Page 134 of Fractured Fate

Another scream pierced the air.

Forcing down the overwhelming emotions he recognized to be Charlotte’s, he staggered upright and rushed forward past the trio of girls at the mouth of the alley.

Terror of his own seized his lungs as the scene came into view.

Halfway down the alley, another man had Charlotte’s arm held high near his face in a tight grip. His eyes were wild, ablaze with the fury of his primal side. He grinned, fangs on display as he said something Aiden couldn’t hear.

Charlotte’s head thrashed back and forth in denial of whatever he said.

Noah leaned against the wall, cradling the arm hanging limp at his side. Blood streamed down his face, leaving a distinct smear on the wall where his head had made contact. His glowing blue eyes narrowed on the man holding Charlotte. She recoiled when the man stroked her cheek with his thumb.

“Let her go!” Riley shouted.

The rogue Vasirian’s head snapped up, his blond hair sticking to his forehead and temples with sweat. He snarled at Riley for interrupting him.

Seizing the distraction, Aiden sprinted toward the pair with everything he had, but it proved futile. The man brought his head down as Charlotte sobbed, begging him to let her go. Aiden’s chest tightened as the rogue’s fangs sank into her skin.

Her screams echoed in the dim alley, and if there were people outside at this time of night, it would draw unwanted attention.

Layla’s hands went over her eyes, and Blaire screamed.

The sight of the rogue’s fangs tearing into the skin of his Korrena triggered something inside him to snap. The frenzy consumed him as he closed the distance between them.

Someone would die tonight, and it wouldn’t be him.

He glanced sideways as Lukas flanked his left side. His friend had his back.

He collided with the rogue. Pressing his shoulder against the rogue’s torso, he put all his strength into the move to dislodge the bite from Charlotte’s arm. When the rogue fell backward from the force, Lukas scooped up Charlotte into his arms and rushed her over to the others.

Aiden and the rogue hit the ground, snarling at one another.

Bloodlust had consumed the rogue, causing amber eyes to flare and his pupils to dilate. He tried to twist out of Aiden’s grip, but he couldn’t match Aiden’s strength.

“Get off me,” the rogue said, struggling against Aiden. His head turned toward Noah. “Get her, you piece of shit!”

Aiden’s attention pivoted to Noah. The rogue took advantage of the distraction, disentangling himself and slamming his boot into Aiden’s shoulder, sending him off balance. He fell to the side, a growl ripping free from his chest. Red blanketed his vision as he stared down the rogue.

No one would take Charlotte from him.

He used his position to his advantage, lunging forward and bear-hugged the rogue’s waist, pushing forward until they slammed into the brick wall of the side of the nightclub. Bits of debris fell to the ground at the contact.

Searing pain greeted him when he stood, as the rogue’s fangs dragged over his cheek, splitting the skin with deep gouges. The pain made his vision spot, but he didn’t release his grip. If he let go, Charlotte would be lost. He only hoped one of his friends would dispatch Noah before he got to her.

Blood poured from the wounds on his cheek, fueling his rage.

He leaned forward and shredded the side of the rogue’s throat with his teeth. The rogue shouted in pained fury before grabbing Aiden’s head, dislodging him before he could rip into a vulnerable spot and end things. Saliva dripped from the rogue’s bared teeth onto Aiden’s shirt as they tussled. Blaire shouted at Lukas to do something while Layla’s panicked scream cut through the frenzy.

His friends interfering in the fight would not only put them in danger but endanger him as well. Too many bodies posed a threat. Rationally, he knew they didn’t want to hurt him, but if they interfered and took his prey from him—the one who tried to harm his Korrena—they would become his enemy as well.

Blaire didn’t understand that as a human, but the others did.

When the rogue lunged for his jugular, Aiden grabbed him by the throat. His fingers dug into the torn flesh on the side of the rogue’s neck, making him howl in agony.

Aiden staggered to his feet with the rogue’s throat in his tight grasp. His body vibrated with the energy from his unsuppressed preternatural strength. He had no desire to hold back.

He wanted blood. He wanted vengeance. He wanted to rid the planet of the filth that dared to lay a single finger on his Korrena.

With a snarl, he threw the rogue. His prey collided with the wall and nestled into the bricks, leaving an imprint that cracked like lightning.