Page 116 of Stargazer

We needed to keep them contained. Prevent them from getting any closer to the flock of innocent people minding their own business like sitting ducks. The shifters were one thing. But the rogues? Those bastards had no humanity.

It was just me and the Alpha in this part of the woods now.

And the poor unconscious human that currently had rogue fangs deep in the flesh of her leg.

Female. So not one of their initial targets then.

They must have gotten creative when they sensed the presence of the Saint Claire pack here. Or when they saw how many options they had at their disposal.

Maybe they didn’t want to take any chances of leaving tonight without at least one new member to join their ranks. If I was in their boat, I’d do the same.

But their work was reckless, and the timing of their attack meant it likely wouldn’t even result in a transformation. They’d gotten carried away and pounced too early.

It was just sloppy on their part really. Like they’d gone … well … rogue.

I had to internally laugh at my own joke, since no one else here was going to.

I fucking hoped that the other three male targets that came in with Amelia were being tracked already. We’d lost sight of the first two, but I was betting that Car and Zan had already caught up to the one that had left with the raven-haired female shifter.

We glanced at each other, the Alpha and I, an understanding transpiring before we sped towards the two feasting rogues in sync.

I tried not to grimace at the fact that I had a silent conversation with a wolf—I was in sync with a fucking wolf—and instead focused on the damage we were able to cause.

And I had to admit, I kind of loved the bloodshed that we dealt out.

My whole world was turned upside down these last months. First the girl, and now this.

I needed to stab some things; regain some control.

Thankfully, I had the perfect target.

I didn’t have my sword on me. It’s not like I could casually bring it to a small-town family event. But my kunai did the job just fine. Plus, I got the added fun of getting up close and personal with the furred fuck, making the feeling of my blade sinking into its chest all the more satisfying.

Warm liquid dribbled down my hand.

Done with my mark and taking in the damage, I noticed Blaze had caught up and was already tending to the wounded female. I had no idea when the fiery-haired wolf had arrived. She was near silent and had this uncanny ability to sneak up on even me. It made me more than a little uncomfortable. But she was a great asset to have on our side.

I swung my head towards my unlikely partner and was pleased, as well as pleasantly surprised, to see chunks of flesh missing from River’s target. From what I could tell, he’d done way more damage than the rogues had even managed to do to the human.

Who knew the softie had it in him.

I had to give him more credit. He took that rogue down in seconds.

We made a decent team. A thought that disturbed me. But I knew my girl would be proud of my incredible self-growth.

He didn’t need to know that though …

“I still don’t like you,” I deadpanned with a teasing glint in my eye.

To be honest, the Alpha was growing on me. I didn’t hate him. Which was progress. Although, if Venus had picked him instead, I didn’t know if I would still be willing to say that.

Highly unlikely.

“Likewise,” River threw back. But with my trained eyesight, I caught the smile on his lips. Fucker liked me. I knew he did.

The Alpha’s eyes glazed over and I patiently waited for the update from his pack.

“Raven and Celeste have followed another two shifters that led a target out to the woods,” he said, worry distorting his features. “We’re closest to them.”

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