Page 73 of Half Wolf Mate
“The man disclosed exactly where she was. He suggested I find her first, or I’d lose the opportunity to kill the half-breed because others would come after her, too.”
My heart thumped against my rib cage and dropped into my stomach. So, Uncle Sam did tip off hunters and werewolves about my location. I bet he didn’t expect Aunt Lydia to get killed. How could he betray my aunt like that? Although there was no love lost between my Uncle-in-law and me, it was disappointing to know he hated me enough to want me dead.
Cole inhaled sharply. He was so fast I didn’t even realize he moved until he had Caleb by the throat. His eyes weren’t the typical amber but a feral red. The show of Alpha power had Caleb sputtering and cowering as he gasped for air. Anton and Victor, Caleb’s bosom buddies, leaped into action, trying to free him from Cole’s grasp.
Simon shouted, “Alpha Cole, unhanded him. We’ll ensure he stands trial for his crimes against you and your mate.”
There was no talking my mate down. His fangs and claws elongated. I felt the murderous rage rising in him. Wide-eyed, I glanced at Damian. “We have to stop him from killing Caleb,” I said. Although the elder was in the wrong, there were still consequences for harming him.
“The bastard deserves to die, but you’re right,” Damian grumbled and rushed toward Cole. The rest of the pack watched in horror… or fascination. I bet this was the craziest pack drama any of them had seen in a while.
Just as Damian reached Cole and attempted to pull him away from Caleb, there were screams from the crowd. At first, I thought everyone was afraid their Alpha would kill Caleb, but then people began to scatter. It was the sight of someone lying on the ground bleeding that alerted me to something being seriously wrong.
Everything happened in a blur. One minute I stood looking around, confused; the next, I was thrown to the ground, and a body covered mine. It took me a moment to realize it was Cole. Explosions erupted, and my heart stuttered. Those were gunshots.
“What’s happening?” I gasped.
“Hunters. I have to get you out of here.”
I was momentarily frozen, so he had to yank me to my feet. Was this my fault? Maybe the hunters followed us here because of me. They’d been after me for a while. Again, I’d caused trouble—this time for the entire pack. They’d hate me twice as much for this.
I was caught up in a terrified haze but was aware of everyone around us scrambling for cover as bullets and other silver-laced weapons flew at us. I didn’t see Cole’s trusted few and knew they’d already thrown themselves into battle with the hunters. I sent up a silent prayer that none of them got hurt or worse.
Damian came running toward us, with Violet hot on his heels. “Cole, Violet will get Sydney out of here. We have to get out there and find out exactly what’s happening.”
As Cole nodded, I yanked my hand from his. “I’m not leaving you or our friends.”
“Now is hardly the time to argue about it,” he said. “Go with Violet, now.”
“Sydney, come on,” Violet said, holding out a hand. “We have to get you and the baby to safety.”
I didn’t need to ask Violet how she knew about my pregnancy. It was impossible to hide something like that from werewolves. The entire pack probably caught on the moment I stepped into the compound.
It was tempting to go with Violet to protect my child, but the hunter invasion was likely my fault. A lot of pack members were already injured from what I could see. I had to do something. “No, this is my fault. I’m the one they want.”
“You don’t know that,” Cole bit out. “Go with Violet and get your ass away from here. Now. That is an order from your Alpha.”
If we weren’t in danger, I would have told him where to shove his arrogance. But I knew he just wanted me safe. “Okay,” I said.
His shoulders relaxed. Violet grabbed my hand and led me away from the center of the compound. When I glanced back, I saw Cole and Damian sprinting toward the entrance, right into danger. There was no way I could run and hide while everyone else fought hunters.
“Everything will be okay, Sydney,” Violet said, although I suppose she said it because she wanted to convince herself.
She didn’t lead me much further when I tugged out of her hold and turned to run in the opposite direction.
“Sydney! What are you doing? Get back here.”
Violet was at my side before I took another step. I sighed my frustration. Of course, I couldn’t outrun her. “You go,” I said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try to stop this. It’s me the hunters want. I know it.”
“Sydney…”
“I’m not leaving Cole or the others,” I said firmly. “I’m the Alpha’s mate. No one accepts me here, but I’ll stand by Cole’s side no matter what. That’s what mates do, right?” I refused to run away like a coward.
The sigh of resignation told me Violet had given in before she muttered, “Cole is going to kill me, but I don’t want to run, either.” She glanced toward the site of the growing chaos. “My brother is out there, and my friends.”
I nodded, and we headed back into danger. “What exactly are you planning to do?” Violet asked.
Breathless from our jog, I contemplated. “I’m…” What use was I in a werewolf and hunter battle? “I’ll just have to find a way to help.” Turning myself over to the hunters in return for them backing down was an option. However, I couldn’t share that with Violet because she’d never let me go any further.