Page 50 of The Pack

The boy hesitated, his breath ragged, but the girl snarled from behind Thorne, her claws raised high.

“Thorne!” I shouted, but it was too late.

The girl’s claws raked down Thorne’s back, slicing through his shirt and leaving deep bloody gashes. Thorne grunted, staggering forward as the boy lunged again, his teeth bared.

Magnus moved in an instant, slamming into the boy and throwing him to the ground with a growl that shook the air. Tobias was already at Thorne’s side, his dark eyes narrowing as he blocked another strike from the girl.

“Callum, cover him!” Magnus barked.

I didn’t hesitate. I moved to Thorne’s side, shoving the lanky boy back as he tried to continue the attack.

“Enough!” I snapped, my voice ringing out.

Finally, the blond boy faltered, his chest heaving as he staggered back. “We’re not… going… to lose…” he gasped, his voice breaking.

“You already have,” Tobias said, his open stare fixed on the boy. His tone wasn’t cruel, but it was final.

The wolves froze, their breaths ragged as they exchanged glances. For a moment, the clearing was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing and the rustling of leaves.

“Easy.” Magnus stepped forward, his stance firm but non-threatening. “We’re not here to hurt you. Let us help you.”

The tallest of the group—the boy with shaggy blond hair and a body too lean from hunger—growled low in his throat. “We don’t need your help.”

“You look like you could use it,” Killian said, his voice light, but edged with something sharper.

The boy’s upper lip curled, but before he could respond, one of the others—the girl with matted dark hair—stepped forward, her eyes wild.

“We don’t have anything you want,” she snapped. “Just leave us alone.”

I stepped closer to Zara, instinct pulling me to shield her and protect her.

“We’re not here to take anything,” I said gently. “But you look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

The girl faltered, her shoulders slumping slightly before she caught herself. “We’ll manage.”

“Like hell you will,” Tobias said, his tone low and uncompromising. “You’ll starve out here, or worse. You’re on the edge of going feral, and you know it.”

The blond boy bristled, his fists clenching. “We’re fine.”

“Sure you are,” Killian muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’re practically falling over.”

The blond boy took a step forward, his movements jerky and aggressive, but Magnus held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.

“Just stop,” Magnus commanded calmly. “We’re not your enemies. If you’re going to survive here, you need to learn control, and you need to eat.”

The boy hesitated, his gaze flicking to the others behind him. They looked at each other, their hunger and desperation written all over their faces.

Finally, he nodded, though his expression remained wary. “What do you want?”

Magnus’s expression softened slightly. “Just take what you need.”

I stepped forward, reaching into my pack and pulling out a bundle of dried venison. “Here,” I said, holding it out to the girl.

She hesitated, her eyes darting between me and the others before she reached out and snatched it from my hand.

The lanky boy growled low in his throat, but the girl silenced him with a pointed look.

“Thank you,” she muttered, though her tone was still edged with suspicion.

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