Page 28 of Chosen Destiny

Tongue hanging out, the copper one bounced as he charged toward me like this was a game he enjoyed, while the gunmetal wolf was more cautious in her approach, keeping her pale-brown eyes locked on me.

I snarled and forced myself to be still and patient. If I reacted too soon, they would have enough time to counter my move.

When they were within five feet, I jumped as high as I could backward, clearing six feet. The gunmetal wolf tried to correct herself, but the copper wolf slammed right into her, knocking her to the rocky ground.

I landed on them, my claws digging into their backs. The gunmetal wolf whimpered and went down, but the copper wolf rolled away, causing my legs to spread and ruining my balance.

I landed on my stomach hard, and the copper wolf swiped at my side. His claws sank into my fur and skin, the sharp sting of the damage stealing my breath. I yelped, unable to keep the noise in, and stood. My blood added to the metallic stench around me, but I snaked my head to the side and caught one of the copper wolf’s paws in my mouth.

As he jerked his leg back, I sank my teeth clean through it. He squealed, and I ground my jaw, inflicting as much damage as possible.

The gunmetal wolf steamrolled into me, and I slammed into the copper wolf. My jaw went slack, and the copper wolf yanked his paw from my mouth. He stumbled and dropped, unable to put weight on the leg. I tripped over him, my legs knocked out from under me.

I landed on my uninjured side, a rock bruising my body. Using the momentum, I turned in the opposite direction from the copper wolf and stood. The gunmetal wolf was already there, jaw open and aimed for my right shoulder.

That was a common theme with Kel’s wolves—if they weren’t going for the kill, they went for the shoulders. I jerked my shoulder back enough for the tips of her teeth to graze me and sank my teeth into her neck.

Her body jerked, and she swiped at my chest. Her nails ripped my skin, but I kept my jaws locked in place, ignoring the burn of yet another wound in less than two minutes.

A snarl came from my side, and I thrashed my teeth through the gunmetal wolf’s neck before pivoting toward the copper wolf.

Warm blood dripped down the fur of my chest, and I tried not to dwell on yet another death being added to my ever-growing list.

The copper wolf limped toward me, dark eyes wide with rage. Not wanting to waste more time, I met him halfway, readying to take the fatal blow. Then my fated-mate connection blazed back to life.

Callie,Bodey linked, his worry soaring into me.You’re hurt. What’s going on?

I froze. If he was awake, something had to be wrong.Are you okay?

That moment of hesitation was all it took for the copper wolf to bite into my shoulder.

A searing throb of pain seized my lungs as I scraped a paw under his belly, slitting him open like his friends had done to Josh. He released me and stumbled back, falling onto his butt.

Dammit, Callie,Bodey linked, his fear strangling me.I need to be there. Kel told me you’re at your parents’ pack.

I had to get my head back in the game and reassure him so I could block our connection until this was over.We are, and as much as I love hearing you in my head, I need to focus. My injuries aren’t fatal. I swear.I scanned the area to determine who needed help next. Lucas and Miles had each killed a wolf, leaving us with eight enemy wolves to fight.

Fred, Charles, Dad, and Bryson were each fighting a wolf while the rest of the enemy had split into pairs to attack Lucas and Miles.

Mom and Pearl were missing.

I could still feel the warmth of their pack links. I linked to them,Are you two okay?I searched the trees for them.

We’re fine,Mom replied.Pearl ran off, and I chased after her in case more wolves arrived. We should be back soon.

Get into the water and hide,I replied. They’d be safer away from here.We’ve got it handled.At least, I hoped we did.

The graphite-gray wolf fighting my dad stood on its hind legs and scratched Dad’s face and snout. Dad ducked his head to his chest and attempted to back away, but there was a large rock behind him.

He needed help the most.

I raced toward him, and my chest tightened as Dad fell onto his back. The graphite wolf was on him in seconds, slashing Dad’s neck open.

Acid burned my throat, and I pushed it down as I shoved the wolf off Dad. I linked to Jack, Samuel, and the former advisors,If there are any witches nearby, I need them to come to menow.

Snarling, the graphite wolf steadied himself and faced me, chest heaving. Dad’s blood covered his snout.

There aren’t any witches,Samuel answered.

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