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There was no response, just an eerie silence that left me even more terrified than before. The connection between us was as tenuous as a frayed thread, ready to snap at any moment. I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to get to her.
“We need to go to the gas station now,” I said. “Something’s wrong.”
Before we could make a move, an unnaturally shrill sound filled the air, sending chills down my spine. It reminded me of a bomb siren, warning of impending doom. I looked around wildly, trying to find the source of the noise.
“Ridge, what is that?” Dean asked, gripping my arm as his eyes darted around in fear.
“I don’t know.” Dread twisted my insides. “It can’t be good.”
As if to confirm our worst fears, a massive explosion shook the ground beneath us. Magic surged through the air, crashing into the defense spells Eleanor, Lola, and Julia had set up around the town. The shockwave knocked me off balance, and I stumbled, catching myself on a nearby tree.
“What the hell was that?” Dean exclaimed, regaining his footing.
“An attack,” I said grimly. “They’re attacking Blackwood Creek. We need to find Tori.”
The realization that my mate could be in even more danger than I’d feared ignited a fire within me, and I knew without a doubt that I would do whatever it took to find her and protect her from this new threat. As Dean and I ran toward the gas station, I silently pleaded with the universe to keep her safe until I could reach her side.
“Hold on, Tori. I’m coming.”
No sooner had the magical explosion subsided than hunters poured out of the surrounding trees like a swarm of venomous insects. My heart thundered as I assessed the situation. We were vastly outnumbered. Dean and I sprang into action, our instincts kicking in as we fought to defend ourselves.
“Ridge, watch your back!” Dean shouted.
I ducked just in time to avoid a silver blade aimed for my neck, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The fierce need to protect my pack and find Tori fueled my every move. Snarling, I lunged at the hunter, slamming my fist into his jaw. He stumbled back, but righted himself and came at me again.
“Where the hell did they all come from?” I muttered under my breath, parrying another strike.
“Doesn’t matter.” Dean drove a fist into his opponent’s gut. “We just need to survive this.”
The howls of my fellow wolves echoed all around us, mixing with the sounds of clashing metal and snarls. Sounds that meant Blackwood Creek was under attack. I needed to get to Tori, but the sheer number of hunters made it nearly impossible.
“Dean, I have to find Tori!” I yelled.
“I’ll cover you!” he yelled back, already moving to intercept another hunter.
I shifted into my wolf form. As Tori’s “Old Yeller,” I was faster and more agile and able to take on multiple hunters atonce. I put the training Tori and Kyle had given me to good use, ambushing hunters who dared venture too close. Their deadly attacks were no match for me.
I fought with everything I had, until every muscle in my body ached. All I could think about was Tori. Her safety, her pain, and our silent mate connection that had me panicking. Even as I tore through the hunters, I wasn’t getting any closer to her. There were too many of them.
I pushed myself harder than I ever had before. My senses were heightened, every nerve on edge as I fought through the relentless onslaught. Yet, with each passing moment, my desperation grew.
The howling intensified, a cacophony of pain and distress that clawed at my heart. My fellow wolves were suffering, and the battle in town was getting worse. Frustration coursed through me like molten lava, demanding action, demanding that I find Tori.
I stalked through the woods, my wolf senses on high alert. A hunter leapt out from behind a tree, brandishing a silver blade. Caught off guard, I barely managed to dodge the lethal swing. The edge of the weapon sliced into my side, and searing pain spread through my body. I gritted my teeth to stop from howling.
I shifted into human form, turned, and prepared to face the attacker again. Before I could move, a powerful blast sent the hunter flying backward, crashing into the underbrush.
“Ridge,” a familiar voice said. “Are you all right?”
“Julia,” I said, relief washing over me as I saw the witch standing nearby. Her dark eyes sparkled with the same energy her hands crackled with. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Her gaze swept across the forest before locking onto mine. “We’re here to fight.”
Wincing, I pressed my hand against my side. The pain was intense, but I couldn’t afford to slow down. Not while Tori was still in danger.
“Stay safe,” I said to Julia before turning to continue my search.
A loud snap echoed through the trees. My head whipped around. Cold dread settled in my gut when I saw Dean lying motionless on the ground, a hunter looming over him.
