Series: Star Moon Pack Series by J.L. Beck
Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 118781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Mom falls in beside him, Emma behind them, their brown fur soon disappearing as dozens of wolves who were laughing and drinking not five minutes ago now rush out to defend their territory. They almost knock each other down in their eagerness to get outside to fight and protect. To kill.
Their anger and outrage fill the room like a storm I’m now caught in the middle of. I feel their murderous intent because I share it with them. I’m one of them, finally. I’m part of my pack—and since I’m so newly shifted, I possess the strength of even the largest of them. I can redeem myself.
The thought of making up for so many years of disappointment brings the shift on all at once. Within moments, I see the world through my wolf’s eyes. It’s all so simple now, the world existing in black and white. There is no gray. Either someone is for my pack, or they stand in opposition.
And there is no room for opposition.
With a strangely joy-filled howl, I take off, avoiding the worst of the wrecked tables and chairs caused by so many full-grown wolves on the hunt, following my pack, prepared to defend what’s ours.
The sense of freedom is overwhelming, even with the threat of battle looming around me. Finally, I’m who I’m meant to be. Behaving as I was made to behave. Thrilling in my strength and savoring the sudden craving for witch blood now taking command of my every thought. Pushing me harder and faster, taking me past one wolf after another as I outpace them.
Everything is so clear, so intense. The scent of the grass and the woods ahead of us has never been this strong and sweet. I take the deepest breaths I can, wanting to soak it in.
The stars! They’re a cloud of light, even the dimmest of them shining clearly against an inky sky. Almost enough to make me stop and stare up in wonder.
It’s like I’ve never seen the world before. Is this the way it usually is? Is this what I’ve been missing? Or is it the threat of battle and the adrenaline it’s sent racing through me?
Light flashes in the grove between the pack and the thicker woods down by the lake. Our pounding paws are the beating of war drums, our ragged growls, the trumpets signaling our approach. This is who I am, who I was meant to be. Running in the night, the wind blowing through my fur. The sense of unity, of being at one purpose with those around me.
That sense is shaken when a blast of light knocks us all back. Some of us fall, a few whimpering, but I managed to avoid the worst of it as I’m not yet at the front of the group. Still, it throws me off balance for a beat before I shake it off.
Leaping over a fallen body, I head straight for the source of the blast. Is it insane to run headfirst into what could kill me? I know the answer to that, but there’s no stopping. I’m possessed, my wolf completely in control, carrying me into a battle we have no choice but to win.
All around me wolves, fall back as blast after blast of sheer power from the witches knocks them down. Here and there, high-pitched whines of pain replace bloodthirsty growls—rather than slowing me down, the sound stirs my fury into an inferno blazing in my chest. How dare they? This is our territory. We didn’t ask for this war.
I keep running, dodging the hot, almost searing waves of energy, my way lit by young trees now burning thanks to the deadly magic. A cloaked figure comes into focus, directly in my path. Yes. Kill.
I pick up speed, my focus solely on them, and the moment of impact rattles my bones but does far worse to the more fragile body I struck. We hit the ground together, the witch crying out in obvious surprise and pain before we roll over and over.
When we come to a stop, she is on her stomach, and I’m on top of her, pinning her to the ground. Instinct tells me what to do in no uncertain terms. There’s no room for doubt as I lean down and sink my fangs into her soft throat.
Her scream cuts through the air, her body jerking an instant before blood bursts from the wound and fills my mouth, soaking my fur. The sheer exhilaration of it is almost too much. Like I’m going to explode from it. I shake my head as I’m compelled to do, tearing her flesh until her body is limp and nothing but a trickle leaks from her.
Victory—at least, over this single witch. It’s not the same as before when I killed Dexter. I was fully aware of every move I made, and there’s no flash of shock or shame as I gaze down upon what’s left of my latest kill.