Page 39 of Ruthless Moon

A thick cloud of smoke rises from the pyre of building supplies next to the pavilion. It billows into the pristine sky, covering blue with angry black tendrils. The potent scent of burning timber invades my senses, accompanied by the metallic bite of mounting panic that stings my nostrils.

Then, I spot her. Gen emerges from behind a table, cradling a toddler protectively in her arms.

She bolts toward the park, her eyes reflecting terror and determination.

Another woman races toward Gen, her arms outstretched in silent plea.

A deafening gunshot rings out, breaking through the commotion. My heart seizes in my chest.

What the actual fuck is going on?

Seconds drag like hours. I watch with horrified fascination as the grass near Gen’s feet bursts into fragments.

The screaming intensifies, battering against my eardrums. With a swift motion, Gen transfers the toddler to the woman and then pivots, launching herself in the opposite direction.

Another gunshot.

More grass explodes into a shower of green. Then a spray of bark erupts from a tree trunk next to her head.

The realization strikes like a bolt of lightning. The shots are aimed at Gen.Only Gen.

Adrenaline rushes through my veins, drowning out any semblance of control I might have had a second ago. In one breath I’m rooted in the alley and in the next, my wolf surges forth, shredding my clothes and propelling me into the chaos on powerful limbs.

Mate. Protect.

Those words whip through my mind like a tornado as my legs devour the distance between us, pounding against the unforgiving pavement, then the yielding grass.

I’m almost to her. Almost.

Another shot echoes like a war cry, splitting the air with its horrifying intent. Gen stumbles, her silhouette swaying in a dangerous dance of mortality. My heart plummets, the possibility of the worst-case scenario flashing through my mind.

But with a display of pure determination, she scrambles back onto her feet and continues running.

The park is consumed by chaos. Screams fracture the once-peaceful atmosphere into a thousand fragments, the waves of everyone’s terror lapping at the edges of my heightened sense.

Yet even in that maddening symphony, my focus narrows to a single point.Gen.

I leap.

My body hurtles through the air, a missile aimed straight at my heart’s target. Just before I collide with her, a searing pain explodes in my side and the impact sends shock waves through my body, stealing my breath, but I muster through it.

Nothing matters but her safety.

I stand over Gen, keeping a large paw firmly planted on her shoulder, pinning her to the ground, concealing her from sight. I have to keep her safe.

“Liam!” She pushes at my foot, trying to get loose, but she’s too panicked. Her wolf isn’t really fighting me. Her wolf knows the safest place for Gen is exactly where I’ve got her.

Two more gunshots ring out in quick succession.

I yelp at the impacts. Pain flares as the bullets lodge into my side. My legs wobble beneath my weight, threatening to buckle. But surrender is not an option. I will not fail her.

Clenching my jaw, I push through the agony, steeling myself against the waves of darkness lapping at the edges of my vision.

“Liam, no! Please. Liam!”

My mind grapples with the sensory overload—the shock of the raw pain, Gen’s heartbreaking sobs, the alarmed shouts of my brothers ringing across the park.

As their formidable figures move closer, I can see their faces etched with worry and urgency. Panic curls in the pit of my stomach.