CHAPTER 22

GRIFFIN

"Remember, hunter. Try to aim your daggers at the bad wolves. I know your aim isn't the greatest but they're the scruffy ones that look like they haven't showered in years," Zander taunted.

The obnoxious wolf was accompanying Venus and I tonight. We had attempted to organise the units so that one wolf was designated to each, giving them an opportunity to telepathically communicate with the rogues if the need arose.

"I seem to recall my aim being pretty damn perfect when I pinned you to a tree. Besides, I really don't hear much of a difference between what you just described and your own ugly mutt," I teased, a glint in my eyes that I knew I got whenever I bickered with any of the wolves.

But particularly the Beta.

"You remember I'm technically half mutt too, yeah?" My Supernova cut in, glaring at me.

I chuckled. "Yeah. But you're a cute one."

She rolled her eyes.

"Maybe in all the craziness Vee won't notice if I accidentally end up biting a chunk out of your ass and I can just blame it on the rogues," Zander threatened, a mischievous grin gracing his face.

"I knew you had a thing for my ass," I deadpanned.

"You two are ridiculous," Venus grumbled. "We have bigger things to worry about. Griff, don't throw daggers at Zander. Zan, don't bite Griffin's ass. Capish?"

"No promises," I replied, loving seeing her all frustrated.

Zander pulled out one of the smaller silver knives I had lent him. Seeing it, I called out, "Oi, try not to drool all over that, okay? I want it back when this is done."

"No promises,"Zander grinned. Venus failed to hold back her laugh this time, no doubt because I had met my match with this wolf that constantly winded me up.

I maybe liked him. As begrudging as that was to admit.

Zander dropped the knife to the ground and then shifted into his auburn wolf before picking it up again in his maw.

A wolf holding a silver dagger was not something I thought I'd see in my life, let alone condone.

But here we were.

It was well past 10pm and we'd been trudging through the forest looking for any signs of movement for over an hour.

The moon would reach its apex at midnight and that meant humans were free game for turning once the clock struck twelve.

The rogues would be looking for people that would make easy targets. Given that it was a weekday and the amount of people up and about at this time of the night would be minimal, they didn't have a plethora of options. So they'd be targeting campers, sneaking out teenagers and if really desperate, I wouldn't put it past them to target the roads and potential travellers. It wouldn't be hard to cause a crash or bait passengers to leave their car by running in front of the moving vehicles. Especially while they were working in teams. Which still fucking shocked me.

But my best guess was the campers. They made the easiest targets. Almost hassle free. Those stupid outdoorsy types were practically sitting ducks.

Our goal was simple: stop the rogues from getting anywhere near them.

In order to get to their prey, they'd need to get through us.So that was where we stationed a large number of our resources tonight.

Zander, Venus and I were on the edge of the border patrolling the outer area closest to the mountain ranges.

Skylar, with Billie and Bleu, were surrounding the forests of the well-known campsites. The Alpha and Bear would be roaming the entire middle section of the woods from the pack house, ready to rush to the aid of whoever needed it. And the others were scattered around, either just outside the actual town or on the other end of the Saint Claire pack's territory.

With Alpha Luca and Alpha Cara's forces and patrols filling in the gaps along the borders, we were even able to send Carter, Kit and Blaze into the closer sections of the unclaimed No Man's Land, where another popular campsite existed.

Santi, along with the sentinels, Dalton and Koda, were not far from us, at the northern point of the territory.

We left Sage and the elder, Tanner, stationed at the pack house, ready to leave on a moment"s notice if anyone needed medical assistance.The old wolf had momentarily returned from his pack visits just for this.

For some reason, the rogues were really focusing their efforts on River's dominion, based on the past activity we'd analysed. However, the Alpha seemed to have the closest land to the preservation and wild forest areas that drew in hikers galore. And given that, his territory was sprawled quite wide.

It was solely due to their sanctimonious and holier-than-thou ways that they'd kept off our radar for so long.

All in all, we had a good spread for this patrol.

And the wolves on our side would be able to cover a large area of ground quite quickly with their speed if we needed to reposition them.

If the rogues were smart, they'd come out early tonight, find their prey and watch or distract them until it was time. Technically, they could have attacked from the moment the moon had risen this afternoon. But the strength of their bites and venom, that magic that caused the transition, was strongest at the moon's highest point. So, it was unlikely they'd take any chances. Unless they were desperate.

I had to admit, I think we'd strategized quite well. But tonight would also be about learning for the Knights. Observing and gathering intel on the way the rogues truly moved and operated. Seeing them in action and then from there, strengthening our plans and processes for the upcoming full moons. This would be our first night actively engaging with the enemy since piecing together the unified front. And we were fairly sure we would be facing them, based on Amelia's update provided to us earlier today.

Honestly, I was growing bored and impatient waiting for something interesting to happen. The sounds of snapping twigs from our own feet and the scurrying of small wild creatures were driving me a little insane. Luckily, I had my girl to keep me entertained.

Zander had gone up ahead, using his doggy senses to scan the area and see if he could pick up any unusual scents.

So, it was just Venus and me at the moment, alone in the woods at night.

There was enough light from the glowing full moon above that she would have been able to see quite clearly. Whether she realised it or not, her eyesight was better than an average human. I, on the other hand, could see like it was day when I switched to my Sight.

Keeping her close, I had an eye on her at all times, watching her steps as we picked through the forest. I was thankful that the brush in this section wasn't too thick, giving her ample room to move about between trees while also letting that moonlight illuminate most of the space around us.

Still, I didn't pass on the excuse to touch her at every possible opportunity. Helping her over a branch or directing her to a different path with my hand on the small of her back.

Minus a few curious looks, she didn't fight me on it either. So I did it more.

"Lovely night for a stroll," I grinned, knowing that even in the dim lighting she'd be able to see the whites of my teeth and the silver of my irises.

She momentarily paused to side-eye me. But her body was stiff and taut, her trepidation visible. I wanted to take that edge away. Loosen her up. "I love these romantic dates we go on," I added.

She scoffed, "What part of this is romantic?"

"Well, I could push you up against a tree and kiss the fuck out of you under the moonlight. Give you a little reminder of what you're missing out on. That's romantic, isn't it?"

"No, that's just you being salacious."

"Ah. Makes sense. It has been a while." I nodded in agreement, not bothering to hide my smirk. "Too long, if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you," she clapped back. But even in the dark I could see the pink blush that spread across her cheeks and the smile she tried to hide.

I'd take the smile as a win.

At the indecent turn of our current conversation, she began moving away from me, keeping forward and putting space between us. I let her, watching her every step with the eyes of a predator. The girl had me enraptured. All I wanted was her. All I could really focus on was her.

And she was glorious in the moonlight. Luminous. Like a bright star, lighting up the way for my broken soul to find its redemption.

I leaned against the nearest tree. "I could watch your ass in the dark for hours," I taunted. "Especially with my Sight. You should see the perfect view I have from back here."

The frustrated shake of her head was clear in my vision.

My chuckle was near silent.

I was toying with her. And in my distraction, I completely failed to notice the wolf now creeping towards us, red eyes locked on the beautiful girl before me.

I was fast, but not fast enough when ill-prepared and the beast was now racing towards her.

I wouldn"t make it in time.

"Venus!" My voice cracked as I yelled my warning.

It almost happened in slow motion: the lunge of the creature towards the girl that had all my attention. But she turned just in time, her senses taking the lead as she somehow deflected the bite that was destined for her.

Awe filled my heart, the emotion fuelling the pumping of blood through my system, so strong that it became my life force. She had the wolf pinned to the ground. This tiny girl that at first glance looked so unassuming. She was mesmerising as she dodged the fangs of the beast and reached into her pocket, pulling out the powder that she proceeded to blow into its face. The movement perfected with all of her training.

Within moments, the wolf's snapping halted, and a sort of haunting quiet filled the forest instead.

Once I saw she had it handled, I took the opportunity to just watch her, my arms crossed and my mouth tilted in pure male satisfaction.

"Um, hello? You could have helped?" She looked disbelieving and aggravated at my indolence and lack of action.

"You had it covered, Supernova."

"Barely," she huffed.

"Oh, come on baby, you're small but mighty. I know from first-hand experience." I winked at her, and the desired result of an eye roll was my reward. I took it in greedily, imagining her eyes rolling back for other unseemly and inappropriate reasons, causing my body to twitch with need.

I forced myself to breathe and swallow back the burning desire that coursed through me.

Time.I was giving her time.

No matter how fucking stupid it seemed.

I was showing her I could be patient. That I could wait and not get bored. That I could be what she needed me to be.

Despite my teasing, I wouldn't try anything unless she made that first move. That's all it was. Teasing. Because I loved to watch her squirm and get all flushed.

But the ball was in her court now.

When she took in what she had accomplished all on her own, she smiled to herself. A beautiful, proud smile that made my fucking heart melt. This. This was why I believed in her. This was why I trained her. So I could see that illuminating smile. So I could watch her start to believe in herself. And after that first rogue attack—where she was brilliant and quick, even when she thought she wasn't—she needed this. This moment to boost her confidence and show her that she was more than capable.

She was a Stone. She was a Knight.

And if that didn't make my heart swell.

I didn't have as long as I hoped to dwell on it. Zander had disappeared through the tree line but his distressing howl signalled that he needed us. Venus's concerned gaze met mine before I grabbed her hand and we both sprinted off in the direction that the sound had come from.

The large Beta was not alone.

He and another wolf were circling each other, readying to pounce. The other was grey and scruffy with blazing red eyes that seemed to desire bloodshed.

And if the red sticky-looking substance matting the Beta's fur was any indication, I'd say the rogue had partially succeeded.

The dagger I'd given our wolf friend was discarded to the side, the blood coating it proof that he had used it on the rogue before it was dropped in the tussle.

Further evidence of Zander's efforts was visible in the enemy"s grey coat in the form of bleeding wounds.

Its wicked eyes darted to Venus and I. Enough of a distraction that Zander launched himself at the intruder, causing them to tumble together.

Unfortunately, the distraction of our presence wasn't enough to take the rabid beast fully by surprise. Zander got some bites in, but the other creature snapped its maw like an animal possessed. I gave him a minute to regain the upper hand, palming my dagger in preparation to throw.

Hearing the snapping of twigs in the distance, I swung my head in that direction just in time to see another wolf bound through the trees.

They had sent three again.

I didn't hesitate this time, flinging my dagger at it.

The whimper that came out of the creature caused my lips to kick up. But the blade only lodged itself into the beast's shoulder blade. Not enough to stop it, just enough to buy us time.

I readied my sword, but Venus screamed, "Help Zander!"

Groaning, I turned in time to see the Beta had been flung off the first rogue, thrown a few feet away. Venus was not close enough, but I was. I watched for a split second while she considered the rogue I had just injured.

It wasn't paying attention to her, its sights set on me as it began prowling, snarls sounding from its drooling mouth. She unsheathed her sais, spinning them in her hand before pelting one into the wolf's other shoulder blade.

She had this covered. That's my girl.

In the seconds it took for that to unfold, the rogue stalking Zander had decided it was time to finish him. I saw the look in its unhinged gaze as it began to gallop towards him, jaw open and ready to chomp down on the Beta's unprotected neck.

Not on my watch.

I bolted towards it, tapping into the speed that my hunter powers provided. Adrenaline fuelling me further.

This was what I was made for.

My sword came down on its neck before it had the chance to snap down on Zander's.

I wasn't at all phased by the soft thud followed by the tumbling sound of its grey head rolling along the pine needle bed of the forest floor.

Zander's light orange eyes seemed to widen and then he looked at me with what could only be interpreted as the lupine version of relief before he rested his head back down to regain his breath.

I turned back to the magnificent girl with us. She was also catching her breath.

She hadn't killed the wolf we had both done damage to. Although her other sai was also plunged into its side, much to my delight. But instead of putting it down, she opted for the purple powder again, knocking it out cold.

At the silence that once again surrounded us, her gaze fell to the head that lay on the floor behind me and her hazel eyes filled with horror. I stalked up to her, wiping the blood that had splashed onto my hands on my pants as I did so.

She didn't look my way. Her eyes were glued to the creature sitting deathly still in what I knew would be a puddle of its own blood.

Grabbing her face, I guided her gaze away from the wolf and trapped her with my own. I brushed the hair off her face and smoothed down the sides in an act of comfort I'd only ever reserve for her. Then I cupped that beautiful face in my palms once again.

I knew that the silver had taken over the natural greyish-brown of my eyes as I said in a husky, fatigued voice, "Don't look, baby girl."