Page 2 of Wicked Fate

Lifting a hand in my direction, Xander shook his head, his tan skin flushed with anger. “I’m in agreement with her, and I don’t even need to packlink to know how she feels. You expect us to saythank you? You knew who killed our pack and kept it from us.”

A deep snarl came from the left, where Bruce stood over Reid’s frail body. His sharp green eyes were full of fury, and drops of blood dotted his salt-and-pepper head. “Don’t forget how she and the vampires showed up toprotectmy pack after they slaughtered half of them.”

I took a shaky breath, filling my nose and lungs with the stench of copper, and looked at all the wolf shifter bodies lying dead at my feet.

The thirty-year-old shifter from the Blackwood pack kept her hands pressed against Reid’s neck, trying to stop the bleeding like Cassi had instructed. Her face had turned an ashy shade. At least thirty dead bodies littered the ground, and there would have been a lot more if the magical barrier separating us from the shadows—er, vampires—hadn’t been created.

We now knew who ourrealenemy was.

Vomit burned the back of my throat as I realized how many lives had been taken because we’d included the vampires in our plans. A heavy rock seemed to sink into my stomach, which churned even harder.

The dead bodies of at least twenty Blackwood pack members lay spread around the clearing, with a few more dragged partially into the woods. Each one had their throat ripped out the way a wolf would do it. However, wounds from vampire claws were very similar to those made by wolves’ teeth, so that made sense.

The only lingering question was... how in thehellhad they managed to smell like wolf shifters?

Five more wolves were in poor condition, with deep scratches down their chests and arms, though Reid’s injuries were the worst of the ones still alive.

When my gaze landed on Perry, my heart squeezed. He and my father had always been friends. Tears burned my eyes, and my wolf snarled.

She didn’t want to look weak, especially in front of our enemy.

A rush of footsteps sounded in the distance, and the warm magic thrumming against my skin ebbed, as if the barrier had vanished.

Someone’s coming,I linked with Briar.And the barrier has come down.

Once again, her head snapped in my direction, and she tilted it as if she were examining me. Still, she said, “The vampires may be returning.”

“There’s no reason to think they’re here now, especially with the barrier up.” Ryker exhaled loudly. “Let’s not get everyone riled up.” He locked eyes with me.

Shit. They couldn’t hear it.

Gesturing to me, Briar rolled her shoulders back. “Don’t lecture me. Ember just informed me that the barrier is down and footsteps are rushing our way.”

The taller of the other men shook his bald head and held both hands up. “I don’t hear them yet, but it’ll be more of our pack. They’re bringing a few stretchers to carry the injured and the dead back to the neighborhood. We need to gather together in case the vampires attack again.”

Relief washed over me, easing my tension but causing the pain from my wounds to ache more pronouncedly as my adrenaline subsided.

Ryker bit his bottom lip and looked at me, his chestnut brown hair slightly darker from sweat and the darkening sky. “Are you sure about the barrier?" A muscle in his jaw twitched.

Before I could respond, Cassi stood up and gasped. Her golden-brown eyes sparked, and her long black hair swooped behind her like a cloak. Faint swirls of iridescent mist surrounded her, indicating she was using magic. "She’s right! The barrier is gone. I can’t feel the otherworldly magic anymore.”

Kendric snarled and walked toward Raven. “When are they coming back?”

She jerked back faintly, showing barely any movement unless her reactions were watched closely. “I-I’m not sure. If they’ve retreated, they’ll need to regroup. They don’t understand what’s going on with this barrier either, or why it keeps protecting us.”

“Us?” Ryker bared his teeth. “There is nous, bloodsucker. Say it again and see what happens.”

“Okay, please say it again.” Gage clasped his hands together like he was begging. “I want to see you get your throat ripped out.”

The footsteps were upon us, and the Blackwood pack would be here minutes later. We didn’t have time for a fight.

“As much as I would love to take revenge, we need to be strategic.” Kendric pivoted toward Ryker and me.

My heartbeat quickened. Maybe Gage, Kendric, and Xander were over being mad at Ryker for keeping the secret that he had been spelled from them. We needed a united front.

Ryker looked ready to bark orders, but then Kendric said, “Ember, what do you want us to do?”

A sour taste filled my snout, and the warm hope in my chest deflated.

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