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The five men formed a shield in front of me. My heart lodged into my throat. Laser fire lit up the night.

Peeking between Jameson and Kai, I caught a glimpse of the pack. No two monster dogs were alike—some were giant, others smaller. They were all covered in a mix of scales and fur. They clearly had the DNA of various dog breeds.

“There are too many,” Marc called out.

Jameson looked back at me. “Greer, run.”

My chest locked. “Jameson?—”

“Go. We’ll give you a head start, and then we’ll be right behind you.”

I bit my lip. I knew if I stayed, I’d just distract him, but I didn’t want to leave him. “You’d better be.”

“Go, beautiful. Run as fast as you can.”

My chest impossibly tight, I turned and ran.

Gripping my blaster, I did my best to see in the darkness. Air sawed in and out of my lungs. I tripped over some leaf debris and sticks, and nearly fell. I caught my balance and kept running. Branches slapped at my face and I shoved them out of my way.

I could hear the fighting in the distance but I kept running, worry choking me.

Please be all right.

There was a snap of a twig, followed by a low growl.

I stumbled to a stop, and it felt like barbed wire closed around my throat.

The growl came again.

I whirled.

A monster canine slunk out of the darkness. Its red gaze was locked on me.

My heart kicked my ribs and my fingers clenched on my blaster. It was at least as high as my waist, and its jaws were open, drool dripping off its fangs. It had a couple of patches of black fur, but most of it was covered in dark, scaly skin.

I lifted my weapon. I had no idea if it was enough to stop it.

“I’m not going to be your damn dinner.”

The dog pounced.

I fired. I kept firing.

Blood splattered my face and chest, and the monster dropped at my feet.

The air rushed out of me. It was dead.

But before I could steady myself and keep going, there was more growling.

God, there were more of them coming. I glanced around and then ran to the nearest tree. I shoved the blaster in the waistband of my pants, then gripped the branches and pulled myself up. Twigs and leaves scratched at my arms, but I ignored them as I reached for a higher branch and hauled myself onto it.

Keep going, Greer. You stop and you’re dead.

I climbed onto a thicker branch and sat on it. I glanced down and all the air left my lungs.

Three canine beasts were stalking around my tree, looking up at me.

Shit.