Yorick:
My parents did not even know if their plan had worked.
I screamed again, the sound tearing out of me in pure rage.
I lunged forward and shoved my father aside when he tried to block me. My fist collided with Charlesโs jaw, and he tumbled away from Mariana.
"Yorick," Mariana whispered.
I glanced at her and saw the concern in her eyes.
"Oh fool, what are you doing?" my mother shrieked as I stepped in front of Charles, blocking him from reaching my mate.
Charles was on his feet again, lunging at Mariana.
I stepped into his path, but his body stretched in a way no human body should. His arm elongated and shot toward me. His fist closed around my neck and lifted me off the ground.
"No, let go of my mate," Mariana screamed at him, straining against the ropes. "You want to eat me, right? Then come and eat me. Please, do not hurt my mate."
Even as my vision blurred, her words cut through me.
Was this what loyal love looked like? Was this what it meant when love ran both ways? She was risking her life for mine.
I drove my elbow down on his forearm and tore his grip loose. As soon as my boots hit the ground, I blocked his next swipe with my forearm and slammed my shoulder into his chest, forcing him back several steps. His skin scraped against mine and it felt so rough and scratchy.
At this point, he was no longer my brother.
He snarled and swung again, but his gaze flicked past me to Mariana. He lunged for her.
I jumped onto his back and locked my arm around his throat. Using my weight, I twisted and dragged him down, rolling him across the dirt until he crashed onto his side.
"Move aside, you stupid boy. Let him do it," my father shouted. "Your brother will become normal. Do you not want that?"
They kept their distance from me, but they stayed close enough to ensure Mariana could not free herself.
Charles swiped at my ribs. I caught his wrist midair and shoved him back. His bones felt wrong beneath my grip. He folded low, his towering frame bending inward as he snapped his teeth inches from my face.
"You are not touching my mate," I growled, driving my knee into his abdomen.
He staggered, then howled and rushed at me again.
We kept colliding, clawing against fist, breath against breath, until my eyes fell on the bags lying near the tree.
The files.
I had read them. There had been one specific detail about my brother. One injection. One poison strong enough to end it.
It would not be easy.
This time, I let my claws slide free. I slashed across his stomach and raked upward, tearing through rough skin until blood poured down his torso. He stumbled back, howling in pain.
I had seconds to think.
My parents rushed toward Charles, then hesitated, fear keeping them from getting too close. My father suddenly turned and ran toward me.
"What are you doing?" he demanded as he saw me reach for the bag and pull out a needle.
"No," he shouted when he understood.
"Jill, stop Yorick while I help Charles get closer to Mariana," my mother screamed.

I had promised her last night that I would keep her safe.
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