Page 61 of Forbidden Wolf

Kimber gently took my hand, her head resting on my shoulder. “You are the only one that has been strong enough to resist him, Tasha. The only one who evaded his capture.”

I opened and closed my mouth several times, unable to find any words to form a reply.

A huge explosion lit the night sky and shook the castle. One female fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around her head, cowering on the floor.

That image alone made my decision.

I could no longer stand aside and ignore what was happening to my people. Levi’s choice finally made sense when he told me he had to go back and save his pack.

“Everyone needs to stay together and do what I say. No one gets left behind. Make sure everyone is out of their rooms and bring only what you need to. We leave in five minutes.”

Everyone scurried back into their rooms.

“Thank you.” Mum smiled at me and I wanted to burrow myself into her as I did as a child until the monsters went away. Instead, I nodded and returned to my task of picking the lock. It was more complicated than the locks on the bedroom doors, but finally yielded to my constant probing.

I turned my attention to the bedraggled group of women. Some carried small bags with their few possessions.

“Are we ready?” I asked.

Some nodded, and others merely stared at me with vacant expressions.

Another blast sounded outside, and Levi’s wolf raised his head and scented the air.

“Go to him,” I whispered. “Keep him safe.”

With a bump of his head against my waist, he disappeared as suddenly as he’d appeared to me. I straightened my back and faced the new role I’d stumbled upon, my stomach knotted in trepidation.

“Follow me,” I said, and opened the door.

We were going to need all the help we could find if we were going to survive the wrath of Castus’ temper and get out of this alive.

***

Tasha

Pandemonium reigned in the castle, troops being ordered outside, weapons strapped to soldiers in the hallways. Explosions were closer now, the chandeliers in the castle rattling with every blast. Dust and debris fell on us like snow.

The women huddled together, hands grasping each other in search of comfort. I led them all to the stores, pretending there was nothing wrong. We attracted a few curious looks from the guards as they headed to the front door of the coven, but their focus was set on the enemy at our door. In fairness, some of the women were wearing nothing more than their pyjamas. No officer was present in the stores to disturb us, as every soldier had been called into action.

“Throw your old clothes in the incinerator and dress in uniform. It will help you blend in,” I said.

They watched as I pulled my long hair into a messy bun and tossed the clothes I was wearing through the open door of the incinerator. The black catsuit I changed into fit me like another skin but formed a layer of protection. When I put it on, I was just another soldier reporting for duty.

Mum and I helped the others, putting their meagre possessions into a backpack and strapping weapons to their legs and waist. Slowly, they morphed from lost refugees into vampire warriors. I doubted even Castus would recognise them right now. The goggles of our uniform accentuated our night sight for forest warfare but tonight helped to disguise their features.

Before leaving, I pressed the button on the incineration unit to ensure our tracks were covered as much as possible. I knew where every camera was in this castle because every time Castus summoned me, I studied the monitors in his office, devising routes that meant he never saw me.

The only way out was through the forest, but if those hellspawn were attracted to our blood, then I needed to find a new route—and fast. Since all the commanders were organising units and barking orders, I took everyone down a back corridor that led to a cave network under the castle. I had discovered it a few years ago as somewhere to hide not long after I arrived lost and lonely. At the time, caves reminded me of Levi, and so they gave me comfort. If nothing else, they would provide us a hiding place for the women until I could devise a plan.

A quick head count revealed there were twelve including me, Kimber, and Mum. I would need to find a big enough transport to take all of us.

“Where are we going now?” Kimber asked, tucking herself in beside me.

“These caves are extensive, but if the hellspawn are out there right now, I’d prefer if we stay here until the coast is clear for us to leave.”

I’d witnessed the destruction they left in their wake and knew they would kill everyone that didn’t interest them. The thought of these defenceless women being exposed to more misery activated a protective gene in me that burned with determination that they would survive and live to find some semblance of happiness.

The caves were dark but dry and no one ever came down. I should know since I’d spent so much time hiding in these caves until they became a second home. I had carved out some small crevices that I put candles in a while ago with matches beside them. I lit one of the candles to give them light. Different minerals shone in the glow of the candle in the dark walls.

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