Page 38 of Eclipsed Heart

“Jack, if you’re staying here, I have to go.” I squeezed Stevie’s hand and stood. “You’ll protect them if it comes to that, right? My parents included?”

“With my life.” He flicked his eyes toward me, emotion shining through.

That was all I needed. “I’ll be back.” I spun around my parents and headed for the door. “Do not remove that knife until the witch says it’s okay.”

As I sprinted up the stairs, I let my wolf surge forward. My skin tingled as my shift began. When I reached the top of the stairs, I almost ran into Dina. Fur sprouted across my body as my bones broke.

“Hurry,” I half rasped and half growled, continuing my dash outside. My clothes ripped from my body, and my spine shifted, forcing me onto all fours.

“I’ll take care of her,” Dina answered as my paws dug into the ground.

Trusting her, I focused forward, pushing my legs, my paws hitting the soft grass as I soared into the fir trees.Where is everyone?My focus was on reaching my mate, but luckily, that would be on my way toward the others.

We see the wolves,Samuel linked, but then his link cooled with unease.There are twenty of them and a witch. Not five.

No wonder the scents were jumbled,Bodey replied, and luckily, he wasn’t far away. I could hear his breath quicken.She must have been hiding them.

As the trees blurred and I raced toward the others, I tried to even out my own breathing, so I didn’t tucker out.Hiding them with magic? But then, why would we eventually smell the five?

Because she wouldn’t want to use magic too close to the neighborhood. Our witches would be alerted if they sensed it,Bodey answered, and through the tree branches, I could see his dark fur.

That only urged me to go faster. For once, I wasn’t the slowest person around.

A wolf howled, sending a shiver down my spine.

We’re on them,the guy from earlier linked.We’re attacking now.

We’ll attack from this side,Samuel replied.

Shit. I wanted to get there before this all happened.How many wolves are with you?

Ten and ten more are close. A few should be here in minutes,the man replied.

Snarls erupted, and I heard a woman’s voice command, “Force them down and out of our path.”

Wolves whimpered as if they were in some sort of pain.

We’re with Samuel and Michael,Miles linked.Let’s attack the two closest to us in the circle they’ve formed.

A circle. They were protecting their backs like I’d tried to do that day in the woods after the coronation. Given they had a witch with them, their formation would probably be more effective.

I reached Bodey’s side, his head turning my way.

Why are you here and not Jack?His eyes narrowed.

I laughed, which sounded more like choking in my wolf form.Because he refused to leave my sister, and I needed to be here with your ass.

You need to go back,he linked, focusing forward again.You’re the queen. They’ll target you.

Not happening.My blood heated.My pack is out here fighting, and I’ll be damned if I stay back in safety. If I’m not willing to fight, then I shouldn’t ask them to do it either.

Bodey huffed.Damn that logic.

Pain blasted through my link with Samuel. He’d been heavily injured.Samuel!

I pushed some of my magic toward Bodey through our mate connection, and he picked up his speed alongside me. Together, we barreled toward our family and friends.

Protect Samuel,Lucas commanded.

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