AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Leif managed a smirk. “It’s about time we found a use for her.”
He had nothing.
With my other hand, I clocked him right in the chin. Leif shoved me off him, sending me clear across the room. There were stars in my vision, and the wolves who’d accompanied me descended upon him. Leif flicked them away like they were lint.
Bibi had just finished her shift and shook her fur out before she stalked toward him. I was seeing two of her as I pulled myself away from the rocks.
“You think your princess wolf can beat me?”
“That’s queen to you,” Bibi said. “And I’ve never been defeated in a fight. Against any beast.”
“I’ll be using your fur for a pillow when I’m done. Or maybe I’ll let Lars use it when he recovers from his wounds.” Leif positioned himself. I only saw one of him, but he was fuzzy, so I considered that an improvement. My human body smarted from the impact. I shouldn’t have even felt that. Not having the Scepter might cost me this fight.
But it would cost me so much more than that. Winning meant I had a say in what happened to all those zombie beasts out there. Including Tanyth. It meant I had a chance to fix this.
“I was just thinking my cabin needs a new rug,” Bibi said before she lunged at him. She stayed low, much to my surprise, and more importantly, to my brother’s as well. Her teeth were in his skin and he sank to his knees, trying to shake her off. The other wolves had had a chance to regroup, and they were closing in on the fight.
Even in the low light, I could see the blood pooling beneath him. My gait evened out, and the temperature in my body rose. My vision blurred again, and that fire inside me became unbearable as bones cracked—
My bones.
Fur burst through my skin as my body expanded. I didn’t bother to unfasten my jeans, as the fabric was no match for my growing body. I let the power flow through me, taking the strength from the earth. But more importantly than that, my new family that believed in me. Who were here in the thick of a fight that on paper that we couldn’t possibly win.
My transformation was complete. I let out a roar that shook the mountain, letting the Shifter King know he’d pushed me around for the last fucking time.
I charged for him, feeling like pure electricity was flowing through my veins. He’d been distracted. Bibi had gotten a hold of him enough to take him down but not out. The other wolves were the perfect distraction—they couldn’t defeat him on their own, but he couldn’t ignore them, either.
It was my chance. There was no need to get fancy. His eyes widened as I closed my hand around his throat. This time, I could give it a sufficient squeeze. The first blow only made him madder, and he ripped at my fur. My body was still on fire from my shift, and he could’ve done anything to me. It wouldn’t have slowed me down.
I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this strong. But I tried because I didn’t want to think about what I was doing. Leif was my brother. My blood. The only strong, healthy sasquatch besides me walking this earth.
And I was taking the life from him, one blow at a time.
But I had to. Or else he would keep killing humans, or capturing them and draining their life force for this evil alliance he’d made with Armand.
Who I’d still have to deal with soon. But in this moment, I had to think of the humans and shifters I was saving.
Hannah.
Her friends. My friends.
“Lars.” Bibi’s voice was sharp and unfamiliar in her wolf from. “I think you’ve silenced him.”
My brother lay lifeless below me. My head bowed.
“I’m sorry it had to come to this. But it was you or me,” I said as I rested my hand on his motionless chest.
“You did the right thing.” Bibi’s eyes were so sad. “I know how much this hurts. We’re here for you. But let’s get out of here. I’m sure Hannah needs our help.”
My body was numb as I rose from the ground. Leif wasn’t stirring. I’d done it. Bibi stayed with me, while the other wolves watched from a respectful distance.
There was an unfamiliar noise coming from outside of this room.
“We should probably block the entrance. Just in case,” Hugo suggested.
Wolves pushed rocks into the entryway, and as we headed for daylight, that noise got louder.
“What is that?” Bibi asked. “It sounds like there’s another war happening.”
