Page 3 of Pack Captive

The rest of our pack had already gone through the valley gate. All Fenn and I needed to do was hold them off long enough for the elders to get the pups through.

Once they were safely outside the valley, they would set off the explosives that would destroy the gate and trap the shadow wolves in here with us.

It wouldn’t keep them trapped forever, but it would give the last of the Vesperans enough time to run and find another pack to take them in.

The lingering power of the moon flowed through my runes, burning in the tattoo on my forehead, cheeks, and thigh, fizzling through my veins.

I’d done everything I could during the last full moon to make sure I would have enough magic to survive the coming dark moon, when my power would ebb.

But even that looked like it wouldn't be enough.

Fenn shifted again, rustling the leaves beneath us, and let out a soft sigh. “No matter what happens, you made me proud, Ayla.”

“Don't speak like that now.” I let the wolf inside me slowly take over, fur sprouting through my skin, my bones shifting to accommodate my new four-legged form.

Nobody could be proud of me after the way I'd failed Pack Vesper.

But if it was the last thing I did, I'd make sure the rest of them got out of the valley alive.

Beside me, Fenn also shifted silently. Even as a wolf he was grizzled and old, his dark fur touched with more than a little gray frost.

I pushed down another pang of regret that his life would end here. He’d chosen to remain behind, just like me.

The dark pack of Fenris cut down the riverbed, drawing closer. Their paws made no sound on the loose stones.

One of them suddenly paused, and all followed suit, standing still as statues. The way they moved was eerie and unnatural, more like puppets than living creatures.

The leader lifted his head, sniffing the air.

Our scents were all over the valley, but my scent was especially enticing to them.

The only drawback that came with drawing on the power of the moon was that it gave the Callers an even stronger signature than a normal wolf.

If he stayed with me, Fenn wouldn’t stand a chance. I would draw the shadow wolves like moths to a flame, and they would tear him apart.

I had to go in first. My vocation demanded it.

Fenn’s voice in my mind was a muffled growl as I crept around him.

Don’t you dare, Ayla!he shouted in my head.Not without me.

No choice, I snarled back.They’re already through the gate.This is our only chance.

With that, I leaped over the boulder and landed in the dry riverbed, rocks rattling under my paws.

I straightened, my lips curling back over my teeth, facing them down.

Nine pairs of bloody red eyes focused on me, drinking in the light of my lunar runes with a mindless hunger.

There was no surprise in their stance. They’d sniffed me out, had known I was here. I was just making it a little easier for them.

I tried not to think about my imminent death, but about the pups that were probably running into the relative safety of the wastelands at this very moment.

They deserved a chance to live. I’d had my time.

Fenn followed me into the riverbed, much slower and moving stiffly, but the growls that streamed out of him promised nothing but death for the Fenris wolves.

To my surprise, the shadow wolves didn’t launch themselves at me immediately. Usually, they attacked as a single unit, tearing through anything in their path.

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