Page 140 of Wolf's Mark

As we scrambled, suddenly the back door burst open much like it had when the creature had returned to life, the hinges torn off.

“No!” I screamed, already panicking as I added gas to one cylinder. My hands were shaking, but the ache in my heart continued to increase. The Wolfen were in danger, the members surrounded. I felt death. Hell, I smelled it in the air. How was that even possible?

As four creatures entered the facility, I continued working. They surrounded us and, in my mind, there was no doubt they were highly intelligent beings. They were calculating and coordinating their attack. Daphne was struck first, tossed aside as if she was a ragdoll. Her screams of agony persisted, pushing me harder.

The gas was in the cannister. A small win that might not matter. As the front door surged, bulging from someone hitting it, I tried to keep from crying out. I sensed Jax on the other side, his brothers with him.

But was it too little, too late?

Please, don’t allow him to be killed.

I backed away as Marla tossed me a mask, putting one on and racing toward Daphne.

All hell broke loose the second the front door caved in, huge black wolves flowing into the room. Fighting began, the man I believed to be Jeremiah concentrating on Jax.

Blows were exchanged, blood immediately flying from claw marks.

I continued backing away, barely able to get the mask on my face. I had no clue what I was doing, but there was no other choice if any of us wanted to live.

With the mask and the chaos, there was no way I could communicate with Jax verbally. I had to believe that he could read my thoughts.

“Jax. Get out. Leave Jeremiah and the others inside. Do it. Trust me.”

“No. They will kill you,” he growled. “Not your fight to fight.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I am one of you. I am Wolfen.You need to trust me. Please. Do it.”

I sensed he understood, the single flash of his eyes as he threw his head in my direction sending tingles down my spine.

“Get out, Marla. Take Daphne. Now. Don’t wait. Just do it.”

“I’m not leaving you here.”

“Please. I won’t let you die.”

She was slow to respond but finally understood, grabbing Daphne by the arm and racing toward the entrance. Wolfen protected them, allowing them to get out to some safety.

As Jeremiah reared back, he was already shifting into his werewolf form. Jax wouldn’t survive. My instincts kicked whether about being a wolf or a human. I would save the man I loved.

“Jax. Now!”

He and his brothers and at least a dozen others surged forward, some human Wolfen also wielding machetes and axes, beating down the horrible creatures. The moment Jax and the others were able to pitch Jeremiah and the other primal werewolves back, I only waited until Jax and the others were safe before I pulled the trigger.

“Jeremiah,” I called to the big, bad wolf. “Come out and play. I’m the queen of the Wolfen and you’re not wanted here.”

He spun around, jumping up from the floor. The beast was frothing at the mouth, his eyes blood red from hatred and hunger. But I could swear in his grotesque form, he was smiling, eager to slice open my body for a feasting frenzy.

I heard growls and yells from the men outside.

I also heard Jax as he was being forced to remain outside.

“Don’t do this. No. Sedona. I forbid you to do this.”

“I have no choice. Trust…”

It was all I had time to think or process as the monster from hell lunged in my direction.

I pulled the trigger, the first wave of gas surrounding him. There was no reaction, the creature now right in front of me. He lifted his massive arm, bringing it down with tremendous force.

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