Chapter 48: A Dangerous Gamble Anna POV

"Run, Anna!" Lucas yelled as he positioned himself between Kane and me. I was unable to move, but his voice trembled with urgency. My gaze flickered between Lucas and the towering guy in front of us.

"I'm not leaving you!" I shouted back, refusing to turn and face him.

Kane's claws slashed through the air as he attacked with predatory speed and precision before either of us could say anything more. Lucas barely escaped the blow before retaliating with his dagger, and my heart stopped.

Kane's arm was caught by the blade, but it looked to cause no harm, as though Lucas had attempted to sever stone. With his teeth bared, Kane growled and struck once more. His claws hit their target this time, ripping across Lucas's side.

"Lucas!" The sight of his blood made me scream, fear tearing through me.

"I said run!" Stunned but still in his protective position, he screamed back. His shirt was leaking blood, but he forced himself to ignore the pain.

Kane's eyes glinted with vicious enjoyment as he circled Lucas like a wolf playing with its prey, and I stared in fear. "You think you can protect her?" he mockingly asked Lucas. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind a false name."

Lucas decided to keep Kane away from me rather than answer the taunt. As I fought with what to do, I stood motionless, breathing rapidly and shallowly. Kane was clearly superior to Lucas since he was stronger, faster, and more seasoned.

"You have to go, Anna," Lucas gritted his teeth and muttered as he deflected another of Kane's hits. "If he gets his hands on you, it's over."

I couldn't force myself to answer, couldn't let him go.

Kane laughed icily, sending chills down my spine. "She will not leave you. Isn't it foolish? Devotion to a criminal such as yourself."

As Kane swung left and right, his claws cutting into Lucas's shoulder, my gut heaved. Lucas staggered but stayed upright, barely holding back his scream of agony.

"Lucas!" Despite myself, I moved closer and yelled out.

He swiveled slightly to look into my eyes. "Please, Anna. Go!"

I reluctantly took a step back, tears welling up in my eyes. I felt a physical ache in my chest at the idea of leaving him behind.

Kane's derisive chuckle repeated once again. "You see? She is aware that you are not worth saving."

I saw Lucas's face light up with anger. Aiming for Kane's throat, he sprang at him, but Kane seized his wrist in the middle of the blow. As Kane forced Lucas to drop the knife by twisting his arm, my blood ran cold.

"Pathetic," Kane growled, his face inches from Lucas's.

With his free hand futilely clutching at Kane's arm, Lucas fought against his hold. I took action after seeing how useless he was.

"Let him go!" I yelled.

Kane looked at me with a laugh on his face. "And what are you going to do about it, little omega?"

I looked at the treeline for a minute, thinking of taking to the skies. However, I couldn't and wouldn't leave Lucas. On the ground, I found a thick, broken tree branch instead, and I picked it up.

"Anna, no!" Lucas gave a raspy yell.

I took the branch in my hands and ignored his warning. I charged at Kane with a mixture of fear and determination.

Before he could even respond, I swung the branch as hard as I could and struck the side of his head. My arms shook from the hit. As Kane stumbled, his hold on Lucas weakened sufficiently to allow him to escape.

I didn't stop to reflect. I struck Kane in the back with another swing. With a low growl in his throat, he fell to his knees.

"Get up, Lucas!" With a trembling but determined voice, I screamed.

Kane turned to face me, his eyes burning with rage as Lucas fumbled for his dagger.

"You'll regret that," he growled ominously.

Despite my shaking hands, I kept the branch up as I took a step back.

"Not if I stop you first," Lucas answered, pulling himself up in front of me once more.

Kane's eyes moved back and forth between us, his face darkening. "You think you've won?"

Lucas stayed silent. Rather, he sprang forward, aiming his blade for Kane's chest. The blade caught Kane's side despite his deft dodge, causing a major cut.

The area was filled with Kane's cry of misery. I swung the branch again, hitting his shoulder before he could retaliate.

"Go!" Lucas yelled. "Now's our chance!"

I paused for a second, then nodded. Kane's angry growls followed us through the trees as we turned and ran.

Our breath came in desperate gasps as we ran, the forest fading into the distance. I could see Lucas using energy to push past the pain of his injuries.

"Lucas," I choked out, "do you think he'll follow us?"

"Yes," he said right away. "But we'll be ready."

After breaking through the tree line, we arrived at the edge of a fast moving river. We had no choice, but the water appeared scary and frigid.

"Can you swim?" Lucas turned to face me and asked.

I nodded, but the sight of the moving water made me unsure.

"Good," he said. "Because we don't have a choice."

We dove into the cold current together, hoping it would carry us away from Kane and away from the beach.