Page 26 of Chosen Destiny

We left, heading in the other direction from where they’re coming,Mom tried to reassure me, but it didn’t work.

If they’d gone the opposite direction, the enemy would be picking up their scents about now. Even in wolf form, Mom and Dad couldn’t move much faster than in human form due to their weak wolves. If strong wolves went after them, it’d take about half the time to catch up.

At least most of the pack wouldn’t be fighting every enemy wolf that came, but Mom, Dad, Pearl, and the other idiot four were in danger.

I shivered. The restlessness of being locked in the car while they were under attack made me want to crawl out of my skin.

Samuel glanced at me. “What’s wrong?”

I closed my eyes and focused on breathing steadily. Getting flustered wouldn’t accomplish anything but me biting others’ heads off. I had to calm down and not let fear overtake me. “Mom and Dad snuck out to search for Pearl.”

“Have the wolves captured them?” Jasmine murmured.

“Not yet.” That was one small blessing. I updated them on what my parents had done.

Samuel leaned over and squeezed my hand. “We should be there in twenty minutes. I’m going double the speed limit.”

I pulled Dad into the conversation. He still wasn’t thrilled about my having locked Stevie up after I’d learned she’d been working with Kel, and he’d become more distant with me. But this was life or death, and he had to get over it.They’re going to pick up your scent soon if they haven’t already.

We’ll be fine,Dad linked.Don’t worry about us.

I laughed, and Samuel’s forehead creased.

Yeah, in fairness, I must have sounded crazy. Whether they liked it or not, I would always worry about them. Maybe they hadn’t treated me the same as Stevie and Pearl, but they’d protected me the best they could, even if it had been for their own good. For seventeen years, they’d been the closest thing I had to a family.

Where is everyone?I needed to know where to go once we got there. The familiar sights of the road to Oxbow came into view.

We’re in Hells Canyon, nearing the Snake River,Mom answered.Pearl is down there somewhere with Charles and their friends.

I knew the route Mom and Dad would have taken to Hells Canyon. If I could pick up their trail, I could find them within ten minutes.I’ll be there soon.

I turned to Theo. “What’s going on in town?”

“The wolves are attacking.” Theo rubbed a hand through his hair. “Two of our own are dead, and the Halfway pack just arrived. Joseph is thirty minutes out.”

Fuck. “How many do they think there are?”

Theo flinched. “Easily one hundred.”

With how fast Samuel had been driving, we were beating the Joseph pack. I nodded and linked with everyone in the three vehicles.When we get there, I need the former advisors, Theo, Jasmine, Jack, and Samuel, to help the pack in the neighborhood. I’d like Miles and Lucas to come with me to track down Mom, Dad, Pearl, and the four others.Though I’d protect them out of duty, that didn’t mean I had to name them as if they were as important as my family.

I hated taking the two royal advisors from the rest, but if Kel’s wolves suspected it was my family that had run, the strongest would go after them. I needed good backup.

That’s fine with us,Michael answered.

Jack scoffed.Why am I not going with the three of you?

As we approached thick trees that led into Hells Canyon, I lifted a hand. “Samuel, stop the car.” Then I answered Jack’s question.You’re driving your car with Zeke in the back. I need you to, you know, drive and keep an eye on him.

Slowing down, Samuel arched a brow. “What’s going on?”

Miles, Lucas, and I are getting out here,I linked with everyone as I opened my door. Time was of the essence, and I was going to save my family.

I hopped out and slammed the door as Miles and Lucas followed suit. I ran off the gravel road toward the trees, and my wolf brushed my mind. She didn’t hesitate, surging forward as my skin tingled, and I ran between two firs and up the incline that would take me toward the river.

Light-blonde fur sprouted across my body, the same shade as my hair, and my clothes ripped away and my spine cracked, causing me to drop to all fours. I ran awkwardly for a few steps until I was completely in wolf form.

With my senses heightened, my vision was crisper in the darkness and my sense of smell was so much better. I could hear the sound of a goat running two miles away in the canyon. I ran fast—but a little slower than I normally would so Lucas and Miles could keep up with me. They didn’t know the area as well as I did.

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