Page 46 of Wolf Crowned

The tree line enveloped us and my mates picked up the pace, practically carrying me through the woods.

Twigs snapped behind us. Barks echoed through the trees. They were on our tail.

Sloane grunted as she ran. “We have to keep moving. Come on, Sawyer. I need you to fight.”

I gritted my teeth as the memory of our time together just a few short minutes ago came back. That was everything that I wanted, and if I didn’t get it together, I would never have it, and neither would they.

I’d already upset Sloane and Lincoln enough by not coming when I should have. I wouldn’t let them down again.

I reached inside myself, pulling on the delicate string that connected me to my wolf. I couldn’t shift, but I drew on his strength.

Lincoln must have sensed my intentions, because he stopped running and pulled away from me. He kept a hand on my shoulder to keep me from collapsing. “We can’t get him there in time like this, but there’s something we can do to help him.”

Sloane tugged me forward almost tripping over her feet. “Lincoln, we’re wasting time. Help me!”

Lincoln shook his head and put his hands on her shoulders. “No. We have to give him our strength. Remember how he helped you fight? How I’ve helped you fight?” He lifted his brows, and she nodded.

He met my gaze and inclined his head. “It’s the same thing. We’re just going to give him some of our energy so that he can run even though he’s hurt. That’s what he needs, otherwise they’re going to catch him.

Her wide eyes landed on me. She put her hand on my cheek. “We’re here with you, Sawyer. Run like hell.”

They disappeared. But I could feel them around me, their energy swirling and intertwining with mine. The pain lessened to a constant agonizing ache. I gritted my teeth and sprinted for the cave.

My leg throbbed. Blood gushed from the wound on my shoulder, and my whole body burned from the wolfsbane.

I was going to make it. For them. For me.

I pumped my arms faster. My heart hammering in my chest as my lungs ached.

I was so close. The water burbled ahead, cascading down the rocks.

A twig snapped to my left, drawing my attention. A wolf lunged.

I turned to the right just in time, catching the wolf mid air. We twisted and collapsed to the ground together. He snapped his canines at me. His snout in my face as he went for the jugular. So much for keeping me alive. I pushed his head away as I kicked out and missed.

He latched onto my wrist, jerking his head from side to side.

I growled, punching him in the side of the head and then the neck with everything I had.

His grip loosened, and I jabbed him again this time underneath his jaw. His head snapped back. I kicked him in the gut with my leg.

I crawled across the ground, the leaves and twigs biting into my palms as I scrambled to get back to my feet. More paws beat against the ground. There was no time to keep fighting. I had to run and run now.

I sprinted ahead. The trees broke, the rocks of the cave coming into view. Did I have enough time to crawl inside and hide? There was only one way to find out. There was nowhere else for me to go.

I stumbled into the stream. The water was like an ice bath. I cringed as I splashed through it. I put my arms on the cave entrance; the water beating down on me like icicles as I hauled myself inside and crawled back as far as I could.

I collapsed once I was inside, gasping for air. The howls grew louder. The water splashed like someone was running in it.

Darkness clawed at me, threatening to pull me under.

“Luna please,” I whispered as I fell into the darkness.

Seventeen

Sloane

My heart hammered in my chest. “Sawyer. Sawyer come back.”

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