Chosen

by Melanie Purser

  Ari, be serious. You are strong, but you can’t take on a whole army by yourself. For my sake, please, go somewhere safe. I will find you.

  Maybe I was a runner once, but the woman you married is different. I won’t leave them behind. I will get them and myself to safety if I can. She says stubbornly, even though she is scared out of her mind.

  My woman isn’t dumb. She knows it could be a suicide mission, but she won’t give up without a fight. I want to argue further, but it’s pointless. A command can’t hold her and she won’t change her mind.

  Fine! I’m coming, Ari. Please get to safety or hold them off until I get there. DO NOT DIE! YOU HEAR ME? YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DIE!

  I love you too, she whispers, and it breaks my heart.

  I love you, baby, and I will tell you in person soon. I need to shift now, I tell her as I reach the edge of the woods. Since it’s now broad daylight, I need to be human and get to a vehicle.

  Wait, I need to tell you something.

  Can’t you tell me when I get there? Though I’m curious, I want to hear that she has hope. I want to know that she is going to be strong for me until I can get to her.

  No, I think it’s important to tell you now, she says but it doesn’t sound like she actually believes that or not.

  Okay, tell me quick, baby.

  I’m pregnant.

  A howl rips from my throat, and the next thing I know, I’m in a car. The fastest car in our fleet; a BMW X5.

  I don’t know how I got here, or when I changed back into my human form and put clothes on. I’m not even sure how Trace, Asher and Ben got in the car with me in time before I peeled out of the parking lot. I’ve never been one to drive fast, but I’m pushing 120mph towards the airport.

  I reach for my phone and quickly dial Gray’s number.

  “I need the fastest plane you have ready to go. Now!” I scream into the phone as soon as I hear his line pick up.

  Hanging up on him, I hit the gas pedal harder.

  Vaguely I notice that other vehicles I recognize are following, but struggling to keep my pace. I can’t wait for them.

  My mate, my beautiful wife is pregnant with our child, and I left her unprotected. Any fucker who dares to touch her is going to die a slow and painful death.

  “Darien, what is going on?” Trace asks sternly. Shit, I forgot that no one could hear my conversation with Ari.

  “Call my house and the others. The women are in danger. Ari found Alpha Flint’s scent in the woods, along with his wolves. I don’t know how many, but it will be more than they can handle. Tell them to run and hide if they haven’t already been found,” I bark out. There is a collective gasp, but they do as I say, each one pulling out a phone and calling everyone.

  “No one is answering at your house, but everyone else is safe. They went straight to their cars and are leaving town,” Trace informs me.

  “Get someone from my house on the phone,” I growl. Unsure of who exactly is staying at my place, they just start calling random numbers, hoping that one of them is there and picks up their phone.

  “Hello?” I can hear a female’s voice answer, and I recognize it as one of my men’s mate.

  “This is Asher. Are you at the Alpha’s house?”

  “Yes, what’s going on?” Asher switched the phone to speaker.

  “Danielle, this is Darien. Try not to get everyone into a panic. Ari found the scent of the Canadian Alpha while out running in the woods. We are on our way to you, but you need to get everyone out and to somewhere safe.”

  “All of the vehicles are gone, sir. Only Jerek’s truck, and Alexia’s sedan remain and they aren’t here right now. There are 18 of us here, minus Jerek, Alex, and your mate,” she says in a panic. Dammit!

  They could just run in wolf form but their scent will be harder to track in a vehicle. Plus, if they get somewhere populated, they wouldn’t dare attack without the cover of night.

  “I’ll get the other pack members to come pick you all up. Ari and the others should be there soon. You need to get out fast!”

  “Yes sir,” she says before the line goes dead.

  Without me having to ask, Asher contacts the other pack members about going to pick up the wolves from my house. I pray I’m not leading them to their death.

  Gray gets to keep his life when we arrive at the airport, and he has a large jet ready to go. There’s only enough room for maybe 20 of my wolves, so I take everyone who was in the car with me, plus Gabe, and 15 of my strongest that Ari personally trained when they came for the wedding.

  With Gray that makes 21 of us in total. I send the rest to follow through with our original plan just in case. I may be dooming us all, but if there really is an army outside of Alaska, I would bet that the larger threat is there.

  “How quickly can we get there?” I ask Gray as he prepares us for take-off.

  “If the wind is with us, about an hour and fifteen minutes.”

  “Make it an hour,” I growl.

  Ari

  Everyone is on high alert when we reach home. Darien said he was going to tell everyone to get out of town, but my group had no way to leave except by wolf, and that’s too risky in the daylight. The whole pack is here now, with enough vehicles and space for everyone.

  It’s too late though.

  My strengthened nose can smell them, and we can all hear a large number of vehicles in the distance moving closer to our location.

  The pack has clothes waiting for me, and I quickly shift, not caring who sees me naked for once.

  “We are out of time. We need to get the kids in the basement. Moms can stay with the kids,” I bark orders at them. I’m not okay with separating families, and who’s going to protect a child better than their own mother? “The rest of you, prepare for battle!”

  Heading inside, I go to the trap door that Darien showed me on my first day, and open it up for them. My breath whooshes out of me when ten kids pile into me. They are afraid. For me, and for themselves. I kneel down and look each one of them in the eye, though I have no right to. Without hesitation, I had left them here. I should have expected something like this.

  “Hey. I’m a fighter. I will do everything I can to keep them from finding you. Do you remember what I taught you?” I ask, and they all nod. “Good. Believe in me just like I believe in you. If someone dares to get passed me, be ready to give them hell.”

  The look of determination on their little faces makes my heart swell with pride. I hurry them down the stairs.

  Each mother places a hand on my shoulder for a moment on their way down, instilling strength in me. When they are all safe, I command everyone to shift and direct half to the barn while the other half waits in the house. I have a special task for a select few though.

  Trucks, SUV’s, and large moving vans come speeding up the driveway and through the trees. My heart is in my throat. They must have nearly one hundred and fifty wolves, while we have less than fifty. Unconsciously my hand drops to my belly, giving me surprising strength, and I smile.

  They won’t be leaving with that many.

  Chapter 20

  With as much inner strength as I can muster, I step out into the opening between the house and the barn to greet our unwelcome guests. Jerek, refusing to leave my side, follows at my heels. The cars stop a short distance away.

  As expected, Alpha Flint, and another who I assume is his son, exit separate vehicles. They sniff the air in amusement as they approach us. I also recognize Garrett and Ryan from the night he helped kidnap me. Flint’s son appears to have his second with him as well. His third must be with the wolves in Canada, leading the attack in British Columbia.

  “Ari, my dear, how nice to see you again. Is it you I have to thank for rounding everyone up for us?” Flint drawls with a sadistic grin. I just stare him down, not letting him get to me, but I can’t help my glare when he sniffs in my direction.

  “Wow! You’re pregnant already! Congrats! Meet the new and improved father of your child, my s
on, James.”

  James looks me over appreciatively as he sniffs me as well. He looks to be around the same age as Darien. Just as large as well, but has short dark hair with pale blue eyes that rub me the wrong way. He smiles when he catches me looking, and if I had anything left in my stomach, I’d puke.

  “What’s the matter, boy? They leave you behind because you can’t fight?” Flint laughs, but Jerek smirks dangerously in response. When he says nothing else, Flint glares before turning his icy blue eyes back to me. “We’re not here to hurt anyone. This can be very civilized if everyone cooperates. Just tell everyone to behave and get into the trucks. Everyone will be well taken care of when we get home.”

  I pin him with an annoyed glare.

  “Why do you think everyone is gathered here?” I ask, and he gives me a stupid look before I answer for him. “I discovered your scent. My mate is on his way home now. We’re not here to hurt anyone,” I repeat his words, “This can be very civilized if you and your son get back on your way, and get the fuck off our territory.”

  I know it’s a long shot to believe that Darien and reinforcements will get here, but the more I stall, the better chance we have.

  “Nice try, but your pack just left on a plane for Canada,” he spits angrily.

  “Oh yeah? All of them? Are you willing to bet on that?” I laugh when his confidence sways, and his anger flares.

  “You have made a fool of me for the last time, girl,” he looks to his son, “If you want this bitch, grab her and let’s go. If not, I am killing her right now,” James smiles and moves towards me.

  I step back and take a defensive pose, but Jerek intercepts him before he can get to me.

  Before I can even exhale, James Flint’s body is unconscious on the ground. Holy shit! Jerek is scary when he is serious. I’m starting to get the feeling that he has been holding back against me.

  “Last chance,” I recover quickly from the shock, and try to pull John Flint’s attention back to me when he steps towards Jerek with murder in his eyes. He glares absolute hatred at me. I know he is finally done trying to take me. He wants me dead.

  Lifting his son into his arms, he backs away. His hand flashes towards his men, and they come flooding out of the vehicles. They move toward us and start their shift as car engines start up inside the barn. The barn doors are torn open.

  For a second, Flint’s men are sitting ducks as my girls partake in a little demolition derby. When this is all over, I’m going to be working off a lot of debt. I’ll owe Jerek and a few others some new vehicles. I don’t think anyone’s insurance company covers werewolf damage.

  My plan is working. There is blood and guts everywhere. It can only last so long though as the cars quit, or are physically stopped by our enemies.

  Right on cue, the rest of my women, in their wolf form, sprint out from the house and the barn, attacking Flint’s men from both sides. We are still outnumbered, but we are strong. We have to be. I can’t let Darien come home to see that we failed. We can’t fail him.

  I shift into wolf form and hear John Flint yell out to his wolves.

  “Try not to kill them all. Knock them unconscious if you can. I want those two wolves dead though!” He screams as he points to Jerek and I. His wolf growls beside me. Many wolves turn to us, thirsty for our blood after the slaughter of their comrades. At least twenty dead, with equal amounts injured in under a minute has to be some kind of record for werewolf battles. They would have fared better if they had been in their wolf skin. Lucky for us, they weren’t.

  The wolves descend upon us, getting passed my women with ease. Their numbers are too great, but the fact that Flint wants them alive is a blessing. It’s one thing if I die, but I can’t stomach leading my whole present pack members to their deaths.

  In my last few seconds, I watch them. I didn’t get to train them personally, but I can see that they have learned a few of my moves. Each and every one of them is fighting with everything they have. Even Alex, with all the training we went through together, is a true warrior now.

  Watching them in those few moments, I know that if by some miracle I lived through this, I am going to change things. These women deserve more. They deserve a choice to be a part of something bigger. They deserve to fight, to go on missions, and to be truly seen as high-ranking members of the pack if their skills prove worthy. That is my vow to them.

  With that, I snap the neck of the first wolf that dared come near me. Jerek, my guard, fights valiantly, taking on multiple opponents like a force of nature. It’s just like we practiced. Not a single move is wasted.

  I try to keep track of everyone around me, but the surrounding wolves demand my attention. I dodge left and right, clawing, tackling, and sinking my teeth into fur and flesh, every opening I get. Bodies begin to pile up all around us.

  “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU FOOLS? THEY ARE JUST WOMEN!” Alpha Flint is passed his breaking point. I can feel his eyes burning into me, waiting eagerly for someone to take me out. It only fuels my desire to disappoint him.

  Alexia’s whine distracts me, and a wolf takes the opening, biting into my shoulder. I reach around, grab him by the neck with my teeth, and flip him over onto his back before slicing his throat open with my sharp claws. I keep my guard up, but I also catch Jerek glancing over to Alex as well. He wants to help her, but he doesn’t want to leave me.

  Go! I try to urge him with my mind. I’m surprised as hell when he shakes his head, refusing my command that he shouldn’t have even been able to feel. Somehow, he sensed me even though I’m not an Alpha. Alex yips in pain again. No one is able to help her. GO! I steal a little of Darien’s power this time to make the command stronger, and he obeys instantly.

  Jerek’s departure leaves me with ten wolves surrounding me. I have never taken on this many by myself before, but I have always wanted to try. No one can keep me out of this fight, so now is my chance. It’s me and you little pup. Let’s see what your mama can do.

  Speed is my best advantage. No one can match me in that category, so before they get to me, I choose my victim and sprint right towards him. I use my signature move and slide under his taller frame. He yelps as I grab him by the leg and do something I have never done before.

  With his back leg in my mouth I use all my strength to spin, using him as a weapon to hit multiple targets in my proximity at once before launching him into one of the wolves. As I anticipated, none are dead from the blow, but two are out cold, and at least half are injured.

  I don’t hesitate to choose my next victim, sprinting at them again, but this time leaping over him as he moves low, assuming I’m making the same attack.

  Before he can turn around, I tackle him from behind, knocking him to the ground before snapping his neck.

  A wolf sneaks up behind me and catches my shoulder, narrowly missing my neck. I had dodged just in time, but after taking two bites now, my shoulder is mangled. My speed suffers from the damage, but I face off with my attacker, blocking and dodging the brunt of his attacks while watching my back at the same time.

  Finally, I get my opening and rip his throat out before a great pain and sadness fills my heart. One of my pack has been killed.

  Rage fills me, and I lash out at one of the wolves before I’m hit from behind and thrown through the air like a soccer ball. Fuck. My body screams at me, and my thoughts go to the little pup growing inside me. That thought alone gives me the strength to get up.

  Facing my attacker, I find a huge gray wolf, and he’s pissed. I almost think it’s Alpha Flint, but the pale blue eyes tell me that it’s his son. James recovered quickly. His coat is lighter than his fathers, but somehow, he looks more intimidating. He’s fully healed while I am bleeding and aching all over.

  Though I hate having to do it, I pull a little bit more strength from Darien. I’m going to need it right now.

  With a roar, the gray wolf charges. I hold my ground and let him come to me.

  At the very last second, I decide to dodge right and use ever
y bit of force in my body to hit him from the side. As intended, it throws him off balance, and I pounce. He pushes me off with ease, but not before I take his ear. James howls in pain, and I’m surprised at the thrill that courses through me. It must be the high of Darien’s power inside me.

  James charges me again, and I meet him head on. I don’t have the capacity to dodge anymore. We fight tooth and nail, trading blow for blow. He’s a worthy opponent, but if I wasn’t weakened from all the hits I’ve taken, I might have been able to win.

  The snapping of teeth, the scent of blood and death, the sadness, pain, and anger I feel, all consume my senses.

  This is it. This is the end of my story. Though most of my life was pathetic and shameful, my last few weeks were magical. I wish I were leaving this world with a better legacy, but I don’t deserve it after today. My only hope is that Darien gets here and stops the enemy before Jerek is killed, and before all of our women are taken.

  Making a risky move, I slide tackle James, and sink my teeth into his neck, but I don’t get a tight enough grip.

  He growls and throws me off. Before I can get away, he has me pinned. With some effort, I could probably get away, but I felt and scented Alpha Flint nearby. In my state, there is no way I can take out two Alphas. My time is up, but I’m going to take Alpha Flint’s son with me. James’ wolf stands over me, ready to rip my head off.

  I’m sorry Darien. I love you.

  A howl nearby causes goose bumps along my skin. The raw power and emotion in that howl steals my breath. It also catches the Alphas off guard for a moment. A moment that I was going to take advantage of.

  Using my back leg, I kick James off, slicing his belly open at the same time. He roars in pain before his father lunges for me with bared teeth, but I have just enough space to slide away.

  John knows he is screwed now that Darien is almost here, and he gets sloppy. He leaps towards me, swiping his sharp claws at me.