Page 78 of Half Wolf Mate

He lurched forward, carrying me with him. We both tumbled to the ground, and I realized he’d been hit with something because blood gushed from his chest. “No, no, no,” I cried, staring into the elder’s vacant eyes. I think his name was Jasper.

“Oh, yes,” came the chillingly familiar voice. “Finally, we have some alone time.”

I jumped to my feet to face the hunter who had made my life hell.

Chapter 32 Sydney

Refusing to show an ounce of fear, I glowered at the man. “Yes, finally,” I returned. “Now we can end this once and for all. I kill you, or you kill me. I’m so tired of seeing your face.”

He chuckled. “God, I like you. Have I told you that already? The balls on you are bigger than any of my fellow soldiers.”

“You’re not soldiers. You’re all cowards, going after shifters for no reason.”

He moved fast, grabbing me by the neck before I could block him. Of course, I knew I was no match for him, but I still had to put up a badass front. I struggled until I was in the position to jam my heel into his foot. He grunted, and his hold on me loosened. I shoved him, and his arms flailed before toppling down the stairs. Unfortunately, he’d grabbed a handful of my shirt and carried me with him.

At the bottom of the steps, in pain and winded, I tried crawling away from the man. But he snagged my foot and pulled me closer. With my back to his chest, he wrapped an arm around my neck and squeezed. The more I struggled, the tighter he held on.

Burning pain pierced my right side. Something warm bloomed in the area. Alarmed, I realized I’d been stabbed. I immediately stopped moving, hoping that would lessen the blood loss.

“That’s right little half-breed, stay still.”

He rolled me off him and shuffled to his knees. The hunter loomed over me, smirking. I hated that his face might be the last thing I saw before my death. “You’ve surprised me, Sydney Elliot. For a half-breed, you turned out to be my hardest target yet.” He trailed a finger over my cheek. “You’re impressive, and although I have to kill you, I sincerely mean that.”

I shivered under his touch, wanting to at least deck him, but I was so weak. Clearly, I’d lost a lot of blood.

“I heard your mother didn’t put up as good a fight as you did. Your aunt didn’t either.”

Fueled by rage and my surfacing wolf, I growled and reached for him. However, he shoved me back down and raised his hand. The evening sun reflected off the shiny blade. As he lunged at my chest, I instinctively reached out to my mate. I knew the moment he felt my terror—knew that he was on his way. But he’d be too late.

The hunter’s hand stopped midair before he toppled over and dropped with a grunt. Unable to move, I watched a shadowy figure approach. I only saw black boots when I heard a man say, “I’ve finally got you, Philip.”

So that was my arch nemesis’ name. Philip. Such a normal name for a psychotic killer. The stranger kneeled beside me, and his face slowly came into focus.

“My sweet little girl, what did he do to you?”

“Benjamin,” I whispered. It was the man from the diner. He was dressed similarly to the hunters, and he’d killed Philip. Did he call me his little girl?

His expression was twisted in pain. “I can’t lose you, too,” he said, pressing his hand to my side. Glancing around, he said, “I have to get you help. Your friend from the diner. She’s a witch. She can help.”

“How do you know Macy is…” It took too much energy to finish.

He smiled. “I’m an expert at identifying supernaturals. I used to be a hunter, after all.”

“Get away from her,” came a low growl.

My eyes widened, and my heart jumped with elation as Adam staggered toward us. He looked pale and weak, but at least he was alive. I wanted to burst into happy tears.

“She’s my daughter,” Benjamin barked at Adam, keeping pressure on my wound.

Adam looked just as stunned as I felt.

“You.” Adam’s lip lifted in a snarl. “You killed her.”

Seeming to understand what Adam meant, he shook his head. “I’d never hurt your mother. He turned to Adam. I know you’ve been after me, but I’d never hurt you, either. I’d never hurt Sophia’s son.”

I barely knew the man, but there was something in his eyes that told me he wasn’t lying. And he really was my father. I didn’t want Adam to hurt him.

“Adam, please,” I whispered.