Page 109 of Knot What I Expected

Not the fire.

Not the shouting.

Not even Monster.

Just pain.

White.

Blinding.

Absolute.

Then heat.

The trunk isn't fully burning, but parts of it are still hot enough that the bark sears through my protective gear where it shifted on impact.

I smell scorched fabric. Then flesh.

Mine.

Monster roars.

I shove against the trunk. It moves an inch.

Fuck.

I shove it again.

My claws punch through the ends of my gloves. Not good.

“Havoc!”

It’s Justin. Thank fuck. I hear boots pounding toward me.

“I fucking got it!”

“You've got a tree on you, asshole!”

“No fucking shit!”

I brace both hands beneath the trunk.

Monster surges.

Muscle thickens. Bones threaten to Shift.

“Not here,” I snarl through gritted teeth.

MOVE.

“I'M FUCKING TRYING.”

I shove. The trunk rolls enough for Justin and another male to wrench me free. I hit the ground on my hands and knees.

“Havoc.”

“I'm fine.”