Page 73 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
This is also the first breakthrough on one of Wolf’s Shadow’s longest-running case files. Everyone ever recruited has been waiting for this thing to blow—and now it finally is.
Their loyalty and courage truly touch me, even more so because all previous reports of the power in Eccles being activated stipulate that no one ever gets out alive.
This time is different. I can feel it. Azarian’s working an angle, and I need to find out what it is.
The Shadows and warriors from Rose Hollow sweep around Eccles, avoiding the town to go straight to the excavationsite. The town is too quiet, and even though I fear for the occupants, I can’t risk stopping for a welfare check.
They might be set up right now to fight us, for all I know. It sucks, but I have to bypass the town, even if innocents are in danger inside. The stone and Azarian take priority!
As we close in on the site, the air begins to get warmer. Even though the midday sun on the ranges can reach high temperatures, the heat rises sharply the closer we get to the stone.
The other Shadows… melted.
I have to gulp down a moment of revulsion, and I wonder if everyone following me knows that gory detail.
If they do, every single one of them deserves a medal for bravery just for being here.
Even though I’m pretty sure Azarian is expecting us, I have my forces fan out around the tree line. Seeing the site for the first time, I’m shocked by how big it is. The massive disc of dark red stone appears to be a solid piece that was hidden only about four feet underground.
A tall, thin woman with long black hair is walking around the stone, touching the carved markings. They begin to glow with a sickly green shine, and I can see heat waves rising from the rock.
Where is Scarlett?
Then, my eyes focus on the center of the circle, and my heart almost breaks in my chest.
Fuck!
My mate and my son are dead center, staring up at the man himself. I can see a crowd of kids gathered not far behindthem, and it looks like Scarlett has put herself between her uncle and everyone else.
Azarian is waving a long, sharp knife and reaches down to grab Scarlett’s arm. I’m so shocked, I almost bolt straight out into the circle, but I stop myself just in time.
Around the very edge of the stone, strange-looking creatures watch us approach. The smell of them disgusts me—something part wolf, part man, but not whole.
Rotting. It’s as if they are decomposing on their feet.
The creatures spin towards us, showing that they are still nimble and fast. When I glance through their line to check on Scarlett, she’s looking right at me, and she winks.
Oh, Jesus, fuck, no! What is she doing?
All the kids and poor old Mrs. Florence get up and make a beeline for the edge of the circle. I throw back my head and howl, signaling my warriors to attack.
The creatures guarding the edges attack in both directions, the sudden rush of kids escaping and my army attacking, leaving them confused and divided.
I call out to my warriors not to enter the circle, only to collect the children and kill the creatures if they can. Most of the twisted beasts fall to my Shadows, and a couple of them stumble onto the stone, where they are quickly incinerated by the intense heat of the ancient power.
How did the kids and Scarlett survive in there?
In the confusion of the fight, I couldn’t keep my eyes on her, and when I finally swing back around, Scarlett is alone in the center of the circle with Azarian. It feels like hours, but it’s only been seconds since the kids made a break for it and we attacked the wraiths.
Suddenly, Jarrod leaps into my arms, launching himself at me from within the circle. Even with frightened tears pouring down his cheeks, I can see anger burning in his eyes.
“They’ve got Mom!” he cries. “I didn’t want to leave her—”
“You did the right thing, Jarrod! Trust me, we’ve got this all worked out.”
“Really?” Jarrod asks tearfully.
“Really,” I answer firmly.
