The wind whistled in my ears as I ran with the rest of the pack toward the location we’d been given for the auction. It was a mansion in Coldwater, a few towns away and a long run.

It was Tate, Bryce, Martin, Red, Kitchi and me. A fire was burning inside me, fueled by my hatred for the men who had taken my omega from me. As we sped through the snow, I prayed we would find Marcellus at the house tonight.

“He’s a big guy,” Billy had told me. “Lots of rings, pinstriped suits. He’s also enormous, Aiden. So be careful.”

Be careful…

I didn’t care how big Marcellus was. He was going to die. I was going to sink my fangs into his throat and tear the life from him. I was sure Billy was hiding more from me about his treatment as part of Marcellus’s pack. He didn’t want me to hurt, but that simply fueled the anger inside me. A burning hatred spurred me on as we tore through the trees.

We had been running for a long time once we started to emerge onto the property. The trees thinned out and we stopped at the line at the edge of an expansive lawn, which was covered in untouched snow like a soft white ocean.

I looked to Tate, and saw by the look in his eyes that he understood. It would be hard to go this way. We’d be obvious dark shapes across the open landscape. The house stood tall before us, lit up like a Christmas tree.

The driveway circled at the entrance and was filled with cars that cost more than the entire lodge and all its property. The audacious display of wealth made me want to spit.

But the tree line peeled off to our left, manicured into a double row that had been landscaped on either side of the long driveway. I looked at the others, and we understood: that was the way we’d go.

Keeping to the shadows, we made our way up toward the house as quickly as we could without being seen.

I could make out the guards stationed around the entrance, and Kitchi was right – they had guns. I sniffed the air, picking up the scent of four alphas, and to my surprise, two humans.

Human guards!?

I could barely believe it. Shifter secrecy was key to our survival, but somehow this auction was actually employing humans for security at their disgusting omega auction?

As we slowed, I looked at Kitchi and saw that he smelled them too.

Beneath the shadows of the trees, we huddled together and returned to human form. The snow was colder without the protection of my fur, but I welcomed it. Adrenaline was fueling me now and nothing would stop me.

“Humans,” Kitchi spat.

“Unbelievable,” Bryce replied.

“Okay,” Tate said quickly. “They’re armed. So we have to hit them hard and at the same time or we have no chance. I count six.”

“One for each of us,” Kitchi growled.

“Fan out,” he said. “I’ll give the sign and we attack. Make your kills quick, or make sure to incapacitate first.”

“Let’s do this,” Kitchi said, shifting back. The rest of us followed and spread out, keeping low. The guards were spread around the circular driveway like numbers on a clock. The double row of trees only got so close though, so we’d have to cross open ground to reach them.

I crouched low beneath the branches and looked out at the disgusting scene. And that’s when I saw it.

The black sedan!

It was unmistakable and burned into my memory. The last time I’d seen that sedan it was taking Billy away from me.

Marcellus was here!

Tate had said to wait for his signal, but my wolf took hold and my primal nature forced me forward. Jaws open, I leapt at the first guard, catching him off guard.

My teeth found his neck and tore at the flesh. Blood fountained and I knew I’d dealt a killing blow. Before his body even hit the ground I was leaping at the next one. A shot rang out and I saw the rest of the pack attack in the corners of my eyes.

The next man shifted, his black suit exploding off him as he whirled around. But I was charging and had the drop on him. I struck him in the chest and knocked him back.

His body crashed hard against the snow and skidded across the driveway before slamming into the side of some pricey red sports car. He struggled to his feet, but I buried my teeth in his hind before he could react.

Yelping, he tried to leap away but it was too late. My rage was propelling me forward at a speed that seemed impossible moments ago. I swung a claw, forcing him to turn away, which gave me the opportunity.

His neck exposed, I sank my teeth and severed his jugular. Blood rushed into my mouth as I released him, dropping him to the ground. As he bled out, the snow soaked up the red, turning the ground beneath us crimson.

Breathing heavily, I looked around and saw the rest of my pack standing over their kills. It seemed like our plan had worked, but someone must have heard the gunshot.

And as I turned to the house, the door opened and more men poured outside.

Shit, I thought as I kicked off the ground. A hail of bullets chipped into the pavement beside me as I leapt behind Marcellus’s car. The metal tore behind my head as the men opened fire.

Shit!

I was pinned down. Looking around, I tried to spot another member of the pack, but everyone else had taken cover too. But then, something flashed out of the corner of my eye, a shadow beneath one of the lights.

Kitchi!

His red fur blurred as he darted at the men, clipping the first one in the ankle. He went down hard. The next man turned and fired, but missed as Kitchi leapt into him and tore at his flesh.

Now was my chance.

I sprang out from behind the car and sped toward the men. Red sprang from the shadows and took down another. Gunfire echoed through the night as I kicked hard.

The muzzle of a gun swung in my direction.

This is it, I thought as I sprinted toward the estate. The man’s eyes were filled with terror and hatred. I could smell the cowardice beneath his beta scent. Time seemed to slow down as I closed in on him. I could see the beads of sweat on his face, the hair follicles on his wrists and the wrinkles on his hands as he pulled the trigger.