“I know,” I said as I started pulling each article on as we headed toward the cabin. Another trap triggered, taking my breath away. More screams echoed through the night.

“What type of traps did you lay?” Marcus asked as he started pulling his clothes back on.

I shrugged. “The deterrent kind. Why?”

“They sound like they’re dying,” he said.

I shook my head. “No, but they probably aren’t happy about being strung upside down by invisible ropes though.”

He smirked which changed into a chuckle. He shook his head. “Clever.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Marcus finished dressing and took off in the direction of the cabin. I stared after him as his form disappeared into the darkness.

“Marcus,” I shouted. “Wait for me.”

“I’m here,” he said.

I pulled my shirt over my head and then followed the direction of his voice. “Where? I can’t see you.”

“Shit,” he said about twenty feet in front of me. “We’re too late.”

“What?” I asked as I barely caught glimpse of his form in the shadows of the woods.

“Stand back,” he said.

I took several steps backward. Marcus shifted into his dragon, he turned around and headed toward me, flapping his wings as he moved slowly, gliding a few feet off the ground. Once he reached me, he picked me up and carried me over the trees the couple of hundred feet that was put between us and the cabin.

I glanced down at the ground below and caught sight of a sea of wolves and humans surrounding the cabin. They all moved restlessly within the shadows of the trees. I gasped at the sheer number of them. Resolve settled in my nerves as we descended toward the yard in front of the cabin.

Marcus dropped me off before landing, taking a guarded stance behind me while I faced the enormity of foes, all surrounding us. A mixture of human and wolf faces stared back at me. I stood taller, holding my nose a little higher in the air.

Marcus let out a roar, and sparks flew from his mouth. Not a single body trembled. I was surprised the humans didn’t so much as cower or flee. Normally they would have. The fact that they kept their ranks told me we weren’t dealing with amateurs.

I set my gaze into a glare and screamed, “Trespassers!”

A collection of stomps rumbled on the porch and the screen door slammed. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed Kai, Jasper, Chase, and Cassie had arrived on the porch. Cassie’s eyes were wide. She flitted them to me briefly before settling back onto the crowd.

I did the same, just in time to catch some movement within the ranks. It was like the crowd separated to let one person through. A human. He stood tall, carried himself well. But there was a crazed sort of look in his eyes as he stared at the dragon behind me. He had long dark brown hair that looked unkempt, which matched the stubble coating his face. A layer of dirt stained his skin.

“Stop right there,” I demanded. “Not another step or I will blast you into oblivion.”

He acted as though I hadn’t spoken to him and pointed directly behind me. “Come out Kai. Face your retribution.”

“He’s not going anywhere with you,” I said, stepping in the way of his view. “Leave. Now.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Kai. He glared at the man who stood in front of the crowd. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he shook his head. “Collin. So, you’re the one behind all of this?”

“Wait, you know him?” Chase asked.

“He’s my ex-girlfriend’s brother,” Kai said. “Does your family know what you are doing?”

“Does it matter? I’m making a stand. One against all shifters. Your people not only took my sister away, but you took my woman away as well. You twisted and corrupted her, and I demand revenge,” Collin said, spittle flying from his mouth with some of his words.

Just then Bryson appeared and stood in front of Collin.

“Well, it’s nice that you finally made an appearance instead of sticking your tail between your legs and running off before the action,” I said.