Chapter 26

Myla

We’d been waiting for what felt like hours, but was probably a matter of minutes. Yowls and snarls echoed through the air, and I flinched at the sounds of snapping twigs and colliding muscle.

My mates blocked their end of the bond, locking me out. I understood why—they thought they could spare me by keeping their pain isolated—but not knowing if they were okay was worse.

I could tug at the bond if I wanted to, but I didn’t dare. If they lost their concentration during the fight, it could be fatal.

The sounds of battle drew nearer.

“The second-string fighters are engaged,” Amy, an Alpha female, whispered.

I nodded, taking a fighting stance. If the second line had entered the fray, there was a higher possibility we’d have to join as well.

I constructed my mental barriers, shielding my mates from the rising tide of my emotions.

“First time in a fight?” Amy asked distractedly.

“How could you tell?”

Her eyes dropped to my palms. I followed her gaze and realized my fists were balled so tight that my knuckles were white.

I quickly uncurled and wiggled my fingers.

“Right,” I said bashfully. “I’m a bit nervous.”

“To fight? Or to face what happens afterward?” she asked.

“After. Things are going to change, and I’m anxious to know if they’ll be good or bad.”

“Change is inevitable. All that matters is how you let it change you ,” she said with certainty. “After today, I’ll still be Amy. My Alpha will still be Wynn, and if Hidden Creek is in an unfavorable position, I’ll keep fighting because that’s who I am.”

She said it with such conviction. It made me wonder who I was.

Was I the girl who had escaped from Blood Moon? Was I the pack member who was starting a new life with her mates? Or was I someone else entirely—a female I hadn’t discovered yet?

Movement yanked my focus to the left, and my defenses snapped into place.

Amy readied herself beside me.

Every possible outcome flashed through my mind. I mentally cataloged the most violent Blood Moon pack members and prepared myself for the worst of them.

Every crunch of gravel wound my muscles tighter. Adrenaline poured through my veins as a shadow curved around one of the buildings.

Just as I was about to launch myself at the intruder, a familiar scent wafted toward me.

“Thank Goddess I found you,” Blythe said as she appeared.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, relieved.

“I came to find you.” She glanced at the females around us and jerked her head to the side. “Come with me.”

I followed her behind one of the dens. “What’s this about?”

“What if I told you we could end this war before too many lives were lost?”

“How?”

Her eyes darkened. “We chop the head off the snake.” My face must have given away my disbelief because she added, “If we take out their Alpha, the rest of the pack has no reason to keep fighting—not without leadership.”

“Us, as in you and me?” My voice was a shrill whisper. “How in the name of the moon would we do that?”

“You would be bait. Alpha Kane is looking for you, so we’ll let him think he’s found you,” she said as if the answer was a no-brainer.

“I think you’re glossing over some important details,” I hissed, failing to keep my tone even. “Like how we’re going to get to Kane, for one. There are hundreds of wolves battling, which means there are hundreds of chances for us to be spotted. Let’s not forget that if we make it—and that’s a big if—we somehow have to kill him.”

Blythe smiled like the cat that caught the canary and pulled out a canister of scent-blocking spray. “I’ve got the first part covered. As for the killing, all you have to do is lead him where I want him. I’ll handle the rest.”

She couldn’t be serious.

“Where did you get the scent blocker?” I asked.

“Swiped it from the Enforcer building when everyone else was preoccupied. Once Blood Moon reached the second wave, I doubled back to find you.”

“This is insane.”

“No, it’s smart and maybe a little reckless, but I can guarantee he won’t be expecting it.”

My brow furrowed. “What about the Alpha’s orders?”

“While I respect Alpha Wynn, I don’t take orders. I comply with suggestions when I believe they’re right. But last night, I couldn’t sleep and knew there had to be a better way—especially with the Council lurking around. Then I started thinking about what you said in the meeting. You’re right; giving you up would make Blood Moon back off, but I’m not willing to do that either. So, I came up with this plan and hoped you’d be willing to trust me.”

“I do trust you,” I said.

“Then let’s do this together. We can prevent packmates from dying or getting injured, but the only way that happens is if you help me.”

I debated my options. I could stay and let the battle play out as it would or take fate into my own hands and strive for a better outcome.

Muted waves of anger echoed through our blocked bond. Were my mates hurt?

Did they see defeat or victory on the front lines?

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I couldn’t keep running through the what-ifs.

Just like when I chose to leave Blood Moon, it was time to take control of my destiny.

I held out my hand to Blythe. “How much of this stuff do we have to spray?”

Smiling, she tossed me the scent blocker. “I’ll let you know when I can’t smell you anymore.”

***

We crept around the perimeter of the battlefield. Blythe led the charge, disappearing in the trees every so often to locate Alpha Kane.

The Goddess must have been shining down on us because we didn’t encounter anyone else. I wasn’t naive enough to think it would last, so I took the reprieve from immediate danger to gather my courage.

This wasn’t just for me—it was for my pack and my mates.

I was careful to keep my block firmly in place the closer we got to the center of the battle.

All it would take was one slip, and they would know where I was.

“Found him,” Blythe said, materializing on my right.

I pressed a hand to my chest. “Goddess, warn a girl next time.”

“Absolutely not. You better get your head on straight because things won’t be pretty from here on out.”

“Sorry, you’re right. I’m good now.”

She looked at me shrewdly. “You sure?”

I nodded, but it was as much to convince myself as it was for her.

She pointed to the thick foliage in front of us. “Head through those trees and keep low until you’re sure he’ll spot you. You remember what to do from there?”

My fingers curled and uncurled at my sides. “Yeah, I’ll take him to the lake.”

“Good. Shift as soon as you make eye contact. Speed will be your biggest advantage, and every second counts.”

I turned to leave when Blythe said, “Be careful, Myla.”

“You too,” I called over my shoulder.

Crouching, I made my way to the edge of the forest, using the space between two shrubs to view the clearing ahead.

I choked on my next breath. Wolves, matted with dirt and blood, tore at each other, and shifters in human skin exchanged blows, using a combination of fists and claws as they fought. Most were sporting a myriad of cuts, while others had dangling limbs and open wounds.

I shook my head, forced my eyes from the gruesome sight, and focused on finding Alpha Kane. Whether he was in fur or skin, he was unmistakable to me.

Blocking out the pandemonium, I scanned the clash of bodies until I found him.

I moved as close as I dared.

His wolf shook a Hidden Creek wolf by the scruff, jerking his head from side to side.

He was going to break his neck.

Without thinking, I sprang to my feet.

“Kane!” I shouted, and his head snapped in my direction. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

His body went unnaturally still. His eyes narrowed, and a thin trail of blood and saliva dripped from his maw.

I had to get him away from the other shifter.

“I expected more from you, Kane. But you’re always so eager to disappoint. All this for one little Omega?” A growl erupted from his throat, but he didn’t release the wolf. I needed to push more. “I bet you still can’t catch me.”

My taunt did the trick. He snapped, dropping the wolf as he lunged.

I shifted mid-retreat and gave my wolf the reins. The heavy thud of paws signaled his pursuit.

Alpha Kane growled, low and menacing, and my wolf pushed harder. The clearing by the lake wasn’t far, just a few more yards.

Alpha Kane drew closer, snapping at my hind legs. My wolf jumped and veered to the left to avoid his fangs.

My heart thundered, and my hold on my mental walls nearly slipped. I held tight. If my unit knew what I was doing, it could ruin everything.

The lake glittered up ahead. Amid the bloodshed, the rippling water was peaceful and calm.

I listened for Blythe. She should’ve already arrived.

I was almost to the water when my alarm bells went off. It was too quiet.

Alpha Kane lunged at me again, and his teeth caught my left leg. I yelped, twisting away before he could get a firm grip.

I changed direction and risked a look around. My body began to burn with the exertion of staying ahead.

Blythe wasn’t there. I was alone with the Alpha, and he would undoubtedly hurt me before he dragged me back to Blood Moon.

The lake was just ahead. I had a split second to make a decision.

I was knocked off my feet before I could pivot. Alpha Kane bore down on my wolf as she squirmed to cover her throat.

Pain sliced down my shoulder as he dug his teeth into skin and muscle. The hold on my mental barrier slipped as blinding agony shot through my wolf’s front leg.

Gritting her teeth, she clawed at his underbelly with her back paws, forcing him to let go.

Myla! Bowen’s voice was a panicked growl. Where are you?

Ignoring the throbbing ache, I stumbled toward the pack, pushing myself as fast as I could on three legs.

Alpha Kane let out a chilling growl. The earth trembled as he closed in on me.

I’m by the lake. Alpha Kane is almost on me .

I’m coming , Bowen said.

I couldn’t keep the terror from my thoughts. We weren’t fast or strong enough.

We can make it , my wolf said.

The snap of his teeth caught the tip of my wolf’s tail.

My limbs turned to jelly, and my wolf’s leg bent at an awkward angle as we hit a patch of uneven ground and slid into the dirt. Stars burst behind my eyes. It felt like thousands of needles were digging into my muscles.

My wolf tried to stand, but we were thrown down as the Alpha pressed his weight into our injured shoulder.

We cried out, and he craned his neck, howling to announce his sinister victory.

We tried to move again, but the pain made it impossible.

This was it.

Alpha Kane bared his teeth, and we squeezed our eyes shut as he prepared to strike.

Suddenly, there was a loud snarl, followed by a yelp of agony. Air flooded my lungs, and Alpha Kane released my body.

My mate’s voices filtered through my mind, but I couldn’t make sense of anything.

A harrowing screech of pain forced my eyes open, and my blood ran cold.

Blythe’s wolf was locked in battle with Alpha Kane. The brown and white wolf was much smaller than the Alpha’s black wolf, but she fought just as hard, refusing to stay down even as her wounds tinted her fur red.

Blythe’s wolf let out a yowl as Alpha Kane’s wolf bit her side and threw her into a tree.

Alpha Kane went for the kill, but he pulled up short as a bloodthirsty growl split the air, and an enormous silver wolf tackled him to the ground.

Alpha Declan’s wolf was haunting, his presence all but swallowing the air around him. His ruby-red eyes flashed in the waning sunlight.

Wolves stalked out from the tree line, circling the fighting Alphas.

All three packs spilled into the field, an unspoken truce halting the bloodshed. This battle would determine everything.

Alpha Wynn’s wolf paced the edge of the ring, his eyes on the brawl.

The silver wolf batted at the black wolf with his massive paw, knocking him into the dirt. Alpha Kane’s lips peeled back in a snarl as he righted himself. Circling each other slowly and methodically, the two wolves snapped their jaws and clawed at the earth, goading the other into an attack. They collided, rearing back on their hind legs as they tore and bit at each other. The silver wolf used his size advantage to slam into his opponent, who let out a pain-filled cry.

Even so, the black wolf was relentless, barreling into Alpha Declan without restraint. The silver wolf ripped black fur from his rival’s flesh, wearing him down in the most brutal display of vengeance I’d ever seen.

He took his time, drawing out the other Alpha’s suffering. The harrowing crunch of bone rang through the clearing as Alpha Declan clamped his powerful jaws around the black wolf’s front leg, rendering it useless. Alpha Kane’s wolf limped, growling while adjusting his position to protect his injured flank.

Alpha Declan continued to slash and bite until the black wolf was nothing but bloodied, matted fur and exposed cartilage.

He didn’t stop, attacking the black wolf with singular vicious glee.

Alpha Kane’s growls turned to whimpers, and his body went limp, but nothing broke the silver wolf from his rampage.

Blythe’s wolf whined in the distance. Alpha Declan’s wolf stilled, the rage clearing from his eyes as he shook his head. She cried louder, and the silver wolf delivered the killing blow—ripping through Alpha Kane’s throat so swiftly that I almost missed it.

Without pausing, he moved through the crowd and headed straight for Blythe.

I felt my mates before I saw them. Bowen’s and Silas’s wolves positioned themselves around me, Gentry’s wolf licked my wounded shoulder, and Theron’s wolf nuzzled my face.

My body was heavy with fatigue, and my wolf slowly lowered herself to the ground as howls of victory echoed through the twilight.