Chapter 21

I toss and turn in bed, my thoughts stuck on the events of the day. I requested a meeting with Alpha Mortlock as soon as I got back to the compound. They wanted it to be just the alpha, beta, gamma, and me, but I insisted that Seb and Killian be included, because I wanted them to know everything. Everyone was quiet while I explained, except for Killian and Alex, who growled when I told them that ASP had taken me in for questioning. Even Mortlock bared his teeth when he heard this. Apparently, if ASP takes a shifter into custody, they have to allow the alpha of that pack in the interrogation room. However, ASP doesn't need to do this if the suspect is a lone wolf. There's a grey area when it comes to guests of a pack. But Moon River believes that the alpha should have been present, especially in my case. I'm still blown away that theycare enough to help fight my battles, I hadn't even thought of calling the alpha to help me.

I sent Eric a simple message letting him know I was safe and with friends, as I know he would be worriedabout me. Rolling over for what feels like the fiftieth time, I hit my pillow to make it more comfortable when I hear an odd sound, like footsteps, but many of them. I rack my brain. As far as I'm aware, there isn't apack run organised for tonight, and I'm sure I would have been told if there was. I get up from my bed to walk to the window.

Yes, it's definitely footsteps I hear. Suspicion start rising through me as I reach the windows, squinting my eyes I gasp as I see around twenty wolves I don't recognise running through the compound. I hear a scream coming from the other side of the main house, which has me running for the stairs.

I sprint down the staircase and rush through the front door of the medical wing. There are wolves everywhere, and it's difficult to tell who's who in the dark, especially since I haven't seen many of the pack in wolf form. I'll have to do this off scent alone, which is going to make it difficult for me. I don't want to harm anyone from Moon River, and I'm going to have to get close to smell which pack they belong to.

A loud howl rings through the compound, which has my hair standing on end along my arms. The howl is quickly met by others as I hear people shouting as they wake up to chaos. A trio of wolves runs past me, and I know it's the alpha, Alex, and Isa. I've seen Alex in wolf form before, but I am still surprised by how big he is. He certainly rivals Mortlock in size. Alpha Mortlock has fur like my wolf, but while mine is more bronze, his is darker brown mottled with black. He has a vicious snarl on his face as he dives towards some of the enemy wolves. Isa is large in her wolf form, but slimmer and leaner, her grey fur slightly longer than the male wolves. Alex barks at me as they race past, and I'm sure it's an order to shift.

I feel a pang in my chest, and I know Killian is looking for me. My heart is torn. I want to go with Alex, but I need to know Killian and Seb are safe. Not to mention Gloria and my patients. I try to calm my mind, my wolf going into overdrive wanting to protect those who are ours.

I decide to ignore that little thought for now. Since when did I become so possessive ?

"Ari!" I spin, finding myself in Killian's arms, my face buried in his chest.

I take a deep breath, inhaling his scent. Only then do I realise he's doing the same, his face nuzzled into my neck.

"It seems the warning was true," Killian tells me as he pulls away just enough to look at me.

I go to reply, but a loud growl has us turning towards the woods. A large grey wolf that I recognise is stalking towards us, his muzzle pulled back into a snarl. I curse as I see the long scar running down the wolf's face.

"It's the same wolf who attacked me. Guess we know who's behind this attack now," I tell Killian, but I'm not sure he's listening, his attention on the wolf in front of us.

The grey wolf snaps his teeth in my direction, and Killian growls loudly, his body shaking as he fights his wolf.

"I know this bastard," Killian grits out, his voice barely human, and I know he is close to losing control. "Protect the others. I've got this."

Jumping forward, Killian changes mid-air into his beautiful white wolf. I can't help but admire him for a few seconds before a scream cuts through my daydreaming. As I run towards the sound, I can't help but think it's not a coincidence that the two wolves I just left both have similar scars across their faces.

I fight against my wolf. I need to stay in control in case anyone gets injured. I rush around the corner when I see Seb backed up in front of one of the cabins in wolf form. Fear and anger rush through me. I've not seen Seb in his wolf form before, but somehow, I know it's him. His fur is an auburn colour, and he is much smaller in stature than the other wolves. He has two large wolves snarling at him and a bite on his front foot. I step closer and finally lose control of my wolf when I hear screaming inside the cabin—Jessica. My wolf rushes to the surface, and I don't hesitate to let her take over as we become one.

I barely notice the sting of the change, adrenaline pumping through me. My change is fast, quicker than ever before, but I don't have time to think about that now. My thoughts and my wolf's are the same, finally in sync, neither of us is fighting the other. Our need to protect is running fiercely through our veins.

Seb is still facing off with the two stronger wolves, refusing to back down. Pride runs through us, my wolf seeing Seb in a different light. I snarl as I stalk up behind the other wolves, causing them to turn their backs on Seb, thinking me the bigger threat. I don't give them a chance to strike me, darting forward and latching onto the bigger one's neck. I catch him by surprise, and as I bite down and twist my head, I hear a sickening crack of the bones in his neck. A life taken so quickly, but I don't have time to think about that. I turn to fight the other one, but Seb is already attacking him. He may be smaller and not have as much power, but he's been training for years and currently has the upper hand in this fight.

Another scream from inside the cabin has me running towards the sound. I know Seb has this. Jessica needs my help. I run up the stairs and through the broken doorway, freezing at the sight before me.

"Ari!" a small, frightened voice calls out to me.

Jessica, Lottie, and the other pack children are cowering in one corner, huddled together, with Gloria pinned to the ground by a wolf double her size.

"Ah, little wolf, you've finally arrived," Alpha Black says as he pushes away from the cabin wall where he had been leaning. I struggle to calm my breathing. I need to change back to human form. I need to be able to talk. I take a deep breath through my muzzle and pull my wolf towards my centre. The change back to human is easier than it's ever been. Perhaps my wolf can sense my urgency.

I stand, seeing that someone has left a long coat by the doorway. Bloody considerate of the bastard to leave me clothes. I'm surprised. I thought he'd love me being vulnerable, standing naked in front of him. I pull the coat on and scan the room, trying not to grimace at the fact that the coat smells like them . I realise now why they left the clothing. They're trying to prove ownership of me. I want to throw off the coat, but I have more pressing matters. I glance around the room again. The children seem frightened but unharmed. Gloria is motionless but breathing. I think she's unconscious until I see her eyes flutter.

"Gloria, are you okay?" I call, not moving from my defensive position.

"Hello, Ari, dear. I'm fine. Keep the children safe for me," she replies. Even in a life-or-death situation, she is still caring for others, but I can hear the fear in her voice.

There are four members of Shadow Pack in the room—two grunts I don't recognise, Alpha Black, and lurking in the corner of the room is Terrance, my childhood tormentor. I realise that someone else is here as he walks into my field of vision. I don't know how I missed him. Grinning at me like he's won the lottery is Marcus.

"You fucking traitorous piece of shit. You would betray your pack like that? Attacking those who are your kin?" I ask incredulously.

"They stopped being my kin when they sided with you, you bitch," he snarls, losing his composure. Terrance places a hand on his chest in warning.

The alpha clears his throat, pulling my attention back to him. I bare my teeth at him in a snarl, anger filling me.

"Why the fuck are you here? What do you want?" I demand, my fury fuelling my words.

Alpha Black's knowing smile drops into a frown as though he is disappointed in my question.

"Oh, Ariana, you know better than that. We're here to take you home," he tells me, ending his statement with a smile like we're a having a happy family reunion.

That sounds like him. He came to get me, but he has to cause as much pain and suffering in the process. I think this is a little dramatic for the likes of Alpha Black. Usually, he goes straight for the jugular, unless there is something in it for him.

"That place was never a home, and if you think I'm going back with you, you're delusional. Especially after you have hurt my friends."

"That is no way to speak to your father," the alpha comments lightly, and I shake my head angrily, spitting at his feet.

"You lost all privilege of me calling you that the day you tortured me to access my powers," I fume, mourning the childhood I never had.

His expression turns into a frown. His eyes flick over my shoulder, and I'm made aware of someone standing in the doorway behind me—Killian. The alpha turns to look at Terrance before turning back to me.

"Aren't you going to greet your mate?" he goads, trying to make me slip up and make a mistake.

Killian growls and goes to step forward, but I block his path with my arm.

" I am her mate," Killian growls, but he doesn't make a move towards the others, instead trusting my judgement and standing by my side.

Alpha Black raises his eyebrows in surprise. Terrance has pushed away from the wall and looks like he wants to tear into Killian.

"My, my, you have been busy. Our little wolf is full of surprises," the alpha remarks, his tone even so I can't tell what he's thinking. "I'll cut you a deal, Ariana. Come with us, and I will call off the attack."

It sounds like a genuine offer, but I know that nothing is ever that simple with Shadow Pack. I would rather die than go back, but I'm also not prepared for my new family to get hurt any further because of me.

"Don't even think about it," Killian growls in my ear. I turn my head toward him slightly, my eyes staying on the alpha and Terrance.

"Killian—" I begin before he cuts me off.

"That self-sacrifice bullshit is exactly the type of thing you would do. Remember, I can feel your intentions. Besides, I don't trust this bastard to honour his word."

I nod. He's right. Damnit.

There are suddenly lots of loud noises outside of the house. Killian spins and snarls at something behind him. He races out the door, bursting into his wolf form mid-air.

"That's our cue to go," Alpha Black states.

Terrance stalks towards Gloria and kneels down next to her. Meeting my gaze, he stares at me with a sick smile on his face that I recognise all too well. I start moving before I even realise what I'm doing. My shadow powers are pushing at me to let them out, but I fight against it. I don't know if I can control it, and I don't want to hurt the children. But this is a mistake that will haunt me—I'm too slow.

Partially shifting his hand, he slices his claws through her neck. Everything moves in slow motion. I see her look at me before her eyes widen as she gasps for air.

I wordlessly scream and run at Terrance, pummelling my fists into him, not aiming for anywhere in particular, just trying to cause as much damage as possible. I'm so focused on Terrance that I don't hear someone come up behind me. Something sharp stabs me in the shoulder, but I ignore it, until my vision goes blurry and my arms become weak. I fall to the ground, my body numb. The last thing I see before my vision goes are Gloria's wide eyes, her hand stretched towards me. Blackness encompasses me, and I can feel myself being lifted. A mournful howl is the last thing I hear before unconsciousness claims me.