Rachel dug her wolf paws into the snow. She shuddered from the cold, but warmed as she ran faster. Not a dream. I’m a wolf. Four legs. Running. Fear mixed with an exhilarating thrill coursed through her. Despite the dark night, her eyes focused, seeing everything with clarity as if she used a powerful flashlight. Her hearing picked up every sound, including the incoming pack of werewolves’ beating hearts. She sniffed, driven by a deep need to sense her surroundings. The scent of other animals hiding in the woods, an owl’s guano on a branch, and the scent of greenery despite the winter landscape overwhelmed her. Rachel’s enhanced sense of smell was akin to being deaf all her life and suddenly hearing for the first time.
No time to process.
Confused, only the threat of death pushed her forward, giving in to the wild beast she was now. She wasn’t sure where she was going, only that the farther away the better. The distant angry barks and snarls followed by eerie howls meant they would never let her escape. This nightmare seemed so real. She panted like a dog, while her heart yelped at her to run. Don’t stop. Capture is death.
Above her, the moon disappeared and slowly glowed red. The lunar eclipse had commenced. She headed for a higher ridge as three werewolves drew closer. Each wolf smelled as distinct as a different type of cooked meal. If she could outrun them until the lunar eclipse ended, she might be kept alive until the next one. Giving her time to figure out how to escape. That is if they didn’t tear her to pieces for screwing up their plans. Technically was she still a Stallo woman or a lycan? Unintentionally turned by the bite of a man she loved. Damn Lev. There had to be a cure for lycanthropy.
Rachel’s wolf body grew exhausted. As she reached the top of ridge, the sound of a helicopter meant they decided to look for her by air. She stopped to catch her breath and cocked her head to listen for the werewolves hunting her. Howls echoed from the sacrificial ground. Her stalkers stopped and headed back. She flared her nostrils. Their scent, similar to what she deemed lycan perfume became fainter. Odd. They had turned back. Although she’d been a werewolf for a short amount of time, she understood the meaning of the howl. Return. Danger. Pack in territory. War. Was it Team Greywolf?
The helicopter didn’t hone in on her with search lights, but instead turned away from where she stood.
Rachel glanced at the lunar eclipse. The eclipse had ended. She grinned. Ha, they lost their chance. Now what? Rachel paced like the bored wolves she’d seen at local zoos. Turning wolf had saved her life, but she wished to return to human form. Her stamina, and enhanced senses felt exhilarating, yet she preferred her inferior primate anatomy. Not smart. If she shifted back, she’d be naked. Freeze to death. Perhaps that’s why she remained a wolf. Then again, what does one do to become human again? Or is this permanent?
Despite Rachel’s transformation and danger, she stilled as lightness spread through her body. She sensed him. Her mate. Lev.
Chapter 24
Lev sat next to the pilot. In the event the warlock used a sonic weapon, he’d pilot the helicopter. The team included Rylee, Steele, Thorn and Manny. More elite soldiers from Team Greywolf were deployed and would catch up. The pilot flew the military helicopter at top speed, but Lev clenched his fists. Only a couple hours away, yet they’d never make it in time. Focus. If he lost his mind to his wolf and they crashed, there would be no rescue and if too late, no blood revenge. Lev snarled at Manny who followed the eclipse on his tablet. “Is the lunar eclipse over?”
“I’m sorry, ten minutes ago.”
“And you mention it now.” His body radiated heat. A beast far bigger and more dangerous demanded release. He scanned the team. Thorn met his eyes, as if accepting the challenge. The big game hunter ready to slaughter whatever beast Lev turned into.
Rylee ordered. “Stand down, Lev son of Arkady.”
Evoking his father’s name brought Lev back to some semblance of duty. Killing everyone onboard would bring dishonor to his pack’s name and serve no purpose. Odd. The wolf, the beast that dominated his other internal beasts had not sensed Rachel’s death. Perhaps, they had spared her or she’d escaped? Yet, would he sense the death of a human mate?
“Land here,” said Rylee.
The helicopter landed in an empty snow covered field. Lev spoke through gritted teeth. “Not close enough.”
“Close enough so we don’t get mowed down as we exit.” Rylee turned to Manny. “Set up the anti-sonic sound device and then notify the others to land at these coordinates.”
Manny nodded and switched on the donut-shaped device.
Lev unbuckled and stepped out, followed by the team.
Rylee turned to Thorn. “Arm yourself and remain in human form.”
He nodded.
“The rest of you, shift.” Rylee stepped in front of Lev. “Take the lead. We’ll follow, stalk mode.”
Lev shifted into bear form and ran toward the scent of the enemy werewolves, both living and dead. He looked back at the rest of the team trailing a good distance behind him. Better they stay out of my way. He continued on and stopped on a ridge. He flared his nostrils and spied on the enemy.
The cloaked bearded man, Andrew Joki, and four human men stood near a pile of lycan bones. The remains of evil werewolves executed over the past hundred years had been dug up and laid below a wooden structure. A dead beta, dressed in a cloak like the humans, lay dead. His throat ripped out. A sacrifice?
Lycans in wolf form swarmed out of the tomb like a horde of cockroaches. Hundreds. The stench of rot permutated the air. Necromancy. Three wolves raced from a forest path.
Andrew barked commands. “Kill their alphas and take all their betas.” He had fangs and claws. Fur lined his face. Not monster werewolf, yet not man. Like their forefather, Stallo, human but with wolfish trai
ts. How had he accomplished it?
One of his men brought the wolf warlock the Wolfsbane rifle. Yet only one. He must know it would take more than one lethal weapon to take down Team Greywolf.
Near the sacrificial structure, a torn red night gown littered the ground. Rachel’s recent scent. No sign or scent of her blood. Only the blood of the dead beta. Where was she? Had the dead beta been killed by a lycan for helping her escape?
Dread froze his beating heart. According to Lunara, the necromancy ritual included feasting on the victim.