Riley collapsed with a groan, clutching his bleeding side. The room was a storm of shattered glass, splintered wood, and gunmetal tension. Outside, heavy boots pounded closer Kavron's men closing in like a tide of death.
Alaska's eyes burned with something far beyond anger.
Possession.
Obsession.
A promise soaked in blood.
"Alaska more of them are coming!" Alana cried, gripping his arm.
He turned toward her, and for a heartbeat she saw a stranger an apex predator wearing the shape of a man. His voice was a low snarl:
"They chose the wrong house."
The wrong girl.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead quick, trembling, desperate then placed a gun in her hands.
"Stay behind me. Don't hesitate. If anyone touches you," he met her gaze, "shoot to kill."
Alana's breath shook. "I'm not sure I can…"
"You can." His hand cupped her cheek with startling tenderness. "Because I need you alive. And I don't need anyone else."
Before she could say more, the front door detonated inward.
Smoke. Shouts. Footsteps everywhere.
Kavron's soldiers poured in like shadows with rifles.
Alaska shoved Alana behind a reinforced pillar and then the beast was unleashed.
He moved faster than bullets, faster than fear.
One man aimed Alaska snapped his wrist, driving a blade into the man's throat. Blood sprayed, hot and bright. A second soldier charged Alaska rammed him into a wall so hard the plaster cracked like bone.
A shot grazed Alaska's shoulder but he didn't flinch.
He didn't feel pain anymore.
Only the burning need to protect her.
"YOU DON'T GET TO BREATHE THE SAME AIR SHE DOES!" he roared, ripping a weapon free and firing point-blank.
Bodies hit the floor in seconds.
Alana stared terrified and awestruck.
This was Alaska without restraint. Without fear.
Without mercy.
A shadow moved behind him.
"ALASKA!" she screamed.
She lifted the gun hands shaking and fired.
The attacker fell.
Alana gasped, staring at the gun like it wasn't real. Like she wasn't real.
Alaska whirled toward her, eyes blown wide not with anger, but pride.
"That's it," he growled. "Stay with me."
As the last soldier fell, the room fell silent except for the crash of waves outside and Alaska's ragged breaths. He staggered slightly wound dripping crimson down his arm.
Alana rushed to him.
"You're hurt."
"I'm alive." He pulled her against him. "Because of you."
His lips ghosted her temple shaking.
"You are my strength, Alana… and my madness."
Before she could respond. A slow clap echoed from the doorway.
"Well done, young Direndra."
Kavron.
Tall. Pale eyes glinting with amusement. The crow tattoo black as night across his forearm.
He stepped over bodies like stepping over puddles.
"Your father would be proud," Kavron said. "You slaughter just as beautifully as he did."
Alaska shoved Alana gently behind him, jaw clenching.
"This is between us," Alaska spat. "Leave her out of it."
Kavron smiled cold and cruel.
"But she is the reason you're weak."
The words sliced deeper than a blade.
Alaska's voice dropped into a lethal whisper.
"She is the reason I'm alive."
Kavron cocked his head, intrigued.
"So you're telling me this little dove," he nodded toward Alana without looking, "has tamed the Direndra monster?"
Alaska's eyes darkened feral.
"She hasn't tamed me… she's the only one I'll kill for."
Alana's heart twisted.
Kavron's gaze finally slid to her sharp, studying, cruel.
"You know he's dangerous, girl. You've seen what he becomes. Yet you still hold on?"
His smile widened. "Interesting."
Alana forced her legs to stop trembling.
"You don't know him," she said. "Not anymore."
"Oh, I know him," Kavron replied. "I made him."
His eyes flicked back to Alaska. "I turned you from a grieving child into a beast fit to rule."
Alaska's lip curled.
"You turned me into a weapon. But she made me human."
Kavron raised a brow.
"So what happens if I take your humanity away?"
He snapped his fingers.
Riley gasped and staggered upright gun pressed to Alana's back.
Alaska froze.
Alana's breath locked in her lungs.
Kavron spread his arms, victorious.
"Now then… let's see who you really are, Alaska."
Alaska's pulse roared in his ears.
"Let. Her. Go."
"One of you walks out alive," Kavron said. "Choose."
Alana shook her head violently.
"No! Alaska, don't listen to him."
But Kavron's smirk only grew.
"This is the moment truth reveals itself. Can the monster really love? Or will he always choose blood over breath?"
Alaska's laugh was soft. Dangerous. Unhinged.
"You already lost."
Riley frowned. "How…"
Alana moved first.
She slammed her elbow into Riley's ribs and twisted away Alaska firing before Riley could recover. Riley fell again, screaming.
Then Alaska's gun turned on Kavron.
"You threatened the only person I care about," Alaska said coldly. "That was your last mistake."
Kavron lifted a hand, palm-up.
"Good. Let the beast reign."
His smile gleamed like a knife in moonlight.
"I was hoping you'd choose violence."
The lights shut off.
Darkness swallowed them whole. And Alana realized with chilling clarity. The real battle had just begun.