Page 41 of Deception

Trust,fate murmured.Trust.

Drew!Summer’s voice echoed in his ears, and a thousand images flashed through his mind. Images of him and her, walking hand in hand in a sun-kissed valley overflowing with wild flowers. Of Summer looking at him and laughing, then turning to look back.

Come on,she smiled, patting her knees.

He looked back and froze at the image of an unsteady toddler, reaching for Summer’s hand.

Go to Daddy,Summer cheered the child along.You can do it.

He was seeing the future. Carefree, happy times.

Last chance, bear,fate whispered and slid away.

And just like that, he was in real time again, with a bullet speeding his way.

He flung himself to the right as an explosion deafened both ears. His shoulder hit the ground, and pain blinded him. But the death cry that split the air wasn’t his.

That was Mett, who grunted and fell.

Drew forced himself to roll, knocking out three wolves, and Gretchen’s startled eyes followed the motion.

“You!” she hissed, tracking him with the gun.

Shoot me,he roared.Shoot me now.

No, he didn’t have a death wish. He had a vision. If he could keep Gretchen distracted for a second longer…

A light-colored, agile wolf sprung through the air beside him. It was Summer, launching herself at Gretchen.

Trust,he reminded himself, gritting his teeth. He hated letting his mate jump into danger, but he had to do it. He had to trust fate.

Shoot me,he roared again, keeping the enemy’s focus on him.

A ferocious growl split the air, and Gretchen jerked around, too late. Summer knocked her over, and the gun went flying again. Both women rolled when they struck the ground, but Summer was faster to rise to her feet. She snarled at Gretchen, facing her down.

Then,Pfft!Another arrow sliced through the air, and Gretchen lurched forward in wide-eyed surprise.

Summer backed away, watching Gretchen die, and in the hush that fell over the gully, Drew dashed forward, protecting his mate. He whirled, panting wildly, looking around.

There were only five rogues left standing, but Thomas leaped and took out one. A massive, dark-furred wolf ripped out the throat of another, and a lanky she-wolf wrestled a third to the ground, clamping her jaws around his neck. The biggest coyote Drew had ever seen clawed another rogue, and a huge boar steamrolled the rogue who was trying to flee, crushing it under his hooves. A cloud of dust rose, veiling the scene, and Drew backed Summer up, intent on keeping her safe.

Safe. Holy shit. Were they finally safe? He circled her three times, keeping her close. Mett’s gang was all dead. But, shit. Summer was bloody and cut and—

Drew, I’m fine,she insisted, sniffing him back.

You’re wounded.

Nothing serious. Nothing like you. Are you okay?

What did it matter if he was okay? He neededherto be okay. He turned another tight circle, keeping her safe.

The wolves that had raced to their aid coughed as the dust settled, and everyone looked around, surveying the scene.

“Whoa,” Thomas said, shifting back to human form.

Safe. They were finally safe. Or were they? Drew snarled at the new alpha of Hope Springs when he stepped closer.

Thomas threw his hands up. “Is she okay?”

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