Chapter197: The Darkness

Lilac lay still in Alaric's arms, her breathing shallow as blood seeped through the coral silk of her gown. The enchanted dagger pulsed with dark energy where it protruded from between her shoulder blades, its obsidian hilt drinking in the light. The room was stunned to find the face of the Nightshade Alpha. On top of that, Lilac being his mate was huge. But none of those thoughts touched Alaric. His aura exploded outward, shattering nearby goblets and sending candles guttering. A feral growl ripped from his throat as he cradled her closer, his claws pricking the fabric of her dress. "LILAC!" Ezra lunged forward, his eyes flashing wolf-gold, only for Marcus to intercept him with an arm across his chest. "My baby!" Lyra Blackwood's anguished cry cut through the hall as she stumbled toward them, her emerald skirts tangling around her legs. A deafening snarl stopped them both cold. "Mine." Alaric's voice was barely recognizable— Hunter's primal dominance layered thick over every syllable.