Page 69 of The Dire Legacy

That’s incredible. I bet he looks scary.

Let’s hope I get to see it.

Crawling on my hands and knees, Lucky tries to take my arm in his mouth.

“No! You need to get away!” As I speak, he yelps as a bullet tears through his hip. But, he doesn’t let go.

“Fine, get me to the water, I’ll swim.” I don’t know how, but I can figure it out. It will give me the chance to get out of these cuffs.

Another shot hits him and he releases me. Slobber drips from my arm, but my skin is unbroken.

“Fuck, Lucky! Bite me and run!” Holding my elbow up, I hope he understands what I’m asking.

With a sharp nip, he breaks the skin just beneath my shoulder, tearing off a small piece of skin.

“Good boy. Nowgo!” Turning away, I’m reaching to pull myself up the concrete barricade that stands between me and the lake.

A long nose dives between my legs and launches me into the darkness. The flash of a muzzle up on the hill catches my eye as I fall.

That’s my goal. Alpha.

I know the water was around thirty feet lower than the top of the dam, but it’s an eternity before I slam into the cold surface and sink into oblivion.

Chapter 21

Michael

It took longer than I liked after the attack on the vehicle to get all the animals coordinated for an assault on the settlement. Late afternoon was hours past the time when Hope should be in my arms.

My heart nearly stops when I see her through the rifle scope. That bearded shithead is dragging her from the door. Then, she’s picked up by a tall man holding something in a blanket.

I wish my aim was perfect, I’d shoot them both.

But, I don’t want to risk hurting her. At this distance, I’m good enough to get a body shot about every three rounds.

Those odds aren’t high enough for me to try. What I can do is start thinning the crowd fighting back.

Four men fall when I see the dogs leap in to rescue her. I barely have a chance to take a small sigh of relief when the wolf who is dragging her falls on top of her.

Come on. Move.

Hope!

Please be okay.

Lucky pushes the dead body off of her and I hold my breath as I watch.

Her thin hands reach up and grab a hold of him.

Whew.

Lining up, I squeeze the trigger on a man raising his own weapon at the small pack that is surrounding her.

It’s satisfying when he tumbles to the ground. One less threat.

Fuck. Another dog falls. They’re bunched against the side of the dam and I can’t see her anymore.

Several men begin to advance, some with shotguns and rifles. The flash of the muzzles stand out as the light fades, drawing my fire.

---