Shadowlands Sector, Three

by Mila Young

  I don’t know how long we’ve waited, but when Meira finally quiets down, relief washes over me.

  Moments later, her body morphs and stretches. Dušan pulls back, sitting on his heels.

  Bardhyl and I approach her. All of us are on our knees around her as she transforms.

  In a heartbeat, our soulmate lies on the ground between us, curled in on herself, naked, bruised from her earlier assault on the undead.

  She cranes her head up and looks at each of us, the wolf still in her eyes.

  I’ve never seen her this frightened, and her reaction carves through my heart.

  “I-I t-thought, I’d never…” Her words fade and tears stream down her face. The terror of knowing she was stuck in the wolf would have been petrifying.

  Dušan swoops her into his embrace, an arm cradled under her knees, the other at her back, and she curls against his chest. Her soft cries are blades to my throat.

  “I’m so sorry,” Dušan whispers to her.

  I’ve never heard him apologize, but the heartbreak in his voice has me choking up.

  Bardhyl is just as lost in his thoughts, in his misery of what we almost lost today.

  On the way back to the cave leading to the tunnels, the herd of zombies from the earlier massacre wander through the woods. There are so many of them, it leaves me uneasy. My pulse spikes because in truth, I can’t tell if they’re under Meira’s control or wild creatures.

  Regardless, the four of us keep a quick pace to our cave without a sound. As we enter, I glance back.

  At least three dozen zombies thread through the woods, trailing after us, moaning, lurching, leaving blood in their wake.

  Bardhyl’s face blanches. “You think they’re the safe ones?”

  “I fucking hope so,” I reply. Then we waste no time rushing to the bunker in the tunnels.

  MEIRA

  Darkness still clings to my mind like cobwebs. Even lying in bed in the underground room with my three wolves, I can’t shake off the sensation of being swallowed by the dark, falling deeper and deeper. That’s how it felt being under my wolf’s strength.

  The terror rose through me so jagged and fast, I swore that would be the last of me. All I pictured was the wolf running into the woods and I’d forever be trapped in my own mind.

  I shiver while Dušan wipes my brow with a damp cloth. He sits on the edge of the bed while Lucien covers me with a blanket and Bardhyl sticks another pillow at my back.

  “I’m sorry,” Dušan says.

  It’s strange to hear those words from a powerful Alpha. He forced my wolf into submission to help me emerge, and I owe him everything. But there’s pain etched over his face, and he’s thinking of our conversation in the woods before I transformed. It’s in his eyes, the burden that carries the weight of the world. It’s been on my mind, too.

  I reach over and take his hand in mine, bringing it to my chest. “What happened is not on any of you.”

  He’s shaking his head. “The blame is on no one but me, as I knew better.” The grief in his voice splinters my resolve.

  “You don’t get to say that when everything is chaotic outside. When we barely get two moments to think things through.” I lift his hand to my lips. “We can’t succeed if you’re going to start hating yourself.”

  Lucien and Bardhyl sit on the bed too, moving closer, but keeping quiet for now.

  “Meira, do you understand what happened today?” Dušan explains, his voice thin.

  I lick my dry lips and nod. “I have zero control over my wolf, basically.” My voice cracks.

  He leans in, sliding loose strands of hair from my brow. “When you push your wolf away too often without establishing trust, you lose the ability to control your animal forever.”

  I stare at him. “What do you mean by forever?” Already, my stomach twists in on itself. For so long, I craved to release my wolf, and now that I have, I’m about to lose her once again. All because of my fear.

  My throat chokes.

  The corners of his mouth pinch. “It means that you can shift of your own free will, but when you do, the wolf will control you in animal form. You will struggle to change back, just as you did today. I’m sorry.” He pauses, breathing heavily. “In our eyes, you’re still a wolf, still one of us.”

  I blink away the tears threatening to spill and glance from one Alpha to the next, each staring at me with pity. And I hate myself for wanting the world to open up so I can drown in my tears. I’ve always been strong, always come through any adversity.

  I’m a survivor.

  But no matter how many times I tell myself that, I can’t stop the tears. Dušan reaches over and catches one as it rolls over my jaw.

  “So I can’t really transform again, can I?” I ask in a faint voice.

  He lowers his gaze and nods. “It’s safer if you don’t.”

  “That’s not great news,” I croak, and my attempt at smiling to push away the dread feels forced and lopsided. Before I know it, I’m sobbing in my hands. Deep, heart-wrenching crying, like my chest is cracking wide open.

  My three men close in around me, holding me while I cry for the loss of something I only gained recently. I feel stupid for letting this upset me so much when I grew up without my wolf. Except the first couple of times I did transform awakened something inside me. A primal side, and for the first time in my life, I felt complete. Now it’s been ripped away, and what’s left is me.

  The broken girl with no wolf.

  My sobs grow louder as reality settles in. I’ll no longer be able to trust my wolf. And I loathe myself for making such a horrible mistake that has cost me so much. For letting fear restrain me.

  I don’t know how long we stay huddled close, but when I finally lift my head and wipe away the tears, I’m determined to make a difference with what I have.

  Glancing up at my three Alphas, I say, “Let’s focus on getting our pack back, then we can deal with all this crap. I didn’t go through all that with my last transformation to have it wasted. There are over a hundred undead out there under my control. And I’m fucking angry, and I want to destroy something… or someone called Mad.” My voice trembles.

  “I’m ready,” Lucien confirms, his hand on my leg squeezing. “I know how it feels to lose so much, but like Dušan helped me get back on my feet, we will be here for you. First, let’s kick some ass.”

  Bardhyl is on my other side. “I should’ve known there was a reason I fell for you so fast. You’re a survivor. We all are, and that makes us the most dangerous wolves out there.” He steals a kiss, and I soften against him. “I’m ready to start ripping out spines.”

  During moments where so much goes to shit, having my three wolves by my side makes all the difference in the world.

  Dušan sits back, smiling at me.

  “What are you thinking about?” I ask.

  “I’m ready to save my pack and finally give you the home where you’ll always be loved and protected.”

  I want to cry all over again at all of their heartfelt words, but the time to shed tears is over.

  Mad wants to fight. So I’ll bring him a war.

  Chapter 21

  Meira

  “Is everyone ready?” Dušan asks, standing tall and strong. The wind rustles through his dark hair, a contrast to those hypnotizing blue eyes. They shine brightly today, more than they have before, and behind them is a warrior who’s had enough of running.

  “I’m ready,” I answer, as do Lucien and Bardhyl, though both are preoccupied with staring at the army of Shadow Monsters fanning outward in the woods behind Dušan. The creatures look our way, and even I’ll admit there’s an eeriness in having so many of them peppering the woods. Each as gross as the next, they’re just instruments, I tell myself. There’s no soul inside them, no emotion. They’re only empty shells carrying a virus.

  “I still think one of us should join Meira,” Lucien says, his voice clipped, and the way he looks at me, his hands sliding into mine, softens me. He’s w
orried…hell, we all are. After what I just went through earlier today on top of all the other shit, I don’t blame him.

  “Agreed,” Bardhyl states.

  I swing my gaze over to him standing on my other side, and I lean against him so he knows how much he means to me. “You’re all incredible, but we already agreed. You three are breaking into the compound through the tunnels and I’m waiting near the rear door with this mismatched group of undead, so you can open the back door.”

  “As much as I hate leaving her too, it makes sense,” Dušan adds. “If she’s surrounded by over a hundred zombies, no wolf will get close to her. Plus, she’ll be waiting for us in the woods, up a tree, so even if the Ash guards are near, she won’t be spotted. And if us three are together in the compound, it’s easier to fight off anyone if we’re found.”

  I nod. “It’s the only way to get all of the creatures into the settlement. And if I can get close enough to Mad and get him and his loyal men away from the innocents, then I’ll unleash the zombies on them.” I’m hoping with every fiber of my being that the sight of the creatures alone will be Mad’s undoing. His men will panic, and Dušan, Lucien, and Bardhyl can take him out.

  Well, that’s the plan, at least.

  Lucien and Bardhyl’s misgivings are written all over their faces. “Really hate splitting up again,” Bardhyl says, with Lucien nodding.

  “I know,” I say, “but you may need more of you in there if guards find you.”

  “Let’s move,” Dušan commands. He glances at me as his hand reaches for mine. “We’ll take you near the compound, then the three of us are heading into the tunnels.”

  Straightening my posture, I step forward, the harsh wind tugging at my black baggy pants and a T-shirt that hangs off my shoulder. I never pictured myself going to war dressed so casually, but armor is not easy to come by in the stash of clothes in an underground room. Plus, my protection comes from the dozens of undead bodies following me.

  Slipping my hand in Dušan’s, the four of us hurry into the woods. We maneuver around the standing dead, and it’s hard not to know they’re there. I can’t shake the shivers snaking up my arms at how close the monsters are to my men. The moment we pass them, they turn and proceed to follow. Soon enough, we have a long tail in our wake, with Lucien and Bardhyl extremely close at our backs.

  “This is kinda freaky,” Lucien murmurs.

  “If I ever come back as one of those things,” Bardhyl says with a soft voice, “chop off my head. I don’t want to lurch randomly searching for food like a creep.”

  “Bruh, you’ll be dead and won’t have a brain to think beyond eating.”

  “What if we’ve all been wrong this whole time about them? They clearly must have some ability. How else do they understand Meira’s commands?”

  I glance over my shoulder at them, the men’s conversation making me curious about the answer. “Maybe it’s just a muscle memory. A few words they recognize and their meaning? Whatever’s in my blood that I infect them with has to connects us to an extent, so it could be a combo of things.” I shrug, though the thought that my influence may not last forever does cross my mind.

  “It’s one theory,” Lucien responds, while Bardhyl nods.

  Dušan says, “What matters is that right now they want to do your bidding.”

  “Absolutely.” I squeeze his hand lightly.

  We remain silent for the rest of the trip through the woods, and soon slow down as we approach the rear of the settlement.

  When the compound finally comes into view beyond the trees that surround us, my stomach clenches.

  Shuffling feet on the ground closes in behind us, and most of the Shadow Monsters have paused, staring my way. Dense trees, and shadows, are the perfect place to hide.

  “This spot should work,” I say.

  “And this is your tree, cupcake,” Bardhyl says, standing near an enormous fir bursting with heavily ladened branches that span outward at the base and cinch in the higher it reaches for the sky. I can’t help but be reminded of a Christmas tree. Something I’ve seen a few times in old books. A tradition humans used to celebrate. The reason for the festivities wasn’t clear, but it clearly always involved lots of food, gifts, and a tree like this one decorated in the most spectacular colors. It must have been beautiful.

  “This will do.” Lucien heads over to the tree, dodging several zombies standing in his path, and we follow him.

  Dušan’s grip pulls me to him. “Stay hidden no matter what until we come for you. We’ll be quick to open the rear door from the inside. Just remember how much I love you.”

  Before I can respond, his lips are on mine. I lean against him, my hands on his chest, and kiss him back, not ready to part ways. His arms let go of mine and they slide around my back. Breathless and hot, I fist his shirt, needing more of these soft, cushioned lips, and the way his tongue explores my mouth.

  Someone clears his throat. “Careful you don’t give the zombies any ideas.” The mirth in Lucien’s voice has us breaking apart, and I roll my eyes at him.

  Lucien takes the chance to close the distance between us, drawing me by my waist to his body. His kiss is instant, those wicked lips rolling against mine, his grip digging into my hips with need.

  Fingers crawl up my back, when I realize it’s a third hand and not Lucien’s. Breaking from our kiss, I whisper to him, “Please take care of them.”

  “Love you, babe. We got this.”

  When I turn to Bardhyl, he grabs my waist and has me off my feet in seconds. I gasp and grip his shoulders as I snap my legs around his hips. His lips are on fire. And we kiss like this is our last day on Earth, ravenous and desperate. I adore how he’s always rougher with me, and I’m left with bruised lips afterward.

  In moments, he pulls from my mouth, and with strong hands, he lifts me higher as he turns us toward the lowest-hanging branch. “Grab hold and I’ll give you a boost.”

  I snatch a branch that is rough under my fingers.

  Bardhyl’s hands run down my legs and he grabs the back of my thighs, then pushes me higher.

  In haste, I throw a leg over the branch and shuffle up until I’m sitting. I glance down and blow Bardhyl a kiss.

  “Love you. Behave and stay up there,” he commands.

  “I promise,” I say.

  One last look my way with heartfelt smiles, and the three of them slide into the woods amid the undead, vanishing from view. The density of pine needles on this tree makes it difficult to see too much. Slowly, I get to my feet, grasping on to the trunk, reminded of my days living in trees. A time that feels so long ago.

  I climb up to the next branch, which offers a better vantage point. And right there in the distance stands the lofty, metal fence of the compound with a small view of the back door. Nerves tangle inside me that Ash Wolves will ambush my men. I chew on my lower lip and just need to shove those thoughts aside or they will drive me crazy.

  Settling down, I get comfortable and straddle the thick branch, my back to the trunk.

  Now I stare out and wait, hoping that everything goes according to plan.

  BARDHYL

  I suck in every rapid breath, filling my lungs. We ran the whole fucking way back to the cave and through the tunnels. Now we’re catching our breath inside Kinley’s house at the back door.

  Lucien peers out the window through a gap in the thick curtains, while Dušan has the door slightly ajar, staring out into the backyard that flows into the woodlands inside the settlement.

  “Is it clear?” I ask, glancing back into the empty living room. We helped Kinley into her bedroom, and she shut the door, closing herself in to stay safe until this is over in case the fight breaks near her home. We told her the bare minimum but enough to know what’s going to be happening outside.

  Dušan’s plan is simple, but the best ones usually are. Going for Mad directly exposes us easily to his guards. We’d be overpowered. So a massive breach in the settlement will make him less protected by his guards as p
anic spreads. And that is when we strike.

  I’ve known the dickhead long enough to not expect Mad to get his hands dirty. He sends his men out to search for us in the woods while he sits back in the compound, taking it easy. Sonofabitch. His little rise to the top is going to be short-lived.

  “Area’s clear,” Dušan whispers. “We make a break into the cluster of trees leading up to the rear entry of the compound. We’ll be less likely to be spotted this way, then we can open the gate for Meira.”

  The door to the house swings open, and we’re on the run.

  A strong wind collides into us. My gut tightens and I hold my head low, stealing looks from either side of me. No one to see the three of us cut across the wide grounds and burst into the cluster of trees running along the edge of the settlement. It’s not enough to conceal us completely, but the shadows are a cloak should anyone glance this way.

  I can’t stop thinking about Meira and praying she’s safe. She’s surrounded by zombies, but Ash Wolves are in the woods, and I hope to hell and back she remains up in that tree.

  We pound the Earth, rushing up the slope, staying close to the trees. I remain behind Dušan and Lucien, and I keep checking over my shoulder. My skin crawls being out here; I feel damn exposed. I loathe how I feel anything but safe in my own home. And this is why I want to murder Mad slowly, make him squirm and cry. And, well, those worms who follow him blindly will also feel my wrath. I’ve taken down a mental list of names. None of them have escaped my attention. I don’t forget.

  Dušan glances back, and with two fingers, signals we’re heading left and toward the rear door, where the woodland inside the compound spreads, offering us better coverage.

  We move swiftly, and I scan the rolling landscape that leads back down to the fortress… the home we will reclaim.

  About a dozen pack members roam near the back of the building, and I can only assume they’re guards. Since Mad’s forced takeover, most of the pack seem to remain hidden in their homes. It’s better this way, as they’ll stay out of danger.