Page 62 of Fat Betrayed Mate
Luna takes Maisie's hand, already moving toward the deeper forest. "We'll see you soon," she calls over her shoulder, injecting confidence she can't possibly feel into her voice.
I watch them disappear among the trees, feeling like I've torn off a limb. Every instinct screams to follow, to keep my child within sight. Instead, I turn back toward the ridge, toward Thomas.
Toward the man who once left me, but is now fighting for my life.
***
The forest has transformed from sanctuary to battlefield. Gunshots punctuate the air like irregular heartbeats. Smoke drifts between trees—tear gas, maybe, or smoke grenades. The acrid scent burns my nostrils as I navigate back toward where I left Thomas.
A hunter appears suddenly from behind a fallen log, as startled to see me as I am to see him. His rifle swings up automatically.
I duck behind a massive oak as the shot splinters bark near my head. Adrenaline floods my system, the familiar burn of my wolf stirring beneath my skin.
Not yet, I tell her. Not yet.
I dart between trees, moving in a zigzag pattern. More shouts follow, more hunters converging on my position. I change direction, no longer able to return to the ridge, forced deeper into unfamiliar territory.
The trees thin suddenly, opening to a maintenance road I don't recognize. I freeze at the edge, exposed and vulnerable. Two ATVs race past, hunters scanning the treeline. I press against a tree trunk, making myself as small and as invisible as possible.
More gunfire to the north, accompanied by howls—pack members engaging the hunters. This isn't just about me anymore. This is war.
I cut southeast, hoping to circle back toward the main compound. If I can reach Nic, alert the pack leadership about the scale of the attack—
A hand clamps over my mouth from behind, dragging me backward into the underbrush. I thrash, teeth seeking flesh, when a familiar scent hits me—pine and snow.
"It's me," James hisses, releasing me carefully. "Follow."
He leads me through a dense thicket to where Nic crouches behind an improvised barricade of fallen trees. A dozen pack members move with military precision around them, some human, some wolf, creating defensive positions.
"Fiona," Nic says, relief washing across his face. "Thank god. Where's Thomas?"
"We got separated," I manage between gasping breaths. "Hunters ambushed us on the ridge."
Nic's face hardens. "They're hitting us from all sides. Eastern perimeter's completely compromised."
James hands me a water bottle. "Some of the Elders are organizing the evacuation of the vulnerable pack members. All the kids are being moved to the river safe house."
My heart leaps. "That's where Luna's taking Maisie, I think."
"Good." Nic consults a battered map spread across a rock. "James, I need you to take three wolves and secure the southern access road. They're bringing in more vehicles."
James nods, already moving away. "Be careful," he calls to me before disappearing into the trees.
"I need to find Thomas," I tell Nic, already rising.
He catches my arm. "Fiona, it's chaos out there. The hunters have infrared equipment, radio coordination. They're hunting like it's a military operation. They might be untrained, but that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous.”
"I don't care." I pull free from his grip. "Thomas is out there because of me. Because of my father."
Something shifts in Nic's expression—understanding, maybe, or resignation. "You know where Luna was heading?"
"The river bend safe house."
"Check there first. Then stay with your daughter." His voice softens. "That's where you're needed most."
But he doesn't understand. Maisie needs both her parents now—even if one of them doesn't know it yet.
"I'll find Thomas," I say, already backing away. "We'll meet you at the safe house."
