Page 73 of Challenged Mate
I shot him a scowl. Like I would willingly go to them. One almost killed me in Montana.
As if reading my mind, the same cloaked man said, “You will not be harmed if you come to us willingly, Blair. End this fight before more half-breeds are harmed.”
Tempting, but no.
I didn’t know if this guy was aware or not, but I, too, was a half-breed. And the disdain in his tone when he uttered the word indicated he didn’t think very highly of people like me.
“Now would be a good time to tell me the plan, Cuz,” Kayla muttered at Chase, once again shooting power into the barrier.
My heart beat fast, and adrenaline pumped in my veins.
I wanted to help, but my ability to wield my power was too unpredictable. I had no idea if I would help us or hurt us if I managed to release the golden power burning under my skin.
I cursed myself for not accessing my power sooner. I let myself wallow. I wasted valuable time, and now I was paying for my foolishness.
“We hold the barrier.” The veins in Chase’s neck popped with effort as he continued throwing everything he had into the magic keeping the cloaked figures at bay. “Asher is close.”
The pain in my stomach dulled to a minor throb.
I’d barely acknowledged the change when a massive black form leapt onto one of the cloaked figures.
Asher.
I watched the wolf tear out the person’s throat before leaping onto a second cloaked figure and doing the same.
I feared for his safety when the other two turned their attention onto him, but they were met with a flurry of glowing bolts of magic, flying in from behind where Asher ripped apart their brethren.
The spells rained down on the remaining two attackers, but none landed. They must have erected their own barrier for protection.
A dozen Wilds shifters walked towards the sorcerers, continuing their magical onslaught. I spotted Jenny and Axel in the fray.
Chase took a step forward, his body primed to join in the attack, when he suddenly froze, clutching his head in pain.
“Chase?” I rushed to his side. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He dropped his hands, staring at his friend with a scowl. “Asher commanded I stay back.”
I was about to point out he was the pack beta and didn’t have to listen to anyone when a loud screeching noise filled the air.
I followed the source of the sound and watched, wide eyed, as the dark night seemed to rip in half. A jagged edged portal opened behind the cloaked attackers. Through it, I saw a dimly lit room. Maybe some books? I couldn’t be sure.
Asher growled furiously. His hind legs recoiled. He launched forward to take down one of the remaining cloaked figures, but he collided with an impenetrable force. The sound of the impact made me wince.
The portal’s edges drew inward. The attackers glided across the threshold one moment before the portal snapped shut with a resoundingcrack.
The ground shifted beneath my feet. I stumbled and fell to my knees as the barrier separating us from those outside the destroyed coffee shop fell.
Still in wolf form, Asher trotted over to one of the limp bodies on the asphalt. He ripped away the cloak. Though covered in blood, I could see the individual was a man. Asher did the same to the second body. Another man.
Chase kicked aside rubble as he walked over the debris, heading towards the street.
Kayla kneeled next to me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I sat back on my heels. “Just… rattled.”
She nodded. “I would be, too.”
“Is the attack over?” I asked. The shifters gathered along the street were alert but not as tense as before we’d separated.
