Chapter 344 A Crack

Roman easily avoided Galen's charge by rolling away from where he stood. But then, it had never been Galen's goal to take him down at that moment.

Galen had managed to get Roman away from Bell without even trying. He turned and placed himself directly between his wife and the monster that hunted her. The small pin at his chest was activated, and he was covered in armor, his shield sprung forth, and he placed it firmly before him.

Roman ground his teeth in irritation as he realized what Galen had done.

He would have found it mildly amusing if he was already so irritated.

The sweet smokey scent of their bond was saturated in the smell of the creature that stood before him. This irritating distraction.

He needed to end it quickly and take Bell home before word spread through Winter. Unfortunately, these traditionalist fools were quicker to gather than a swarm of bees protecting their hive.

“So,” Roman said, “you are the bastard that has corrupted my mate.”

Galen growled.

“I am the man that Bell chose as her husband,” Galen corrected.

“I am her mate,” Roman replied.

“You are the piece of shit she played dead for six years in order to avoid,” Galen said, adding, with a smile, “Can't you take a hint?”.

Roman snarled and ran at Galen, ramming his shoulder into the shield. Galen was pushed back momentarily, but he found his footing and held Roman back.

Galen couldn't help but glance back with his eyes.

Bell was curled up in a ball in the snow. She huddled in on herself and kept a tight hold over her stomach. She wasn't really there; her mind was lost in fear and shock. Galen needed to keep this monster from getting close to her.

Attacking Roman would have been satisfying, but he couldn't keep Bell safe and focus on the attack simultaneously. So his best option was to stay defensive and protect Bell and Ren at all costs.

Galen gathered his strength and pushed up into the shield, shoving Roman back.

Roman paced back and forth, looking for a clear opening. Still, Galen kept even with him, making sure to block any opportunity he might take.

“Get out of my way!” Roman growled. “She is mine. The Goddess gave her to me!”

“Not. Happening.”

Galen held fast to his shield. He saw the movement Roman made and prepared for it. Roman charged, and just as he would have run into the shield, he jumped, attempting to clear it and Galen.

But Galen lifted up at the last moment, catching Roman at the chin and forcing his head back. Then, Galen pushed out against his shield, sending Roman sprawling backward onto the snowy ground.

Roman fell back painfully.

He got to his feet and snarled. Galen set his shield back in place and braced himself.

Roman's eyes moved to Bell. She was still curled in on herself, protecting her stomach and that thing inside her. The infection.

“It will never see the light of day,” Roman growled.

Galen caught his eye; he saw where he looked. He understood the meaning. He snarled.

“You will never get your hands on my wife or my child!” he roared.

“I will rip them both from your cold, dead arms,” Roman smiled.

Galen growled, but the small gasp behind him drew his attention.

“You'll always be mine, Bell, always,” Roman whispered in a dark tone.

Bell had finally looked up, finally returned to the waking world. And the first thing she heard was the voice of the monster, promising that she would never escape. That she never had.

Galen's distraction was noticed, and the opportunity was not missed.

Roman attacked Galen's shield with the full force of his strength. Galen was barely able to hold it up. Again and again, Roman slammed his heavy fists against the hard surface.

Galen gritted his teeth as he tried his damndest to keep up his strength, and then he saw it. A crack in his shield.

***

Clara's call had been a confusing shock. She found something, she didn't want to share what it was over the phone, but she said it was important. ‘Earth shattering' had been her words.

Ashleigh had told him she needed time to chat with Axel to clear the air between them. So, Caleb had been enjoying a sparring session with Saul when Clara's call ended it early.

Now he needed to find his wife and return to Summer.

As he headed back toward the house to gather their things, he heard sounds of a struggle. And since Winter had strict rules about fighting outside the training grounds, it was a bad sign.

Rounding the corner, Caleb's eye widened as he caught sight of Bell first. She was curled on the ground guarding her stomach. He turned in time to see Galen's shield crack and shatter as the dark haired man that attacked pulled back for another strike.

Bell screamed as she lifted her head in time to see the fist connect to Galen's jaw and the blood that splattered from between his lips.

He crumbled to the ground; the dark-haired man stood above him with a twisted smile.

“Galen!” Bell screamed.

“Don't worry, Bell, I'll make it quick. Just for you,” the man chuckled.

Caleb's anger flared; he directed the flow of his powerful presence with force he could barely control. Focusing on the dark-haired man.

The man visibly reacted, his body tightening and the anger in his eyes intensifying. He looked back and forth until his eyes landed on Caleb.

“I don't believe we have been introduced,” Caleb growled, walking towards the small group. “I am Alpha Caleb of Summer, and the man that you are threatening is my Beta.”

“Your Beta,” Roman snarled through gritted teeth as he struggled to maintain his standing position over the force of Caleb's will. “Has put his dirty hands on what doesn't belong to him.”

As Caleb reached them, Bell watched carefully, inching her way toward the unconscious Galen, quietly weeping as she stretched her hand out to him. Then, finally touching his fingertips, she let out a

pained sob when he did not react to her touch.

Roman growled at the sound, and Caleb growled at him in kind.

“Bell is his wife, by choice,” Caleb replied angrily. “She does not belong to anyone but herself.”

“The Goddess disagrees….” Roman sneered.

Caleb pushed even more of his energy against Roman. However, Roman still held his ground, though the strain of doing so was evident in the slight quiver of his body.

“Caleb!” Ashleigh called out as she arrived.

“Check on them,” Caleb answered without glancing back.

Ashleigh checked on Galen. He was still out cold, but he was breathing, and his pulse was strong. She then moved to Bell, wrapping an arm around her and whispering something to her.

Roman could feel the instant relief that Bell felt at this woman's offer of support. It disgusted him.

Who the hell were these people that thought they could hold to what was rightfully his?

Roman took a deep breath through his nose as he clenched his jaw painfully.

“You won't do anything to me,” Roman growled at Caleb.

“Oh, yea?” Caleb grinned. “Why's that?”

“Because, boy scout, if you do… the war begins tomorrow.”