The dew and moisture in the air suggested rain was coming. I rubbed my arms, hoping to get back inside before that started. It was cold enough without getting sopping wet.

  The setting sun cast an orange glow in the sky. Most everyone was inside and getting ready for the night. The patrols were out, searching, waiting, and making sure that none of Alpha Dane’s men were here.

  I couldn’t see our enforcers, but with everything at stake, I knew that the guards were out. They were watching, and I hoped they were being vigilant.

  I didn’t slow my jog until I was in the safety of the trees. The leaves crunched beneath my feet, painting the forest floor in beautiful yellows and oranges.

  Most of the trees still had their leaves, and they rustled in the slight breeze. I continued until I found the log that my brothers and I used to use as a starting and ending point when we did our laps for racing.

  I sat down on it and stared ahead at the well-worn path. Darrin and I had met here every morning to go for a race.

  I missed those days. I missed him more. Tears pricked my eyes, and I stood, swiping them away with the back of my hand.

  I kicked off my shoes first, undressed quickly, and then folded my clothes into a nice pile before dropping to my hands and knees.

  I pictured my wolf simmering beneath the surface, and then she came out. My bones snapped and realigned in a pleasure pain. My hair changed, shortening on my head and turning to the soft white of my wolf.

  Once I was fully shifted, I shook out my rear and then rocked back into a stretch. Mom was right. Of course she was. When wasn’t she right? I needed this.

  I crouched and then sprang forward, darting through the woods like when I would race with Darrin. I zipped along the path at breakneck speed.

  It reminded me of the short race Lincoln and I had had at his house. Maybe one day soon we could find our own trail and make a new path that we could run together.

  I could almost see it now: Lincoln, Sawyer, and me, all running alongside our own special path on the property. I ran faster and imagined my mates behind me, just barely able to keep up. I would be faster, of course. I always was when racing my brothers. And I’d beat Lincoln the one time we’d raced.

  I was so caught up in my daydream that I didn’t notice that I wasn’t alone until a blur of white and gray crossed my path. The wolf dove at me from the brush, snarling and hackles raised.

  My feet slid across the dewy ground as I stopped just before the wolf clipped me. His tail whipped me in the face, making my eyes sting and water.

  Growling, the wolf lunged at me again.

  Four

  Sloane

  I darted to the right, rose up on my back legs, and launched myself at the wolf.

  I landed on his back, and my momentum pushed him and made him stumble. He fell to his side while I sank my teeth into his shoulder blade.

  He rolled, somehow got his feet under me, and shoved, sending me flying off him. I tumbled through the leaves, and my back hip hit one of the trees. I yelped in pain and wiggled as I tried to right myself.

  The wolf didn’t give me a chance to recover. He pounced and landed on me. I ducked, rolled onto my belly, and tried to push to my feet. It was no use, though. He was bigger and stronger.

  I twisted, arching my back and sinking my canines into his leg. He howled as blood flooded my mouth.

  My pulse quickened. My hackles rose as he shoved me into the tree. My chest screamed as my breath whooshed out of my lungs, making them wheeze in protest.

  He reared his head into the side of my face. I bit the inside of my lip hard enough that blood pooled in my mouth. I whimpered. My vision darkened, and pain exploded in my skull.

  I blinked, fighting to stay conscious.

  Sawyer… He was trying to reach out to me. I tugged at the imaginary rope that linked us together.

  The wolf pulled away, and I drew in a painful breath. My reprieve was short. The wolf attacked again, driving his head and shoulders right into my ribs.

  I gasped as I fought against the darkness that threatened to pull me under.

  He clamped down on my arm, his teeth digging in enough to hurt, but I didn’t think he broke the skin. The wolf took a few steps back, dragging me through the dirt.

  I squeezed my eyes shut for a count of three and prayed that the world would stop spinning so I could get my bearings.

  The world vibrated and spun. Nausea churned in my belly.

  White noise filled my ears, and then Sawyer was around me, everywhere, even inside me.

  His voice echoed in my head. Sloane, you have to get up. He’s not trying to kill you. He’s trying to take you.

  I gritted my teeth and fought through the haze for clarity. He was right.

  I turned my head just in time to see him racing at me again. I scrambled to my feet and leaped out of the way just in time. The wolf ran face-first into the tree trunk.

  He yelped, and then a thump sounded.

  I spun around on trembling legs, and before I even thought about it, I attacked. It wasn’t really me; it was Sawyer. He was in my head and in control of my body.

  Together, we went in for the kill. I sank my teeth into the soft, fleshy part of the side of his neck and bit down with everything I had. The wolf’s blood coated my tongue, filling my mouth with a metallic taste.

  I lifted my right front paw and swiped it down his side, making sure to flex my nails so they dug in as deep as possible to inflict damage.

  I twisted my head back and forth, briefly aware of Sawyer telling me to stop. But why? This wolf wasn’t going to show me mercy. Why should I show it to him?

  Sawyer’s voice filled my head. Sloane, you have to stop. You’re going to kill him.

  You want me to stop?

  He’s too injured to attack you again now. We need to get answers from him. I didn’t know he was here, Sloane. We need to find out if there are others.

  My heart thundered at Sawyer’s admission. Alpha Dane was still keeping secrets from him. Did he suspect Sawyer was on our side? Or worse, did he know?

  I released my death bite on the wolf and stepped back. My jaw ached from how hard I’d been biting, so I opened and shut my mouth to help relax it. I took a couple of steps back and realized Sawyer’s wolf stood nearby.

  He bounded toward me and nuzzled my neck. Are you hurt?

  I did a quick assessment. I was sore in a couple of areas and sure I was going to have bruises, but nothing horrible. No, I’m okay.

  Sawyer rubbed his head against mine. Thank goodness. Why were you out here alone?

  I didn’t realize there was someone here. I thought it was safe.

  The muscles in my back tightened. I wasn’t safe, probably not anywhere, even though this was my home, my parents’ land. Alpha Dane had shown that he could get to me pretty much anywhere.

  Sawyer looked at my face. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.

  I shuddered. Is it?

  Sawyer exhaled and looked at the ground. We are going to make it okay.

  I didn’t have the heart to ask him how. With every day that went by, the stakes for us and the danger we were all in grew higher.

  Sawyer nudged me with his muzzle. Let’s get your clothes and get you dressed. This guy will be waking up soon. I’d feel better if there were more people here when he dies.

  I turned back to the shifter, who had already transitioned back to a human. This happened automatically when a shifter was injured severely to keep humans from finding us. Blood coated his torso and neck, but the wounds weren’t as severe as they looked.

  Sawyer was right. I needed to get help right now.

  I spun toward the direction of the house, took a few steps, and then looked over my shoulder. Sawyer wasn’t following.

  I tilted my head to the side. Aren’t you coming?

  Sawyer looked back at the guy. No, I want to stay here in case he wakes up.

  I shifted on my feet, looking from Sawyer to the guy. But you’re not really here, right?

  Sawyer’s ears twitched. I’m not. But I think with you as close as you are, if I can maintain the connection if he were to wake up, I could follow him, and he would never know me to be behind him. But you need to go get your people. I don’t want him getting away.

  I narrowed my eyes. Part of me wanted to argue, but the other part knew he was right. I’ll be right back.

  I turned back toward the path and sprinted as fast as I could. My lungs roared like they were on fire. Branches whipped against my face, and thorns pricked my fur as I ducked through the brush, taking a shortcut. I ignored the pain until I came to the log where I’d changed.

  I shut my eyes and triggered my shift until I was on my hands and knees. I tossed my tank top and pants on and left the rest of the stuff as I ran for the house. Sticks and leaves jabbed into the bottoms of my feet as I ran.

  Ian stepped into my path with his hands up. “Sloane, is everything okay?”

  Jacob was right behind him, his brows creased with worry. “Sloane?”

  I pointed in the direction I had come. “There’s one of Alpha Dane’s men in the woods. I took him out.”

  My words came out clipped from how out of breath I was, and I had to lean forward and put my hands on my knees so I could try to catch it. But that only seemed to make it worse.

  I gulped in air, but the tightness in my chest remained.

  Ian turned to Jacob. “Go to the house and get the alpha. Sloane, can you show me where he was?”

  I forced myself to stand upright. I was too hot, and my lungs fought to draw in enough breath. A bout of dizziness washed over me, making me sway.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, counted to five, and then opened them. My hands twitched as I pointed in the direction where I’d been attacked.

  Ian followed where I was pointing, but I knew that wasn’t good enough.

  I forced a deep breath in through my nose and let it out slowly through my mouth. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

  I was still breathless, but I mustered up everything I had and sprinted back in the direction Sawyer stood.

  Tree branches bit my skin, hard enough that they drew blood. Thorns caught in my hair as I darted through some of the underbrush that I usually ran through as a wolf. Ian kept pace a few feet behind me. We didn’t stop until we made it back to where Sawyer sat on the ground in , watching the unconscious man.

  Ian put his hand on my shoulder before moving past me. “You took him on by yourself.”

  I put my hands behind my head and laced my fingers together. My chest heaved, and sweat glided down my back. “Sort of, yeah.”

  Ian knew about Sawyer, but he couldn’t see him, and just thinking about trying to explain how our connection worked gave me a headache.

  Ian crouched next to the man and put his fingers on his pulse point. “He’s still alive. The wounds don’t look too horrible in his human form.”

  I shuddered and wrapped my arms around my middle. I’d done that. I’d wanted to kill him. If Sawyer hadn’t stopped me, I might have.

  I blinked rapidly and glanced around, my gaze landing on Sawyer. He nodded at me, his words from earlier ringing in my mind. This guy would be waking up soon.

  I cleared my throat and dropped my hands to my sides. “I can help you bring him back.”

  Ian looked at me, giving me a once-over before he shook his head. “You were just attacked and ran at least a couple miles back and forth. I can manage carrying him.”

  Ian lifted the guy’s arm and then picked him up so he was carrying him like a fireman would carry someone out of a burning building. He wobbled a little as he stood and adjusted the guy’s weight.

  Ian grunted as he looked at me. “Keep an eye on him. Let me know if he shows any signs of waking. I hope we get back before that happens.”

  Him and me both.

  Ian started down the path, and I followed a few steps behind, my gaze on the intruder, watching for any signs of movement. Sawyer fell into step next to me.

  I reached over and slid my palm into Sawyer’s and sighed as the pressure in my chest finally lifted. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Sawyer’s jaw worked, and he ran his free hand over his face. “Me too. When I felt your fear…I…”

  I squeezed his hand. “It’s okay.”

  He laughed hollowly and looked away. “It’s not okay, Sloane. You could have been killed. There could be other men here. I’m supposed to be keeping you one step ahead. That asshole should have never gotten close enough to touch you.”

  I threaded my free hand through my hair, grimacing when it got snarled in a nasty tangle. I picked at the knot. “Why do you think your dad isn’t telling you everything? Do you think he suspects you?”

  I shivered at the thought. We’d seen what happened to Lincoln. If Sawyer were caught, I feared his punishment would be ten times worse. Sawyer was supposed to be the future alpha.

  Sawyer exhaled, his nostrils flaring. “He suspects someone. He doesn’t think Lincoln was acting alone. I’m a likely candidate. He knows how close we are.”

  A cold chill zipped down my spine. “What does that mean? Do you think you’re in danger?”

  I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I looked at Sawyer.

  A tick formed in his jaw, and he narrowed his eyes as he stared straight ahead. “It means I have to be extra careful. My dad is always watching. I’ll have to find a way to get him to focus on someone else.”

  I continued to unravel the knot in my hair as tears pricked my eyes. “How are you going to do that?”

  Sawyer closed his eyes briefly and then looked at the ground. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll find a way.”

  My bottom lip trembled. “Sawyer, you need a plan. If your father catches you—”

  “He’ll kill me.”

  Five

  Sawyer

  I paced back and forth over the worn wooden floor of the barn as more of Sloane’s pack filed into the building.

  Sloane stood by the door, arms crossed over her chest. She shifted on her feet and stood tall, her gaze never wavering from the man who had attacked her.

  More enforcers had arrived, and they were stringing the intruder up with a rope in the rafters so he hung much the same way Lincoln had just a few days ago.

  I gritted my teeth at the reminder. It was a necessary action.

  Sloane pushed off the wall and disappeared outside. She was gone for only a second before reappearing, grasping a man’s arm, her fingers digging into his sweater.

  He must be her father. The resemblance was uncanny. She leaned in, putting her mouth close to his ear, and said something.

  His gaze snapped in my direction. She must’ve told him I was here. If he could see me, he’d be looking right at me.

  I stopped pacing and stood up straight, my mouth drying. Would her father ever approve of me? What about Lincoln? Or were we doomed from the get-go because of our father?

  I shook the thought away. Now wasn’t the time.

  Sloane’s dad wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her to the center of the room so she was standing in front of the intruder hanging from the rafters. He was awake now, but his mouth was clenched shut, and he refused to look at anyone.

  Sloane’s dad put himself protectively in front of her. “You have the audacity to attack my daughter on my pack’s land. I want to know why.”

  Everyone fell silent as the enforcer looked up, his lips curled and his eyes pinched. “Alpha Dane wants what is his. She was given to Pack Wolf Blood and needs to be returned.”

  A growl vibrated in my throat as I stomped forward to stand protectively in front of Sloane as well. Not that it did any good. Nobody could see or hear me, but I hoped to hell that this asshole could feel my presence.

  Sloane’s dad glared at the enforcer, his face flushed red and his chest heaving. “Wolves choose their pack. Sloane went there as a peace offering. Your pack violated that, and she chose to return home. No one should be forced to live under those conditions.”

  The enforcer scowled and shook his head. “The days of wolves choosing their packs are over. Alpha Dane is going to be the ultimate alpha. He will rule everyone. Those who stand against him will be slaughtered.”

  The enforcer’s face hardened. “She’d make it a lot easier on herself if she returns willingly. He might go easy on her.”

  I fisted my hands at my sides. My jaw ached from how hard I clenched it. This fool didn’t know my dad at all. He must’ve been new. I’d never seen him before.

  Sloane marched forward, her head held high, and stopped between her father and me. “Alpha Dane is a tyrant. He will be stopped. We won’t let him continue to terrorize our home.”

  The prisoner glanced at Sloane for the first time. His eyes raked up and down her body like he was sizing her up or checking her out. It made my hackles rise.

  Sloane crossed her arms over her chest. “How many other men are here with you?”

  The enforcer laughed, but it sounded pained. “Like I’m going to tell you that.”

  Sloane’s dad put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle pat before he addressed the enforcer. “We have ways to make you talk. We’re giving you the easy option first.”

  Sloane swallowed and wavered on her feet before standing strong again.

  I reached out and touched her elbow, letting my finger trail down her arm until I grasped her hand. “You know this has to be done. He won’t talk, and your pack needs answers.”

  She swallowed as she met my gaze, her eyes wide.

  I clutched her hand tighter, lifting it so I could kiss the back. “Trust in your alpha and me.”

  Her lips twitched and spread into a small smile, and she inclined her head, holding her chin high.

  My heart swelled. Sloane was so strong and brave.

  The enforcer scrunched up his nose and then grinned. “You can torture me all you want. I won’t talk. My loyalties are to Alpha Dane.”

  Sloane’s dad rubbed his chin. “Who said anything about torture? I’m not like your alpha. I’m not cold and callous, and I’m smart enough to know that if you serve him, you most likely relish pain.”

 

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