Page 73 of Hunting Their Omega

Coward.

A vicious cascade of snarls came from my unit as they released their rage on the scum that dared to cross our borders.

“I wouldn’t come any closer if I were you,” the male behind Isolde shouted, holding a blade to her throat. “My hands are a little shaky these days.”

I paused, growling low in my throat. Isolde’s eyes found mine, shining with . . . relief.

Her expression gutted me. Even though I’d failed her, she still felt safe with me. I dug my claws into the dirt, vowing to leave together. She clenched her captor’s forearm and resisted the press of the blade.

“That’s it. Stay right there like a good boy, and this pretty little thing won’t bleed. It would be a shame to come all this way for nothing.” His other hand slipped to her thigh, curling around it with a bruising grip.

I snarled, wanting nothing more than to rip the fingers off that hand . . . slowly.

The male looked my wolf in the eye, his grin spreading across his face. He knew I wouldn’t risk Isolde, so he thought he had me.

He took a step back, then another. I snapped my teeth in warning. The bastard needed to keep his attention on me, at least until my Enforcers got into position.

He took another step back, and I followed.

“Maybe you didn’t understand what I was saying.” He pressed the blade against her slender neck, and the steel bit into her flesh, a thin line of red slipping down her throat.

My body shook with rage, and every instinct wanted to shred the male into unrecognizable pieces. Then, Isolde’s gaze collided with mine. Her hand slammed into his thigh, and he screamed, dropping his blade and reaching for the knife embedded in his leg. His grip loosened on Isolde, and I sprung forward like aloaded arrow. She ran toward the trees, and I crashed into him, ready to deliver death.

Chapter 27

Isolde

I was so Goddess-damned tired of being hunted and treated like a thing that could be won and discarded. Slowly, rage lit a fire in my heart. The flames grew thicker until I burned with fury.

It wasn’t just me anymore. My hand cupped my abdomen as if I could feel the life inside of me. I was the only thing standing between my baby and the world, and I had to be strong.

A rallying call of howls filled the air. Harrowing and vicious, they echoed across the forest, promising blood. They weren’t the familiar calls of my pack, and I flinched at the cacophony of sound.

There were more. They were leading me to more wolves.

A chill ran down my spine. My heart rate slowed, and I tensed, preparing for the unexpected.

Something was watching me.

I froze as a low, guttural sound sliced through the silence. My senses surged into overdrive, and I spun on my heel, but a thick veil of trees concealed my attacker.

My breath hitched.

Shift.

Right now?I asked, unsure. She was still recovering her strength.

I’m strong enough. Do it now. I will not fail us or our pup.

I didn’t resist the shift, embracing the power she offered as she stepped forward. As I receded to the back of my mind, her reassurance flowed through me, a surge of confidence that allowed the change to move swiftly.

I surrendered to her completely.

Her instincts took over as she bounded through the tangled undergrowth, navigating the terrain with agility and grace that surpassed my human limitations. The forest expanded around me, exploding with smells and sounds. The moist air hinted that rain would come soon, and I hoped the attack was over before it arrived.

My wolf darted through the trees with an ease I could only marvel at. Our pursuers fell behind, the pounding of their heavy footsteps growing fainter as we surged ahead. But as we darted through a narrow grove, a wolf lunged from the thicket to our left, teeth snapping dangerously close to my flank.

Reacting on instinct, my wolf jumped, her swift movement carrying us through the tight passage. She crouched on her haunches, keeping her belly low as we crawled through the undergrowth to the exit ahead.

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