240 Too Late

RETH

Her scream was bloodcurdling. Even the beast's stomach twisted at the sound—and even the beast was smart enough not to roar as he galloped through the trees, closer and closer.

Her scream tore through the forest again, until it seemed to shake the very trees. Then there—a flash of color between the trees.

Reth's beast leaped from silent paws, twenty feet away, and Reth landed in human form on top of the wolf, pulling the blade he carried strapped to his leg from its sheath. His lion could beat her, but was not quick or agile enough against a single wolf. She would get her teeth on Elia's throat before he cut off her air.

But Lucine in wolf-form was massive, and quick.

Before he could bring the knife to bear, she twisted under him, releasing the bloodied Elia and opening her great maw to take Reth without hesitation.

He saw his death coming in those fangs and knew there was only one chance.