Page 36 of Venom Island

But pride is irrelevant tonight. Survival is all that matters.Caja’ssurvival.

Slipping the bag back into place over my shoulders, I move to hide behind a tree.

And wait for the Alphas to come out to play.

Chapter 9

Caja

A gunshot ringsthrough the night, the sound one I recognize from home.

Sometimes Omegas escaped.

But it was always only temporary.

I duck down on the path, my wolf’s ears flattening as I try to determine where the sound came from. Only to hear another soon after. Then a ferocious growl. Andhowls.

So. Many. Howls.

I shiver, my fur standing on end.

Where’s Enrique?

Bullets can’t kill our kind, just momentarily debilitate us. But that debilitated state could be long enough for someone to cut off a head and permanently kill a shifter.

Is Enrique hurt?

I pause on the steep incline to look up to where we parted ways. My bottom lip snags between my teeth.Should… should I go back? Does he need me?

How could I help?I wonder in the next breath, my stomach twisting at the thought.

I… I have claws and teeth… but I’ve never fought anyone. And I won’t stand a chance against an Alpha, let alone a pack of them.

No.

I need to keep going and do what Enrique said. That’s what he told me from the beginning—to do what he says, when he says it.

And he said to go down to the water and hide.

Swallowing, I continue my trek, my wolf’s paws digging into the earth to help me balance on this severely angled decline. It’s not a cliff, but it’s bordered by one.

My wolf peeks over the edge, eliciting a tremble deep within. I’ve never experienced a height like this before, but I’m not a fan.

Another shot rings out, the echo of it skittering down my spine. Or that’s what it feels like, anyway.

Moons, please let Enrique be okay.

I force my wolf to move, our paws quivering against the ground.

I’m nearly to the bottom when an explosion rings out, causing me to freeze.

Roars follow, then a shadow appears at the top of the cliff. It’s a massive wolf with dark fur and bright gold eyes.

Those eyes lock on me as his lips pull back in a menacing snarl. I hear it as clear as though he were next to me. Then he tips his head back and howls.

Oh, Gods…

My insides quiver, my stomach clenching even harder.