Page 63 of Wolf Bitten

My blood pumped, and I spun around to see three wolves inching toward me like predators stalking prey. The darkest gray wolf in the center bared its teeth while the one on its right hunkered down, its light-gray fur brushing the mulch. The largest one on the dark-gray wolf’s left had drool dripping from its mouth.

My blood hummed, and I pivoted and tossed my phone to Lucy. Thank goodness the object passed right through the barrier. “Text Sladenow.”

The wolf shifters would be on me in seconds, so if I didn’t do something, I’d be standing here waiting for my death. They were moving slowly as if to scare me.

My lungs screamed for air, unable to expand, and somethinglungedin my chest. Hard. My blood froze as if it wasn’t sure what to do with the strange presence.

Of all the times for my blood to quiet, it would benowwhen three aggressive wolves were about to attack me.

Shit. Had whoever set the barrier also cast a spell to inhibit my blood? Fear strangled me. This had to be the secret society following through on their threat to eliminate me.

I could only hope I could get through to these wolves. It might be my only chance to make it out of this.

I held out a hand to show them I didn’t mean any harm. “I’m not here to hurt you. I came out here because I heard pleas for help.” I froze and glanced over my shoulder. “Are these wolves or wolf shifters?” I probably should’ve known how to tell the difference, but this was where I was at.

“Every wolf is a shifter.” Lucy didn’t look up, typing frantically on my phone.

That answer sat hard in my stomach. I didn’t want to think about all the wolves that had been studied and tagged to monitor their habits. Part of my animal knowledge took on a more sinister edge.

When I refocused on the wolves, I noticed that the lighter-gray wolf was standing more normally, as if my message had gotten through to it.

I hoped that whatever had calmed the trapped wolf I’d met that day in the woods oh so long ago was working on these three. “Please, I haven’t done anything to you. I don’t understand why you’re angry with me.”

The largest one’s eyes glowed, and the lighter-gray one readied itself again to attack. The large one must be the leader.

My heart hammered, and I hoped my blood would help me. I surveyed the area for a weapon. I didn’t doubt that Raffe and Slade would come to my aid—I just needed to hold these wolves off long enough.

My gaze paused on a sizable branch that had fallen from a tree twenty feet away. It was the only potential weapon anywhere close to me.

Great.

This was going to be soeasy.

I hoped Raffe knew how much I loved him.

“You have to use your magic, Skylar.” Lucy pounded on the invisible barrier between us. “They’re going to attack.”

Fisting my hands at my sides, I screamed internally,Come on, blood. I need you.

As if answering my call, my blood jolted, but the presence in my chest pushed forward even more. The two sensations warred with each other.

I’d never experienced anything like this.

“Ican’t.” I hated how my voice rose, conveying my fear. It would make the wolves that much more eager to attack. I took in a shuddering breath and tried to sound calm. “It’s not working.”

“Fuck,” Lucy groaned and placed a hand on the barrier. “I’m going to follow it until it ends. Just stay alive until one of us reaches you.”

Stay alive.

“Yeah, I kinda plan on not dying if possible,” I snapped. “Not on my bucket list.”

“Good,” Lucy retorted, her voice farther away. “Now focus on surviving.”

Right.

I had to take action. The wolves were thirty feet away, so if I wanted to get that branch, I had to move and stop wasting time begging my blood to surge.

Gritting my teeth, I took off, pushing myself like never before.

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