“I can hear something… and maybe smell something? I’m not sure.”

“Should we get the others?”

“Yeah. Even if it’s nothing, it’s better to check it out than ignore it.”

“I agree. Pity, though. I was really enjoying myself.” I grin, running a hand down his chest.

“I was, too,” he says, bending down for another kiss.

Before he can touch my lips with his, the stillness is shattered by the roar of hundreds of wolves, all baying for blood.

Chapter 18 - Body

The battle cry shakes me right through to my bones, and the hairs all over my body stand on end as my wolf raises its hackles. I’m barely out of the lounger before I shift and race towards the sound, with Amanda close beside me.

War-like howls and barks echo from the front of the house, and I can hear other wolves approaching from every direction.

It sounds like we’re surrounded. This is bad!

Then Bae’s howl cuts through the sound, directing the Silver Meadows pack towards him. Jack bays from the other end of the house while Peter and Rider bark orders from the middle sections of the cabin.

Bae and Jack are on attack and defense at the two side entrances, and Rider and Peter are guarding the main doors and gathering anyone who can’t fight in the center of the cabin.

I rush towards the far end towards Bae. The big, grassy area is where Jenks had the speakers set up, and there were a lot of people down this way dancing or stretched out on the lawn, enjoying the atmosphere.

When I crest the hill at the edge of the house, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Wolves are flowing out of the trees in a great wave, setting upon everything in their path. Even though I only pause for a millisecond, it feels like an eternity as my heart stops in my chest and my blood runs cold.

At the very edge of the trees, a massive white wolf throws back its head and howls, a sound of triumph and joy.

Kelta.

She calls to the wolves still coming down the mountain and others attacking at the opposite side of the cabin so they can coordinate their attack.

She’s telling them the area is secured.

Over my dead body, bitch!

I pray that my last line isn’t literal as I charge down towards the fight. Some witches and wolves are retreating towards the cabin. Others are fighting the wild wolves, forming a defensive line and trying to stop them from pushing towards the house.

Right in the center, I see Bae twisting, snapping, ripping, and rending with every single turn.

He’s not alpha for nothing. Look at him deal death to them!

As I get closer, I see Gina right beside him, fighting with just as much ferocity as her mate. I don’t have a chance to record any more details as I hit the line of attacking wolves and hurl myself into the fray.

For the first few seconds, it’s like being thrown into a stormy sea. There’s no sense of direction. I roll and tumble, tearing flesh and shattering bones with my powerful jaws as I’m hurled through the fray.

No matter how many times I get thrown down, I leap back up and attack. I know I’m getting hurt, but my adrenaline is too high and I can’t feel a thing.

It doesn’t matter. Kill them! Kill them all!

From far away, I hear a long, plaintive howl. I don’t have time to listen to it, but I know it’s an enemy wolf, and it sounds like the attack has paused on the other side of the cabin.

Not important. The only thing that’s important is protecting my mate and my pack.

I have no doubt that Decker and the wild wolves have come for the witches. By making them part of our pack, we excluded the others. I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but it looks like the choice has been made.

For better or worse.