Page 65 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

I shift and run down the street, banging on doors as I go. The houses look empty, which is a huge relief. It looks like the Decker Pack had enough time to get out before the attack.

I was so afraid I’d see bodies piled upon bodies.

I shift again, loping through the streets and heading for Gladys’s diner. On my way, I take out several wolves, a sense of unease growing inside me.

Something isn’t right here.

I curse myself a bit. It’s a violent and brutal attack—there’s a lot fucking wrong here.

When I reach the diner, it’s not on fire, but the nearest buildings are. When I come through the back door, the meeting room is hazy with smoke but otherwise undamaged.

I’ve barely taken two steps into the room when there is a loud boom, and the wall above my head explodes into splinters. I crouch down on the floor, letting out a low whine.

“Is that you, Kyle?” I hear Gladys’s voice calling out from behind the table. I shift but stay close to the floor.

“Yes, Gladys. Please don’t shoot me.”

“Come on in, child. Can’t take any chances tonight. What’s happening?”

“We’re here, we’re winning,” I say, heading over to her. “Is anyone hurt?”

“No, thank God,” she answers. “We had a relay set up, so the second we saw the fire, word got around immediately and everyone went straight out to the safehouses.”

“Perfect. It won’t take much now to mop this up, then we can all go home. What are you still doing here? Shouldn’t you be in a safehouse, too?”

Gladys chuckles, propping the shotgun on her hip. “If you think I’m leaving my diner for those scoundrels to tear up, you’re dumber than you look. I got this, hon. Get out there and clean house.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, giving a mock salute.

I turn and shift back to wolf as I run out the door, returning to the street. The fires are mostly out now, but smoke still spirals up into the sky, blocking the morning sun. I can hear fighting on the north side of town, so I hurry in that direction.

Along the way, I see small groups checking through buildings and clearing the streets, making sure there are no injured to care for or enemies hidden in the shadows. We were extremely well-prepared for this, even if we had to change plansat the last second. Rage burns in my chest again when I think of Rider, but I can’t let guilt consume me.

Not now, anyway. Plenty of time to overthink it every night for the rest of my life.

I wonder if Rider is with the others, and where Jethro might be. I expected the other alpha to find himself a defensible position and take hostages. I also know it wouldn’t matter if we fulfilled his demands or not—he’d slaughter any hostages he managed to take, just because he enjoys murdering people.

The sounds of fighting intensify, and I brace myself to face my foes. I vow to personally take out Jethro and Rider as a matter of honor.

I round the last corner, joining the line of wolves slowly pressing forward and driving the others out of town. They are retreating, so we can push them with threat alone. I keep my eyes peeled, looking up and down the line for familiar faces.

Wait… there aren’t any!

It takes a moment for this to sink in. Before I can say anything, our line breaks as one of the bigger wolves charges our enemies. Suddenly, all of us follow him, triggered by that first movement.

For a few minutes, there is no time and no sense to the world, only flashes of fur, slashing claws, and sharp, glinting teeth. I hear bones crack, and blood soaks the ground. With a series of yelps and barks, the others retreat, turning tail and running into the trees.

My pack starts to howl and bark, sounds of triumph and joy. Before anyone can get too comfortable, I shift and wave my hands.

“Listen to me! Everyone, stop!”

Carson and Seth shift immediately, hurrying over to me.

“What is it?” Carson asks.

“Those weren’t Sawpit Pack,” I answer. “I didn’t recognize any of them.”

“Are you sure?” Seth says. “It was chaotic in there, man. I wouldn’t blame you if you couldn’t see a thing, or separate a single scent.”

---