Ethan’s POV

My blood roars, hot and wild, as I shield Isabella from the shadows creeping toward us. The rink’s cold air stinks of blood and ice, the neon lights flickering like a dying pulse.

My wolf claws at my chest, howling to break free, to claim her, to tear apart anything that dares touch her. She’s behind me, her scent jasmine and something darker, sharper driving me insane. My mate. A vampire. Fuck, this is a mess, but my body doesn’t care, aching for her even as danger closes in.

“Ethan, move!” Isabella’s voice is sharp, cutting through the haze. She’s clutching that broken stick like a lifeline, her eyes blazing with a fire that makes my cock twitch despite the chaos.

“Stay behind me,” I growl, scanning the shadows. My senses scream vampires, at least five, their eyes glowing red in the dark. My pack’s nowhere in sight, and Lucas is probably still at the bar, clueless. I’m alone, bleeding, and way too fucking turned on for a fight.

A vampire lunges, all fangs and speed. I shift mid-step, claws ripping through my skin, fur sprouting as I slam into him. My jaws snap, tearing flesh, blood spraying. He screeches, but another’s already on me, claws slicing my flank. Pain sears, but it’s nothing compared to the need burning in my veins for Isabella.

“Ethan!” she shouts, swinging her stick at a vampire creeping toward her. It cracks against his skull, and he staggers, but she’s exposed. My wolf roars, and I leap, tackling the bastard before he can touch her. My teeth sink into his shoulder, and he goes down, writhing.

“You’re insane,” Isabella pants, her chest heaving, blood streaking her arm. She’s gorgeous, all fury and defiance, and I want to pin her to the ice and fuck her senseless, danger be damned.

“Focus, Vega,” I snarl, human again, my voice rough with need. Her eyes lock on mine, and for a split second, it’s just us, the air crackling with heat. Her lips part, and I know she feels it too—

this pull, this hunger.

Another vampire charges, and I shove Isabella behind the boards, my body pressed against hers. Her curves fit me perfectly, her breath hot against my neck. “Stop distracting me,” I mutter, even as my hand grazes her hip, sending a jolt straight to my groin.

“Me? You’re the one growling like a damn animal,” she snaps, but her voice shakes, her body arching into mine. God, I could take her right here, blood and all.

A howl splits the air not mine. My pack? No, it’s too sharp, too bitter. Marcus. That traitorous bastard steps into the light, his smirk cold, eyes glinting with malice. “Well, well, Ethan. Protecting a bloodsucker? You’re pathetic.”

“Marcus, you piece of shit,” I spit, stepping forward, keeping Isabella behind me. “What’s your game?”

He laughs, circling us, his pack rogues, not mine emerging from the shadows. “Victor’s paying well to clean up this mess. Starting with her.”

Isabella tenses, her hand gripping my arm. “Victor again,” she mutters. “Who is this guy?”

“Bad news,” I say, my eyes never leaving Marcus. My wolf wants to rip his throat out, but there’s too many. I’m outnumbered, and Isabella’s blood is calling to me, making it hard to think.

“You’re out of your league, Wolfe,” Marcus sneers, shifting, his fur black as night. “Hand her over, or we tear you apart.”

“Try it,” I growl, my own shift starting, bones cracking, muscles bulging. Isabella’s hand on my back steadies me, her touch electric. I want to turn, to kiss her, to claim her right now, but Marcus lunges, and I meet him mid-air, our bodies crashing in a blur of claws and teeth.

“Ethan, watch out!” Isabella screams as another rogue leaps for me. She swings her stick again, but it’s useless against a wolf. I roar, throwing Marcus off, and tackle the second rogue, my jaws snapping. Blood fills my mouth, but a claw rakes my side, and I stagger.

Isabella’s there, fearless, slamming her fist into a vampire’s face. She’s fast too fast for humans and it hits me she’s awakening. Her vampire blood’s kicking in, and it’s hot as hell. “Stay down, asshole,” she hisses, kicking the vampire’s ribs.

“Nice one,” I pant, human again, blood dripping down my chest. Her eyes flick to it, hunger flashing, and fuck, I want her to bite me, to taste me. My cock hardens, and I curse my wolf for picking now to lose control.

“Focus, Wolfe,” she mocks, but her voice is husky, her gaze lingering on my body. We’re both fucked up, wanting each other in the middle of a fight.

Marcus laughs, wiping blood from his muzzle. “You’re both dead. Victor’s got plans for her, and you’re just collateral.”

“Fuck Victor,” I snarl, but a new figure steps forward, tall and pale, his presence chilling the air. Victor Draven. His eyes lock on Isabella, and my wolf goes feral, ready to kill.

“Miss Vega,” Victor purrs, his voice like silk over steel. “You’ve been difficult to find. Your blood is… special.”

“Stay away from her,” I roar, stepping in front of Isabella. My body’s screaming to shift, to protect, to claim. Her hand brushes my back, and I nearly lose it, the need to take her overwhelming.

“Ethan, don’t,” she whispers, but her voice is steady, fierce. She’s not scared she’s ready to fight. God, I love her.

Victor smirks. “Such devotion. Pity it’s wasted.” He raises a hand, and more vampires emerge, their fangs gleaming. Marcus’s rogues growl, ready to pounce. We’re surrounded, bloodied, and my pack’s still nowhere.

“Any bright ideas?” Isabella mutters, her body pressed against mine, her heat driving me wild. I want to kiss her, to fuck her, to make her mine right here, but death’s closing in.

“Run when I say,” I whisper, my hand grazing her thigh, a promise of what I’ll do if we survive. She nods, her eyes fierce, trusting me.

“Lucas!” I shout, praying he’s close. A distant howl answers my pack, finally. But it’s far, too far.

Victor steps closer, his gaze on Isabella like she’s prey. “Come with me, and your wolf lives,” he says, his voice dripping with menace.

“Fuck you,” Isabella spits, her hand tightening on the stick. My wolf howls inside, proud, horny, and ready to kill for her.

Marcus lunges, and I meet him, claws tearing. Isabella fights beside me, her movements fluid, vampire-fast. We’re a blur of blood and fury, but there’s too much. A vampire grabs her, and my vision goes red. I rip him off, my teeth sinking into his throat, but pain explodes in my shoulder Marcus’s claws.

“Ethan!” Isabella screams, her voice breaking. She’s fighting two vampires now, her strength unreal, but she’s tiring. I’m losing blood, my vision blurring, but I won’t let her go.

A new howl, closer. Lucas? Hope flares, but Victor’s laugh cuts through. “You’re too late, Wolfe.”

I stagger, pulling Isabella close, her body warm against mine. Her scent grounds me, but the shadows are closing in, and my pack’s not here yet. “I’ve got you,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear, desire and fear mixing.

She looks up, her eyes glowing, almost vampiric. “We’re not dying tonight,” she says, fierce and sure.

But then a blade flashes in Victor’s hand, aimed at her heart, and my world stops.