The plane touched down as the sun was setting. Savage, Winter, Booth, Taze, Dane, Storm, and Noah hit the ground as soon as the plane stopped on the small tarmac. Savage’s eyes sparked amber as his head raised to the sky, scenting the air.
“Wolves,” he snarled, raising his gun. “We need to find Evie, now.”
“Aerial maps show a road leading up to the bunker,” Noah stated, pulling out a printed overhead picture of the island and pointing to the location they needed to head toward. They were off the fucking coast of Maine. These assholes had found the ultimate bunker to hide out in to conduct their sick and twisted experiments for the sake of learning how the shifters ticked.
“Savage,” a female voice called out from his right. When he turned, Evie peeked around a thick tree trunk, her eyes glowing amber.
“Evie,” he breathed, breaking off into a dead run for the female. She was covered in blood. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she promised, shaking her head. “I killed some men.”
“Jesus,” he snarled, knowing she could take care of herself, but seeing blood on the blue scrubs she was wearing sent his heart into a near panic.
The other Guardians approached, Dane scenting the air. “Evie, we have to move. There are wolves in the area.”
“I know,” Evie said, holding up her hand. “This is Luna, and she’s a wolf. Her brother is out here somewhere, and she promises me that he isn’t bad. She isn’t either.”
A beautiful, brown-haired female, probably around thirty years old, stepped out from behind the tree. She didn’t stand with arrogance next to Evie as Savage would’ve expected. No, she closed in on herself as she hid behind the female.
“She was… she was violated by the scientist that I killed,” Evie stated, jutting her chin out. Savage was proud of her, but confused as well. These were wolves.
“We’ve never found a wolf pack that wasn’t feral,” Dane stated as his eyes narrowed on Luna. Evie’s upper lip vibrated with her snarl as she sidestepped to block them from touching the female wolf. Savage put a hand on Dane’s chest, calming the male.
“We need to get you to the plane,” Savage ordered.
“My brother is out there,” Luna cried, looking over her shoulder. “Theo can control the others. I know he can. I’ve seen it.”
“Wait, Theo?” Winter gasped, pushing past the others. “He’s alive?”
“I’m here,” Theo rumbled as he came into sight. Three other males flanked him, and from the scent in the air, two of them were bears… grizzly bears. One was something else.
“Lion,” Evie chuckled at Savage’s surprised reaction.
“How many are there?” Savage turned his question to Evie. He shook off the information about the lion for now.
“Six wolves are in the woods,” Theo stated. “One is named Echo, and he’s good. The others are wild, and to be honest, I don’t know if there is any hope for them.”
“We will try to save them,” Evie blurted. “We are going to save them all.”
They all dropped to their knees when a ball of fire whizzed past them and slammed into the tree trunk Evie had just been standing behind, exploding it into a million pieces. Luna screamed as a sharp spear-like piece cut into her arm.
Theo ran to her side and picked her up as Savage pulled a gun from the holster at his side. Noah and Talon had made sure they were all armed before leaving the pride, because no one knew what the Guardians were walking into on this island.
“Get to the plane!” Taze barked, pointing for Evie and the others to follow him.
They took off at a run, but skidded to a halt not fifty feet from the tree line. Twelve men in all black marched toward them. Each and every one of them held their hands out to their sides… their eyes black as night.
“It’s the wizards,” Shadow growled. “They’re deadly.”
“Fuck that,” Savage swore, pointing his weapon. One of males lifted his hand, a ball of light rolling and expanding as he raised it over his head. Savage pulled the trigger twice, hitting the male square in the chest, but it did nothing.
“Son of a bitch,” Booth cursed, firing his own weapon.
The wizards, or whatever the fuck they were, moved as one toward the plane. Savage knew they had to take them out before they disabled their only way off the island. “Back to the woods! We don’t want them taking out the plane.”
As one, they ran for the cover of the trees, but it was no use. The males attacked, sending balls of fire in their direction, hitting trees so they’d fall in their path.
“Where are those damn wolves?” Winter hid behind what was left of a tree, ducking low to keep his head clear. He turned to Theo and yelled, “Call them!”
Theo closed his eyes and shook his head. “They are fighting me.”
“Fuck,” Storm bellowed.
Yips and howls sounded from the other side of the small tarmac where the plane sat in the open as the Community’s wizards kept coming toward Savage and the others. He prayed those damn wolves would help, or at least slow them down so he could take some of them out. Because at that point, Savage had just about had it with enemies and being fucking shot at.
Luna screamed when one of them turned and threw a fireball toward the wolves, knocking them all to the ground. The agonizing wail from the female shattered his heart. He waited all of two breaths before coming out of his hiding spot to start firing at the wizards. Winter, Taze, and Booth followed his lead. They’d go out in a hail of bullets if that was what it took to get the others off the island. He just prayed his mate and cub would be safe after this. He wasn’t sure of himself.
“My brother!” Luna screamed over the gunfire.
“Get back into the trees!” Savage ordered, hoping she’d just fucking listen to him.
“No!” Luna cried, falling to her knees.
“They’re coming,” Evie called out. Savage took a chance and looked over his shoulder. Evie’s eyes were completely shifted, along with part of her face, as she lifted Luna from the ground to move her back to safety. “They’re coming!”
Savage had no clue as to what the female was talking about, but the wicked smile on her face told him she knew something he didn’t.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Winter yelled over the sound of weapons being discharged, to no avail. The wizards were immortal.
“Garrett is coming,” she cheered. “And he’s bringing friends.”
A flash of light so bright it turned the world around them white, blinded everyone. When Savage’s vision cleared, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing before him.
“Holy fuck,” Taze gasped. The rumble of disbelief echoed from Savage and the others.
Twenty males appeared, their wings stretched out to touch each other’s, making a barrier of protection between the wizards and the shifters. At the head of the group was the sheriff. As soon as their forms solidified, six of them broke off from the crowd and took to the air, coming down at the entrance to the bunker. They entered swiftly, and Savage prayed they were going after whomever was left inside.
“What the hell?” Taze asked. “What are they?”
Two of the angels with Garrett turned their heads, giving the pride a nod before turning around, but not before the shifters noticed the angels had no facial features. All of them, except for Garrett, were missing eyes, noses, and mouths. It was like a white skin covered them, making them nothing but pawns.
“I don’t care as long as they’re on our side,” Savage cheered. “Guard the others.”
Taze, Booth, Dane, Storm, and Winter regrouped, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of Evie and the others as all hell broke loose. Every time a ball of fire would come from the wizards, the Watchers would move closer, absorbing the glow as it struck their bodies. Savage blinked twice when he saw Garrett grab the ball that’d been aimed at his chest as if it was a solid object and threw it back into the line of the enemy. The male it hit fell to his knees as he grabbed his head, screaming as if he were burning from the inside out.
They went back and forth for several moments, the Watchers were winning until one of the men in black stepped through the line and held his hands in the air. Wind began to blow and limbs from the trees cracked and flew through the air. The angels kept pushing and fighting back, looking as if they were solely focused on their task.
Savage watched as they fought, still not quite believing what he was seeing. He’d never trusted the sheriff, but seeing him come to their aide might just have changed his attitude toward the male.
“What do we do?” Evie asked from behind him.
All of the shifters waited on baited breath as the angels fought back. Savage could only stare at the war between them. It looked like something out of a Hollywood movie where they only used magic to battle.
The sound of helicopters in the distance was barely covered by the angel’s destruction of the enemy. As the sound drew closer, the angels fought harder. Savage prayed that whoever was coming was going to help them and not the Community.
One by one, the warlocks fell, disappearing as their bodies dropped limply to the ground. Angels began to disappear when their opponent was eradicated. Savage kept looking over his shoulder and cheered to himself when he saw four military helicopters approaching the island.
“It’s about fucking time,” he snarled, relief flowing through his body. A vision of his mate and cub filtered through his mind as he turned around to look for Garrett. “Where the fuck did they go?”
“They just disappeared,” Dane said as he shook his head.
“We should get to the plane,” Savage suggested, backing away slowly. He kept his eyes on the scene before him as he herded them back across the small tarmac. Inside the plane, the startled pilot sat there with wide eyes.
A commotion out the window had everyone looking at the bunker doors. Garrett had changed into his sheriff’s uniform at some point and was walking out with a team of military men. Savage gasped when he saw the man who’d been the head of the Community and the son of a bitch who’d held his mate captive, led out in shackles.
“I could kill him right now,” Savage growled, his beast demanding that male’s blood.
“We need to go,” the pilot hollered over his shoulder. “The military needs this runway.”
“Fuck,” Savage mumbled under his breath.
“Someone close the door,” Booth called out.
“Get this bird prepared to fly,” Savage ordered as he gave up his shot at vengeance.
He opened a chest to remove blankets for the female who was still covered in her own blood. She was a wolf, and it went against his nature to help her, but Evie gave her word that this one was good.
He’d be the judge of that.
“The flight is going to take several hours,” he grunted. “We will sort everything out when we get back to our home.”
“I’m not bad,” she said, her eyes glowing from the presence of her beast.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t trust wolves,” Savage stated.
“I’m a white wolf,” she whispered. “I’m different.”
“What?” Savage asked, his eyes wide. “There are no white wolves.”
“She’s not lying,” Theo said as he moved closer to the female. “I’ve seen her. She’s not like the others.”
“Still don’t trust them,” Savage replied, his eyes falling on Evie as she checked on the other males she’d rescued. Savage didn’t think he’d ever forgive what had happened to her.
Evie covered her body with a scratchy wool blanket that’d been stored in the back of the plane. The ones who had survived the island were silent as the wheels lifted off the ground. Savage and Winter were talking with the pilot while Booth and Dane were checking on everyone else.
“Hey.” Booth smiled warmly as he took a seat next to her. He set a bottle of water next to her leg and leaned back against the wall.
“Hey,” she replied, blowing out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.
“You do realize that you shut down an entire facility, right?” Booth asked, rolling his head to the side. “You did a good thing.”
“Innocent shifters were killed.” She shook her head. “I didn’t do anything differently than what you or any other Guardian would’ve done.”
“Ranger once said you’d be a voice of change in our world.” Booth winked. “I agree.”
“I don’t want praise,” she mumbled, feeling embarrassed. The last thing she wanted was for there to be a big fuss over what she’d done over the past few days.
“Well, you deserve more. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become.” Booth nodded, standing up from his seat. “I have to check on the others.”
“Booth… wait!” she called out, reaching out to touch him, but he moved away quickly. Evie frowned when the big Guardian looked at her with wide eyes. “You do know that Kye and I are not mates, right?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said with a shrug. The male smiled warmly and ran his hand over his dark, short-cropped hair, his icy blue eyes glowing bright. “He’s the mate of your heart, and for that, I will refuse to touch you or allow you to touch me unless you are wearing gloves.”
“I can respect that,” she answered, hoping things would be okay when she got home. “Thank you.”
Booth moved over to check on Luna, dropping his hands at his side when she cowered from his touch. The poor woman was frightened, but she’d helped fight her way off that island despite her brother’s death at the hands of the warlocks. The Guardian whispered something to her and moved over to the male bear, Shadow, who’d helped Evie. Booth shook his hand and walked away.
All eyes were on Theo, and Evie was sure everyone wanted to know what was next. Could they all live under his rule like the Community had thought? It’d been several weeks since they’d taken the alpha’s blood with no signs of weakness. He could command them and they listened, but what would happen after they returned home?
Evie stood on shaky legs and made her way over to the female wolf. It went against her nature to be close to them, but she’d learned that Luna wasn’t evil. She wasn’t like the ones who’d taken her. No, Luna was different.
“Hey,” Evie said as she took a seat next to the female.
“I never thanked you,” Luna said, pulling her blanket up over her damaged shoulder.
“There is no need to thank me.” Evie frowned. “You’re going to be okay. I know it’s going to be a long road, but things will get better for you.”
“How do you know that?” Luna sniffled.
“I was kidnapped when I was seventeen.” Evie heaved a huge breath. “I’ve learned to live again, and I’m a lot stronger than I was back then.”
“I’m so sorry,” Luna gasped, reaching out to touch Evie’s hand.
“It’s okay,” Evie promised, feeling closer to the female than she should.
Evie was thankful that Luna didn’t press for more information because she didn’t want to bring up her time with the wolves. That part was over. Now, she had to worry about Kye and getting home to him so they could start their lives as a mated couple, even if fate hadn’t been on their side.
“Our healer will look at that shoulder when we arrive in Mississippi.” Evie slowly reached for the blanket and moved it away from Luna’s shoulder. The wound had stopped bleeding, but her shoulder was still sliced open. She grabbed more gauze and reapplied a clean dressing, covering the female with the blanket.
“Thank you,” Luna sighed. “It’s just not healing. I may need to shift.”
“Try to rest.” Evie smiled, moving back to her seat to wait out her arrival back at the pride. “We will be home soon.”