Page 71 of Ethan
A loud snarl echoed through the trees, followed by a pained yelp. I pushed harder, leaping over a fallen log just in time to see one of the wild wolves slam Griffin into a tree. I silently swore.
I dove into the fight without hesitation, jaws snapping around the throat of the second wolf mid-lunge. It yelped, thrashing against me, but I didn’t let go.
I dragged it down, ramming it into the forest floor with all the weight of my body.
It kicked and bit, claws raking along my side, but I didn't care. I twisted, felt the crunch of bone under my jaws, and let its limp body fall.
Griffin had recovered, now mauling the one that tackled him. A third wolf appeared from the trees, this one larger, more ragged.
Its eyes burned with mindless rage as it bolted toward Maurice, who was half-collapsed near a boulder. I didn’t even think. I launched at it from the side, intercepting its charge.
The two of us rolled across the dirt, biting and tearing. It got in a good bite on my shoulder, and I howled in pain, but I bit down harder on its leg this time, wrenching until I heard the pop of a joint.
It yelped, bucked, but I was already moving. I lunged again, clamping my jaws around its spine.
This one didn’t go down easy.
Griffin joined in, finally taking the thing down with a crushing bite to its neck. Silence dropped like a curtain, heavy and still.
All that remained was the panting. Mine, Griffin’s, and Maurice’s wheezing breaths. I shifted back, falling to my knees, heart hammering in my chest.
“Maurice?” I rasped.
He lifted his head slowly. “Still breathing. Though I won’t be winning any races tonight.”
Griffin helped him up while I stumbled to my feet.
Blood dripped down my side. My shoulder was torn open, but the adrenaline numbed it.
“We need to get back to the cabin,” I muttered.
Griffin nodded, throwing Maurice’s arm over his shoulders. “Lead the way.”
I did, half-stumbling, half-jogging through the brush.
It felt like forever, but eventually the warm light of the cabin came into view, flickering behind the windows like a beacon.
Inside, Ethan was crouched near the fireplace, gently stroking the fur on Micah’s head. The pup was still in wolf form, curled into Ethan’s side like he didn’t want to let go.
The second Ethan saw us, he stood. I collapsed to my knees just past the threshold, shifting back with a groan. My entire body throbbed. Blood soaked my side and leg. I probably looked like hell.
Ethan let out an exhale and then dropped to his knees beside me. He just leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine.
His touch was warm, grounding. For a second, I forgot the blood, the pain, the mess around us. All I could feel was him.
“Cathy and I couldn’t reach Maurice,” he whispered. “And neither Griffin, you nor Cooper’s available, I just couldn’t wait.”
“You should’ve called again,” I murmured. “I would’ve come with you. You didn’t have to do this alone.”
“I know,” he said, voice cracking. “I just wasn’t thinking. I just had to make sure they were okay.”
I wanted to be angry. Part of me was, because he could’ve been torn apart out there. But another part of me understood all too well.
That desperate need to protect the people you cared about, even if it meant doing something reckless. Even if it meant walking into danger with nothing but your bare hands and a stubborn heart.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
I shook my head, forehead still resting against his. “All that matters is that you’re alright.”
