Chapter Thirty-Three

June

"June," Dom whispered, gently touching my shoulder. "June, it's time to go."

I groaned, rolling over on our bed. I squinted at the bright moonlight filtering through the slats in the window. "Ugh. I'm still tired."

Moving my things from Linda's hadn't been difficult. And as sweet as she was to help me and others like Carmine and Bianca, I was so glad to have my own place. I was used to an apartment with just me and Kat; Linda's place had too much going on for me all at once. I didn't even remember passing out on the couch, but waking up on the bed, I could tell Dom had moved me here for the night, and the thought made me smile.

"Sorry, love. It's about one in the morning. We have to meet the others."

I pulled Dom's giant T-shirt back up on my shoulder from where it had fallen off. "Okay. Let me put something on."

"Wolves, June. We go as wolves," Dom said.

Right. Wolves.

Dom opened our front door. Easier to do with thumbs, after all. Once we were both ready, I followed Dom outside, and we headed for the meeting place. The village was silent, but we still had to be careful of patrols. Smokey would be up in a few hours, and he would be hard to avoid coming back. Smokey wouldn't lie to Evander if he was asked about us, and we didn't need that complication.

Once the village was out of sight, I calmed down. Even better, we had to pick up Carmine and Jerod along the way. Well, really only Jerod, so he and Amelia could travel near each other.

Carmine was already shifted and outside on the porch of the cabin when we arrived. She nuzzled next to Jerod, who was wearing a tailored shirt and a rather expensive looking pair of pants. His shoes were even polished leather.

Where did he get an outfit like that around here? I asked Dom.

He's in control of his resources again , Dom answered. His familiar should be able to fetch his clothes with simple instructions.

I wondered if Jerod ever had a problem with burn holes in his things.

Carmine spotted us first, then Jerod. They walked down the few steps to meet us on the ground level.

"Good evening, wolves. I've finally gathered a few things that should aid in remedying the predicament Amelia and I are in." Jerod responded to Dom's huff. "It's a delicate situation. I'd like to see you untangle such an unprecedented incident while making up a new formula for . . . ugh."

Jerod pinched the bridge of his nose. "When this little meeting is done, I could use a hand. Okay?"

Dom nodded, and the four of us walked away. At Jerod's slower pace, of course.

My wolf loved the night air. The smells and sounds of night creatures were enticing, and it was hard to keep us from distraction as we followed Dom. I even got the chance to play with Carmine a bit since we had to go so slowly. Nipping at each other's tails as we went, racing when we could still keep quiet. Smelling the air and ground for interesting things or to make sure no patrols were close.

Amelia and Bianca joined us after a little bit. Aaron, Carson, and Jack caught up after that. My wolf grew excited with all of us together. We wanted to run around, smelling everyone and playing with them. I reigned her in, though, reminding us both that we were here for something serious.

It was a long hike in human terms, but as wolves we covered the ground at a good pace. We started down a path by the brook that trickled cold mountain water down the slope. Dom had us walk in it a ways to mask our scents, and then finally we stopped in a clear patch of trees.

This is good enough , Dom said. We're on the edge of the pack lands .

Amelia shifted.

I panicked for a moment as everyone else did the same. The nakedness still felt uncomfortable.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Dom stroked the fur on my neck. "But not everyone here is pack, so they can't link with us."

What kind of werewolf was afraid of being naked? None that I'd met so far. I slowly started my own shift, still working out the mechanics of it, while they talked.

"What are we doing here?" Jack asked. "Updates? Change in plans?"

"I have an announcement," Amelia said. "But it waits until the end. First, we fix this problem between me and Jerod."

"Agreed," Carmine said. "Get this mess untangled so we can all move on with our bonds."

Bianca leaned over to me. "Congratulations."

"You too," I said. "I hope you found what you were looking for in Amelia."

She gave me a flushed smile. "I really did. I hope you have as well."

Jerod clapped his hands. "We're going to do a complete soul untangling. I've finally found a demon who could do it and isn't charging me an arm and a leg. Literally."

"We spent all day gathering the price." Carmine wrapped herself around Jerod's arm with a warm smile. "Didn't we, mon amour?"

"How many of us do you need here?" Dom asked.

Jerod looked around, squinting at each wolf. "Actually, just in case, I was hoping all of you would stick around as muscle."

"Just in case of what ?" Amelia asked.

"These things are a lot like a deal with a drug lord." Jerod shrugged. "Hard to say if you're going to be double crossed."

I held on to Dom's arm a little tighter. "I don't like this."

"It's okay." Dom pulled me in close. "Wolves naturally don't mix well with dark magic. You and Bianca can stay back while the rest of us keep an eye out. Just don't go too far, we travel in groups, remember?"

"Yes, Bianca, you should go with June," Amelia said. "Just in case."

I hadn't really interacted with Bianca much, so it was a little awkward when she walked over to take my arm in hers. Particularly since we were both as naked as the day we were born.

"Come on, June," she said. "Let's watch the show from a safe distance."

I tried to act casual about everything, but I was still on edge, or maybe that was my wolf. Dom was right, I didn't like the warlock stuff.

There was a large tree a good distance away and so we leaned against it and watched. Jerod walked around the circle, arranging the wolves as he needed them and marking the ground in specific spots. Carmine followed, dropping what looked suspiciously like teeth over the marks.

"What do you think of this demon stuff?" I asked.

Bianca shrugged. "I'm ashamed to say I'm not as versed in the ways of beings other than wolves. It's a bit unsettling, but it should prove rather educational."

Once Jerod seemed satisfied with everything, the magic proceeded quickly. I could tell he was chanting something, but what he was saying I hadn't a clue. I watched on, wincing as he slashed his own arm open, and then he began to glow red.

The circle lit up; Amelia and Jerod were the only ones in it. All the wolves around it growled. They were shifted and ready for a fight if need be, so their wolfish body language was pretty obviously aggravated.

Bianca next to me let out a shiver.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

"Yes, I think so. Just a chill," she said. Then an arm shot out of the ground and we both jumped.

"Ew," I said.

Bianca somehow managed to turn even more pale.

A demon covered in mud, blood, and ashes pulled itself from the ground. It spoke to Jerod in that awful language. They discussed something for a moment, then shook hands.

After that, the demon raised its arms in the air, and Jerod and Amelia hovered a couple of feet off the ground, still glowing. The demon began to do his work. The red glow around the two of them was a massive tangle of illuminated strings.

Pulling and twisting, unknotting and yanking, the demon worked quickly. Until he jerked his head around to look directly at me.

No, it wasn't me, it was Bianca. I looked over at her. She was visibly shaken, and a few red strands were drifting off of her in the same kind of aura as Amelia and Jerod. Bianca's hand flew to her neck, and she winced.

"What's the matter?" I hissed.

She shook her head, gritting her teeth and putting up with whatever it was that was happening. I was concerned, but also afraid to touch her and interfere with the demon's job.

Then a branch snapped.

I whirled around, and a smell hit me. Something nasty. Something only vaguely familiar. Smelling it as a wolf was like having to relearn anything I had ever smelled before. Until I saw the motion, and it hit me all at once.

"Rogues!" I squeaked.

Dom snarled, running toward me. The others came around, too, and I tried to shift while in a panic. It hurt more than when I took my time, but I ignored the pain and pushed through.

June! Dom called. Get behind us, you can't fight yet.

I did as I was told, but soon there was more than one rogue to contend with. A whole group of rogues, sick looking and foul smelling. They looked big, dark, wicked—just as the ones that attacked me and Dom before had.

I can't reach anyone, we're too far out. Dom echoed in my head, and I knew he was talking to everyone here that he could.

A snarl, a growl, a fight broke out near me, and I turned, alarmed to see Aaron and Carmine viciously fighting a massive rogue.

Dom, now on my other side, tore into one by himself, and my heart sped up as I watched in concern.

How are there so many? Jack snarled.

Carson whimpered as one slashed a big claw across his chest.

June , Dom brought down his target and turned to face me, blood dripping down his mouth . You must run within range and get help. Get Smokey, get the warriors.

But—

Run, June! Dom commanded me, really commanded, with some kind of force that pulled my feet out from under me as I stumbled to stay upright. And I wasn't the only one, every wolf around us flinched, save for Amelia and Bianca, who were entangled with the demon's work.

Run! Dom commanded again, and I bolted.

Dom ripped out the throat of one attacking rogue, only to be pounced on by two more. But it was enough of an opening that I leaped over the space and into the mountainside, where I could get away.

Run!

My wolf was yipping in my head. Overwhelming me. Fueling me. We ran. I ran faster than I had ever run before, my paws barely brushing the ground for a heartbeat before lifting me higher and faster as I ran for my life. And for Dom's life, and everyone else back in the clearing. Because I knew in my heart that there were too many rogues, and it was too suspicious that they were attacking in such numbers when they had never shown themselves like that before.

I growled, running. A bullet through the wind, slicing a path in the mountainside as I came close enough to the village to call for help.

Smokey! I called. Smokey! Wake up!

What is it, kid? Smokey grumbled. I'm about to patrol.

Rogues! I growled. A whole bunch of them! Dom and the others are fighting them off, but there are too many.

Where? Smokey ordered, fully in protection mode.

South, maybe? I'm not sure. Can you follow my smell or something? I asked.

I'll be right there.

I could feel roughly where Smokey was, not far from the training fields. I ran that way, hoping to meet him.

Curving around the village, I swept through the trees easily. When I saw Smokey's old gray wolf, my heart lifted.

Smokey! I called.

I nearly ran right past him, and I had to turn around so we were heading the right direction. I caught up with him easily and kept to his pace.

How many? he barked.

A lot. Dom and the others need help , I answered.

Smokey cursed and tried to run a little faster. I met his speed again. Listen to me, I'll alert Alpha and some warriors. You get Doc and take him there, okay?

Yes! I replied and changed course again.

Smokey went his way, and I went mine. I rounded to Doc's house easily. Doc! Emergency!

June? Doc sounded sleepy. What is it?

Rogues! Near the border. Smokey wants me to bring you.

Hold on, I'm coming!

I continued past Doc's house and to my own. I pushed open the front door, probably breaking the lock, but that was a problem for later. I went straight for my backpack of supplies and bit the straps, carrying the bag back out with me.

Where to? Doc asked.

This way.

I met Doc again, then ran with him toward the rogues. The most frustrating part was having to slow my pace or stop every few minutes for him to catch up. I wanted to run. I wanted to get to Dom. I wanted to make sure everyone was okay.

June , Doc said eventually. I can smell your trail, just go.

Without replying, I let my wolf loose, shooting down the mountainside and racing for Dom. Their scent reached my nose before I could see the fight. I could hear it too. Once I broke through the trees and finally saw the mess, I dropped my bag and jumped in.

The glowing mess that was Jerod, Amelia, Bianca, and the demon was the only untouched part of the field. Blood was splattered everywhere, there were bodies down, and I looked from wolf to wolf to make sure none of them were my friends.

Dom was tearing into three at once. Aaron had two, and Carson and Jack were tag-teaming a huge male. Carmine was glorious, her auburn fur matted with blood while she thrashed her way through any who dared come near Jerod or the demon.

Dom! I cried out, just for him.

June. He sounded fueled by anger. Run back to the village, stay where it's safe.

Dom was slammed down by one of the wolves he was fighting, and another bit down on his leg hard enough that it snapped.

My heart nearly burst, and I found myself running at full speed toward them then biting into a rogue's neck. It was all on instinct. Messy and not at all thought through. But I couldn't watch Dom get hurt, and I wasn't going to sit by without helping.

Knit the circle, boys! Smokey called, ripping through all our heads, and lifting my heart.

I had no clue what he meant, but he was here . At least the others seemed to know what to do. Immediately, they moved around. Repositioning and forming what I assumed was a more sustainable stand in the battle.

Smokey arrived, a couple of wolves behind him, and joined the fray.

After that, it was all a blur. Gnashing teeth, slashing claws. I was in the fight for a little bit but when Doc arrived he pulled me out of it and we shifted to help the wounded.

As the first rays of light filtered through the trees, giving life to the bloody scene around us, Dom and Smokey fought off the last of the rouges by ripping its belly wide open and letting it fall to the ground.

I tied a splint to Aaron's leg, panting as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. One thing to come out of the fight was that I no longer gave a shit about how naked I was. Once you apply a tourniquet on a werewolf while sitting on his chest with your whole ass on display, nothing else matters.

"Thank you," Aaron grunted, and I laid down on the hard ground next to him, panting.

"Don't mention it."

There was a huge pop in the air above the circle. The demon was gone, and the wolves and warlock seemed just fine.

I laughed. At least as much as I could in the state of exhaustion I was in. At least some of us were fine, and hopefully, their situation was resolved.

"June."

Dom had shifted. He kneeled next to me.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I might need a nap," I said.

He smirked, brushing the hair from my forehead. "That can be arranged."

"Kid," Smokey said. "You did good. See me tomorrow." He began walking around the dead rogues and dragging them into a pile.

I winced. "Not even one day off?"

Dom chuckled. "Not with Smokey."

I yawned, unable to stop myself. "Alpha never came."

"I know," Dom growled. "I'm going to find out more about that later. But first, you're getting a bath and a nap."

"Is there anyone else injured?" I asked, my eyes closing as Dom lifted me into his arms. His chest was warm. Smelly, but warm.

"I've got the rest," Doc called from nearby. "Take her home, Dom."

"Can do, Doc," Dom said.

I think.

Because it all grew fuzzy as I fell deeply asleep.