45

Dominic had chosen the northern area wisely. It was a strategic move, leading the enemy away from the denser parts of town. Fewer houses and businesses meant less risk to innocent lives. The wide-open field near the daycare center would provide ample space for combat, minimizing collateral damage. If I were in his position, that’s exactly where I’d draw the Werewolf Hunters.
“Let’s go find our mate,” Rose’s voice echoed in my mind, a firm reminder of our priority.
Leona’s death replayed in my thoughts, a dark shadow over my resolve, but Rose was right. There would be time later to process what had happened. Right now, Dominic was all that mattered. The bond between a Luna and Alpha was unbreakable, and it felt wrong to not stand by his side in battle. I needed to be there, to fight with him, to protect our pack.
The town was eerily silent as I jogged through the deserted streets. The occasional gust of wind stirred the littered papers, giving the place an abandoned, ghostly feel. The eerie silence was unsettling, amplifying the thudding of my bare feet against the pavement as I turned corner after corner, drawing closer to the fray.
The sounds of the fight reached me first-the snarls, the growls, the sharp cracks of gunfire. I slowed my pace, slipping behind an old house for cover as I crept forward, needing to assess the situation. I ducked into the backyard, wincing as the dull throb in my torso reminded me of my injury, but I pressed on, inching closer to the battle.
From my hidden vantage point, I could see the chaos unfolding. The ground was littered with bodies-Werewolf Hunters and rogues alike. The rogues were easily distinguishable, their stench foul and their appearance unkempt, a stark contrast to the wolves of a pack. My eyes scanned the scene until they locked onto a massive wolf, its silver fur gleaming like polished metal. Dominic. There was no mistaking him.
Dominic’s wolf was a force of nature. Even in the thick of battle, his movements were precise, calculated. He tore through the rogues with a ferocity that left me in awe, his massive frame moving with an agility that seemed impossible. I watched as he sank his teeth into the neck of one rogue, rolling to avoid another’s attack, and then swiftly ripping out the throat of his next opponent. It was both terrifying and mesmerizing to witness.
Instinctively, I crouched lower behind the house, my heart pounding as Dominic’s wolf nearly caught sight of me. The battle was far more intense than I had anticipated. The noise was deafening-snarls, growls, and the occasional gunshot punctuating the deadly symphony. My anxiety for Dominic’s safety gnawed at me, but I couldn’t help but worry about the rest of the pack too. Was it too much to hope that no one on our side would fall today?
“They’re warriors, Katarina. They knew the risks when they chose to fight for the pack,” Rose’s voice broke through my thoughts, her tone a mixture of resignation and understanding.
“I know,” I whispered, a deep frown creasing my brow. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“I wish it didn’t have to be like this either,” Rose replied, her own sorrow mirrored in her words. “But once this fight is over, the Werewolf Hunters will scatter. The pack will be safe.”
Dominic was determined that they would never pose a threat to our pack again.
Her declaration provided a fleeting sense of reassurance, but it vanished as my gaze fell upon Dominic’s wolf again. He was engaged in a fierce battle with four rogues, valiantly holding his ground despite the odds. Yet, it wasn’t his struggle that truly alarmed me. What sent a shiver of dread down my spine was the sight of the Werewolf Hunter, his gaze fixed menacingly on Dominic’s vulnerable back, his gun raised as Dominic’s wolf fought off the rogues.
Rose and I shared a silent understanding without needing to communicate. My body vibrated with a primal, feral growl that seemed to reverberate through every inch of me. The dull ache in my abdomen faded into insignificance as I surged forward, driven by a fierce determination. The Werewolf Hunter’s eyes met mine, and I saw the flicker of fear within them.
I recognized the hunter’s vulnerability-an older man who was no match for the werewolves he sought to destroy. Yet, the Luna within me was resolute; he was a threat to our Mate, and he would pay for it with his life.
Dominic’s eyes widened in shock as he saw me advancing in my hospital scrubs. In another context, I might have found the sight amusing, but not now. The hunter aimed his gun at me, and I saw the flash of the first shot streak past my ear.
Dominic’s snarl intensified as he fought harder, his eyes locked on me. He didn’t know that this time, I didn’t need his protection. My claws and teeth elongated, transforming into my own weapons. As the hunter prepared to fire another shot, I barreled into him, the impact jarring but not enough to deter me. I sank my claws into his back and my teeth into his neck.
I pulled away from the dying hunter, rolling just in time to avoid a rogue lunging at me. The pain in my abdomen throbbed, and I realized I couldn’t shift fully while it was healing. But I pushed that thought aside; I had a purpose and would use whatever I had.
I seized the hunter’s gun from where it had fallen and aimed it at the rogue threatening me. Though I had never wielded a gun before-our kind relied on our inherent strength-I had seen enough movies to figure it out. My thumb found the safety switch, and I gripped the cold metal with trembling hands.
The rogue was closing in, and I raised the gun, aligning the sights on its head. My vision sharpened as Rose’s influence heightened my senses. The chaos of the battle faded as I focused on my target.
The rogue was ten feet away… five feet… I squeezed the trigger, and the deafening shot echoed through the forest. The rogue crumpled to the ground, a gaping bullet hole marking its demise. I wiped the blood from my face and turned my attention back to Dominic.
He was still battling, with a few rogues already fallen around him. I took aim at another rogue, steadying my nerves. I couldn’t risk hitting Dominic, so I focused on the one furthest from him. Two shots rang out, and the rogue fell lifelessly.
Dominic, now victorious over the remaining rogues, turned his attention to me. His wolf’s eyes, vibrant and intelligent, met mine. This was the first time I was seeing Dominic’s wolf, but the connection felt familiar, as though Rose and I had known him forever.
I ran my fingers through his soft fur, a smile breaking across my face. The wolf nudged my stomach with his nose and let out a soft whine. Despite the ongoing battle, we shared a moment of intimacy amidst the chaos.
“I’m here to help,” I said, shaking my head.
Dominic’s wolf huffed in response, his pride evident despite his displeasure. Dominic swiftly dealt with another rogue that threatened us, then refocused on me. My gaze was fixed on Oliver, who stood twenty feet away, fear etched on his face as he fought off one of Dominic’s warriors.
“He’s mine,” I growled, my eyes narrowed at Oliver. He hadn’t noticed me yet, and I intended to use that to my advantage. A rogue intervened, momentarily saving Oliver, but he fled into the forest.
“I’m going after him,” I said, running my fingers through Dominic’s fur one last time before plunging into the underbrush. Dominic covered my flanks, ensuring my path was clear as I raced through the forest, disregarding the pain of stones and twigs underfoot.
My senses were heightened, and I could hear Oliver stumbling ahead. The scent of blood and running water guided me. I caught sight of him resting against a rock, his arm badly injured.
His eyes met mine, widening with fear as he tried to mask it with a defiant smirk.
“Your sister’s dead,” I announced coldly. “I tore her throat out.”
Oliver’s face twisted with rage, and Rose’s anger mirrored my own.
“Don’t be upset,” I said, stepping closer. “You’ll join her soon enough.”
“Fuck you, mutt,” Oliver spat, reaching for something on the ground. He brandished a gun, aiming it at me.
“The only one dying here is you,” he snarled, pulling the trigger.