Chapter 3

Valor

This was going to be a bloodbath.

As we waited for the Hunt to begin, I looked at my bond unit, my heart overflowing with love and adoration. We worked so well together because we were so different. Ezra was a genius with a mind like a machine. Logical—if a bit emotionally stunted—and loyal to a fault, he was the perfect complement to my brash, protective nature. Together, we were the pillars of our unit.

Then there was Korren. The moodiest member of our unit had a fiery temper that contrasted with his beautiful face. Despite his occasional attitude, he had no trouble being sweet and soft when necessary, but he'd quickly turn to stone if he thought we were trying to walk all over him.

Korren was the glue that held us together—especially when we were first paired as youths—and our bond had only strengthened over the years.

I forced myself to concentrate on the situation at hand. My cold, hard focus chilled the mild warmth of spring. We looked through the breaks in the metal gate of our holding cell as the Omegas were released. A wave of color broke across the green lawn as they darted into the forest, searching for cover.

I cataloged their bare feet, thin clothing in neutral colors hanging off their bodies, and the collars around their necks.

The smell of their fear—bitter and sharp—danced on the wind, agitating my wolf.

He wasn't one to be bothered by much. Even paw-deep in gore, he maintained a level of composure that rivaled the Alpha's. To feel him this openly distressed was alarming.

There was something I hadn't picked up on about this group of Omegas.

Scanning their scattered forms again, I questioned the strange pit forming in my stomach.

How has no one questioned this before?

It was a rhetorical question, one that made my cynical wolf snort. He knew as well as I did that the threat of a dying species allowed people to overlook a number of things.

"It's one thing to hear about it, but it's another thing entirely to see it," Korren said, his voice laced with disgust.

The healer part of his nature was probably chomping at the bit to help the defenseless females. I was thankful I didn't have to deal with the same duality. Compartmentalization was a skill all Enforcers had to master. Being swayed by emotions put the mission in jeopardy. As much as I would like to help all of the Omegas, we came here with two goals: intel and the procurement of one Omega.

Ezra's eyes jumped back and forth as he scanned the females, searching for our Omega. "They haven't released her yet."

No, they hadn't.

There was no sign of her among the fleeing Omegas.

No flash of warm caramel skin and chocolate hair.

I didn't believe in coincidences. They were holding her back after taunting a room full of instinct-driven males with her picture, heightening the subconscious need to possess her. It was like sticking a rabbit in a den of vipers.

"There she is." Korren's voice was tight.

Our bond pulsed, a low thrumming beat that pulled beneath my ribs like an invisible leash urging me forward.

I followed his gaze. Her chocolate hair caught my attention as she glided across the field like a gazelle. Within seconds, she'd disappeared into the foliage.

Damn, she's fast.

Excitement and fiery aggression filtered through my veins. The predatory urge to chase clashed with the desire to destroy the males who thought to challenge our unit and compete for our Omega.

My wolf pushed against my skin, readying himself for the Hunt.

"What's our strategy?" Ezra demanded.

"Thinking of one now," I murmured.

I'd have to plan for tact instead of relying on brute strength for this Hunt.

My bond mates weren't helpless, but that didn't make them fighters.

I felt visceral pain at the thought of being separated from them, and if they were hurt . . .

I clenched my fist against my side, tasting phantom blood on my tongue.

Inconceivable.

I forced the images from my mind and said, "Korren will take the lead. He'll use his gift to feel out her signature so we're sure we're following our Omega and not some random target."

All healers were Goddess-blessed—gifted with enhanced abilities. These abilities ranged from healing minor wounds to bringing someone back from the brink of death.

"I want Ezra in the middle, keeping an eye on our surroundings as we hunt," I continued. "I'll hold the rear."

"Sound plan," Ezra said, nodding his approval.

As head of security, Ezra's necessity for a sound strategy was paramount. To have his endorsement meant we could proceed with less worry.

"Based on the aggression of the other units, the chances of us getting into an altercation are about ninety percent. Keep your eyes open, and if we're under attack, don't hold back," I ordered, holding Korren's gaze a little longer than necessary.

Korren rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. Now isn't the time for compassion."

Ezra pinned Korren with a skeptical look. "We're serious, Ren. You're not a healer inside these walls. If someone comes at you, fight dirty."

The corner of my mouth lifted. I loved the savage version of Ezra.

Korren's handsome face hardened, and his voice was ice and malice as he looked toward the forest and said, "I will."

I was the only combat specialist in my unit—second only to our head Enforcer and Gamma, Alaric. I was also Goddess-blessed with the sharpest tracking ability anyone had seen in fifty years.

No one could hide from me.

When I was younger, my gift felt like more of a curse than a blessing. It was easy to get overstimulated, and as a result, I spent more time away from the pack than most. As I got older, my control grew, and it became easier to isolate my senses.

Though I was secure in my plan, the weight of protecting our Omega, Ezra, and Korren threatened to send me to my knees. The other units would be vicious and ruthless in their attempts to claim the Omega. Until her collar was in our hands, anything was fair game.

Korren was too valuable to be hurt—all healers were.

Healers were even rarer than Omegas. Packs could go generations without one being born, which put them at a huge disadvantage. We had medical units and shifters trained to administer first aid and wound care, but there were some things only a healer could cure. The war with the witches proved that.

No one will touch what is ours,my wolf growled.

I agreed. Protectiveness snapped around me like armor.

Korren and Ezra were mine.

The Omega was mine.

And anyone who dared to harm them wouldn't make it out of the forest alive.

High-pitched alarms rang, signaling the start of the Hunt.

Something primal and demanding slid through my veins. My body came alive with anticipation as the gate began to open, the squeal of old gears setting my teeth on edge.

We settled into formation, and threads of gold broke through Korren's steely blue gaze as he called on his gift.

If she were hiding, we would find her. My tracking skills were unmatched, and Korren's ability allowed him to see body signatures. Between the two of us, she wouldn't get away.

"Stay together," I said, my voice guttural.

"Always," Korren replied as Ezra nodded.

The gate rose.

We discarded our clothing.

My wolf surged forward, and the sound of snapping bones filled the cell. Muscle and sinew tore, the comforting pain like an exhale as my body expanded.

Once shifted, my tracking abilities heightened. The world became a tangled web of aromas I could pick out and follow at will. The older the scent, the dimmer the trail appeared.

A bolt of lightning crackled down our bond as a scent hit me with the force of a category-five hurricane. My wolf's legs shook from the impact.

For the first time since my gift had awakened, all scents faded into the background—apart from one.

It was the smell of dawn—sweet pine with notes of ripe berries. Her scent beckoned us closer, casting our unit in its spell-binding shadow.

Our fated mate, I said in the mind link with Ezra and Korren.

The words rang with disbelief, uncertainty, and reverence.

In seconds, our plans altered.

Thoughts of rescuing the target Omega vanished as we felt the pull toward our Goddess-bound mate—the perfect female for us.

Words were unnecessary, and our wolves moved in seamless agreement.

My wolf took the lead, sprinting through the trees with renewed determination—guiding our unit to our mate.