Chapter 25

Theron

I knew today would be shit.

The omen reminded me of the telltale signs of sickness as it crept through my body. My bones ached with it. So when Gentry burst through the back door of our den and announced that the Hand had confirmed movement and one of the sensors placed in rogue territory had been triggered, it wasn’t a surprise.

“How far out are they?” I asked.

“Fifty mil—”

The blare of an alarm drowned out Gentry’s words—three bleats in rapid succession, followed by a long ringing sound.

We turned toward the stairwell as Myla raced downstairs.

“Is it time?” she asked anxiously.

The alarm went silent.

“Yeah.” Gentry reached for her. “Let’s go.”

We didn’t want Blood Moon to catch wind of our awareness. Hidden Creek’s success relied on our foresight. The alarm was short and sweet, long enough to set our plans into action without tipping anyone off.

As we raced outside, the pack was already moving. Elders and the first wave of females were headed toward our reinforced emergency shelter. The second wave would be positioned closest to them, and the third wave would stand alongside the second-string males of both Silver Fang and Hidden Creek. They had already stationed themselves in the woods near the border.

First-string fighters—and our Alphas—would wait just beyond our borders as our first line of defense. They were going to cut off Blood Moon before they made it anywhere near our territory.

I watched as our most vulnerable disappeared into the safe house, my heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. Korren rushed Brielle past us. Her eyes briefly met mine, and I saw her silent plea. Blythe was fighting with us, and I nodded to show her I understood. Blythe was pack, and I would always have her back.

My mind went to Myla. As we walked to her position, my mate’s brow furrowed, her usual happy demeanor nowhere in sight.

She would be with the second wave.

Fuck.

My wolf growled, expressing his discontent.

We wanted her safe, but she had proven herself to be smart and surefooted. We couldn’t tell her not to risk herself when everyone else planned to do so.

We stopped just inside the den sector. Other females were already spreading out between the buildings.

I turned to face Myla. “If you’re in trouble, call down the bond. Do you hear me? I’ll come for you no matter what.”

“I promise,” she said, searching my face as if it were the last time she’d see me.

Her fear broke my heart.

“Don’t look at me like that, sweet girl. We’ll see each other soon.”

Gentry put his arm around her shoulders. “We don’t want you thinking of anything but yourself.”

“Easier said than done,” she muttered.

I brushed my lips against hers—the brief contact was all I trusted myself with—and turned to take my place with the second string. I would ignore my orders and stay with her if I didn’t leave now.

Gentry joined me a moment later. Together, we jogged to the west border. When we arrived, Korren was moving between packmates and giving them their final clearance.

“Everything in working order?” he asked as his gift sent tingles across my skin.

“For now,” I replied.

“Save that surly behavior for Blood Moon and throw in some rage while you’re at it.”

“That I can do,” I said, focusing on the trees.

Korren’s eyes flashed as he scanned Gentry. “I just got a message from Valor. They’ve entered the orange zone.”

They were coming—the Blood Moon pack had tripped another sensor at the thirty-mile mark. We were running out of time.

“Fuck.” Gentry hopped from foot to foot, loosening his muscles as Korren continued down the line.

Tension hung in the air—a tangible, suffocating weight.

We moved with purpose, swift and efficient as we prepared for battle. Some remained in their human skin, while others chose to shift. The variation ensured we could cover each other when the fight began.

The Silver Fang wolves would enter Hidden Creek from the opposite side. Their arrival was timed to maintain the element of surprise. We wanted Alpha Kane to think they had us cornered—that this would be an easy win.

His confidence would give us an edge.

“A month’s worth of chores says Alpha Declan goes fully feral,” Gentry said darkly.

“You seem sure of yourself,” I replied.

“If you saw how he looked at Blythe when he arrived, you’d feel the same. He stared at her like he was dehydrated, and she was the only glass of water for miles.”

I raised a brow. “You think his terms were specifically about Blythe?”

“It’s possible. I’m just saying the possessive vibes he gave off sent a chill down my spine, so I can’t imagine what Blythe felt,” Gentry said, eyeing the trees.

“All right, you’re on.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Gen. We’re coming out of this,” I whispered, my voice tight.

“I know,” he replied.

Are you guys ready? Silas’s voice rang through my mind. He must have shifted. The final sensor has been tripped.

“Ten miles out,” Gentry murmured.

I positioned myself, ready to attack or defend. Knowing Myla was safe, I cleared my mind. When I took a quick look around, I didn’t see Blythe.

Where was she?

Perhaps she was further down the line, but I would have to wait until the battle began to find her.

I caught sight of Alice, but before I could call out to her, a howl broke through the trees.

My wolf growled at the opposing male’s warning.

Blood Moon was here.

The world seemed to hold its breath. The leaves ceased rustling, and small creatures hid in their burrows. Energy hummed through the pack as we leashed our anger and protectiveness.

Alpha Wynn’s wolf howled, and we responded in kind—our war cries promising savagery. The ground thundered with the pounding of paws.

Snarls, growls, and howls of pain filled the air.

My wolf crowded the border of our mind, ready to take control, but I held him back as I waited for the first enemy to break through the trees.

I spotted a flash of color at the edge of my vision as a Blood Moon wolf vaulted over the border. Gentry’s wolf slammed into him, and the combatant tumbled into the forest.

More enemy wolves raced through the trees, and the two sides collided. Leaping into the air, I shifted and landed on a scarred wolf’s back.

Blood Moon fighters were coming in droves, and soon, I was lost in a sea of claws and fur.

Another howl rumbled over the battlefield as Silver Fang wolves emerged from the north and south, taking Blood Moon by surprise.

I slashed and bit, letting my wolf take the reins. He was merciless, knowing this line was all that stood between Kane and Myla.

I’d kill them all before I let him near her.