Sandy
I barely missed snapping that rogue Alpha’s neck with my jaws, but his Wolves launched themselves at me and we tumbled away in a flurry of claws and teeth.
I howled loudly, in anger, fear, and abject dread as Belle disappeared from view. I could only concentrate on staying alive at this point, and then I’d hunt her down and deal with the Alpha and any others he had in tow. For now, I was fighting for my life, and I knew the odds weren’t good.
My Wolf was large, strong, and deadly but even that might not be enough. Not against six rogues.
I didn’t give up. Not for a second, as I fought the two that had stopped me from killing their Alpha. My Wolf was in a blood frenzy, his only thought to kill, kill, kill.
I felt blood dripping down my throat as I clamped onto the throat of one of the Wolves, its heart stuttering as I drained it. Pain tore through my hindquarters as the other raked it with its claws. My first reaction to release my jaws and go after the thing causing me pain.
I didn’t. I kept my jaws firmly around the other’s throat, tightening my hold until I heard the distinct “snap” as I broke its neck. Then I spat it out and whirled around to snarl, snap, and lunge at the grey beast that had caused me pain.
My blood dripped from the wound but I forced myself to concentrate only on destroying those who kept me from Belle.
That’s when a large brown Wolf decided to help its pack-mate, leaping high to pounce on my back. Its jaws closed around my shoulder as I bucked to get it off but it held tight as the grey closed in on me. My large paws backed up, trying to put space between us, then I realized I had nowhere to go.
The other three rogues had circled around, one on each side, one at my back.
My head reared back as I howled in anger, fear lapping at my insides as I thought of Belle in the hands of that bastard Alpha.
I swore I’d give up my very life for my mate, and it looked as if that’s what was going to happen.
Shaking vigorously, with every ounce of my strength, I spun my head around and managed to snap a chunk of meat from the side of the beast on top of me. It yelped, releasing its hold, and falling away.
Still didn’t look good for me as his cohorts closed in.
Then a miracle happened. An honest to goddess miracle as I heard Cam’s voice in my head. We were still linked via our old pack and his voice screamed at me.
“Sandy! Hold the fuck on.”
I couldn’t quite believe it. Was he here? Coming to my aid? If so, how?
Shit, I hoped he was because I was under no illusions I’d get out of this alive any other way.
I couldn’t even reply, my total focus on fending off the four rogues bent on tearing me apart. One darted in, snapping at my already damaged hindquarter, but I managed to rip a swathe of bright red tears across its face, causing it to howl in pain and veer away.
There were howls in the distance and I knew that help was on the way, but could I last until they arrived?
I’d do my fucking best because the alternative was never holding Belle in my arms again, and that wasn’t an option. No fucking way.
My beast snarled, its head low as we looked for a way out. I watched as the rogues closed in, my end almost upon me, when Cam spoke to me again.
“I’m here, little brother.”
We were so close growing up, his younger brother, Grant, and I almost joined at the hip, that he looked on me as part of the family. Never before was I as pleased to hear his pet name for me as I was right at that moment.
A split second later, his jet black wolf launched itself at the Wolf nearest me, relief swamping my system. Then another, and another, and another Wolf appeared, taking down the other rogues as I collapsed to the ground, forcing my beast to heal.
I had to heal so I could go after Belle. I had to save her. Had to make her mine and keep her safe.
I lay watching the ensuing fights, my rescuers taking mere minutes to annihilate my attackers.
Cam’s ebony beast rushed over, nudging me with its snout. “Sandy! Are you all right? Speak to me, brother.”
“Give me a moment,” I managed to get out, before transforming.
I had to tell them what had happened and I had no link with the Grey Paw Pack. Wincing in pain, blood running down my thigh as I fought to control a growing frenzy of fear inside me.
“Rogues attacked us,” I gasped, pushing all thought of my own pain aside. “Their so-called Alpha has taken Belle and they used silver on her wrists. She can’t transform and won’t be able to escape. We have to find her. Now.”
A huge dark grey Wolf, with four lighter grey paws, stepped forward, nodding.
“Wyatt? Is that you?” I asked and again it nodded.
“You can follow her scent,” I panted against the pain. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Wyatt’s beast led half a dozen other Wolves as they dashed away. I noted every single one had at least one grew paw in different shades. Guess that’s where their Pack name originated. Weird.
“Sandy, I’ll stay with you,” Cam said directly into my head but I shook it fiercely.
“No, Cam, go, find Belle. I’ll just take a minute to change again,” I told him firmly.
I was well aware of Cameron Sinclair’s part Witch side. The part that made him the best damn tracker in the Shifter community. If anyone could find my Belle, it would be him.
His jet black beast nudged my thigh, whining. “I’m fine, I’ll change and let my Wolf heal me as I come after you. Please, Cam, go. Find my mate for me.”
His intelligent eyes stared into mine for a brief second before whirling around and taking off after Wyatt and his wolves.
I started my transformation before Cam’s beast disappeared into the trees, my beast eager to find our mate as I loped after him. My pace was slow to begin with, my hind leg dragging behind me painfully. Then my nostrils caught a scent. One I hoped never to smell again: my mate’s fear.
My Wolf went crazy, an ear-shattering howl tearing from its throat as it sped up, desperate to reach Belle.