

My gaze narrowed, the world around me blurring, the growls of the wolves fading into a dull roar.

With heavy steps, I backed away from her. My sword flashing silver as I cut through the fray, each strike fueled by my rage and feral need to protect her. I wouldn't let them hurt her.

A snarl tore from between my fangs. I unleashed my power, shadows spilling forth as I carved a path through the beasts. My sword slashing until it was wet and red.

When, at last, the three of them lay lifeless at my feet, my focus landed on the massive figure looming in the darkness—the alpha. Its eyes glowed malevolently, fixing on me as if assessing a worthy opponent.

"This one is mine," I told my fellow vampires, the words a promise.

The alpha was too big. Too fast. And far too wicked for them to handle.

The beast's lips seemed to quirk at the challenge.

"Hostage, remember!" Natalia shouted.

I didn't let it get the upper hand. I charged, sword raised high, the world narrowing to the deadly dance between predator and predator. The air crackled with tension, the shadows closing around me like a shroud.

The alpha lunged, jaws snapping.

We fought claw and sword, its thick, muscly arms seeming to absorb the blow of my blade, and I knew this was no normal beast.

But neither was I.

I roared, baring my fangs. But the sound of Claire's voice drew my attention. Before I could fully prepare, the beast slammed into me, pinning me to the ground. Claws dug into my chest, and a feral growl escaped my throat.

I pushed against the cold ground, fighting for breath as the alpha loomed overhead, teeth bared.

Everything blurred into a singular thought: Claire's safety.

I would unleash every ounce of fury to protect her, but the nagging voice in my head questioned whether my need to shield her was clouding my judgment. What kind of warrior was I if I let my emotions dictate my actions?

A dead one if I didn't get a grip.

A line of slobber dripped from the beast's jowls as it growled low in its throat.

I reached for the dagger that had skittered out of my chest rig when I fell, my fingertips inching closer.

Disbelief coursed through me as I struggled beneath the alpha's weight, its eyes gleaming with hate.

So much hate.

And by the goddess, it was so strong.

Either the matebond had weakened me, or I was losing my touch.

Suddenly, the growl of a vampire broke through the chaos.

It was...my nephew.

In a flash, he was there, even though I told him to stand down, dagger raised high, moving with unexpected agility.

Tyson twirled his blade with an exaggerated flourish. The spoiled princeling smirked and said, "Let's teach this pup some manners, shall we?"

With a fierce thrust, Tyson drove his weapon into the alpha's side. The sickening sound of steel on bone was followed by a strangled cry.

I blinked in astonishment, processing the sudden turn of events. My whelp of a nephew, who I often doubted, had just saved my life. A surge of relief mixed with disbelief washed over me.

Until...the hot blood oozing from the wound set off my predatory instincts.

I heard its heart's steady beat, and I knew Tyson hadn't delivered a death blow. But I would fix that quickly enough.

The wound in his ribs gave me the leverage I needed to roll him over, snatch up my dagger, and pin him as he'd pinned me.

A low growl left my throat as its gold eyes flashed with anger.

"Uncle!" Natalia shouted, her voice a dull mummer over the sound of my thudding heart. "We need answers!"

My gaze flicked to her, frustration bubbling up.

"Answers? What if it comes for Claire next? I won't take that chance!" The words were a growl, fueled by a mix of protectiveness and anger.

"Don't kill it!" Natalia screamed in Sanguisi, but I was already seeing red.

Ignoring Natalia's continued warnings, I plunged my dagger into the alpha's heart. A moment of triumph crashed into an icy wave of regret as I felt the life drain from the creature beneath me. His red blood coating my hands as I pushed the blade in deeper.

Vengeance pounded in my heart as I growled in his face.

I'd protected Claire when no one else could. From everything and everyone.

Extracting my blade, I wiped it over my thigh, removing the worst of the blood, then slid it back inside my chest rig.

I ran a hand through my sweat-drenched hair, reveling in my victory.

Natalia rounded on me, her cheeks covered in a spray of blood. Her voice sharp and clear, echoing in the cavern. "What were you thinking? We needed him alive!"

Breathless, I stepped back, staring at the body, as reality crashed into me.

What had I done? My rage and possessiveness consumed me. My instincts for Claire clouded my judgment. Never had I failed to show mercy to a hostage when it was advantageous.

I had executed our only lead—our chance to learn if moonstone magick could be used to free Claire from the spellbind. Ensuring she could access her magick would help me be less distracted.

Natalia's anger surged, her eyes wide with disbelief as she hissed under her breath at me, "You're inability to see past her is ruining everything."

A cold wave of realization swept over me. I had crossed a line, one that would have consequences I couldn't yet grasp, and I wondered if I'd lost Natalia's trust for good.

But I couldn't bring myself to apologize. Not now. Had anything happened to Claire, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. If the alpha had escaped and killed her...

I looked at my mate, who was standing with a hand covering her mouth, watching me with fear in her eyes and lines of blood tricking down her arm.

My throat constricted as the delicious smell of her permeated the damp cavern. But I swallowed it down. Too concerned with her injury.

"Claire..." I murmured, my voice barely a whisper as I approached her, the gravity of my decisions settling heavily upon my shoulders.

My world had shifted irrevocably, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just jeopardized everything.

Author talk: This moment feels like Bastien is hanging on by a thread. On one hand, he is supposed to be a vampire warrior. A prince. Marius's general of war. Expanding territory. But on the other, he's mated to Claire, and he's starting to see that she's important to him as well.

Doing both is nearly impossible. How much longer is he going to keep trying to do it anyway? 👀

What do you think?