A growl sounded.
Ferals.
Not far either.
Fuck.
But then, another sound.
Like a clattering.
I turned, my focus on a wall at the back of the room. From first glance, it looked plain and white, unmarred.
But then, another clatter.
I raced to it, eyeing the invisible seam on instinct.
A door.
Hands grabbed my shoulders, pulling me back. I spun, facing three guards with tasers and blades raised.
I cracked my neck and waited, my body bouncing on the spot. One lunged, but I caught the hand, pulling the taser back until he struck himself. Another tried to punch me, so I snapped his arm.
More guards.
One got me on the ground. Solid boots kicked me hard in the side.
The clatter grew louder, like something on the other side of that door wanted out.
I flicked my hand out, throwing everything around me at my attackers like bullets. The distraction was enough to free me, but I was outnumbered.
Until I heard a roar.
Deathly. Violent. Heavy with old menace.
The animal in me went still.
My alpha had arrived.
Sy tore through my attackers in a single, brutal sweep. Talons burst from his hands — razor-sharp, already slick with blood.
My eyes burned.
Nowthatwas motherfucking power.
I slammed into the door, throwing my weight against it again and again. Pain flared through my shoulders — but it didn’t give.
Sy stepped past me.
He hooked one claw into the seam and ripped.
The wall screamed as the door tore free, revealing a yawning abyss beyond.
A pen flew out of the darkness.
It struck me square in the forehead.
Hard.
