Page 36 of The Wolf's Mate

Before I get the chance to ask him why, Michael shifts. His wolf is twice the size of me, and he snaps his canines in my direction. I scream, true fear radiating from me now that I’m without my weapon.

But he doesn’t stay for long. Michael huffs once more before leaping out the broken window and running off into the chaos. More howls sound in the distance, and a few wolves run by, following Michael back into the dark forest.

I give myself a minute to catch my breath. The pain in the back of my skull is throbbing, and I would kill for some pain medication right now. A small pool of blood from Michael’s wound darkens the hardwood floors. My shirt is a mess, but I try to ignore that another person’s blood is on me. I might actually throw up if I think about it too hard.

I make my way across the room on unsteady feet to grab the bloodied ax. As I lean down to pick it up, the door to the nursery bursts off its hinges and falls to the floor with a loud bang. Two large wolves rush in, bloodied and growling.

And despite my best efforts, I scream.

Chapter 17

Rip

We were ambushed. Rogues, more than I have ever seen in the past, flood our town, taking advantage of my unsuspecting pack. We’ve had rogue attacks, but never within our town, where omegas and children walk freely.

They are supposed to feel safe here.

I was supposed to keep them safe.

Thorne, along with a few other alphas from my guard, were on the scene first, keeping the rogues back to give the omegas and their children time to flee. Any rogue unfortunate enough to cross my path met the same end. For far too long, I took rogue after rogue down, hearing my brothers do the same.

By the end, blood coats my fur, but most of it is not my own.

Throughout all this, I have yet to find Michael. But I know he’s here, leading the attack. He wouldn’t be one to hide in the forest while his people did his dirty work.

But where the fuck is he?

I’m on edge. Distracted. My wolf grows more feral the longer I’m away from Hettie. If we had completed the bond, I would be able to sense her right now, to know she’s okay. Because she has to be okay. I refuse to think any other way. My Dove is strong. Stronger than even she gives herself credit for.

Amidst the battle, a howl reverberates around us, picked up by a few other wolves. None of them are mine. It’s a signal. The moment that thought crosses my head, the rogues who have not fallen start to retreat. What the fuck? One moment they are attempting to rip my pack to shreds, and the next they tuck tail and disappear through the forest.

From the corner of my eye, I see a flash of dark gray fur sprint past me. I growl, turning around so fast, I kick up dirt and pebbles. The large wolf howls, joining the others in the forest. This wolf is bigger than the others, and I know instantly who it is.

Michael.

Leaving from the direction of the nursery. Among the chaos, he’s eluded me.

Without thinking, I sprint toward the small cabin a few yards ahead. I push my legs faster than they have ever carried me, feeling the strain almost immediately. A dire wolf reaches my side, running next to me. I don’t need to look over to know Thorne is trailing me. His mate—my cousin—is also in the nursery.

If he touched Hettie or Tallie…

I burst through the front door of the nursery, ignoring the way it broke off the hinges and fell to the ground. I scan the room, and the smell of blood is overwhelming. Pools of crimson splatter the floor, and the worst nightmares plague my mind.

Hettie dead with her throat ripped out.

Hettie in pieces.

Hettie and Tallie all bloodied and bruised with fear forever etched on their faces.

The loud, ear-piercing scream pulls me out of the darkness and toward the adjoining room. That’s when I see her. My Dove, soaked with blood and looking like the Goddess of Death. Her hair is a wild, matted mess, and her eyes dart back and forth in a frenzy. She clutches the bloody ax tightly, putting it between her and me.

I shift, but Hettie doesn’t recognize me yet. She’s in survival mode. Her brain isn’t allowing her to think rationally.

“Hettie…” I try to keep my voice soft and gentle, even though inside I’m screaming. I want her in my arms. I want to look over her body and make sure no harm has come to her.

More importantly, I want to kill Michael. Like I should have done a long time ago.

“Here.” Thorne tosses me a pair of pants that I quickly put on. I don’t know where he got them, but I also don’t care. Hettie doesn’t need a naked man coming at her.

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