Page 41

Chapter

Forty

D ANNY

Okay, okay, get it together, Danny.

My pulse thumped erratically at the base of my throat and I tiptoed away from the door, moving quietly in the hopes that whoever was there wouldn’t hear me.

Plastering myself against the wall, I inhaled slowly, doing my best to both calm myself and scent the unwelcome guests. I could detect traces of the nearest person and knew that they were an alpha, male, and possessed the faint doggy aroma of a wolf shifter.

It wasn’t someone I knew.

Gods, was this one of the rogue wolves from Moonlight Cove that I’d heard so much about? Had they come to kidnap me as well as those poor women from the Omega House?

But why?

I understood attacking the Omega House. They’d know that there were a number of omegas inside who were unprotected by alphas. It made no sense to come after me though. I was a higher-risk target. Perhaps they thought it would be worth it because I was the Clan Alpha’s son .

I tiptoed down the hall and into my bedroom, praying to every god I knew that the intruders wouldn’t hear me. I dropped to my knees, aware that they’d be able to see me through the window otherwise, and crawled to the nightstand, reaching for the handle of the top drawer. I inched it open and felt around for the small handgun that Knox had insisted on leaving there in case I ever needed it for protection.

I’d thought he was being paranoid, but now I was grateful to him.

Carefully, quietly, I checked that it was loaded and turned off the safety. Keeping the gun aimed away from me, I crawled across the room to the window and stealthily rose to my feet, pressed flat to the wall. I switched the gun from my right hand to my left and reached across to unlatch the window. I grabbed the bottom and began to lift.

It creaked.

I snatched my hand back, my heart thumping rapidly while I waited to see whether either of the intruders had heard the noise. When no one came and there was a bang at the front door, I eased the window farther up until there was enough room for me to slip through.

I peeked outside. I didn’t see anyone, so perhaps I’d have time to make a run for it. If I shifted as soon as I hit the ground, I’d stand a decent chance of getting away. A bear couldn’t outrun a wolf, but all I’d need to do was escape for long enough to attract help.

I stripped off, keeping hold of the gun and straining my ears for the slightest sound. I looked outside again.

The coast was clear.

I flicked the safety back into place and slid through the window, landing softly on the grass. I set the gun down while I shifted. Fur sprouted, my nose elongated, and my frame bulked up. Scents became stronger, sounds clearer .

I ducked my head to pick up the gun with my mouth, but before I could grasp it properly, a man came around the corner of the house and put himself between me and my avenue of escape.

There was a laugh from behind me.

“Looks like we’re just in time.”

I whipped my head around. Another alpha stood at the other end of the house. Both men were tall and rangy, with harsh features and hungry eyes. I fought the urge to cower. They didn’t look like they’d think twice about hurting me.

“What were you planning to do with that gun, little bear?” the alpha nearest the road teased. “You can’t shoot it with your mouth.”

I glanced between them, not sure which one to keep my eyes on, but afraid to look away from either.

I should never have left the bakery.

I definitely shouldn’t have left Milo alone. Although, perhaps if I’d stayed with him then we’d both be in danger. At least this way, he might be safe. Gods, I hoped they hadn’t sent other wolves to kidnap him. I’d never forgive myself if they did.

“Come here, little bear,” the wolf called, his voice high and falsely sweet.

Adrenaline pumped through me, but I couldn’t summon a single clear thought.

What should I do?

I could try to shift back and use the gun, but shifting would take a precious few seconds and I’d put the safety in place, so they might rush me before I was able to use it. Even if I was fast enough, I’d never shot at someone before. There was every chance I wouldn’t hit them, or that if I did, it would only be a graze.

I stepped away from the gun. It was too risky.

Instead, I turned toward the wolf shifter who’d put himself between me and my escape route, and I charged him.

His eyes widened, and for a moment I thought I’d get past him, but then something stung my chest and the world started to go black at the edges.

I crashed to the ground, feeling myself return to my human form. I tried to struggle as I was hefted roughly over someone’s shoulder, carried a short distance, and dumped on a gritty vinyl floor, but my efforts did nothing to stop them.

Then everything faded out.