SHADOW
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!
“What do you mean we should inject the blood while he’s in wolf form?” Califf burst out in surprise.
“That’s exactly what I said, Califf. That’s the only way to treat a sick wolf, and the result would be immediate.”
“And it’s also dangerous, father.” I managed to make my mouth work from the shock.
“I didn’t say it’s a walk in the park, my dear.” He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. “You should hurry. Tonight is a full moon.”
“Shit.”
“I’ll do it.”
I turned to Everlee. “No way. He will knock you down.”
“But, he will recognize me. I can talk to him. I’m his mate, Shadow.”
“I hate to break it to you, Everlee, but he doesn’t know anyone anymore,” Zarah said.
She dropped her gaze as if Zarah just guessed it right. “I can’t feel him when he’s in wolf form.”
“Then we have to hurry.” I turned to Califf. “What’s in your head?”
“We will knock him down again, but we have at least five seconds before he returns to himself.”
“Yeah. That’s should do,” Zarah agreed. “Then I should break down the block spell, but I will not be fast enough to put it back, or you will be trapped inside with him.”
“So we can shoot him from outside right now?” Zack asked the obvious. “Or we can use a sleeping gas on him.”
“It might not be possible.” Zarah turned to Zack. “I made a little mistake with the spell.”
“What do you mean by mistake?” Waylon joined us.
“Or you did it on purpose?” I stared at her.
“Not a mistake because I know someone will try to get inside. I’ve learned my lesson.” She stole a glance at me. I knew what she meant by that.
“Yup.” I raised a hand, wearing a guilty face. “I got inside the room while Califf was still sick, and he- never mind.”
“I need to protect all of you. If you don’t like what I did, then by all means, I will remove the spell, and I’m going home. I have coven duty and a protégé to teach.”
Everlee stepped closer to her and said hesitantly, “You don’t know me, but I appreciate what you’ve done. And I know you’re here for Shadow, Zarah, but you did the right thing because I know myself. I would be tempted to get inside when Calder is in pain. So what’s the plan?”
“I’m sorry, Zarah.” I knew it was a mistake to question her. She knew what she was doing and had a century of experience than most of us. “I didn’t mean to question your capability, but you did what was best for everyone.”
“Enough with the chit-chat,” she said impatiently.
“Do you need anything before I go?” My father asked me.
“I think we’re good.” I looked at them. We were all tense with this situation.
“Zarah, do you have enough blood?” my father asked.
“We have enough,” Zarah replied. “I will call you if we need you.”
“Looking forward to it,” Sebastien said meaningfully at her, and the room suddenly crackled with sexual tension. Then he came to me, kissing me on the head. “Be careful, daughter. And make sure no one gets bitten. It’s a full moon tonight.”
We stared at each other.
“We need a good plan,” Califf said before he turned to Zarah. “Can you make two doses?”
“Yes. I have enough dose for emergency.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat. “Do you have a spell that can slow the time?”
“Why do you need it? Once the wall is down, Zack, Shadow, and Everlee will shoot him. I’m sure it will work quickly with the larger dose I prepared. Then you take two jet injectors of blood with you and then inject them into the wolf. If you could hit his heart, that would be much better.”
“Why does it have to be in wolf form?” I complained.
“Because-”
“It’s a rhetorical question. His wolf is sick.” I cut off Zack. “I know.”
“Then what are we waiting for? The guns are loaded.” Lyon distributed three dart guns and held one. “I think I should take this one, Luna.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re stronger and faster. Califf may need your help.” Zarah glared at Califf when he groaned. “I know you don’t want her to get hurt, and so do I, but we need all the help we can get, and she’s Lycan.”
“Wait. I don’t know if his bite will infect me or be lethal to me,” I specifically talked to Zarah.
“It doesn’t have the same effect on you as humans and werewolves, and you healed faster. And you have a King’s blood at your disposal.”
“Okay. Give me the other injector.” I got one from Zarah, and she gave one to Califf, who hadn’t said a word, but he didn’t hide his disagreement with this plan.
“I’ll be fine, Alpha.” I patted his bicep to lighten him up.
“Just don’t get bitten.”
“Are you guys ready?” Preston had his hand on the lock key.
“I’m not, but it’s now or never.”
We stood before the door.
“We only have a small window here before he shifts back. The moment the door is open, I draw down the spell. Once he launches himself or, before he can do it, shoots him, then Shadow and Califf will enter and inject the blood. Once you both are done, run fast out. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” I drew a deep breath when my pulse quickened.
“Open the door.”
Preston did as per Zarah’s order. The smell was nauseating. It was worse than anything I smelled before, and the floor was messy with fur, saliva, and blood stains. And Calder’s wolf just prowled in our direction but still couldn’t get through towards us.
Zarah began chanting.
“Get ready,” Lyon informed as he, Zack, and Everlee stood before us, positioning themselves to wait for the order.
My heart hammered in my chest. My hand began to shake, but their heartbeats were deafening me. We were all nervous and terrified, and it felt like we were in the battleground all over again. I shut their breathing and heartbeats off.
“Now!”
They began shooting, but Zack and Everlee missed it. One tranq didn’t knock him down. Instead, the wolf launched into us, knocking Zack down. Lyon was faster to shift, and another wolf entered. It was Preston.
Our plan just went south.
Fuck.
“Zarah, stay away!” I yelled at her as I felt I was on the verge of transitioning into my hybrid.
Then Califf shifted beside me when Zack was about to get ripped by Calder’s wolf’s claws. Califf jumped, lunging into his brother, throwing them away towards the bed. Thud and growls resonated in the room. Lyon pinned down the sick wolf.
“Don’t kill him, please!” Everlee screamed a beg, watching her mate, ready to get his throat ripped out by two strong wolves.
A mighty roar erupted as Califf and Lyon nailed down the sick wolf. It was still growling, clawing out, red eyes bulged out in rage. Then, a shot was fired behind me from another dart gun, hitting the wolf.
“Go now, Shadow!” Waylon yelled.
I quickly picked up the injector on the floor. With my extra exceptional speed, I rushed towards the pinned wolf and injected both directly into his heart.
“Get out now!” Zarah ordered as she sprinted towards the door.
Preston and Zack followed suit. I grabbed Everlee on her arm and dragged her out.
“Califf! Lyon! What are you waiting for?”
“Get out now, Alpha, Lyon! I can’t hold it any longer.” Zarah hurried off.
I instantly saw the look in Califf’s eyes, ordering Lyon to get out. My heart froze to a stone in my chest.
Lyon quickly let go of the wolf, leaving Califf alone there. The tranquilizer seemed to take effect on a sick wolf, but Califf still had his fang around his brother’s neck.
“Califf, what are you doing?” With wide eyes filled with terror and my heart still in my throat, I shouted, “That’s not a part of the plan. Get the fuck out now!”
Our gazes locked, and I knew exactly what he was trying to say.
“I’m sorry, Shadow, but he made a choice.” Zarah put the shield back on, motioning her hands up and bringing the barrier up again.
“No! He can’t stay there.” Frozen in my place, I blinked off the tears forming in my eyes as I watched the door lock before me, startling me.
“The blood of your father will work. We just have to wait for the result.”
“And what if it won’t?” I glared at Zarah through my blurry vision. “And the effect of the drug will wear off? I won’t just watch from here while my mate is getting bitten by his brother.”
“You really have little faith for Califf, aren’t you, Shadow? Trust your mate, and he’s the Alpha for a reason.”