Page 52 of Half Wolf Mate
That made me double my effort to scream, but the sound was muffled.
“No, you idiot. The elders were specific about not having any human witnesses. We can’t just off her on the sidewalk.”
My heart stuttered. Elders? Human witnesses? It wasn’t hard to do the math. This attack wasn’t from hunters but from werewolves or some other shifter faction. Confusion mixed with my fear left my mind jumbled. What was going on?
As soon as the one holding my feet let go, I jumped into action. Using the one holding my upper body for support, I reared up and kicked the other in the chest. My wolf surfaced as soon as it detected danger, and I got a burst of strength. It wasn’t like that of Cole’s or
Damian’s or the other full shifters, but it was certainly more powerful than it would have been if I’d used just my human strength.
The man staggered backward. I then jammed my heel into the one called Sebastian’s foot. He grunted, and his hold on me slightly loosened, so I took the opportunity to jab him hard in the ribs with my elbow. Whipping around to face him, I pulled out the blade hidden in my belt. I may have stupidly broken Cole’s rule not to go outside alone, but I’d been smart enough to bring the hunter’s blade he’d given back to me.
“What the fuck? I thought they said she was a helpless human,” the one I’d kicked said.
I felt a sliver of smugness, knowing I could defend myself. Cole had been acting weird around me ever since we slept together, but he didn’t shy away from teaching me a thing or two about self-defense. He was a security specialist, after all. While we hadn’t gotten far after only two months, I packed quite a punch. And he’d taught me how to wield the blade so I could use it against the same hunter from whom I’d stolen it.
“No, I’m not so helpless, boys,” I said, slashing after one of them.
He jumped back, barely avoiding the blade. “She’s got a hunter’s knife. The elders were right. You are embracing your hunter-father’s ways.”
That caught me off guard. “Who are you?”
“We were sent to correct our Alpha’s mistake.”
My heart somersaulted. “By the elders…? Of which pack?” Deep down, I knew the answer, but I had to ask anyway.
“The Moon Guardians,” the one named Sebastian said. “Alpha Cole should have killed you. Instead, he has you stashed in his apartment. It would seem he’s a traitor to his people, just like your mother was. The elders were right. He’s no longer fit to lead.”
Dread settled in my gut. It seemed an insurrection was brewing against Cole, and it was my fault. “How did you know where to find me?” I asked. My mounting fury had wiped away my fear.
The other shifter came up behind me, and I positioned myself to keep an eye on them both. I didn’t recognize either of them from my first and only visit to the Moon Guardians’ compound.
“We’ve been following Alpha Cole and Damian as the elders instructed,” one of them shared. “We were disappointed to discover they really were up to no good. They’ve been helping you instead of taking the elders’ advice to make you disappear. Cole has been lying to the elders and the pack for months. He said he’d gotten rid of you. Once we kill you, he’s done as our Alpha. When he’s tried and sentenced to death, I hope I get to kill him myself,” the man snarled.
I got the impression of my wolf crouching low, snarling her anger. She didn’t take a threat to her mate kindly. “I’ll see you dead first,” I told him, lunging at him. With a few strikes, I drew blood. Satisfaction surged through me. I evaded the other’s attack from behind. With swift, practiced movement, I stuck the knife into Sebastian’s side.
His roar of pain distracted the other one. Even though my wolf had gotten a little stronger, I knew I couldn’t defeat two full shifters. I had to survive to warn Cole about what was happening with the elders behind his back. So, I turned and ran like hell, aiming for the apartment building. I didn’t get far. Something sharp pierced my leg, and I went down hard. My head hit the sidewalk, leaving me dazed.
“Son of a bitch,” I moaned. Of course, I couldn’t outrun werewolves. I didn’t stand a chance now, but I refused to make it easy for them. Only of them had shifted. The one in wolf form still had my leg in his mouth, and he hauled me back into the darkness. The harder I fought, the deeper he sank his fangs. I moaned in pain but kicked him in the nose with my free foot. He growled and was probably about to rip in two, but Sebastian said, “Don’t you dare. The bitch is mine. She stabbed me.”
“Can’t say you didn’t deserve it,” I spat.
“You’re a feisty little half-breed, aren’t you? I guess I can see why Cole keeps you around.” He held the blade I’d wounded him with. It was stained with his blood, and I guess he was about to do me in with it. “He won’t miss you for long, considering he might be dead soon, too.”
My eyes widened as he came at me and grabbed my collar, pulling me to my feet. A backhand sends me flying into a wall. “That’s for stabbing me,” he hissed.
Winded, I dropped to the ground in a helpless heap. I was going to die tonight, and the only thing I could think about was how disappointed I was that I couldn’t warn Cole and the others. I didn’t want anything to happen to them because of me.
Through my blurry vision, I saw Sebastian approach. Before I blacked out, the strangest thing happened. He stopped in his tracks, and the blade fell from his hand. He looked down at his chest, and I followed his gaze. I was in so much pain I couldn’t even gasp at the hole in his chest. He dropped with a thud. Adam Blackwell stood with something in his hand… Sebastian’s heart. That gruesome sight made me welcome the darkness.
Chapter 23 Sydney
It was the bloodiest nightmare I’d had to date. I was propped against the brick wall of a building in a dark alley, trying to breathe through the pain wracking my entire body. Adam strode toward me, wearing a smirk and holding a heart in his right hand. Blood seeped between his fingers, dripping to the ground, leaving a sickening trail as he neared. Was he going to rip my heart out with his bare hand next?
My heart galloped at an unhealthy pace. I swore it would jump through my rib cage. Adam bent down, his grin turning sinister as he held out the bloody organ in offering. Gasping, my eyes flew open.
“Aah!” I clutched my left leg as pain sliced through it.
“Hey, stay still. The wound is still bleeding.”