Page 118 of Stargazer

“Thank fuck for that.”

He shook his head.

Lowering myself to the animal I’d killed, I yanked my kunai out of its mouth and cringed at the saliva covering the weapon.

“Disgusting,” I muttered, my nose scrunched up as I flicked the revolting substance off my hand and wiped the blade on the grass. Then I removed my silver dagger from its chest, doing the same before repocketing it. Blood I was used to, but wolf saliva was not okay with me.

Scenting another wolf heading our way, my head snapped up to the tree line.

“Incoming,” I warned my allies, flipping my kunai so it was ready to launch at the first sight of the beast.

Before even entering the clearing, the animal whined. A whimpering, almost scared sound.

“It’s not a rogue. It’s a shifter,” River informed us, taking a whiff of the air to confirm his suspicions. “We don’t attack until we confirm they’re a danger.” His tone was strong and domineering and it irked me, but I nodded my agreement anyway. Raven, still in wolf form, was already by my side and even Celeste slowly stood, cautious and on edge, but ready for whatever came our way. She was brave like her sister; I’d give her that. Especially after what she’d just witnessed.

A moment later, the smaller wolf trotted warily through the trees, head down in submission.

In an instant, they had turned into their human form.

The petite female fell to her knees, cowering.

“Please don’t hurt me,” she cried softly. “I don’t want to do this anymore. Help me. Please,” she begged. “I can’t do this anymore.” Her voice cracked and she threw her face in her hands, sobbing.

Her smaller frame, light brown skin and the long blanket of dark brown hair covering her face reminded me of my girl, causing my body language to instantly soften. What if Venus had never gotten out of this town. Never found us and became a Knight. Could she have ended up like this? A pawn in the rogue war.

I gripped my dagger tighter, anger coursing through me at the thought.

I’d have to hope the Alpha would have protected her enough to never have let that happen. Plus, that wasn’t how fate turned out, so there was no point working myself up about it.

I looked to River, letting him have the final say here. This was his pack and he’d be the one responsible for her if he decided to show mercy.

His eyes locked on mine and flashed amber before he walked past us towards the female. Noticing he was still unclothed, I made a face, but focused my attention on the girl instead.

Towering over her he asked, “What’s your name?”

His voice was calm but firm, that Alpha aura seeping into his words.

“Selena.”

“You’re with the rogues?” He questioned.

“I didn’t have a choice. I never asked for this. To be a wolf. They made me stalk the targets. Lure them here. But I didn’t want to see what happened next. I ran. I couldn’t watch,” she sputtered. “Please, Alpha. Save me. I’ll do whatever you want. Just pretend you killed me so the rogues don’t look for me. Please don’t make me go back.”

To her credit, Selena didn’t even pause to stare at his junk as she lifted her pleading eyes to his.

“You’d have to sever your bond to the rogue Alpha immediately and pledge yourself to me instead. I can’t risk the safety of my pack if you’re still in contact or some sort of spy. It will be like you’re dead to him.”

Her doe eyes were hopeful. “Yes. Of course. Whatever you want, Alpha. Just tell me how.”

River nodded, kneeled before her and started coaching her through it.

Seeing he had it handled, I turned to Celeste. Raven’s wolf had moved closer to her, seemingly offering comfort.

“Are you okay, Cel? No injuries?” I looked her over but couldn’t see anything or smell any blood—at least not hers.

“I’m okay. Unharmed.” She blew out a shaky breath. “What are we going to do with him though?” She gestured to the guy who had likely been one of the predetermined victims. I knew there had been more shifters with the targets when they first entered the festival, but the ones we had killed just now had all been rogues, based on their characteristics and that distinctive scent. Meaning the shifters in their ranks were likely still at the event—minus the terrified one pledging allegiance to River now.

The guy had lost a lot of blood and was still out cold. I crouched beside him, feeling his neck for a pulse.

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