Mated To An Enemy

The impact of the wolf slamming into his chest had been a surprise. Roman was unable to stop the momentum from dragging them both back to tumble along the dips and edges of the mountain slope

As they fell down the mountain, the wolf continued to snap and bite at Roman. Then, the brutal shock of the landing against the plateau sent them sprawling in different directions.

With a pained grunt, Roman got to his feet first.

The wolf shifted back into the blond-haired man who had pushed him away from Bell the first time he came for her.

“You again,” Roman growled. But then he remembered how easily this one had fallen before. “Didn't you learn your lesson the last time we met?”

Galen didn't respond as he was getting to his feet.

“You couldn't even hit me then. So what do you expect to do now?” Roman asked with a laugh.

“Last time,” Galen replied. “I was concerned with protecting my wife and child.”

Roman snarled at the words.

“This time,” Galen continued, lifting his gaze to Roman. “There is no one here but us.”

Galen spread his fingers as the black material stretched out from his hands, forming two axes, one in each hand. He gripped them tightly.

Roman smiled, pulling two daggers from his waist.

“Let's see what you can do,” he said.

Galen needed no more encouragement. He charged forward, raising one axe in the air.

Roman grinned and lowered his shoulder as he charged out, intent on stabbing Galen at his exposed stomach. But to his surprise, Galen spun at the last moment before Roman's dagger could plunge into him.

Galen turned out and around Roman. He brought the force of the axe down on his exposed back. His armor barely protected him from the razor-sharp edge.

Roman grunted and fell but recovered enough to roll away before the second axe slammed down to finish him. He got to his feet, shocked that Galen was able to hit him at all.

Galen readied his weapons for another attack. He came at Roman, both arms swinging. Roman blocked and dodged, avoiding almost all of Galen's attacks. But he had to admit, it wasn't easy.

Roman was backed into the mountainside, but rather than creating an opening for Galen to box him in, Roman was able to use the wall to brace himself. He jumped and kicked Galen in the stomach, sending him stumbling backward and losing his balance.

Taking advantage of his slight disorientation, Roman lunged at Galen, dragging one blade across the back of Galen's shoulder as he stabbed the other into his side.

Galen cried out but pushed Roman away before he could do more damage.

“You're more fun than I expected, I'll give you that,” Roman laughed as the two men circled each other.

Galen clenched his jaw.

“Don't worry,” Roman continued. “I will be sure to tell Bell how hard you fought before you died.”

Galen slammed his weapons together, they shattered, and the dark material began forming into a long two-handed battle axe. He snarled as he raised the weapon high and spun it within centimeters of Roman's face.

“Neat trick,” Roman whispered as he jumped back.

Galen smiled and quickly reversed directions, surprising Roman as the heel of the axe slammed into his side and sent him falling with a heavy groan.

Roman was getting angry at the number of times this fool was getting the better of him. Finally, he got back to his feet and put distance between them.

Galen continued to swing the axe. But Roman was fast enough to avoid the swings. It did, however, also keep him from making any attacks on Galen.

Unfortunately, the wound on his shoulder was beginning to be a problem with the axe’s weight. Roman noticed that Galen's swings got weaker and lower. He grinned and observed until it was time.

The swing came at him, and Roman crossed his daggers, shoving them down hard at the base of the axe pushing the blade into the ground until it was stuck.

Galen was surprised by the action, giving Roman enough of an edge to rush forward, tackling him to the ground.

They struggled for dominance. Roman punched Galen, again and again, until his lip split open. Galen growled and jabbed Roman's side with extreme force.

Roman fell off Galen, quickly moving to grab his weapons, and the two squared off again. The dark material in Galen's hands reformed the battle axes.

This time it was Roman that rushed at Galen.

Galen blocked most of the hits, but not all of them. Finally, Roman dragged the blade across Galen's arm, forcing him to drop one of his axes.

Roman increased his tempo, unwilling to give Galen a chance to recover the weapon. Two more gashes at Galen's side, and his armor had been penetrated.

Roman pulled back for a strong thrust, but Galen was ready. He brought the axe low, and as Roman dove at him, Galen thrust upward while bringing his other arm high in the air and forming a dagger in his hand.

He thrust the axe’s handle into Roman's chin, forcing his face up as the dagger came at an angled downward swing. The blade cut into Roman's flesh, starting at the eyebrow and continuing to his cheekbone.

Roman shrieked as the blade pierced his eye.

The gash across his face left him bloodied and blinded. Roman stumbled back toward the cliff's edge. Galen quickly followed after him.

Galen swung, catching Roman's arm. Then again, this time, his chest. Finally, on the third swing, only steps away from the edge, Roman was enraged. He dodged, crouched down, and stretched his arm to draw a deep gash across Galen's thigh.

Galen howled as his flesh tore, and he stumbled forward, allowing Roman a chance to take another swing. He stabbed into Galen's shoulder once again.

Both men breathed heavily, their wounds open and bleeding, their strength draining.

But it was Roman that recovered enough to stand. He looked down at Galen and raised his dagger high.

“I'll send the infection in Bell's womb to join you soon,” Roman snarled, bringing down the dagger with all the strength he had left.

At that exact moment, Galen gathered his strength and got to his knee. The black material spread over his arm and shot forward into Roman's stomach. Forming the sword as it did so.

Roman's eye widened, and his mouth dropped in shock. He looked down at the black material that began to fall away. His dagger dropped. Roman brought his hand to his stomach, holding the wound desperately as he stumbled back over the cliffside.

Galen took deep, heavy breaths. His warm exhales twirled in the cold night air before him. The last of the sword fell away into his armor, and he got to his feet. Holding his shoulder, he limped to the cliff's edge and looked down.

All he saw below was the cold mountain fog covering the blackness of the long drop down. He smiled and let out a soft laugh.

‘Galen!' Caleb called through their link.

Galen let out a sigh.

‘I did it,' he whispered back. ‘I killed him, Caleb.'

‘I know,' Caleb replied.

Galen chuckled.

‘What do you mean, you know? It just happened.'

‘You need to come back, now.'

A sudden, deep sense of dread took hold of Galen.

‘Extreme physical duress.' Bell's words echoed in his mind. ‘When one mate endures extreme physical duress, the other often feels it….'

Galen swallowed. His heart quickened, and his breaths became short.

‘Caleb… how do you know he's dead?'

Caleb was quiet for an excruciatingly long moment.

‘Meet us at the hospital. Bell is already on her way.'