Page 12 of Fire Touched

‘No,’ Prescott growls. ‘And if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll apologise to my kid.’ With that, the Second marches inside. A full minute passes, then the three of them return. The alpha looks conflicted, but he opens his mouth—

The ground moves.

Shaking, trembling underfoot.

Automatically, several pairs of arms go out to steady ourselves. ‘What the hell?’ I turn, looking for the source, but Prescott is already shoving us inside, Elijah first.

‘Get in. Something’s wrong.’

‘Dad, what’s going on?’

The alpha stills, closing his eyes. ‘Someone’s breeched the boundary.’ When he opens his eyes again, they’re already turning yellow as he begins to shift.

Prescott holds Elijah by the shoulders. ‘Stay here. Be safe.’ A moment later, he’s shifting, close behind his alpha.

We watch the two large wolves bound into the distance, many more shifting and following. The ground continues to tremble, as though angry someone has breached her walls.

‘Has this ever happened before?’ Moira asks as Elijah holds her close. ‘Someone getting through that boundary?’

Elijah’s face is a pale mask. ‘No. Never.’

I turn to Killian. ‘I don’t know about you lot, but I’m not staying here. No offence, Elijah, but I don’t trust these Earth wolves to protect us. I want to see who’s here.’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Carter says. ‘It’s him. They’re here for me.’ He takes a step toward the door. I know what he’s doing. I won’t let him.

To my surprise, Elijah beats me to it. He stands between the door and Carter. ‘Don’t.’ He raises a hand. ‘We want you here. Don’t give yourself up to protect us.’

Killian’s derisive exhale doesn’t go unnoticed.

I don’t have time for this. I march straight out the front door, my feet still bare, and summon every ounce of fire magic I can. Desperate to protect those I care about really is my trigger, because flames, hot as the sun and the depths of hell, burn from my fingertips to my shoulders, lighting me up like a torch.

If it is Carter’s uncle, I want him to find us. To find me. Because I owe him a few rounds for what he’s done to all of us.

Chapter Six

Katie

I’ve spent no more than two hours in Terran, but it still hurts to see the once-lush, green, brimming with life expanse turned to blood and carnage. At least thirty Water wolves have somehow burst through the barrier, teeth bared and already stained with Earth wolf blood.

Terran is larger than Cinder and is infamous for their numbers, but even fifty Earth wolves haven’t taken down enough of their enemies.

The Water Alpha is nowhere to be seen. But he’s here, I can feel it. He’s come for Carter, but he’ll get him over my dead body.

Anger boils through me as I watch our new hosts bleed and yelp fighting their intruders. I keep my breathing even and focus on the fight.

The wolves are easy to tell apart, the enemies’ furs rich with blondes and silvers, while the Earth wolves boast every shade of dirt brown. I watch the fight unfold, then think better of marching out into the field of battle. I douse my fire, then crawl low in the long grass, around the chaos breaking out. As I watch, more Earth wolves, confused and alarmed, shift and join the fray to beat back their foe.

I watch, making sure there are no openings, no paths that will allow an enemy close to those I care for. The Earth wolves are good at flanking each other, but there’s a heavy weight in my gut. I’m missing something.

The alpha. He’s here for Carter, so where is he? I move quietly, around a tree. There. On the other side of the barrier. He’s waiting. Why hasn’t he crossed? Perhaps he can’t. Regardless, he won’t get near them. A low growl rumbles from my chest, and he looks up at me. A flash of surprise lights his eyes as he takes in my flames.

My gaze darts about, taking in my surroundings. There’s a body of water somewhere close by, I can tell, but I don’t know how deep. And if the Water wolves believe their alpha is under attack, any or all of them could turn and charge for me any moment, which does nothing to deter me as I march toward him.

‘Ah, little rejected pup,’ the alpha croons. ‘Are you with child yet? Do you have little hybrid pups for me?’

My flames roar in my ears. ‘What you did to him—’

‘Is not your concern. Give me back my heir, or I’ll burn this place down.’ Julian waves a hand at Terran.

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