Page 29 of Chosen Destiny

Hot rage blasted through me, and something inside me snapped. Power rolled through my body, my magic sizzled, and I moved faster than ever before. I slammed into the enemy wolf, who flew backward into the nearest larch tree. His body thudded into it, his head cracking against the trunk, and he crumpled to the ground. I waited to make sure he didn’t get up.

When he didn’t move, I hurried to Dad, making sure to face the fighting so no one could attack my back.

Blood poured from Dad’s neck, and his eyes were wide. He tried to use his paws to put pressure on his neck, but they weren’t like hands. Hell, even if they had been hands, they wouldn’t have done any good.

How bad is it?Dad linked as he kept trying to apply pressure to the wound.

This would have been a good fucking time to be able to lie, but the stench would give me away.Not good.I lowered my head, my eyes burning. Even though he’d always been more indifferent toward me than my mom had, at least he’d been there. He’d tried to do right by me, going so far as to punish Pearl when she treated me horribly. We’d just never had a true father-daughter connection, not like he had with Stevie and Pearl.

He nodded, dropping his paws in acceptance.

My eyes flicked toward the others. Lucas and Miles had taken down another two wolves. Now there were five to our seven. Charles and Bryson had gaping wounds, and I needed to help them, but I didn’t want to leave Dad.

Not like this.

Go to the others.Dad rolled his head to the side.Charles and Bryson—they need you. They won’t ask for your help.

But—

Help them, but Callie.Dad made a noise between a gargle and a whimper.I’m sorry. I should’ve done more, but when you were pushed on us and our family was treated worse because of it…

Even though he was a weaker wolf, he still was driven by his animal to be seen as stronger. Every wolf wanted respect, and I understood that.Don’t. I get it. You gave me food and clothes and tended to my wounds. You did more for me than I could have ever asked for.

It wasn’t enough.Dad’s breathing slowed.And I’m sorry. Just please… watch out for your sisters and Julie. They’ll need you.

A steel-gray enemy wolf bit into Charles’s neck, way too close to his main artery.

I swear I’ll protect them,I vowed as I stood.

Go now,Dad linked.

That was it. The enemy had gone too far. I linked to Mom, Pearl, and Stevie,Dad’s dying.

What?Stevie gasped.Is there a way to help him?

I could only imagine how helpless she must feel, being hours away from us at the Valors’ house in Grangeville.

The steel-gray wolf unlatched from Charles’s throat, and I raced toward him. As he repositioned himself for the killing blow, I slashed his face, digging my claws into his gums right above his teeth. His head snapped back.

No, there’s not,I answered Stevie as I shoved the steel-gray wolf back several feet. He caught his balance and didn’t fall down as I’d hoped.Mom and Pearl need to come back. He won’t be alive much longer.

And we won’t be either if we come back now,Pearl snapped.

I’d always thought Pearl was selfish, but she’d been good at hiding it until now.

It’s no use all three of us dying,she finished.

The steel-gray wolf bared his teeth, blood pouring from his gums. He wasn’t showing weakness, which was fine with me. I was tired of waiting for the enemy to make the first move. That ended now.

I dug my paws into the muddy ground and pushed off for speed. The wolf rose onto his hind legs, ready to claw me, so I pivoted to the side and attacked at an angle. He tried to turn, but I was faster than him, and I bit the spot under his front leg right where a human’s armpit would be.

He groaned and lifted higher, trying to break free, so I bit into his lower chest. This time, he lowered his front legs, trying to box me in, and I rolled under him and dug all four paws into his body as I continued to bite down on his chest.

I didn’t know what my strategy was, but I wanted to inflict pain until he couldn’t hurt anyone else again. His body sagged against mine, and I used my legs to toss him off. He landed beside me, grunting as he closed his eyes. His underside was gashed, and blood streamed from the sizable wound I’d bitten into his chest.

Fur matted with his blood, I rolled over and searched for whoever needed help next.

Miles was ripping the throat out of the final enemy wolf. I took a ragged breath and glanced at Charles and Bryson. Charles was worse off and bleeding profusely, but he’d be okay, thanks to shifter healing. Bryson had a few bites on his body, but they looked superficial. Luckily, those two were the strongest wolves in Theo’s pack after Theo, Trevor, and Zeke.

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