Page 40 of Broken Forced Mate

A shout erupts from somewhere behind us. We’ve been spotted.

Run!I command, abandoning stealth for speed.

Gunfire erupts from multiple positions as the Thornridge forces respond to our presence. Bullets whine past my ears, and I feel the sting of rock fragments kicked up by near misses.

This way!Jay leads us toward a rocky outcropping that provides temporary cover.

We reach the rocks just as more Thornridge wolves emerge from concealed positions throughout the camp, sniffing the air to catch our scent.

How many?Aidan asks.

Too many. We need to extract now.

What about the intelligence?

Not worth dying for.

We begin the retreat, using every bit of cover available while Thornridge forces attempt to surround our position. Their coordination is impressive even without the Amanzite; they move in teams and communicate through yips and growls.

They’re trying to box us in,Jay observes.

Then we don’t use the obvious routes.

I lead them through a series of narrow canyons that most people would consider impassable. Rock walls rise on either side, creating natural corridors that wind through the desert like ancient riverbeds. My wolf knows every twist and turn that might provide sanctuary.

The pursuit continues for another mile before the Thornridge forces finally give up. They’re smart enough to know that chasing wolves through unfamiliar desert terrain is a losing proposition, especially when their quarry knows every hidden path and secret passage.

We reach the truck and shift back to human form, our clothes magically restored thanks to the Amanzite enhancement.

“Well, that was fun,” Jay grumbles as he checks himself over for damage.

“Did we get anything useful?” Aidan asks.

I think about what we observed before the shooting started. “Enough to know we’re in serious trouble. This isn’t some ragtag insurgency. It’s a professional military operation with backing that goes way beyond what we initially expected.”

“So, what do we do?”

“We report back to the others and start preparing for war. Because like it or not, that’s what’s coming.”

We climb into the truck, but before I start it, I get a text from Raegan.

Please tell me you’re okay.

I respond:On my way back. Are you safe?

Yes, but I had another vision while you were gone. We need to talk.

What did you see?

Fire. Lots of fire. And people running.

The message makes my stomach churn with dread.

Whatever the hell is coming to Grayhide, we’re running out of time.

Chapter 12 - Raegan

The captured Thornridge scout is lying about his name, and I can feel the deception crawling under my skin like insects.