Page 64 of Savage Fate

Snaps and pops sounded as he shifted into his human form, one I recognized.

“What the hell happened to you?” Avery, Saint’s beta, flicked his hand toward my soaked, haggard state. “Did you really fall in the river?”

“Am I in Blackwater Falls?”

He nodded. “Saint already knows you’re here.”

And how the hell did he know that?

“The Collective Hunt abducted Hailey Thompson and me from Mohan Wilds yesterday.” If we were still in Georgia, The Collective had taken us somewhere before traveling north. “I wrecked their van and escaped, but Hailey’s still on the cliff.”

The humor evaporated from Avery as a string of curses burst from his mouth. “The Collective Hunt is here?”

“I killed the two members with us, but there could be more.” I jerked my hand toward the mountains behind me. “Someone needs to get Hailey. She’s probably still weak from being bound in silver chains.”

Harsh lines cut into Avery’s face as he growled. “We’ll find her. I need to shift to contact Saint.”

“Be my guest.” I wrapped my arms around my torso and tried to hold back the shivers.

After a few moments, Avery transformed into the large blond wolf again, and his head cocked to the side, his green gaze distant while he communicated with the pack. He gave a sharp bark and then jerked his head for me to follow him.

As my waterlogged boots sank into the thin layer of snow covering the pine needles with each step, I tried reaching Fane but was greeted with radio silence. At least I could call him on a phone soon.

A faint tingle registered on my nape, and a motor purred through the forest. Less than a minute later, Saint raced through an opening in the trees on a four-wheeler and slammed on the brakes.

I hated the relief washing over me when he appeared.

It’s only because I know him and he’s here to help. It has nothing to do with the bond.

Saint jumped off the vehicle and sprinted to me, his ebony waves wild and windblown. “Shit, Tate, you must be freezing.” He tore his puffy jacket off and held it out for me.

“Well, Ididfall in a freezing-cold river, so…” I didn’t protest when he draped the jacket around my shoulders. “The Collective Hunt could be out there. We need to help Hailey.”

“I’ve already sent a hunting party.” His head lowered, those piercing silver eyes drilling into mine. “We’ll find her. I promise.”

The intensity in his stare had my breath catching. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“I need to call Fane.”

Saint’s expression didn’t change. “Someone’s already on it. I’m sure he’ll be glad to know you’re safe.” He turned to his beta. “Go meet Jace and Bonnie.”

Avery nodded and took off, vanishing through the trees.

Saint ushered me toward the four-wheeler. “Let’s get you inside. Then we’ll look at those injuries.”

I reluctantly wrapped my arms around Saint’s waist as I rode on the back of his four-wheeler, and even though I pretended to hate it, I didn’t mind soaking in his warmth. By the time we reached a giant log cabin, the water drenching my clothes had seeped into his.

“Come on.” Saint got off and held his hand out for me. “I’ll call a healer for you.”

I grabbed his hand, only because my legs were shaky, and climbed off the seat. “No, thanks. I don’t need a healer.” I was never too keen on letting strangers examine me. “Just give me some bandages, and I’ll be fine.”

Saint studied me briefly and then nodded, deciding not to insist on it. He’d only get an argument if he did.

As he pulled me toward the large cabin, other houses among the trees appeared, smoke drifting from some of their chimneys. An entire neighborhood was nestled in the forest. Several shifters rushed by, some casting curious glances our way.

“I’ve instructed patrols to search the forest and outside our territory for any Collective members,” Saint said once he noticed where my attention had gone.

“Is this your house?” When I realized he still held my hand, I removed it from his grip and tucked both of them into the jacket sleeves.

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