"Bastard!"
The word was a growl of pure animal rage, and Ren's fist, hardened by the Beast's power, connected squarely with Axton's jaw. The sound was a sickening crack that sent Axton sprawling back to the floor, his vision momentarily darkening.
He lay there for a beat, stunned, before the pain kicked in. His jaw was a symphony of agony. He pushed himself onto his elbows, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth.
Ren stood over him, breathing heavily, his chest heaving with exertion and fury. The act of violence hadn't calmed the Beast; it had only stoked its fire.
"That's for my heart," Ren hissed, looking down at him. "Now, you really have to get up and fight or you're going to make my first kill so easy," Ren snarled.
Axton slowly rose, the silver energy flaring in his own eyes as his Beast fought to surface in response to the attack. He knew he couldn't fight Ren, not with the lie still poisoning the air between them. He had to stop the violence with the truth.
