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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Irun faster than I ever have before.
I know they aren’t chasing me, but I need to warn the pack, gather them, and attack. I refuse to lose any of my family to these hunters. I cover the ground until I barely feel my paws, all while keeping a mental map to return. We are on the other side of town, farther away from the pack than I have ever been. It takes me at least three hours to cross into pack territory, and only then do I relax a little, but I still don’t stop running.
By the time I skid into familiar pack land, I’m panting, and when I change back, I actually stumble. I’ve run more before, but due to the lack of meat and nutrients, I’m exhausted and stumbling across the uneven grass, heading towards the pack house which is lit up like a beacon.
My memories claw at me like weapons, recalling the boy who saved me and the man who saved me tonight.
No!
I hit the door with a thud, my limbs shaking, but that animal part of me knows I need to get inside and warn them, and it keeps me going as I fumble with the doorknob and slip inside. I stumble down the hallway until a familiar shadow steps out of his office.
Dark circles surround his eyes, his hair is a mess, and his clothes are stained.
“Dad,” I croak as I drop to my knees, finally feeling safe.
“Quinny!” he roars, sprinting towards me and catching me as I fall.
The sound of rushing footsteps fills my ears, along with other familiar, comforting voices, and I close my eyes and relax. I’m home. I’m safe, at least for now.
They have me.
I’m on Jang’s sofa in his office, wrapped in a thick quilt, the room crowded with worried pack members. All eyes are on me as I devour the feast before me, ripping into the bloody meat.
I need to feed since I’m weak from days of not eating properly.
Jang and Marie watch me worriedly. Jang leans forward, his hands hanging heavily between his legs, and Marie watches me with her hands over her mouth, so I make an effort to slow down and not worry them as much. They wait until I finish eating to question me—Jang’s orders, and no one dares question our alpha. Not when he looks feral.
The betas of my pack line the walls, and I run my eyes over them, noting they look just as exhausted. Was everyone out searching for me?
“You’re alive,” White comments.
“Of course she is. My girl can survive anything.” Jang huffs and leans closer still. “Quinny, what happened? The last we saw of you was you in a cage, being taken away by hunters.”
Wiping my mouth on the back of my hand, I swallow the meat, knowing this is more important. I have time to rest, but Ineed to inform the pack, so I sit taller, not allowing any emotion to invade my thoughts. I am a beta and the next alpha. I will not break down. I am safe, and they are in danger.
They need to know.
Clearing my throat, I meet Jang’s eyes. “There were three hunters—two brothers and one other member of their team. They set traps just beyond our border. I smelled a feral inside one. They also captured Sarah. I freed her from the trap and tried to cover her escape, but I realised they would follow us back, so I stayed to fight and give her time to get back.” I pause as Marie whimpers. “However, they had weapons, which electrocuted my wolf, and the voltage eventually paralysed me, and then they drugged me. When I came to, I was caged in an old mill to the south of town. I know the exact location and can lead you back, but they are smart, and they will move. However, I do have their scents and can track them. They questioned me . . .” I swallow the truth, not wanting my pack to think I’m a traitor. “I did not turn back, and this evening, one of the team members lost his patience and entered my cage. I managed to kill him and escape.”
“Quinn.” Jang sighs, rubbing his head. “Did they hurt you?”
“Their methods did not scar or affect my wolf. I’m okay.” His eyes narrow, and he knows what I am not saying—they tortured me.
“They kept me starved to keep me weak, but I managed to make it back.”
“Of course you did,” someone in the pack says, and they whoop.
“But Alpha, I must speak to you,” I implore. “It’s important.”
He looks into my eyes and nods, and then he whistles. The pack clears out at the betas’ urgings, and I overhear them say they can see me later.
Once the door shuts, I lean forward. “They moved their base here. They are all actively hunting wolves, and they know there is a pack. Although I believe this team didn’t tell the other hunters yet, they will. They will come for us, so we must shore up our defences.”
Jang’s nostrils flare. “I will need to know exactly what I am up against.”
“Of course. They use wolfsbane and bewitched blades. They also have access to pixie magic. They are well trained but still human and sentimental. I believe we can win. We have the home ground advantage, and if we don’t spend time tracking their trail like a wild goose chase, which they will expect, then we can set traps and wait. They will come for us. In the meantime, I suggest we pull everyone back from the village because everyone is in danger. No one leaves the pack. Double patrol. I would also warn the other packs and even the ferals.”
