Page 124 of Wanted

You can’t take them on alone.She tells me through our bond.

Stay behind me.

Chance, you can’t. There’s too many of them to fight by yourself.

I shake my head. It’s my job to protect my mate. I notice the way they’re all glaring at her with a glint in their eyes. Someone gave them the order to go after her.

Over my dead body.

I snap at the group of wolves who’ve started to close in on us. I plan immediately to take out the smallest and weakest of them. I can use his body as a shield.

As I strategize how to get us out of this alive, the scent of more wolves hits me. At first, my heart sinks. I’m not a wolf who gives up, but the task of fifteen against one was already daunting enough.

More wolves means an even less likelihood of making it out of this situation with my mate intact.

But then it dawns on me that I know that scent. The smell of the New Mexico mountains.

A howl rents through the air and my wolf immediately howls back in response to the call of his alpha.

The wolves that had once been closing in on Emery and me, pivot to find themselves surrounded by the Nightwolf pack.

In the lead is the largest, red and brown wolf. Chael’s eyes connect with mine.

I told you, brother, you don’t have to do this alone.

A beat before he charges at the wolves. The rest of our pack following him into battle.

Stay low. I order Emery before lunging at the wolf closest to me. I catch the fucking thing off guard and quickly end his life before moving onto the next wolf who dared to look upon my mate as if today was her last day breathing.

My pack has lived in peace for decades, thanks to the leadership of my brother. We’ve grown to become one of the wealthiest packs in all of the wolfdom. Yet, we’ve never lost the instinct to tear anything or anyone to shreds when the occasion arises.

I take out at least three wolves without giving it much thought. I start to go for a fourth but stop when I realize there’s none left.

My pack has dismantled all of the incoming threats. We all stand, chests heaving, jaws covered in the blood of our enemies, glaring around us. Our eyes dare anyone to come near us at this moment.

Chael is the first to move.

He approaches me.

Brother.

I dip my head to my alpha in deference.

Thank you.

I don’t know how he knew to follow me up here, or how he found me, but I am grateful for his unwavering loyalty.

Do not thank me for protecting you, brother. It’s my job.

Emery’s worried tone interrupts my response.

Chance, my parents. They’re out here. And Dr. Lee. We have to get them.

Without saying anything else, Emery takes off running. My wolf, who can’t abide seeing her go off alone, immediately takes off after her. Chael races next to me along with the rest of our pack.

I catch up to Emery, ensuring that she’s surrounded by the members of our pack while Chael and I take the lead. I use mynose and tracking skills to lead us about half a mile deeper into the forest.

No human who isn’t extremely familiar with this area of the woods would survive out here. There are no trails or nearby houses or cabins.