Page 74 of Wanted By the Wolves

Briggs

My wolf deliberately snaps a branch to draw the hunters’ attention, and one of their howls fills the air.

The pack of three wolves made a ruckus in the forest, alerting us to their presence long before we reached the cabin. Too bad for them—they’re no longer the ones hunting.

There is no doubt in my mind that the pack of boys hunting us is part of the king’s guard. The king can always be counted on to send the young to do his bidding. It pisses me off, but at least he’s made this easier.

The king has Dex and Nova. That much is clear from the littermate bond. Whoever took down the wards is working for the king, or maybe it’s the king himself. But if they somehow subdued my brother, my bet is on magic.

The pups respond to their leader’s howl, abandoning Gage’s scent trail to chase me. They loop back, following my path to where Gage is ready in a tree. My wolf’s paws pound faster toward the trap, and I turn on the hunters as Gage sends out a burst of green sparks. The wolves are stunned by the magic, frozen as I attack.

It’s a swift mercy.

I take down two with singular bites and leave the one in charge, my fangs set to pierce his neck.

Gage hops down from the tree, sending snow falling. He crouches next to us, leaning in to speak to the wolf.“Shift.”

The wolf snarls, fighting against my hold. He’s no match for the size and strength of my wolf, who clamps down harder on his neck.

“Shift or I’ll force the change,” Gage snarls, his voice devoid of its usual warmth.

The wolf beneath me transforms, but my wolf’s jaws don’t unclamp.

“Where did he take her?” Gage barks.

The boy shakes his head, his eyes wide with fear.

“Where?” The word is a rumbled growl backed with magic.

Green sparks fly, and the pup yelps, his words tumbling out so fast they’re almost slurred. “On the other side of the river, past the wards. He’s made a camp. I’ll take you there?—”

My wolf snaps his neck, the crunch of the break satisfying.

Nobody fucking hunts my mates.

Gage darts to the side, puking into the snow.

Well fuck.

I shift back to my human skin, anxious to check on him. My poor healer. His hand trembles as he wipes his mouth and straightens. Gage wasn’t made for this; he’s too soft-hearted under all his sexy storm clouds.

Gage’s silver eyes narrow. “Fuck you. I’m fine. It’s the magic.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, fear prickling my neck.My nostrils flare, and I can scent smoke in the distance.

“I’m not sure, but something is happening. We need to get to them. Fast.” He shifts without waiting for my reply, racing toward the river.

The gurgling riverbank meets us,the round moon making the water shine. Across the bank, outside Gage’s wards, the forest looms. In the distance, dark smoke chuffs into the night sky, the sight sending chills down my wolf’s spine.

The king is so sure he’ll win whatever game he’s playing that he hasn’t bothered to hide his camp. At least his arrogance means he’ll assume his hunters were successful. Maybe we’ll be able to take him by surprise. If the pack he sent after us is anything like his personal guards, we’ll get lucky.

I shift back to my human skin, Gage following suit. My littermate bond tells me Dex and Nova are alive, but Dex is close to losing it. We need a plan before we go in there half-cocked.

“What is that?” I lift my chin.

Gage scans the horizon, his eyes narrowed at the strange smoke. “Magic, but I can’t tell what from here. Dark though.”

I groan.“That sounds ominous.”

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