Page 25 of Wolf's Endgame

CHAPTER 7

Cannon

It seemed the medical ward was part of the bunker, and Doc had merely repainted it. I remained quiet as we walked down the hall to the doors that led outside.

“I need to run,” I told them as I walked ahead. “I need fresh air. I need to run and fill my lungs. I know how much there is to talk about—I need this first.” I didn’t want to look at any of them. I didn’t want to see their pity.

“I’ll follow,” Nikan said. “You’re never to be alone until this is over.”

At the doors to the outside, I turned to look at my brother. “And when is it over?”

“When every one of them who knew about this is dead.”

My lips tightened into a firm line as my eyes flicked to Royce, who looked back at me, stone-faced. “We’ll talk when I come back.”

I’d shifted before any of them could answer, blocking the mindlink, and as the breeze teased me, washing away the smell of the lingering sage, I ran.

With every stride, my paws sank further into the terrain. Stronger. I felt the healing magic of the Goddess as I picked up speed. The wind whistled past. Dipping my head lower to the ground, I pushed myself further. Faster. The heaviness of my human body left me as I ran.

Days of lying motionless. Still. Unable to move. Were shed as I ran up the mountain. I never wanted to feel that again.

At a stream, I paused and drank the fresh water of the mountains. I sensed my brother behind me, but he never came too close. He was giving me space, I knew.

Plus, I’d been outrunning him all his life.

Movement amidst the sparse copse of trees caught my attention, and swiftly I took off after the rabbit, the familiar thrill of the chase calming my inner being.

I shared my catch with Nikan, and when I was fed and soothed within, I opened the mindlink.

You are angry.

My brother looked at me before turning his attention to the east. Angry? I could rip the bastards apart with my hands.

I knew anger like that. It burned deep and strong within you, until it either engulfed you entirely or extinguished your flame. My brother burned too bright for that to be his end.

I feel your rage, brother. Trust me, I do. I commiserated. But hate only takes us so far, Nikan, don’t let it consume you.

You almost died. Twice.

I stood, then stretched. I felt every moment of it.

They will pay.

Trotting over to the slightly smaller wolf, I bit at his ear playfully. They will—all of them who were involved in this.

Nikan swiped at my nose when I nipped him, and I breathed a sigh of relief at seeing some of the lightness returning to my brother. We ran side by side back down the mountain, the wind behind us, our footing sure, and our speed almost reckless.

My return to my pack was them seeing me approaching them at great speed, racing my brother to an imaginary finish line, and both of us feeling better than we had in weeks.

As I walked the streets as my wolf, I let the pack in, humbled at the outpouring of love and support they sent. In my boot room, I shifted, pulling on jeans, and then I went back outside, walking the streets of our home, letting my pack see me, giving them the reassurance they needed that their alpha was ready to fight for the attack on our pack. Because to strike an alpha was a strike to the pack.

We were ready to retaliate.

Nikan walked beside me, and at some point, Royce flanked me, the three of us being seen together, united, and ready for vengeance.

Because I would have my vengeance. The more I thought about it, the keener I was to be back in my study with my men, getting up to speed. But the pack came first, and I could school my patience just as they had waited for me to be healed. I needed to be there for them now. Reassure them. Ease their concerns and worries.

It went well, and it was when I was heading back to the house that I saw them waiting for me at the gate.

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