Page 98 of Rocky Top

She doubled over, clutchin’ her sides.

My heart stopped. “Shit.”

“I can smell them,” she rasped. “It’s Brent. That creature in the woods. They’re one and the same.” She lifted her head. Her pupils had narrowed, her skin flushed, and her breathing—wild. Animalistic. “I know where they went.”

“You’re shiftin’,” I said, stunned. “Already.”

“It hurts,” she choked out.

“I know, baby.” I pulled her into my arms, holdin’ her tight while she trembled against me. “Don’t fight it. Let it guide you.”

She shoved back from me, hands clutching the doorframe. “We don’t have time. Emma’s out there.”

Birdie gripped the doorframe, white-knuckled. “Why… why would Brent take Emma?”

“To get to me,” I spat. “They know.”

Her glowing eyes lockedon mine. “Know what?”

“That I killed Mark.”

Her mouth parted, but no words came. Just that look, shock, horror, betrayal, but underneath it, understanding.

“I snuck into that prison in wolf form,” I said, voice low. “Slipped through the fence under moonlight. I tore his throat out in the yard.”

Birdie didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

She just stared.

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because I protect my Prez. He hurt Eliza. Because he would’ve done worse to Emma. Because he was tied to somethin’ dark—somethin’ comin’ for this club. For all of us. He screamed my name before he bled out. He knew. Because Mark wasn’t what he seemed to be. And the scariest part is he was able to hide from us. Just like Flint was able to.”

Her lips trembled. “And Brent?”

“He was Mark’s shadow. His loyal lapdog. We ran him out of town, but I guess he ain’t done with us yet. And Emma. If Mark was something special, she is too.”

My wolf clawed at my insides, ready to tear into the woods and rip those fuckers apart.

Birdie’s face was fierce now at the realization.

“Emma’s special? Does Eliza know?”

“Not my place to tell her,” I answered honestly, knowing Knox has been struggling with it.

She turned on her heel and ran barefoot toward the treeline.

“Birdie!”

She glanced over her shoulder. “You comin’, or you gonna lecture me?”

Hell.

I shifted.

Fur tore through my skin. Bones cracked, muscles stretched. The pain was white hot for a second, then the world sharpened into clarity. Scents exploded around me. Brent. Flint. Gasoline. Fear.

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