Page 54 of Beckett's Fate
The clearing became a battlefield—a savage, brutal dance of survival. Beck was relentless, tearing through the hunters with an efficiency born of both instinct and experience. Irene mirrored his ferocity, her wolf lending her the strength and agility to keep pace. Together, they were a whirlwind of claws and teeth, moving as one against the threat.
But the hunters were prepared, their numbers overwhelming. Gunshots rang out, the sharp crack of bullets tearing through the air. A bullet skinned Beck’s flank, but she didn’t see him falter. His wolf roared in fury, his glowing eyes locking on Irene as she fended off two hunters at once.
“Stay close!”he growled through their bond, his voice a low rumble in her mind.
“Duh! There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell I’m leaving,”she snarled back, slamming her shoulder into an attacker and sending him sprawling. Her wolf’s instincts flared as the hunters regrouped, closing in with renewed determination.
Beck’s growl deepened, his muscles coiling as he leapt to her side. Then, he did something that made Irene’s wolf still for a moment. He tilted his head back and let loose a howl—a long, deep, primal cry that echoed through the wilderness with a chilling resonance. The sound carried power, a call to his pack that sent a shiver down Irene’s spine.
The hunters hesitated, their confidence giving way to uncertainty as the sound echoed through the trees. The forest seemed to hold its breath for a moment, and then shadows moved in the darkness. The mist rose again, swirling as more wolves emerged from the trees. The pack had arrived.
A dozen wolves, their eyes glowing with feral intensity, surrounded the clearing. The hunters shouted in panic, firing wildly as the pack closed in. It was futile. The wolves attacked with precision and savagery, their fangs flashing as they took down the hunters one by one.
Irene leapt into the fray beside Beck, her wolf surging with the thrill of the fight. She slammed into a hunter, her teeth tearing through his weapon strap before sinking into his arm. Beck was at her side, his massive form shielding her from an attacker’s blade as he crushed the man beneath him with terrifying strength.
The clearing became a blur of fur, blood, and desperate cries. The pack worked as one, overwhelming the hunters with their coordinated assault. The problem with fighting the hunters was it seemed no matter how many fell, there were more to take their place. The leader tried to rally his men, but the effort was short-lived. A sleek black wolf lunged for him, dragging him to the ground as others closed in to finish him.
When the last hunter fell, the clearing fell eerily silent. The pack stood among the carnage, their collective breath heaving and their fur streaked with blood. Irene shifted first, the mist enveloping her as she returned to her human form. She stoodbarefoot and breathless, her red hair wild around her face as she took in the scene.
Beck shifted moments later, his powerful frame towering beside her. His chest heaved, as he scanned the clearing with a sharp intensity. The pack began to disperse, melting back into the trees, but Beck and Irene remained, their eyes meeting in the aftermath. A few remained behind and with practiced efficiency, began dragging the bodies of the fallen hunters into a haphazard pile.
“Stay with me,” Beck said, his voice rough but steady.
Irene nodded, her body trembling with adrenaline. The fight was over, but something deeper had been set in motion—something neither of them could ignore. They grabbed their clothes and redressed.
“It’s over,” she said softly, her voice barely audible.
Beck turned to her, his glowing eyes meeting hers. “For now,” he said, his tone grim. “But this isn’t the end. There’ll be more—there always are.”
Irene nodded, her hand finding his as she squeezed it tightly. “Then we’ll face them together,” she said, her voice filled with quiet determination.
Beck’s lips curved into a faint smile, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Damn right we will.”
But as the pack began to disperse, their victory overshadowed by what lay ahead. Something told Irene that their fight was far from over. The silver—at least part of it—was safe—for now—but the danger it brought loomed larger than ever. The shadows were all around them, and she knew they held unknown threats and danger.
The air was thick with the aftermath of battle, the metallic tang of blood mingling with the earthy scent of the forest. Irene stood beside Beck, her breath still coming in short, ragged bursts.
Beck’s presence was a steadying force beside her, his sheer dominance radiating like a palpable aura. He turned to his second-in-command, Des, whose fierce eyes met Beck’s without question.
“Wrap the leader in cheesecloth,” Beck ordered, his voice low but commanding. “Send him to the address we pulled from their registration.”
Des gave a curt nod, his expression grim. “You want to leave a note?”
Beck’s lips curled into a sharp, humorless smile. “The message is clear enough. Stay out of Silver Falls.”
Irene shivered at the dark promise in his tone, but she felt no pity for the man or his crew. They had come for blood, and they’d gotten it—just not the way they’d expected. The pack’s loyalty to Beck and their seamless unity struck a chord deep within her. This wasn’t just a group of wolves; it was a family.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice low, his gaze sweeping over her.
“I’m fine,” Irene replied, though her voice wavered slightly. The adrenaline of the fight was beginning to fade, leaving her body aching and her mind spinning. “Just a little... overwhelmed.”
Beck’s hand found her arm, his touch firm yet reassuring. “You did well,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet strength that steadied her racing thoughts. “You held your own. You fought as well as any warrior in my pack. If your women fight as well, they could add their strength to ours.”
His words hit her like a bolt of lightning, piercing through the walls she’d built around herself. For years, she’d lived by one rule: trust no one but herself. But Beck had shattered that belief with his unwavering support and his refusal to let her face the darkness alone.
“Let’s get back,” Beck said, his voice gentler now. “We’ve had enough of this place for one day.”
The pack began to disperse, leaving behind a group of wolves to continue disposing of the bodies. As they finished their work, the other wolves slipped back into the trees like shadows. Beck led the way, his hand steady on Irene’s lower back as they walked. The warmth of his touch seeped into her, a grounding force amidst the chaos.