Page 57 of Sinful Shifters

"Very well."

So together, we combine our wind and water senses to find out what's going on near the river basin.

And discover that we're going to have to leavenow,if we want to prevent Teller from becoming unstoppable.

Chapter45

Rina

There aren't enough warriors.

We have three packs between us: Mountain, Sky, and Fury. But even with the addition of lone wolves and splinter packs, the Mountain Pack is still reeling from losing its bonds, then its alpha and many of its members. Even the stronger bonds that connect the pack together aren't impervious to the emotional upheaval each werewolf is feeling.

Sky Pack has noble warriors, but they had to leave most of them behind in the mountains to protect their people from the spreading blood rot. As far as Fury Pack goes—the few survivors are tattered and hurt both inside and out. They may have Adar, but he's not truly their alpha, and we were only able to save them by severing their connections to each other. None of them are going to be able to fight at peak form.

Which spells trouble, given that Everett and Lucian are sensing some kind of great disturbance near the river's edge.

He's gathering ancient magic—a lot of it,Everett says through our shared telepathic bond.More than he had at the battle even. And it feels... ominous.

Lucian adds,I can sense vampires in the air. Thousands on thousands of them. They aren't here yet, but they're coming, and Teller isn't going to be feeding them his army.

He intends to feed them our people instead.

I'm chomping at the bit to go after the bastard and his two neutered lackeys. What I want, more than anything, is to make Klaus pay for what he tried to do to me. To see fear in Eli's eyes as he realizes his cowardice has consequence. And to prove to Teller that he won't turn me into his biddable fool by showing me the future, no matter how bleak.

I want to fight,I tell my guys, feeling it fiercely.Let me fight the bastards.

Adar says,She has some of Fern's abilities. I can feel it.

Surprise trickles through our shared connection. Thale rumbles,You mean her ability to channel magic? I've felt it too.

Tell me,I order the guys.I want to know everything.

Before Fern died, she was able to channel magic that had recently been used around her,Lucian says.She channeled the magic of witches, as well as alphas who had special skills.

She was different,Everett explains.We didn't know her well, but we heard the legends, and once her soul was in the wellspring, we learned more.

You're different too, Precious,Adar declares,As far as I'm concerned, you can fight all you want. Give 'em hell.

Confidence grows inside me, along with warmth.Really? You won't tell me to protect myself?

Really. I felt you channel my time-stopping magic while we fought Teller. I want you on our side, at your full strength, not kept in a cage.

Go get 'em,Lucian declares.

I don't love it, but I won't hold you back, either,Thale says.I've seen your strength, and I've felt it too. If anything, you may be more powerful than Fern.

Everett rumbles his agreement.It's time we let you be free and stop hovering over you protectively. We have your back, and you have ours. This battle is one we fight together.

Thank you,I tell him.Thank you all.

We know that a battle is ahead of us, but we forge ahead regardless. We gather all our warriors and tell them what's at stake. Several of the witches from Mountain Pack are willing to join the fight, communicating to Ali that they'll come in the opposite direction as Sky Pack. The warriors from Fury Pack are hot and fiery-tempered, and Thale is certain that more warriors from Mountain Pack will join as well.

It isn't enough warriors—it will never be enough warriors—but as we race towards the river, I can feel their strength and fighting spirit. They may not be the youngest, freshest warriors, and some have only just joined their packs. But they're spirited and eager to fight.

Which is good, because this fight will be like no other. There's powerful magic being channeled here, and dark enemies waiting for us. Arriving at River Pack before sunrise, we all feel it, the fur of our hackles standing on end.

Be ready,Adar warns, gathering his magic.

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