I steal a glance at Ethan, my gaze fleeting yet laden with unspoken understanding. He nods subtly before turning his attention to his phone, fingers deftly dialing the numbers we need. Soon, I’ll slip into the woods, each step a deliberate move towards Ambrose’s territory, as meticulously planned.
Nicolai stands ready, entrusted with protecting our children alongside Barrett and Conrad. “Everything is set.” The weight of responsibility hangs in the air as Ethan’s voice fills the room, relaying the signal that our carefully orchestrated plans are now in motion.
Mid-day creeps upon me like an unwelcome visitor, and an icy shiver slithers up my spine, setting my nerves on edge. With a cautious glance towards the dense woods, I allow my vision to merge with that of my wolves, seeking any sign of danger lurking in the shadows. Suppressing my innate abilities, I cloak myself in the guise of a vulnerable, defenseless female, relying solely on my wiles and instincts to guide me.
Each footfall is a whisper against the soft carpet of moss beneath me as I venture forth into the unknown, following the path laid out before me. Tendrils of connection to my mates offer the only semblance of security in this eerie wilderness.
The woods, normally teeming with life, now exude an unsettling coldness, a silence so thick it suffocates even the chirping of birds. My eyes dart around, scanning the horizon for any hint of movement, any flicker of danger.
But the landscape remains still, a stagnant moment of foreboding. Every gentle breeze sends me spinning, my nostrils flaring as I strain to catch the faintest whiff of the rogues’ scent. They’ve honed their skills, masking their presence with a mastery that renders even my heightened senses useless in this treacherous game of cat and mouse.
“Where’s my daughter?” Hunter’s voice cuts through the air, carried by the wind like a chilling omen.
My heart lurches in my chest as I spin around, my eyes scanning the surroundings frantically. The world seems to hold its breath, every leaf on every tree frozen in anticipation. But there’s nothing, just the empty expanse of the forest stretching out around me.
“Where is my daughter?” Tightness grips my lungs, squeezing them like hands wringing a sponge, as Hunter’s voice echoes once more, closer this time. I can almost feel his presence looming behind the ancient cedar trees.
“My daughter is safe,” I utter, though my voice trembles, betraying a fear I’ve manufactured. Through the bond we share, I allow my mates to see Hunter’s imposing figure emerge from the shadows. Ethan’s roar echoes in my mind, and I quickly suppress his reaction, keeping our connection hidden.
“Bring her to me. I need her, I need you,” Hunter demands, his voice a low growl as he draws nearer, his steps deliberate and unwavering. Every movement is scrutinized, every gesture analyzed for any hint of vulnerability.
“Never,” I growl, my voice a low, menacing rumble that reverberates through the tense air. Each thundering heartbeat in my chest pulses with the urge to unleash my primal nature, to let the wolf within me reign. Sensing my inner turmoil, I feel my mates drawing nearer, their presence a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions raging within.
“You will be mine, Grace. You are mine,” Hunter snarls, his words dripping with possessiveness and malice. Before my eyes, he undergoes a grotesque transformation, his form contorting as he shifts into his beast. His wolf appears ragged, as if it has been pieced together haphazardly, its mangy fur bristling as it advances towards me, hostility emanating from every fiber of its being.
My senses are attuned to the approaching footsteps of my mates, their silent solidarity lending me strength. With a grim determination, I face Hunter, steeling myself for the confrontation that is inevitable.
“You will die today, Hunter,” I declare, my voice carrying the weight of my resolve. With a fierce intensity, I allow the shift to overtake me, my human form melting away to reveal my true essence—a snow-white wolf, radiant and powerful as the lunar wolf. I raise my head defiantly, a primal snarl escaping my lips as I prepare to meet my ex head-on.
The voices of my mates echo in my mind, urging me forward as I charge towards Hunter with a primal fury. Surprised by my sudden onslaught, he hesitates for a fleeting moment, his surprise palpable in the air between us.
In a blur of motion, my jaws clamp down on his throat. I taste the metallic tang of blood as the hot rush of fluid floods my mouth. I thrash and growl ferociously, feeling the sharp sting of his claws tearing into my fur as he struggles to break free from my grip.
We crash through the forest, limbs flailing, tumbling down the hillside amidst the tangled underbrush. Each thorn, rock, and stick that pierces my skin sends a jolt of pain through my body, and I can feel Hunter enduring the same damage.
Finally, we reach the bottom of the hill, and as I rise, I grimace, feeling a chunk of furred flesh tear away from my body. The air is thick with the scent of blood and sweat, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest.
Shaking off the dizziness, I let out a primal, guttural howl, my death song echoing through the trees. It’s a cry of defiance, of my raw determination, as I prepare to launch another assault.
But as I charge towards Hunter, I realize my efforts have only succeeded in ripping away his skin, leaving the muscle, tendon, and vein beneath untouched. The sight fuels my fury even more, driving me to push forward with renewed vigor.
Hunter lunges at me once more, teeth bared. I instinctively sidestep his attack, feeling his sharp nip grazing my ribs as he whizzes past. Around us, my mates and fellow pack members form a tight circle, their eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and anticipation.
Deep down, they understand the gravity of this moment. They know that this isn’t just a battle for dominance. I need to reclaim a part of myself that Hunter stole from me that fateful day in the field. Part of me needs to reclaim the agency she stole from me when his ferocious assault nearly cost me my life.
Hunter’s grip tightens on my shoulder, his canines sinking deep into my flesh. The searing pain shoots through me, igniting every nerve ending. A sharp yelp escapes my lips before I instinctively twist my head, sinking my own canines into his fur.
With a violent thrash, I feel the skin tearing beneath my teeth. Blood fills my mouth, metallic and thick, as my claws catch in a previous wound, adding to the damage. I tear down, ripping through his flesh, muscles screaming in protest with every movement.
The struggle is consuming every inch of my being engulfed in the fiery intensity of the fight. Pain radiates through me, pulsating with each beat of my heart. Hunter’s teeth shift in my shoulder, the pressure changing as he adjusts his grip, sending fresh waves of agony coursing through me.
Amidst the chaos, my wolf’s voice echoes in my mind, a relentless chant urging me on: kill, kill, kill... And I comply. I open my mouth once more, seizing Hunter’s throat from a different angle. The sudden gush of warm blood flooding my senses tells me I’m nearing the end.
With one final, violent thrash of my head, a torrent of blood floods into my mouth, and Hunter’s struggles wane. His paws, once clawing desperately at my ribs, falter, their grip weakening, as he frantically tries to cling to me, but to no avail.
The rushing blood in my maw distorts my vision, tinting everything with shades of crimson. Instincts surge within me, threatening to overwhelm my humanity. I’ve heard the stories—the moments when the wolf takes control, refusing to relinquish its hold. But I refuse to succumb.
With every fiber of my being, I fight against the primal urges, struggling to maintain control over my body. Deep growls rumble from my throat, a primal symphony of defiance against the encroaching darkness. I can feel the strain, the tension in my muscles as they protest against the internal battle.