The two brothers fought as one, united for the first time in years. It was spectacular to watch, as if they could read each other’s minds.
A beautiful blue roan emerged from the other side of the creek, his hooves crashing against the calm waters. Ivy’s braid flapped in the wind, her face filled with generations of strength and courage. She charged through the water on her steed toward our pack, nothing but his mane in her hands.
“How many left?” she yelled out, fast approaching.
I had to stop and think. “Maybe ten.”
She breathed heavily, dismounting so gracefully that her feet made no sound when they touched the dark earth. “Those are good numbers.” Without another word, she bent down and worked at the stick trapping my foot. “This tree really doesn’t want to let you go.” She glanced up at smiled warmly. “Sometimes trees know a thing or two. I think this one was trying to protect you.”
“Well, tell your friend I have some wolves to kill, so if he would kindly remove his finger from my shoe, it would be greatly appreciated.”
She tugged hard, and the branch snapped, scraping some of my leg when it pulled free. Ivy took my hand to pull herself up since she was without her cane.
I glanced toward the east. “We heard they came in from that direction. Was it your men who were attacked?”
She shook her head. “No. I came alone to get Lennon. His brother is concerned, and I’m afraid he might try to sneak out and return to your pack.”
“It must have been Axel’s group then.” I glanced upstream. “I’m not sure exactly where William’s camp is, but Lennon is with them.”
She shook her head and turned back to the wolves. “Naya must have fought bravely.”
I felt a pull leading me back to the campsite. “Austin needs me.”
She touched my belly. “Austin needs you to be safe.”
We both turned a sharp eye toward the creek when an ominous sound came from beyond the tree line.
“Wolves,” she whispered.
Wheeler and Ben had taken care of the rogue, and now they were both standing guard on either side of Naya.
“Hurry!” I said, pushing her forward.
“Come with me,” she whispered.
“You know I can’t do that. I’m the female alpha, and I have to stay with the pack just as you would yours. Take Naya and go.”
She led her horse to the creek, a slight limp in her walk.
The sound of wolves grew increasingly louder. My God, they were coming for us.
Ivy knelt beside Naya, coaxing her to stand. With help, she got her mounted on the horse, and Naya fell forward across Trouble’s neck. The horse whinnied and pawed the ground, waiting for Ivy to get on. Ivy found a tall stone and stood on it. She clucked her tongue, and Trouble got close enough for her to mount.
“I’ll return with help!” She kicked her heels, and they headed south, following the creek.
I stepped closer to the clearing and then found a place to conceal myself, one where I could mount my gun on top of a fallen branch to steady it while I took aim.
From my vantage point, I had a good view of the woods across the shallow creek, and I kept my gun steady. My aim wasn’t bad, but I sucked at long distance. If as many wolves as I heard were coming, then my gun would be of no use. All I could do was protect my packmates for as long as I could until they found me.
A pain lanced my side and I grimaced, sucking in a sharp breath. It radiated to my back and latched on like an iron claw. I hadn’t felt menstrual cramps in almost nine months, but they didn’t compare to this.
“Shhh, it’s okay,” I whispered to the baby. “Everything’s fine.”
But it wasn’t fine.
Judas emerged from the shadows, moonlight reflecting off the hundred eyes of the wolves who followed him.
“Come out, dearest daughter. There is much to discuss.”
Chapter 30
I felt the brush of Austin’s black wolf against my side before I saw him.
“What do we do?” I asked, my eyes still watching Judas as he crossed the shallow water.
It was an eerie sensation to see recognizable features of my own face on someone else, and yet we had nothing in common. Despite his shaggy beard and tattered appearance, he approached as a man who had victory within his grasp.
The rest of our pack trickled in from the woods behind me, joining Ben and Wheeler’s side. The twins briefly rested their heads on each other’s shoulders in an embrace that made my wolf’s heart simultaneously weep and sing. It was their first reunion in years and might end up being their last.
Judas neared the bank with fearless resolve, and perhaps that confidence came from the sea of wolves following close behind. The creek was only knee-deep, and the wolves were thirsty to fill those sparkling waters with blood.
April had flashed by and stopped briefly to look at me. The barking of her mate drew her attention away, and she joined his side.
Austin and I were obscured by shadows and trees, but Judas knew we were watching.
“Tell them to back off,” Judas bellowed. “And leave your weapons behind. I’m here to offer peace.”