I jumped. I couldn’t help it. Tanner scared the crap out of me. I was so focused on finding the source of the infection, I forgot all about the inevitability of my future Beta showing up, or the possibility we’d have Malvaggios to contend with. Dammit, Tanner. What gives?

You can’t kill him. Tanner rushed over to me and took a stance.

Really, Tanner? I shook my head. Look. Hell, sniff. I’m about to open this up so I can clean it out and he can heal.

Heal? What does he need to heal from? Tanner’s nostrils flared as he followed my suggestion.

Remember, days ago. This. We need to help him. I growled low in my throat. Let me take care of this.

Tanner backed up and wandered around Dallas so he could watch me work. I took a deep breath. The damn pustule looked like it had taken on a life of its own, like it was some freaking alien or something. I held my paw up again, my claws at the ready. I started to make my downward swing.

Wait! Tanner dance around nervously.

I snarled at him. What? We don’t have time to waste here. Look at him. I watched as Tanner sniffed Dallas, then whined. Exactly. Back the fuck off. I’m going to break the skin, then shift and get him cleaned out. Why don’t you find some towels, or washcloths, or any kind of linen to help?

Immediately, he rushed to the hatch. I have an idea. I’ll be right back. Then he disappeared down into the tunnels, and closed the opening behind him.

Finally left alone, I was able to focus. Without his distraction, I was able to puncture the skin with my claw. In the time it took me to shift, the wound had already begun to ooze yellow pus and clear plasma. There was even a little bit of blood around the edges of the skin. I looked around the room, determined to solve this problem as quickly as possible, even without Tanner’s help. Standing, I scanned the room. Bare as it was, I was resourceful. There had to be something I could use. Grinning, I rushed over to the window and ripped six inches or so off the bottom of one panel from the drapes. Then I started to rush back to Dallas when I heard a noise outside. I froze and held my breath while I tried to determine what had made the sound and where, precisely it had originated. This time, I recognized the sound of twigs breaking like someone was walking on them. There was a crunch from leaves. Someone, possibly more than one someone, was closing in on the old guard hut. I ducked down out of sight and rushed back to Dallas who still hadn’t moved. Leaning low, I whispered in his ear, “Be quiet. This may hurt, but you can’t make a sound. There’s someone outside.”

He lifted one finger, which I took to mean he had heard me and understood what was at stake. Then I turned my attention to the golf ball sized oozing wound. I focused on draining it, and cleaning it out. I wiped frequently with the curtain turned cloth in my hand. I swear it took forever with me applying steady pressure and wiping so I could watch for anything which might resemble a foreign object, anything similar to the sliver of silver my aunt had described in her story.

Honestly, I’m not sure what I expected, but if it was something shiny and bright, I would’ve missed it entirely. Instead, after a few days in the body, the metal had tarnished, turning black. Though I had hoped to see a tiny bit protruding above the surface, even after the pus had been removed, I could see it was embedded deeply in his shoulder, maybe even into the scapula itself.

“This is gonna hurt,” I warned in a low whisper. “Brace yourself, but not even a whimper. Got it?”

Dallas nodded his head slightly. I could see fresh sweat beads had broken out over his lip, clearly visible despite the stubble. I saw hints of gray in his whiskers and my heart hurt for this lonely old man. Still, no amount of sympathy and understanding would save him once I uncovered his role in my father’s murder.

Taking a deep breath, I positioned my thumb nails, one on either side of the metal, then I pressed them together until I felt certain the sliver had been secured. Finally, I tried with all my might to remove it by yanking up, but without a good grip on it, my fingers slid off. I made a second attempt, and then a third. Nothing was working. No matter the position or the angle, no matter which fingernails I used, the silver had yet to so much as wiggle despite my best efforts.

I frowned. There was only one thing left to do and I really didn’t want to go that route. I rubbed my forehead. On the other side of the hut wall, I heard sniffing. Dammit. This had to be the Malvaggios. No animals would be the least bit interested in the smell of humans. Clearly, they were searching and when they found him, they’d finish him off and probably anyone else who stood in the way.

I blew out a breath. Apparently, it was now or never and never wasn’t even an option. Bending low, I placed my fingernails on either side of the metal in the hopes I could more easily find my way to it, and then I opened my mouth. “Father, never doubt my love and devotion,” I muttered. A second later, I had grabbed the sliver with my teeth. The experience was every bit as disgusting as it seemed. I could taste the infection seeping past my lips. Instinct had me struggling not to let go and spit incessantly until the taste had disappeared. Instead, I bit down harder on the sliver, my eyes closed while breathed through my mouth. When I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, I drew back quickly, determined to remove the shard holding Dallas prisoner in his body.

To my surprise, it worked. A second later, I spit out the metal and wiped at my tongue with the back of my hand. Dallas rolled toward me, a look of gratitude in his face. A second later, he shifted, which was precisely what he needed to do. He’d heal faster and better in wolf form.

Suddenly, there was a scratching sound on the door. I knew whoever was outside, had decided to come in. In response, I shifted and then crouched at the ready. I released a low growl, the kind that would scare away any ordinary predators. Anyone who stayed would be of the shifter variety.

This place was designed especially for shifters. No one can enter using paws. The doors are for hands only. Dallas sounded slightly stronger than he did before. Just a few more minutes, Alpha. I’ll be ready.

I rolled my eyes. Right. You sound it. Oh, and how do you know all this? Why was a shifter guard hut designed in such a way?

So the occupants of the hut could never be surprised. We get to see who’s entering the building and those outside know who’s exiting. Did you notice the round handle? Slowly, Dallas rolled to his feet. See? Much better. Thank you.

Here’s the deal. I have a plan. Follow my lead. You’re in no condition to fight yet. I began to creep closer to the door.

Alpha! Dallas nodded toward the hatch.

We had to be careful. If the shifters were outside the door, they could hear every word we spoke in our minds. I shook my head. No. I’ll explain later.

But, Alpha. Dallas seemed intent on fucking up the rescue.

I swear to God, Dallas, if we make it out of this alive, I’m going to kick your ass or beat the crap out of your hard head. Immediately, Dallas stopped objecting. His head hung low. A second later, I heard another sound. Tanner had finally returned and at the worst possible moment. The scratching at the door had ceased. They were probably shifting and planning their attack even as we pondered our defense.

I moved to sit on the hatch. I know it’s only the two of us, Dallas, but we can handle this. I’m glad Tanner isn’t here. If anything happens to me, I want him to become the Alpha. I need him to watch out for my sister and protect the pack. Then I slowly moved and prayed Tanner understood. As I heard the faint sound of paws running on dirt growing farther and farther away, my shoulders sank in relief. Remember…

Follow your lead. Dallas whined.

Before the last bit of sound escaped his throat, the door flew open. James and some Malvaggio goon blocked the entire opening of the door. “My, Savvy, don’t you make a pretty little wolf?” James grinned, showing off his pearly whites.

I might look like a wolf, a cunning predator, but at the moment, I definitely had become the prey.