Series: Shifter Ops Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Buddy?” She wrinkles her nose.
“He’s here. He’ll cover our exit. We’re getting out of here.” I motion to the window.
Voices sound in the hallway. Geo’s wolf charges to the window and leaps through while I shield Julia from the spray of glass. I scoop her up and jump down to the lawn. Geo and I streak towards the forest.
“All right, Buddy. Stink em up,” I order into my comm.
We’re almost to the parking lot when a roar blasts out backs. Hannibal stands in the ruined office window, framed in broken glass.
He’s coming for us. With my shifter speed, I might be able to outrun him while carrying Julia, but I don’t want to risk it. Hannibal could take out Geo and then focus on us.
I need to stand and face him.
“Change of plans,” I bark to Geo. “Head to the SUV. Buddy, get out of there.”
I put Julia down and reach a hand under the SUV, where Buddy left the carjacking tool. With it, I easily open the door and set it on the driver seat.
“Geo, shift back. You’re driving.”
“What?” Julia gapes. “Why wouldn’t I drive?”
“Because,” I guide her to the passenger seat and hand her the weapon I took off Van den Butt. “The shotgun rides shotgun.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to protect my family.” I allow myself a moment to touch her cheek, then get out of Geo’s way. “Keep your mom safe,” I order him as he scrambles into the driver’s seat. “I’m counting on you.”
I turn and face the monster stalking towards us, horns growing out of his head.
Julia
Channing strides across the lawn, towards the mansion.
His gait is fluid and smooth as a wolf’s while still being cocky as hell.
The huge guard, Hannibal, charges from the shadows. Huge horns top his head. His suit is fraying at the seams, ripping to shreds as monster bursts out of him. He looks like a demon, and he’s running towards us.
Channing stands his ground. “Rematch!” he shouts. He gets a running start and his wolf explodes out of him, racing towards Hannibal. The two collide, and the earth shakes.
I grip the oh shit handle in the SUV, hanging onto the shotgun with the other. Channing and Hannibal are a blur of fur and horns.
“Got it,” Geo mutters, fiddling with the device Channing used to unlock the car. The engine roars to life. He doesn’t wait, just hits the gas. The SUV lurches for the forest. Since when does Geo know how to drive? Did Channing teach him? I’ll ask later.
“Swing around,” I order, gaining my balance and gripping the shotgun with both hands. It’s loaded. “I want a clear shot.”
“No.” Geo’s voice has dropped an octave since we spoke in the cell. “I have my orders. I’m getting you safe.”
I crane my neck as we roll away. In front of the mansion, the horned beast thumps its fists down. He misses Channing and hits the ground. The earth craters and shockwaves surge under the car.
The next time, his fists find Channing. The white and brown wolf lunges away, its hind legs not working too well.
Hannibal stomps after the limping wolf.
A tiny furry body races out of the door and leaps, latching onto Hannibal's leg. The monster bellows and kicks. The little body goes flying.
“Buddy,” I cry. The little body lies still fifty yards away from us. “We have to help him!”
“We have to go.” Geo’s voice cracks. “This is what he would want.”
The wolf has recovered. It leaps again, snarling, engaging the horned monster in a deadly dance. But his teeth and claws do nothing to the monster. The only weapon Channing has against Hannibal is his speed.
I have to help him.
“Mijo,” I whisper. “Please. He’s my mate.”
Geo shakes his head, but he touches the brakes. The SUV slows.
I cup his cheek. “If anything happens to me, you run far and fast as you can. Shifter speed, okay? You can outrun anything.”
Sobs shake Geo’s shoulders as he nods.
“I love you,” I tell him and slip out the SUV door.
Channing
I face Hannibal, my forepaws dragging myself upright. His foot caught me a minute ago and broke my back. My spine tingles with regenerative healing.
The odds aren’t on my side for this fight. This fucker isn’t a normal shifter. He’s modified in some way. I’ve never met a shifter like him. Who can bounce a rocket off his chest and survive?
He’s slower than I am, but I’m tiring. My teeth and claws can’t penetrate his armor-like skin. I need a way to beat him.
The SUV rolls up, honking like it’s stuck in NYC traffic. It screeches to a halt between Hannibal and Buddy.
What the hell?
“Hannibal,” Julia shouts. She’s standing on the lawn, frail and unprotected.
She racks the shotgun and aims. Boom!
Hannibal bellows. He took a direct shot, right to his chest.
Julia chambers another round and takes aim again. Boom! Another hit, and Julia’s still upright. She took the recoil into her shoulder.