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The sharp sound of metal breaking snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see some of the Greenthornes’ followers breaking the cells open. Christie and Martin Greenthorne stumbled out, immediately launching themselves at each other. Their claws raked against flesh, and the coppery scent of blood filled my nose as they continued the vicious fight that had landed them here in the first place.
“Idiots,” I said under my breath, shaking my head. They were so focused on their toxic power struggle that they didn’t even notice the chaos around them. I’d deal with them later. Right now, I had to find Ridge again. I’d gotten turned around in my scuffle with the wolves.
“Ridge!” I shouted again, wading into the fray, dodging punches and kicks as I made my way through the crowd, fighting valiantly against the panic. Where was he?
“Hey!” someone called out. “Is that Ridge over there?”
“Where?” I asked desperately, scanning the crowd.
“By the wall. Looks like he’s unconscious.”
“Goddammit!” I snarled, pushing my way through the fighting shifters. I couldn’t lose him, not after everything we’d been through.
“Get out of my way,” I growled, shoving aside a wolf who tried to block my path. My vision blurred from unshed tears as I finally spotted Ridge’s still form on the ground, blood staining his hair and pooling around him.
No, this was not the way our story ended. We’d endured too much.
“Ridge!” Sobbing, I dropped to my knees next to him, cradling his head in my lap. “Please be okay.”
“Look who’s playing hero,” sneered Christie Greenthorne as she stalked toward us, blood dripping from her claws. Her eyes gleamed with malice.
“Stay the fuck away from him,” I hissed. Intense anger rose within me, a wild and untamed force that threatened to consume me entirely. If Christie took one more step toward Ridge, I wouldn’t hesitate to unleash it upon her.
“Or what?” she taunted.
“Or you’ll find out just how deadly a cornered wolf can be,” I snarled, my hands trembling with barely contained rage. And for the first time in my life, I knew without a doubt that I meant every word. “Christie, I swear to God, if you take one more step toward him...” My voice trailed off into a low growl, my vision clouding red as I stared her down.
She hesitated, glancing between me and Ridge’s unconscious form.
“Fine,” she spat, glaring daggers at me. “But this isn’t over.”
“Damn right it’s not,” I said under my breath as she stalked away. The chaos around us continued to escalate, angry shouts and snarls reverberating all around us. If I didn’t do something soon, this whole place would turn into a bloodbath.
I gently laid Ridge’s head on the ground and rose to my feet, determination settling like a heavy weight. This had gone on long enough.
“Cut it out!” I roared, my hunter training kicking in as I launched myself at the nearest wolf. A quick jab to the pressure point beneath his jaw sent him crumpling to the floor, unconscious.
Another shifter lunged at me with bared teeth. I sidestepped him easily. “We’re supposed to be on the same side,” I stated, using the shifter’s own momentum to send him crashing into the wall.
“Like hell we are,” growled a burly wolf, stalking toward me with murder in his eyes. I gritted my teeth, ready to unleash my full fury upon him if necessary.
“Try me,” I dared, the words slipping out before I could stop them. His eyes widened in surprise, and for a split second, I saw something akin to respect flicker within their depths.
“Fine.” He backed down. “But don’t think this means we’re friends.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, watching as he disappeared back into the fray.
I waded through the chaos, my gaze locked on the Greenthornes. Their smug faces fueled the fire burning inside of me. It was time to put an end to this madness.
As I moved, I felt a presence at my side, strong and steady, and I realized Jaxon Hyde was there, protecting me from anyone who got too close. He didn’t say a word, but his silent support gave me the confidence I needed to face our enemies.
I lunged at Christie and Martin Greenthorne, my hunter training taking over as I incapacitated them both with swift, brutal efficiency. “You two are the reason we’re all in this mess.”
The room went eerily quiet as everyone turned to face me. I took advantage of their surprise and pressed on, my words sharp as knives. “We should be working together to defend ourselves from hunters, not tearing each other apart because of your pathetic power games.”
“Wait!” someone shouted, their voice trembling with uncertainty. “She fights like a hunter. Is she one of them?”
“Damn right I am.” I glared at the crowd of wary shifters. “But I am also one of you. A shifter. And let me tell you something. While we’re here, fighting over who gets to lead Blackwood Creek, the hunters are out there, mobilizing themselves and finding the best way to exterminate every single one of us.”
