Page 104 of Fated to the Lone Shifter
Bode tilts his head, a flicker of mockery in his eyes as if daring me to move. His amusement is brittle now, a mask starting to crack.. “You smell different tonight, little witch. Like fear… and something else.” His nose flares. “Ah. Love. That foolish, dangerous thing that the fates have cursed you with.”
I grip the ash root tighter. “You know nothing about love, Bode. You just want power. Come and take it.”
His smile fades. “Gladly.”
And then, the howls rise. The hunt is on.
I step inside the circle and throw the ash root into the flames.
The wolves charge.
The fire explodes, sending a circle of white-hot light between me and the beasts.
The wolves yelp in pain as they slam into the fiery barrier, their bodies thrown back by the invisible force, shrieking as the flames sear their fur. pummeled by the impact and crying from the fire attacking their fur. Instinctively, they roll through the dirt to extinguish the flames biting their fur.
Bode disappears mysteriously back into the woods.
I am confident the pack won’t try that again. The Bensons and anyone within the circle are safe for the time being.
But I can’t hold them off forever.
I just pray Noah gets here in time.
Chapter thirty-two
Wolf Trap
NOAH
The moment I reach the circle, my heart drops.
There they are—my parents—unconscious, dangling like lifeless marionettes from two crude poles over a pyre. Sacrifices waiting to be offered up.
I don’t see the fire. I don’t see Sera. I just run. All I see is red. Feral instinct takes hold, and I charge with everything I have.
But I don’t make it.
The second I hit the wall of fire, I slam back like I’ve crashed into a brick of enchanted glass. The force knocks me on my ass, teeth bared, head spinning. I roll in the dust, smothering the fire that has attacked my fur coat. I’ve seen this before.
Sera.
I see her now. Standing just inside the circle, arms tense, brow glistening with concentration. Her magic. She’s shielding them—even from me. Smart. Annoying as hell, but smart. I give her the faintest nod, equal parts gratitude, annoyance and residual pain.
Then the wolves close in.
Marcus among them. I recognize his scent—his shift is complete now, eyes glowing, posture tight. I sense the war going on inside of him. He doesn’t want this. He doesn’twantto be this. But he doesn’t feel strong enough to fight it alone.
The Lunaris pack, all six of them, circles like vultures around a carcass.
I don’t hesitate. The moment the first wolf lunges, I meet it with a snarl and a claw. Teeth clash with teeth. I duck a swipe, roll under a leaping beast, and slam its head into the ground. I am grossly outnumbered, but I have no choice but to fight for everything I know and love.
Then I hear it—gunshots.
Three. Each one sings with metallic finality.
Silver.
I turn just in time to see Sera—my witch, my mate—standing outside of the circle taking them down one by one. Her FBI training in full force, she does not miss. The wolves she hits crumple with pitiful yelps, curling into themselves as the silver eats them alive.
