Page 44 of Into the Dawn

But I need to think, not just react.

That's what John would tell me if he were capable of anything more than a pained groan right now. I’m trying tofigure out what he’d tell me to do when I hear his voice, weak but defiant. It lifts my spirits right when I need it because things are pretty bleak right about now.

"Just shut up and get on with it already," he directs at Rusty, dragging himself back to lean against a slice of tree trunk that's doubling as a table. Even injured, his courage doesn't waiver.

Rusty laughs, appreciating the feistiness of the one man in this place who should be the most scared.

"I thought you were dead, old man. Once I take care of this pup, you're next. I should have just killed you the first day Jed dragged you in here."

"You probably should have." John's lips twist into a faint, smug smile. I don't understand it, not until I see a blur of movement out of the corner of my eye.

Vanessa.

She's on her feet, knife in hand, taking advantage of the distraction that John’s created. Rusty's knife.

Before anyone can shout a warning, she charges her father with his own weapon that she’s plucked from the dusty ground. Her movement is pure predator, fast and sure, her beast lending her added strength, even in human form.

Rusty realizes what’s going on and turns at the last second, catching her by the throat with one hand, but not before she plunges the blade into his gut.

She twists it, her face expressionless, even as he chokes and staggers back. His hands clutch at the hilt protruding from his stomach, his legs buckling. The scent of his blood fills the air as he collapses close to Chuck.

"You were going to let him…" her trembling voice trails off, and my heart aches at her pain. The betrayal in her tone cuts deeper than any knife. “I’m your daughter!”

His fingers claw weakly at the dirt beneath him as he struggles to sit up but fails.

Vanessa steps closer, standing over him. She watches, silent and unflinching, as the light leaves his eyes. I can't blame her. After everything he's allowed to happen here tonight, on top of a lifetime of abuse, it's enough to break anyone.

The clan watches in stunned silence as their alpha bleeds out, his life ended by the black sheep of the clan, the one they all thought was weak and pathetic.

"Nessie," I murmur, shifting back, afraid my beast might scare her if he approaches suddenly.

She turns to me, her eyes softening.

"Go," she says, her voice hoarse. "Get John and go."

She tosses a set of keys in my direction, the metal jingling in the silence as I catch them mid air. "Red Ford, parked behind Mom's house. Take it and go."

I stare at her, incredulous. "What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not leaving you here."

She shakes her head, determined. "I need to find Jed. This ends now, or he’ll come after us again. But John needs help. You have to go."

"Then you take him." I snap. "I'll find Jed and deal with him."

She smiles, a sad, weary smile. "I did all this to get John backfor you. Not to put you in danger. Ben, please do this for me."

I step closer, cupping her face in my hands. I need her to see me, to hear me.

Our beasts connect, reinforcing the bond between us.

"You aremine, Vanessa. I'm not leaving here without you. I will carry you both down this fucking mountain if that's what it takes."

From the ground, John mutters, weak but determined, "We don't leave anyone behind. You're one of us, Vanessa. Always have been, really. We stick together, or we don't go at all."

Tears well in her eyes. She shakes her head, frustrated. "Damn it, Ben. Damn you. What the hell are we going to do?"

The beasts around us are restless. Some of the stronger ones are eyeing me, weighing their chances. None of them look too devastated that Rusty's dead. Seems the power vacuum is already affecting them when their instincts push them to consider making a move.

But before anyone can act, a disgusting laugh rings out, and Jed steps into view, blocking the path to the car.

---