Page 11 of Betrayed Mate

For Fate’s sake, Ember. It’s not like that. You’re running to get help and bringing them back with you. Not running away from a made-up threat.

Fair point. Leaving went against our nature, but if Dad wanted us to ask for help, we were in worse shape than I wanted to grasp.

Of course we’ll go,Briar cut in.

Can’t we call them?I pushed, not wanting to leave my pack behind even if it was for a worthy cause. Besides, I suspected there could be ulterior motives.If we need help, then Briar and I—

Dad interjected,I can’t afford anyone to shift right now. They’re on us. Dammit, I need you to hurry.Alpha will pulsed through the bond, and my knees weakened slightly, though I continued to push forward.Go to the Ashers and get help. Bring them back so we can survive.

Fine, but I’m not happy about this.

I angled around our neighborhood, trying to account for how the Blackwoods would close in on our pack. I raced in front of Briar, the sound of her paws digging into the mulch right on my tail.

I let anger numb my agony and push me forward. It was at least ten miles to the Asher pack. My chest squeezed with consternation, but I believed in my pack. We were strong, and we should be able to face down an adversary. Dad had to know that. Otherwise, why have Briar and I run to a neighboring pack and risk looking like deserters, like Ryker and his friends?

The yelps and clamor of battle grew louder as we closed in on the houses. We’d see the neighborhood as we crossed the road that led into our community and headed through Shadowbrook and beyond to the Asher pack’s territory.

Several wolves howled a warning, adding to the unusually creepy vibe of the full moon. Normally, these were the best nights for runs, but tonight was filled with death and horror.

I wanted to respond. Packs were meant to mourn together, and all of us were heartbroken after the losses we’d suffered, and we needed to express our pain in the only way we knew how.

Briar was panting louder than I’d like, but we didn’t have the luxury of taking it easy, and I refused to leave her alone out here. At least if something did happen, we’d have each other.

The neighborhood came into view just as three more pack members’ links went out within seconds of each other. Unable to deny the pull, I glanced in their direction, and my stomach soured.

Reid’s familiar blue eyes glowed as he lunged toward Rosa, one of my female pack members. Rosa jerked back, whimpering.

Before I could see the impact, something slammed into my side, and I fell over.

Ember!Briar linked.

My side raked against the concrete and started throbbing. I jumped back to my feet.Run, Briar. Go on; I’ll be right behind you.We never ran all out in front of other packs due to the unique speed of movement my family had and others didn’t, but now wasn’t the time to worry about exposing that unique strength.

A Blackwood wolf snarled and charged toward me.

No. I didn’t have time for this.

Something sharp pierced my side, and I swiped my back claws. A strangled whimper came out, and the thick musk of my attacker hit my nose.

I took off, racing toward my sister. I had to catch up to Briar before she got attacked.

The sound of someone chasing me pushed me to go faster. The breeze picked up, blowing the wind through my fur. I ignored the throbbing in my side and didn’t waste time glancing back.

I reached her where the terrain dipped, heading downward toward the river. If we could reach the river and submerge, we should be able to float downstream and hide our scents from anyone trying to track us.

I linked,If you can run faster, do it. We need to make it to the water. Someone is chasing me.

I’ll try to match your pace,she replied, though I could see the fatigue already hitting her.

I couldn’t believe that Reid insulting and rejecting me hadn’t been enough last night. Now he and his pack wanted to slaughter my family? Had they been behind the attack on the royals too? But that didn’t make any sense. They weren’t as strong as the Grimstone pack… Unless they’d been working with Ryker? He had shown up to our ceremony.

When Reid and I had learned of our fated connection, he’d thought we could become the next rulers due to my blood.Maybe now he wanted to eliminate my possible claim to the throne?

I had never taken him for that type of guy.

Even more pack links dimmed within me, and my breath turned ragged. All these deaths were my fault.

My front paw snagged on a tree root, and I nearly fell.Focus, Ember. None of that mattered now. I could figure it out later—after we got help.

---