Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“It does make me someone you should fear.”
“And yet, I don’t.”
Inside the cat, Harley urged the margay to hurry. One more leap had the cat reaching the tree closest to her prey. She slowly and carefully padded along the branch above him. He didn’t sense her. He was focused on the Alpha male, speaking more words she didn’t understand.
“Admit it, Nick. You fear me now that your pups’ lives are in my hands.”
The Alpha male growled. “For the last time, give me the girls.”
“But I’m enjoying the panic and anxiety that’s broadcasted all over your face.”
The cat pounced.
Jesse watched as the margay landed hard on Hector’s shoulders, claws out and tearing through skin and muscle. Hector stumbled with a shocked, pain-filled curse, releasing the pups, who ran to the Alpha pair. He grabbed the little cat with sharp claws and launched her at a tree with such force that something cracked. She slumped to the ground, unmoving. And Jesse . . . a red haze fell over his vision as the rage he’d buried welled up and streamed through every vein.
With a guttural roar, Jesse charged over the border and lunged at Hector. He shifted midair and knocked the male to the ground.
The large gray wolf stood over his enemy, snarling, and tried to rip into his throat. He couldn’t. The half shifter gripped the wolf’s head and held it in place. Furious and caught up in bloodlust, the wolf shook his head to get free. The other male held tight.
Growling, the wolf used his back paws to slice at the male’s stomach. Cloth and skin tore. The scent of blood rose in the air. The wolf growled in satisfaction. But then a polar bear knocked the wolf aside with a roar. At the same time, bones cracked and popped as the other male shifted.
Shaking his head, the gray wolf righted himself and circled the polar bear and the large white wolf. Several others joined the gray wolf, snapping their teeth at the two enemies. Roaring again, the polar bear swiped at them. One wolf hit a tree with a yelp. The others all pounced.
The polar batted and clawed at them while the large white wolf bit and body-slammed them. Some wolves fell. Some clung tight with teeth and claws, ripping into flesh and fur. The fallen wolves rose and lunged again, attacking the two enemies from all sides. Bloodying them. Weakening them. Killing them. Soon, both of them collapsed. More wolves tore into them and—
“Jesse! Jesse!”
The gray wolf growled, again sinking his teeth into the white wolf’s flesh.
“Jesse, he’s practically dead! Go to Harley! Check she’s okay!”
Harley.
The name penetrated his red haze, tickling at the last memory he had of his mate. She’d been hurt. His pack mate was right. He needed to see her. The wolf withdrew, even though he was still shaking with rage.
Panting and bleeding, Jesse stood with a wince. He distantly noted that the second guard was dead, having met the same fate as Hector and the first guard, but Jesse was only interested in Harley.
He did as Zander suggested and hurried to where the little cat lay, surrounded by some of their pack. He shoved his way through the wolves. And froze, heart skipping a beat. He felt the blood leave his face. Her body was twisted at an angle that was far from fucking natural. And she wasn’t moving.
She. Was. Not. Moving.
His stomach heaved and the breath left his lungs. His wolf . . . well, he went apeshit again. And Jesse thought he might just do the same.
“She’s not dead, Jesse,” said Roni. “Don’t fucking lose it on me. She’s in bad shape and she needs to hear your voice right now.”
Swallowing hard, Jesse knelt beside his mate. Her brown eyes looked at him, tired and glassy. He couldn’t speak. Hell, he couldn’t think. Fear was choking him and twisting his insides, ripping into him more painfully than the polar bear’s claws and Hector’s fangs.
Jesse reached out to touch her but then fisted his hand, worried his touch wouldn’t be gentle enough. Her breathing was shallow. Too shallow. Each time she inhaled, something in her chest rattled. He wanted to hold her, but he was scared to move her in case he caused her any more pain than she was already in.
“Jesse, talk to her; keep her here,” said Marcus.
Clearing his dry throat, Jesse forced out his words. “Baby . . . mother of fuck. We need Ally.” He glanced around, frantic, but he couldn’t see her. He noticed Cain trying to carefully remove the explosive vest from a shaking Willow while Shaya tried to keep both little girls calm. Their tears and fear only fueled the fire in Jesse’s gut. Anxious, his wolf paced and snarled and raked his claws. “We need Ally,” he repeated.