Chapter 6 The big bad wolves

DEVON'S POV

I cut the mindlink, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over me. My brother might be an arrogant, insufferable pain in my ass, but he would come. He would bring warriors, and they would get me home.

"What's wrong?" Eldwin asked, frowning at my expression. "You look troubled."

"It's nothing," I said. "I just contacted my…" I stopped myself. "someone I trust. They'll be coming to get me."

Eldwin nodded, but his expression had shifted. There was something guarded in his eyes now.

"Good," he said. "You'll be safer with your own people."

He turned away, busying himself with gathering herbs from a wooden shelf. I watched him, studying the delicate lines of his profile, the way his hands moved with such precision and care.

"Eldwin," I said.

He looked over his shoulder at me. "Yes?"

"I'm grateful. For everything. If there's ever anything I can do for you—"

"There's nothing," he cut me off, his voice gentle but firm. "I don't do this for payment."

Before I could respond, a commotion outside interrupted us. Voices, male voices, loud and aggressive. Then a crash, as if someone had knocked over a barrel.

Eldwin's face went pale. "Stay here," he whispered. "Don't come out."

He hurried to the door, but before he could open it, it was thrown open from the outside. Four men burst into the cottage, large, brutish wolves with cruel eyes and leering smiles.

"Well, well," the leader said, his gaze sweeping over Eldwin with obvious intent. "What do we have here? A pretty little thing, all alone in the woods."

I felt my wolf stir, felt a surge of protective fury that took me by surprise. But my body was still too weak to move, too injured to fight.

"What do you want?" Eldwin asked, his voice steady despite the fear I could see in his eyes. "I have nothing of value."

The man laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Oh, I think you have plenty of value, sweetheart." He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to grab Eldwin's arm. "Come with us. We'll give you a real good time."

The other three men moved in, surrounding Eldwin. One of them grabbed his shoulder, another his waist. I watched in horror as they began pawing at him, their hands exploring his body like he was nothing but property.

"Get your hands off him," I snarled, forcing myself to sit up despite the agony in my chest. "Now."

The leader turned to look at me, his eyes widening slightly. "Well, well. Another one. Seems like this little omega's been busy."

"He's under my protection," I growled, trying to summon the authority of my Alpha voice. "Touch him again, and I'll kill you."

The men laughed. "You can barely stand, friend. What are you going to do? Bleed on us?"

I watched helplessly as they continued their assault, their hands roving over Eldwin's struggling body. He fought them, his small fists pounding against their chests, but he was no match for their size and strength.

And then something strange happened.

Eldwin's eyes flickered just for a moment and I saw something ancient and powerful flash behind them. The air in the room grew thick, charged with an energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.

The men hesitated, their hands frozen mid-grope.

But then the moment passed, and Eldwin was just a frightened omega again, struggling against his attackers.

"Eldwin!" I called out, struggling to rise from the bed. "I'm coming!"

But even as I said it, I knew it was impossible. My body was too weak. My injuries are too severe. All I could do was watch as the men dragged Eldwin toward the door, their laughter echoing in the small cottage.

"Please," I heard Eldwin whisper, his voice breaking. "Please don't do this."

And the desperation in his voice cut through me like a blade.

I had to save him. I had to find strength for the beautiful, mysterious omega who had saved my life.

I forced myself to my feet, my vision swimming with pain and determination.

"Let him go," I said, my voice carrying the full weight of my Alpha command. "Or I will hunt every single one of you down and make you beg for death."

The men froze, their eyes turning to me. And in that moment, I saw something expected in their expressions.

Fear.