|| Alaric’s POV ||

Benson was still fighting, his movements strained but determined. I joined him, tearing through the rogues one by one until the forest was silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of those left standing. I shifted back to my human form, my chest heaving as I rushed to Lilac’s side.

“Lilac,” I said, my voice trembling as I gathered her in my arms. Her forehead was bleeding, her hands and throat marred by claw marks. She wasn’t healing. I knew why— ...