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It was Sawyer who spoke to me next. Where in the woods? Sloane, there’s fighting everywhere. Be careful. If the wrong person sees you…
I gritted my teeth. I’m making a beeline for the lake.
I squinted. I could see the drop-off in the distance. I was almost there.
I didn’t know how to describe to Lincoln and Sawyer where exactly I was. They weren’t familiar with this land like I was. Telling them I was in the trees by the lake wasn’t going to cut it. There weren’t exactly mile markers.
Ahead, a large fallen trunk blocked the path. With any luck, Mikey would run straight into it.
I skittered underneath it, crawled out the other side, and continued my dash for the lake.
I glanced over my shoulder.
Mikey wasn’t there. My chest tightened. Where was he?
I no sooner had the chance to wonder where he was when something barreled into my side, knocking me off my feet. I flew through the air, weightless.
I hit the ground with a jarring thud, knocking what little breath I had out of my lungs. My vision darkened, and I couldn’t breathe. Pain exploded through my body.
Get up. Fight!
I kicked my legs out, trying to get back on my feet. Mikey pounced and landed on top of me, all but straddling me. He grabbed my shirt collar and yanked me up toward him.
I screamed and slapped him across the face. At the same time, I reached for anything on the ground I could use as a weapon.
Dirt and leaves slipped between my fingers as I clawed at the earth until I curled them around a stick. I gripped it like a knife and then jammed it into his side.
He let go of me as he shrieked like a girl. I fell back to the ground. My head hit something sharp and hard. Spots danced across my vision.
I blinked rapidly. Movement to my right caught my attention, and something flew over the top of me, taking Mikey down with them.
I pushed up on my elbows. It was Lincoln.
Tears pricked my eyes, and I drew in a sharp breath.
Lincoln wasted no time attacking his brother. He pounced on him, biting as he growled. My heart leaped into my throat as the two of them battled, Lincoln in his wolf form and Mikey as a human.
My heart swelled. Lincoln was winning.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat as Lincoln went in for the kill, his mouth inches away from Mikey’s throat.
Rustling to my right drew my attention to a shaking brush. Paws pounded on the earth, and four wolves jumped out a few feet from me.
I scooted back, but their eyes were on Lincoln.
A scream bubbled up my throat. “Lincoln!”
My voice sounded shrill, maybe not even understandable, but it worked.
Lincoln glanced over his shoulder and climbed off Mikey.
His hackles rose, and he bared his teeth at the four wolves.
I squeezed my eyes shut and called my wolf. She was so close, but I couldn’t coax her out. The wolfsbane still blocked her.
I was more vulnerable in this form, but I sure as hell wasn’t defenseless. I wasn’t going to let anything happen to Lincoln.
I reached out and found a stick and a rock. I pulled myself back to my feet and stood with my weapons in hand.
