Page 3 of Eclipsed Heart

I believed him, so my wolf surged forward, my skin tingling as she blended with my mind. It felt different from the first time, which had seemed more like we were coexisting. This time, our minds became one. I glanced down, taking in my borrowed dress one last time. The black strapless top and fuchsia skirt were gorgeous, a vision that would soon be ruined, but I didn’t have time to strip it off. The wolves were getting closer.

“I hear them now too.” Stevie’s bottom lip quivered. “We need to getherout of here.”

Why was everyone focused on me? We needed to worry about Samuel.

Well, we’d get Stevie and Janet to safety; then Bodey and I could circle back for him.

Stevie’s concern pissed me off. She’d helped the queen of the Southwest and begged me not to come to the ceremony today. Instead of telling me the truth, she’d followed me here in case an attack happened.

I was on all fours in seconds. There’d been no pain or discomfort other than a tugging in my chest and neck where I’d been hurting in human form.

The other four followed suit, and I wasn’t surprised when Stevie was the last to complete the shift; she was the weakest of the bunch, even though it included me.

The wolves would intercept us in seconds. We needed to get as close to the cars as possible and ensure that Stella and everyone else got to their vehicles safely.

I took off, knowing that I’d be one of the slowest. But after a hundred yards, Bodey was the only wolf beside me.

Why are they hanging back?The incoming wolves split up, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I could hear five running on either side of us.

He glanced at me, panting.They aren’t. You’re just stronger now.

I slowed for them. I understood what being slower felt like. I refused to leave them undefended.

They’re here,I linked, a shiver running down my spine. Five of the wolves ran in front of Bodey and me, while five ran behind Janet and Stevie. Of course, Theo was in the middle of our group instead of in the back, trying to protect the others.

The ten of them formed a circle around us. They were boxing us in, and I snarled and hunkered down. Though I’d never fought in wolf form before, I was going to trust my instincts. Fighting had to be ingrained in each of us.

We should form a circle too,I linked, backing toward the other three. We needed to protect our backs… quite literally.

Callie?Stevie’s voice popped into my head.

For a second, I faltered, my legs giving out. That shouldn’t be possible.

The black wolf in front of me tilted its head. Its ebony eyes examined me, studying my chest before its head tilted back.

Listen to Callie,Bodey commanded, following me step by step.

Theo replied,We are.

I shook my head, my fur swaying. This had to be a dream…or a nightmare. The attack on the ceremony, the pain, shifting, and now, talking to two people I’d never been able to link to before had rendered me speechless.

What do we do?Janet asked the moment our five rumps touched.

That was a loaded question.

Don’t get hurt.Bodey bared his teeth.I’ll protect you and Callie.

As I scanned our adversaries, I noted that the two in front of me, one black and one light gray, seemed locked on Bodey, but before I could say anything, they sprang into an attack.

I charged at them. There was no way in hell I was going to allow him to be ganged up on.

I swiped at the black wolf, my claws sinking into its shoulder as I rammed my body into the light-gray wolf.

The light-gray wolf stumbled back with a loud yelp as if I’d surprised it, but the black doubled down. Drool dripped from its teeth as it inched toward me.

Good.Bring it, asshole. Anything to keep its focus off Bodey.

When the black wolf lunged, the light-gray one slammed into the black one’s side. I swallowed, trying to understand what the hell just happened. The light-gray one hadprotectedme, but that made no sense.

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