Something wasn’t right. These wolves were deranged.
Members of our pack were falling like flies. The enemy showed no signs of mercy.
“They’re monsters!” someone cried, as they attempted to flee. They didn’t get very far before they were cut down, their organs scattered every which way. I could barely stand to look. It was a complete repeat of the past and I felt powerless to stop it.
“Watch out!”
Jane’s voice had my instincts on full alert. Like a madwoman, she was running right into the middle of the battlefield. There was a woman chasing her and I feared it was a member of our rival pack.
Distracted, I didn’t see the giant wolf charging in my direction until it was much too late.
Whack!
At the very last second, Jane came down on it with a tree branch. She had targeted its weak spot, right at the end of the ribs. Whimpering, the wolf came down like a sack of potatoes. Its mate turned on Jane, snarling.
“Fuck…” she cursed under her breath as she backed away.
To my amazement, the woman who had been chasing her leapt into her wolf form and defended the mother of my unborn child. The two thundered into battle.
“What the hell were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed like that!” I chided, once I had her in my arms. “You need to get out of here.”
“Not going to happen. I’m not running away.”
Across the clearing, I saw Landon fighting off two goons at once. He was bleeding from multiple wounds and there was a slight limp to his back leg but, somehow, he still had the willpower to keep fighting. His howl echoed over the din of claw and tooth.
“I’m not going to run away while you two sacrifice your lives. If you stay, I stay. Because without you guys, there’s no point in living.”
“This is insane…” There was so much more to say but with the battle raging on, we couldn’t stand around and discuss things all night long. This whole shit show would only end in one way — either Gerald dies or it’s game over. “We need to get to Landon. He’s hurt and he’ll need our help.”
“Right.” Jane grabbed a discarded dagger off the ground and held it in a defensive stance as she followed me. We worked as a unit, cutting down anyone who stood in our way. Once we reached Landon, the bloodshed continued. We didn’t think twice about gutting the wolves that threatened his life. It was kill or be killed.
“Are you okay?” Jane panted.
He nudged her stomach with his snout, trying to signal that she shouldn’t be there. “Roman already tried to argue with me, so save your breath. I’m not leaving. Either I die here with you or we emerge victorious. There is no in-between.” He looked at me for confirmation.
“It’s true,” I said. “And she won’t take no for an answer. So, we might as well find Gerald and end this once and for all. If he wants to play dirty, then three can play that game.”
Jane nodded in agreement.
“And this was what I was thinking. As wolves, we have a better shot at protecting Jane. She can hide between us and come out when the moment is right to deliver the deciding blow. Do you think you can do that?” I asked. “Gerald would never expect it.”
“Leave it to me.” She tightened her grip on the dagger. “And trust me, I’m going to enjoy this.”
But, it wasn’t quite that easy.
We made it just a few feet before Landon’s back leg gave out. He tried to pick himself up but he didn’t have much fuel left in the tank. Exhausted, he reverted to his human form. His skin was deathly pale and there was so much blood soaking through his clothing, it was hard to believe that he was still alive.
“Roman…” It was difficult for him to speak. His voice sounded cracked and broken. “You need to do this.”
“But I am not an alpha…” I protested.
“You’ve proven that you’re capable of being one.”
I shook my head. “What are you talking about? I’m a beta and I’ll never be more than that.”
“Trust me. You can do this.” Landon was fading and he was fading fast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gerald trying to make his getaway. I was left in an impossible position. Was I supposed to chase after my enemy or save my partner?
“Leave him to me.” Cynthia seemed to materialize out of thin air. “Go on!” she shouted when I failed to move. “Everyone is counting on you!”