Page 23 of Wolf Heart

CHAPTER8

ASPEN

Ileap over the bodies of undead wolves that are scattered across the dirt like a macabre quilt.

A sharp howl cuts through the air, and I spin toward the direction of the sound.

Raven holds Juniper in his arms, but undead wolves surround them. He sets her next to a tree and her terrified gaze finds mine. Her breathing is shallow. I don’t know if she’s injured or not.

She holds onto the tree like she might fall now that Raven has set her on her feet.

Raven whips around, facing the remaining undead wolves who are stalking closer. His shoulders hunch and he raises his fists.

Juniper’s eyes widen and fill with horror. I know she’s thinking he’s never going to win against them in his human form.

Another curdling howl splits the air. Juniper screams, clapping her hands over her ears.

"No." I race toward Juniper and Raven but I'm too fucking slow. My legs feel like I'm running through a marsh. I can't reach them in time. The wolves surround Raven. Everything goes blurry as I run. My heart threatens to explode.

If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself. He’s my pack. The one who took me in when no one else would. The one who fought off the Alpha who tried to kill me.

"Run." His voice is a command. "Get Dex and Juniper out of here. I'll hold them off."

Everything in me wants to obey him. But I can’t. Not when danger surrounds him. My gaze flashes behind him to Juniper and my wolf claws at my breastbone. I need to protect her. I tell myself it’s because females are so rare and she should be sheltered. Cherished.

“Go,” Raven snaps, but I stand my ground, shaking my head to show him I won’t leave him.

An undead wolf dashes forward, straight at Juniper.

Raven growls and charges, blocking the zombie wolf.

The wolf lunges at him, but Raven dodges and punches it in the face.

Blood from the wolf spurts out across Juniper’s face and she screams.

I’m here. I need to get to her.

I see claws swipe at her from another wolf.

Raven slams into that beast, knocking it to the ground.

A roar rips from my throat. The wolf strikes Raven’s shoulder, scratching his flesh. Raven yells.

Raven’s hands squeeze the wolf’s neck. It howls in pain. Then he twists it hard and fast, breaking its neck.

Another wolf stalks Juniper and Raven. I propel myself into the air and land on its neck, sinking my teeth in deep. The blood floods my mouth, coating the back of my tongue. The animation that keeps this creature moving fades beneath my grasp.

Raven jerks me off, and I land on the ground.

"Run!" he barks.

I shake my head and Dex joins us. Better odds now even if we are outnumbered.

I can’t leave Raven. I won’t. Not when there’s a chance to save him.

More wolves surround us. Where the fucking hell are they coming from?

Raven grasps a wolf in mid-air. Blood and saliva flying. He slams into one of the undead wolves, knocking both to the ground. They roll. The other wolves circle him, teeth bared.

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