by Reese Morgan
She reluctantly agreed, no matter how disappointing it was to acknowledge. If they subdued Celeste, they still had several puppets wandering around aimlessly, hell-bent on blood and destruction.
Then there were other loose ends to consider.
Such as rectifying the humans and their knowledge of werewolves. And also Celeste’s female pack. The woman had other allies besides her puppets and her Carriers. It would take months, maybe even years to wipe Celeste’s taint from the werewolf community.
“Then it is decided. Which brings us to our next discussion. The Hunters.” Here, Kieran looked to Rylee. “Do we forge an alliance and attack Celeste’s base together? Or do we go on without them?”
Hayden perked up at the sudden topic, finding it hard to believe they were even giving it the time of day.
“There are still good Hunters out there,” Rylee said firmly. “We—”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Hayden interrupted sharply.
All the werewolves turned in her direction, though she hardly noticed with how passionately she disagreed with the current matter. Her ears rang jarringly and her face burned with anger. Even her hands trembled as rage coursed through her.
“Should we form an alliance with the Hunters?” she repeated the question, her resentment too strong to do anything but whisper. “And then what? Turn our backs for their target practice?”
Other werewolves agreed with her. They murmured their endorsement.
“Hayden,” Rylee soothed. “I was there as well. I lost people. I understand the anger.”
Rylee was trying the reassuring, understanding approach. Hayden thought little of the consoling method. Her eyes relayed as much as she silently stared at the other female.
“I know my father.” Rylee averted her stare submissively, though she stubbornly persisted. “He would never abandon me. He’d gather reinforcements.”
Hayden remembered Zane Donovan’s promise that he would, indeed, gather reinforcements. She hadn’t thought much of his promise at the time, though now that Rylee nearly quoted what Zane promised, she had her doubts.
“Was that before, or after his own men betrayed him?” Julian, surprisingly, was the one to speak out next. “Your father may have our best interests in mind, but that doesn’t mean the other Hunters feel the same way.”
Something nearly inaudible clicked behind Hayden.
Her ear twitched and unease set in her stomach.
“Despite his enemies, I firmly believe we should locate him and gather more recruits,” Rylee continued willfully. “What did he say to you, Hayden? When you both escaped the Hunters, did he or Shane indicate their next step?”
The question suspended in the air, abandoned. Hayden left the words hanging there as a heavy silence settled across the woods and amongst the antsy spectators.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.
With only her pulse pounding in her ears, the nearly inaudible clicking was no longer distinct. What was distinct, however, was the practically inconspicuous scent of silver.
Silver.
Hayden’s eyes flew open.
Reaching out, she grabbed both Blake and Julian around their collar. Using her pent-up energy, she flung both males forward, towards the center of the circle. Just as they stumbled ungracefully to the ground, multiple sniper shots whizzed cleanly through the air.
Rocking to the balls of her feet, she jumped and flipped in the air, curling in on herself and avoiding a bullet. Just barely.
As she landed, the head of her neighboring male companion exploded in a shower of crimson. She cried out, feeling another fragile chord within her shatter as blood and gore splattered across her person.
Precious and legendary werewolf blood filled her nostrils yet again.
Her fear abruptly fell way to immense anger.
Running towards the area the shots had originated, she reached for her knives. She’d end them. They would never be able to hide in the trees and target them from a distance again. Hunters, the lot of them, were cowards.
“Foolish, stupid child,” Nicolas admonished fiercely as he stepped in front of her, stopping her advancement. He grabbed her coat and hauled her off her feet with a single lift of his hand. “You do not have the advantage of stealth. They will have you in their crosshairs before you can even spot them.”
She didn’t argue.
She’d realized it was a stupid idea before he had grabbed her. Anger had taken hold of her senses and propelled her to act immediately.
They ran up the hill together, back towards the other werewolves. Julian stumbled next to her, grasping to keep his balance as mud and slush disrupted his footing.
“How did you know?” he demanded in disbelief. “You acted so fast!”
Hayden ignored him, looking just over his shoulder. Cole ushered the rest of the pack up the hill, following their heels with persistent protection. All the members of the pack made it past the raining bullets from the snipers.
“Hayden,” Julian pressed intensely.
“Now is not the time,” Nicolas reprimanded sharply.
They made it over the hill, only to find the other werewolves lumped together, their expressions frantic. Their fear could have derived from the sound of snipers and bullets, but Hayden had a sinking suspicion that something else awaited for them.
It was just how things worked with Celeste.
“Falco!’
Falco’s mate sprinted over as soon as the Alpha climbed the top. She reached for him and he grabbed her arm consolingly.
“It’s Celeste’s men. They are cornering us against the Hunters.”
The other female’s pulse pounded, everyone could hear it, yet her expression was as schooled as any other dominant female. Just over her shoulder, Falco’s young son lingered in limbo, halfway between his parents and halfway between the rest of the werewolves.
Hayden stared at the crowd of petrified werewolves, her lips pinching.
Hunters would have a field day. When, not if, but when they approached from behind, they would successfully pick off the werewolves with simplicity. When females and children were involved, males lost their levelheadedness and chaos erupted.
They had no time to formulate an intricate plan.
As Zane Donovan declared, it would be messy.
Kieran stirred to life amongst the heavy oppression of uncertainty. With his shoulders set proudly, he stepped in the middle of the werewolves. As soon as he raised his hands, the others quieted immediately.
“We will fight our way through Celeste’s soldiers and create an opening.” He spoke with a level of confidence that impressed Hayden. “We will go north—”
“South,” Nicolas interrupted coldly.
“North,” Logan opposed unexpectedly. “Celeste has control of the south.”
Hayden looked between the two males, each sizing the other critically.
“South,” Nicolas said again with firm emphasis. “North is far too comfortable for us and Celeste knows this. She will be prepared if we head further north. If we send the others ahead of us, they will only encounter more men without protection.”
Kieran hesitated briefly, looking between Logan and Nicolas.
Just as Hayden figured he would agree with his long-time friend, he surprised her by doing the exact opposite.
“South then.” Kieran motioned for the werewolves to move. “Warriors will be up front, the others will remain a short distance away. Once we are able to create an opening, you will run. Run and regroup further south.”
Not needing any further invitation, Hayden withdrew her sword.
Others followed suit.
It was a sound plan. Theoretically, it was the only plan available at this time.
They had stayed in one location too long as they waited for survivors. As a result, their enemy scoped out their surroundings and properly moved their players into position.
Enemy numbers would be spread thin if they intended to approach from every angle. If the traditional wer
ewolves banded together and hit an isolated area as a united front, they had a chance to break the resistance and get their people out safely.
Inevitably, they would lose more people, Hayden knew.
She twisted her hand around her sword hilt, looking first at her pack.
Time seemed to drag as she watched Cole cup Blake’s shoulder and give him orders under the solemn eyes of the others. It was another goodbye disguised as a call of duty. Hayden recognized it, so did the others in her pack.
They’d just gotten him back.
They could lose him just as quickly.
“Hayden,” Cole addressed, turning to her. “I want you to go with them.”
“She will be fighting alongside us, Cole,” Nicolas opposed steadily. “I wouldn’t have her anywhere else.”
Hayden grinned half-heartedly at his support, her mind already focused on the battle ahead. She didn’t say anything to her pack. She refused to. She would see them all again shortly. If there was one thing she grew to detest these past few months, it was goodbyes.
Werewolves ran towards the very top of the hill, readying themselves to descend together. They gripped their swords and adjusted their footing. Further south, an abundance of trees lay ahead.
Hayden supposed that was another benefit of running south.
It would shelter them from the Hunters and their rifles.
Her attention landed on her pack one last time. Her lips thinned as she nodded to them, unable to say what they expected to hear.
“Hayden—”
“I will see you all soon. Stick together,” she said, cutting Fergus off sharply.
Startled understanding flashed across Fergus’ face as she turned her back on him. Retreating towards the other warriors, she stood at their backs, awaiting the order to charge. Nicolas was a permanent fixture at her shoulder, and a moment later, so was Cole.
Releasing a low, controlling breath, Hayden watched Kieran from the corner of her eye. He whispered something in Rylee’s ear, urging her to stay back with the others.
The other female nodded somberly, a resigned acceptance across her face. However, there was also a spark of determination in her eyes, as if she’d just accepted a private and vital mission from Kieran.
Hayden eyed her warily, wondering about the exchange.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Kieran pushed his way through the warriors and quickly led the way down the hill. The others followed. There was nothing said. Nothing needed to be said. At this point, everyone knew to kill or be killed.
Amongst the mass of males, Hayden felt their wild energy and their tangy testosterone. It beat warmly across her face and fueled her own adrenaline. As she was the only female amongst the group, she should have felt out of place.
Only, she never felt so complete.
This was where she belonged.
Muscle, sweat, blood… it was a part of her now.
Her boots slapped the wet snow, able to keep her balance from the grace of her wolf. Others weren’t so lucky. They slid and slipped, though they were quick to jump back to their feet and hurry down.
Kieran honed on the first puppet to break through the trees.
With a wild roar, he jumped the remaining way down. His form was impeccable, his posture poised. As his sword cut through the air, it was an audible slash of sharp silver. The blade cut through the unsuspecting neck of the puppet, instantly decapitating him.
As Kieran landed, his wild, golden hair flew into his fierce features. His eyes glowed an animalistic amber as he encouraged the others to charge with a swipe of his sword.
Yet again, Hayden compared him to a lion, the supreme ruler of the pride.
His enthusiasm was contagious, his energy a flicker of obtainable hope. Hayden rushed down the hill, her pulse racing wildly. Entwining through the trees, Nicolas remained hot on her heels as they encountered their first enemy.
She ducked underneath the heavy backhand, distracting the enemy down low as Nicolas went high with his blade. The puppet fell to the ground and Hayden quickly looked for another threat.
Across from her, she saw her father and brother.
They paired together and it was apparent they fought well together.
Then again, she and Nicolas were just as synchronized. They’d fought together before and they were familiar with each other’s fighting style. He always gave her enough room, knowing she was a distance fighter. By contrast, she knew he favored feints, so she patiently waited until his strike landed before proceeding.
With Cole participating, it put Hayden off balance.
He fought much like Nicolas, only he was far less willing to allow Hayden much leeway. Often times, she found herself standing back uselessly while the brothers took down one of Celeste’s creations. During those times, she couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.
When they didn’t have to agree on anything, Nicolas and Cole worked well together.
Very well.
They were a remarkable and extraordinary force together, united.
As both males were preoccupied, Hayden narrowed her sights on her own opponent. She made her way over, her feet light in response to an upcoming challenge.
Only, a sword came down and blocked her way.
Even in the heat of battle with his brother, Nicolas had the ability to know her location at all times. Blue eyes burned into her accusingly.
“Not without me,” he stressed heatedly.
Irritated at his interruption, Hayden barely had time to bark out a warning as a large puppet attacked Nicolas’ vulnerable back.
“Move!”
He ducked, trusting her instinctively, and Hayden moved behind the tree. The tree trunk cracked as the puppet’s fist connected with it. She dodged another punch, using the tree as both a buffer and a divergence.
As he threw his arm out again, Hayden veered around the side of the tree, slicing his arm off at the elbow. Whirling around the base of the tree in the opposite direction, she brought back her sword and stabbed it into his left side, just under his ribcage.
No doubt connecting with his heart, Hayden withdrew her sword from his body.
The puppet collapsed to his knees and she decapitated him.
Before she could gloat to Nicolas, her attention fell on Adolf. The man battled a puppet with startling efficiency, but two others quickly closed behind him. He had no partner to watch his back. Consequently, an enemy abruptly grabbed his arm and yanked his shoulder back.
Hayden jumped and dug into her coat just as Adolf fell.
Grabbing a knife, she tossed it across the woods with a growl. It embedded into the man’s temple, instantly stilling his movements, but not dropping him. Sprinting, Hayden slammed her sword into her back holster and dropped forward, pressing her palms into the ground and maneuvering into the air.
Gaining height and momentum, she kicked the man in the neck, sending him to the ground with a dislocated spine. Just as her feet touched the ground, she jumped again, rolling across the neighboring enemy’s shoulders.
Withdrawing her sword quickly, she slid the blade across his unsuspecting neck.
Adolf regained his composure and abruptly beheaded the man just as Hayden’s boots touched back to the ground. As the last enemy fell, headless, Adolf stared at her, his silver eyes not quite believing.
He then nodded with resigned acceptance. “I knew I trained you for a reason.”
She looked back to Cole and Nicolas, finding the latter not too far from her. Hayden blinked, nearly taken aback at Nicolas’ intense scrutiny. His head angled lowly, yet his gaze cut sharply into her. Restlessly, he twirled his sword, as if immensely agitated.
It took her moment to identify his reaction.
She scoffed.
Only Nicolas would find her arousing in battle, though she couldn’t help but preen under his attention. With no immediate enemies in the area, he approached her. With a layer of sweat across his body, his scent was particularly strong. He purposely brushed shoulders wit
h her with the intention of scent claiming her.
“Go, go!”
The lust of battle loosened its grip on Hayden as several bodies shot past her.
Her attention zeroed in on the werewolves running through the trees. The warriors had cleared enough space for their escape. There were no puppets in the immediate area, save for their broken corpses.
A female child stumbled, slowing and staring wide-eyed at the fallen men. Her attention then fell on Hayden in quiet awe. Abruptly, the child’s mother ushered her along, folding her back into the group as they ran south.
Kieran pushed them faster, chanting, encouraging them to run quicker.
A few fighters led the group and Kieran motioned for more to blend into the crowd and accompany the others.
“A gradual junction,” he spoke to the remaining fighters. “I want there to be warriors scattered amongst the others. I need some to take up the rear.” Immediately, he looked to Cole and Nicolas. “Slayter. Both of you hang back.”
Hayden planted herself between the two brothers, obstinately raising her chin when Kieran’s attention landed on her. A wry smile crossed his lips before he nodded.
“Crows as well. Any sign of trouble, I don’t want you to play the heroes. Run to us and call out for help. We will circle back around for you.”
Looking pointedly at Julian and Logan, Kieran seemed satisfied only after receiving nods of approval. As the last remaining werewolves ran past, he joined them, a few warriors trailing after more slowly.
A warm hand engulfed her head. “You did well.”
She gazed up at Cole, feeling his fondness settle around her like a comfortable weight. His eyes were sincere, their green hue emphasized as he looked affectionately down at her.
Her chest swelled.
“She’s grown tremendously since your departure,” Nicolas agreed, though there was an undercurrent of derision focused toward Cole.
“She is a Crow,” Logan supplied haughtily, sensing the tension between the two brothers and easily breaking it. Her threw an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her fiercely. “I am proud of you, Hayden. You are remarkable.”
She allowed him to pull her away from Cole and Nicolas. They walked slowly after the group of werewolves, keeping their ears peeled and their attention honed for new threats or drifters. The air stunk of death and blood, though the sun shone brightly overhead.