Page 59 of Wulf’s Pack

Chapter

Thirty

W e’re all quiet as we make our way to the compound, mentally readying ourselves for the monumental task ahead.

When we separate from the group headed for the front gate, my heart falls into my stomach.

I pray this isn’t the last time I will see them.

I hate sending them off alone, but I trust them to do their jobs.

We’ve prepared as best we can. It’s in the hands of the moon goddess now.

Once we reach the cottage outside the pack property, we waste no time making our way through the tunnel.

It’s narrow enough that we move single file.

I exit first. I have to crouch in the small playhouse, but there’s room to maneuver the others past me while I keep a lookout.

I creep to the small window. From here, I can make out the two guards by the dock and the lights of the rec room.

Laughter spills from the building. It’s a good sign.

They’re relaxed, which means they’re not expecting us.

As silently as possible, I push the small playhouse door open and wave the pack through.

Bree exits first, slinking with catlike grace around the playhouse and behind the shed.

When she makes it without detection, I quickly move the others through.

They go one at a time, and I hold my breath through all of it.

Getting caught while some of us are still trapped in the playhouse and bottlenecked in the tunnel would be bad.

The moon goddess must be watching out for us, because we make it safely to our hiding place behind the shed.

Adrenaline courses through me, and my heart starts to race.

I shake the nerves out of my system through my hands.

The others are doing much the same. This is it.

You all remember your tasks? I ask through the pack bond in order to stay silent.

Each of them nods. Those of you assigned to the rec room, I want half of you to come at them from here.

The other half, make your way behind the bunkhouse and come at them from the side.

Divide their force. We’ll wait for you to get in place.

The group quickly splits up, and half of them creep off through the woods. It’s an eternity before Bree reaches out. We’re in place.

I blow out a breath. Preston, is your team set?

Ready and waiting, sir.

You remember the gate code?

Couldn’t forget it if I tried.

With another deep inhale, I rake my hand through my hair one last time. Those of you who can, shift. Let me know when you’re ready.

Quietly, we all undress and shift into our beast forms. Those using guns stay in their human forms and check their weapons. They’re loaded up with silver knives and bullets. I really hope it’s enough.

When I call forth my wolf, the burn and stretch of my muscles gaining their shifter strength is a welcome feeling. My senses sharpen, and my wolf howls in my head at the freedom. He’s excited for the chance to tear Victor’s pack apart, and he’s more than ready to rescue our mate.

We’re ready, sir , Bree whispers calmly in my mind.

Preston’s confirmation comes a moment later. We’re good to go.

I wish everyone could communicate with each other through the pack link, but at least I can stay in touch with them.

I nod to my hawks, and Ben and Isabella take flight.

Once they’re circling overhead, I send up one last prayer to the moon goddess and let my wolf take the driver’s seat.

Okay, this is it. Good luck, everyone. Go NOW!

At my command, our group bursts from behind the shed, splitting off in three directions. Caleb and Sean head for the dock, Dennis, Easton, and Ashlyn follow me toward the security building, and the rest break for the rec room.

It only takes seconds for alarmed shouts to fill the air.

Growls follow, and gunshots ring out. I push it all aside and focus on my goal.

Two wolves burst out of the security building.

When they see us coming, they shift and run straight for us.

I clash with one in a blur of claws and teeth.

The wolf is strong and well-trained, but I’m better.

I tackle him and sink my teeth into his shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh.

The wolf stumbles, and I see an opening to go for his throat, but before I can strike, a sharp pain streaks through me like lightning.

It takes me a moment to realize one of my pack bonds has been severed.

It stops me in my tracks, but I push the sorrow aside.

I don’t have time to worry about which of my wolves is dead, but the damage has been done.

The split second of distraction costs me.

My opponent gets the jump on me, slashing his claws through my shoulder.

It burns. The gouges are deep enough to do damage, but not enough to hinder my ability to fight.

I ignore the pain and duck beneath another attack.

My claws rip through his underbelly, and he goes down.

I immediately go for his throat. I don’t wait to watch the life leave his eyes before I turn toward the security building.

Easton is engaged in his own battle, and Dennis is standing guard over Ashlyn as she punches in the code to open the door.

The poor girl is shaking like a leaf, but she’s holding it together.

As soon as she opens the door, Dennis pushes past her, taking the lead to face whatever waits for us inside.

Ashlyn follows, and I reach the door just as Easton finishes off his wolf. Stay here , I tell him. Guard the door. Don’t let anyone sneak up behind us.

He gives me a nod, and I race into the building.

I enter into a large, open room filled with several desks, computers, and other electronic equipment I can’t identify.

One wall is covered entirely with monitors, each showing different locations around the property.

In the back of the room is a hallway that must lead to the armory and holding cells.

Excitement hits me. I’m so close to freeing my mate.

A quick glance at the monitors shows fighting happening all around the complex. I don’t pay attention. I’ve got more immediate things to focus on.

Dennis is circling with a wolf. They’re each looking for an opportunity to strike.

Both are bloody. Ashlyn is in her coyote form and doing all she can to evade a huge wolf.

She’s completely on the defensive, but she’s quick.

She’ll never be able to take the alpha down, but I’m proud of her for managing to stay alive.

While the wolf is focused on her, I wait for the right opening.

He turns his back on me, and I leap. I jump on his back, sink my teeth into the back of his neck, and rake my claws down both of his sides.

He lets loose a rage-filled howl and turns his head, snapping his teeth at my paws.

It’s just the break Ashlyn needs. She lunges forward and tears into the wolf’s exposed throat.

I’m both proud of her and sad for her that she made her first kill.

Taking a life changes you, and she’s so young to feel that weight.

She looks stunned, no doubt feeling the shock.

I nudge the side of her neck with my nose, bringing her back to the present and encouraging her to stay focused.

There’s still so much more work to do. She can’t fall apart now.

Elise’s voice filters into my head. The first house is cleared. We have the children.

I chuff out a breath. Good work. Skylar?

Not here.

I try not to let that bother me. I’m sure she’s here in the holding cells.

Get the kids out. Head through the front gate and get them to your car.

Take them back to Brett’s place. We’ll meet you there when this is over.

Send Luke and Preston to check out the alpha’s house.

You and Matthew can handle the kids with Brett’s help.

We need the boys to keep fighting. We have to clear every building.

Yes, Alpha.

Beside me, Dennis has finished off another Vail wolf, and the office is quiet. I turn toward the hall, but before I can move, pain rips through me again. I stumble and crash to my knees. Another of my bonds is severed. Another of my shifters is dead.

What is it, Alpha? Dennis asks, alarmed.

I shake my head, but then a mournful howl pierces the air. It’s full of so much devastation that it can only mean one thing. I heard a howl just like that once. The day my brother’s mate died.

Dennis makes the same assumption as me. Our eyes meet, and the remorse I see in his gaze mirrors my own. I swallow hard. We need to hurry .

Ashlyn races down the hall. Dennis barks at her, wanting to run ahead of her, but she doesn’t wait, so he dashes after her. I should stay and watch the monitors, but I can’t. The draw to get to Skylar is too strong. I’m desperate to see her.

When I reach the holding cells, we find two coyotes—a man and a woman.

This must be the two Ashlyn mentioned, Lisa, the alpha’s wife, and Ashlyn’s brother, Daniel.

Both are in bad shape. They’re lying on the concrete floor in their human forms, bruised, bleeding, and broken.

They won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

They’re naked, save the leather cords circling their necks. Rage boils in me at the sight of the collars. The bastards beat them nearly to death and suppressed their coyotes so they can’t shift and heal. If the chokers are like the one Skylar wore, we’ll need a sorcerer to remove them.

Dennis checks on Lisa, and Ashlyn holds Daniel’s hand, sobbing. I try not to panic at the fact that Skylar is not in one of these cells. I don’t think she ever was. There’s no hint of her scent.

I rush to Lisa’s side since she looks more coherent than Daniel. “Shit!” I yell when pain tears through me again. How many is that now? How many more will die before this is over?

Focus! my wolf snaps. Find mate!