Page 97 of Eclipsed Heart

Queen Kel wanted me alive.

She still expected me to submit to her.

As five wolves attacked Sybil, I slid my feet underneath the dark-brown wolf and pushed her off my body. Her eyes widened as she flew several feet and crashed to the ground.

I rolled over and got up then lurched toward Sybil. Without thinking, I leapt into the pile of wolves, ignoring my throbbing arm, knowing I would wind up with more injuries. I grabbed the back of a light-brown wolf and yanked her off Sybil then moved into her spot and clutched a black wolf’s neck, snapping it.

The black wolf went down as Zeke appeared beside me, helping me break Sybil free by stabbing a white wolf in the neck and yanking at a golden wolf with his other hand.

I kicked the golden wolf in the side, forcing him to fall, but his claws left deep scratch marks down Sybil’s arm.

Zeke and I flanked Sybil’s sides as the dark-brown, light-brown, golden, and tan wolves got back up and headed toward us. I ground out, “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine,” she rasped. “They got a few bites in, but nothing that can’t be healed if we get the hell out of here.”

I nodded, and the wolves descended again. I glanced around to find that Lucas, Jack, and Miles had reached Bodey and Samuel. Jasmine was fighting a merle-colored wolf who wasn’t interested in her, just trying to get to Sybil. Still, Jasmine had a bite mark on her leg that seemed pretty deep. Blood pooled over her sock.

Lucas and Miles helped take down the two wolves Bodey and Samuel were fighting as Jack kept dashing toward us.

I wanted to cry with relief. I had become certain Sybil was going to die, but for once, Fate might be on my side.

The wolves circled us, and Zeke and I fought them once again. I didn’t know what to do. I had no weapon, and I didn’t have the time to shift, but I’d be damned if I’d let them kill the witch.

The dark-brown wolf smirked as if she knew this was the strike that would bring us to our knees. When the four of them lunged, I moved in front of Sybil, knowing Kel had told them not to kill me.

They must not have expected me to risk myself for the witch. The dark-brown wolf had been aiming for my neck, but she snapped her mouth closed at the last second. All four of them landed on me, causing me to fall back onto Sybil. It turned out that Sybil being underneath me was the best outcome because they couldn’t get to her easily.

Suddenly, Bodey was at my side, kicking the dark-brown wolf off me so hard that she hit the car, shutting the door.

Jack, Lucas, and Miles fought the other three as Bodey went to help his sister.

I stretched out my arms, protecting Sybil, and Zeke fought alongside Bodey to protect us all.

Then Theo linked to us,I’m surrounded by five wolves just past the tree line by you.

My lungs seized.

I linked to everyone, including Blake’s pack,Theo needs help. He’s surrounded near the tree line by the house.

No!Jasmine took off toward the woods.

And that was when Bodey froze just as the light-brown wolf leapt for his throat.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

My wolf howledand launched me toward them with a burst of speed, and I caught the tan wolf by its neck just inches before it would have struck Bodey. I squeezed, cutting off the wolf’s airflow as my blood boiled.

This wolf had tried to take my mate’s life, and now I would teach her a lesson.

Bodey’s head snapped toward me, and his face twisted. Horror and concern shot through our connection.

Go after Jasmine,I linked. The tan wolf thrashed in my hands, trying to get away.

But…Bodey punched the wolf in the head, and her eyes rolled back.

I released my hold, allowing the tan wolf to crash to the ground.You’re distracted. Jack and Miles can go with you. I’ve got this.I glanced at the tan wolf, hoping like hell she woke up with a sore throat and a horrible headache.

Callie…he hedged as I turned and went for the dark-brown wolf before she could swipe Sybil’s leg.