---- 379.


    THE DUKE''S LYCAN NARRATOR He lifted his head and roared to the skies, a guttural sound ripped from the depths of his throat, sending flocks of birds scattering in terror at the absolute predator about to emerge.


    Alexia sawit all.


    A murky yellow liquid trickled down her legs.


    The stench of fear, of death, thickened the air.


    Even so, she saw onest chance to escape.


    While Elliot wrestled with these strange new sensationsno longer suppressing them, but letting them flow like a dam fully unleashedshe stumbled to her feet, urine still streaming down her thighs, and began to run in a frantic, staggering sprint, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the beast.


    Elliot copsed onto all fours, hands and knees pressing into the ground.


    His nails, now ck, even those on his feet, lengthened, shredding through his boots like sharpened des.


    His jaw stretched, reshaping, ready to expand into a ferocious muzzle.


    His skin burned as if yed alive, every hair follicle dting, preparing for the emergence of his fur.


    The transformation seemed inevitable.


    "No!" The shout rang out just as a massive body collided with Elliot, sending him rolling across the ground.


    He roared in fury, ready to attack.


    ---- "Not here, Duke! Not here!" Aldo yelled, bracing against Elliots blind strikes, fighting back purely on instinct until the Duke regained some semnce of control.


    Come on, lets move! Lets follow that womanfarther, Your Grace, farther!" Aldo dragged him away through the trees.


    Elliot stumbled forward, hunched over, his body struggling to halt the transformation.


    It felt as if his bones were shifting, ttering loose inside the framework of his muscles, tendons, and skin.


    Aldo was right.


    They were too close to the battle.


    If anyone realized a Lycan had appeared, it would be their downfall.


    Lycans were far more conspicuous than regr werewolvesrger, more extreme, more bestial yet somehow more evolved.


    "He''s close! Come on, Lycan, you''re almost there! Hold on, Duke, just a little longer!" aldo practically carried him.


    It was difficultElliot felt impossibly heavy.


    The sheer force radiating from his body was overwhelming, nearly terrifying Aldos own Alpha wolf, despite its bravery.


    "Follow me!" Aldomanded, releasing him for a moment.


    With a burst of speed, he lunged toward Alexia, who was mere steps away from escaping the forest.


    Within minutes, she was on her knees, her legs and hands tied, sobbing uncontrobly.


    ---- "SHUT UP!" Elliots roar silenced her instantly, as if his voice had muted her very breath.


    "My family...


    Ihave to go back...


    Aldo, I have to go back..." he repeated through gritted teeth, his breathing ragged.


    "I have to leave now!" He grabbed Aldos shoulders, hisposure unraveling once more.


    "T understand, but on horseback, you wont make it in time Theres another waydangerous, but faster,"" Aldo nodded, already formting a n.


    "A man cant cross it easily...


    but a Lycan, Duke, a Lycan can." Aldo studied him closely.


    He had realized something crucialElliot rejected his animal side.


    It was repressed, uncontrolled, wild.


    The dark-haired Duke tooka step back, his erratic eyes scanning Aldo, revealing the storm of thoughts raging in his mind.


    Deep in his soul, Elliot feared unleashing that prisonpletely.


    But he feared losing his mate even more.


    Even losing Lavinia.


    "Tl do it...


    Pll do it..." "Then you must take the mountain pass that connects both duchies.


    I believe it exits near your castle.


    Its dangerousthey say a a ---- thereNow!"