“Before meeting Fane, I never imagined fighting battles to save lives. But even before that, I believed my life had significance. Purpose doesn't always require grandiose battles or risking your own life. Small acts of kindness and support can make a difference in someone's life. Our meaning is found in the lives we touch and impact.”
~Jacque
Jacque stood staringat the quiet neighborhood with the rest of the group. Her hands rested on her waist as she frowned. “I thought there was an infestation or something.” She glanced at her mate.
“I don’t see anything.” Heather began laughing.
“That’s not funny anymore,” Zara told her.
“Actually, it’s hilarious.” Lizzy began laughing, too.
“That’s because you’ve only just met her,” Jacque assured the hybrid female. “After a few weeks, you’ll be leading her to the edges of sidewalks just to see her take that awkward step off.”
“Bitches.” There was no heat in Heather’s words. She had a wicked sense of humor, which was one of the reasons Jacque loved her.
“Just to humor you, Helen”—Jacque used Jen’s nickname—“there’s nothing to se—” Her words cut off as she saw a shadow move down the street.
“What was that?” Costin asked.
Jacque watched as each of the wolves’ eyes began to glow, their beasts coming to the forefront, though none of them fully phased.
Fane lifted his nose into the air and took a deep breath, and Jacque followed his lead. “They stink,” she whispered.
“Do I stink?” Lizzy asked softly.
“You smell great, babe.” Finn’s voice was barely audible.
“Flirt later.” Myanin slid two blades quietly from the sheaths on her thighs. “Let’s get bloody.”
“I thought you said to flirt later.” Gerick chuckled.
“Okay, you people are disturbed.” Lizzy breathed out. “Pushing blind chicks off curbs and using knives as foreplay toys.”
“Tell us something we don’t know.” Wadim’s white teeth were stark in the dark night, made even more eerie by the glowing eyes.
“Wadim.” Zara sighed. “Behave.”
“Let’s move.” Fane started in the direction where they’d seen the shadows. “Keep your senses alert, and watch each other’s backs. Disir, can you keep us quiet?”
“Of course.” The high fae nodded. His hands crackled with magic as he walked with them. He raised his hands and began chanting under his breath.
Jacque agreed with his tactic. There was going to be noise; might as well get ahead of the game.
They started jogging, their feet silent on the pavement. Fane made a motion with his hands and picked up his pace. Everyone moved with him, spreading out until they spanned the full width of the street. Suddenly, chaos erupted around them. The air, once carrying a faint smell, was now thick with the stench of ravenous hybrids, as their savage snarls and screams filled the once silent streets.
Fane moved like a blur, his lethal speed matched only by Jacque’s own magic and fangs as they cut through their foes.
“Where are they coming from?” Jacque yelled, whipping around to see that they were now surrounded by the beasts. The monsters were rabid, power-hardened by evil and frenzied bloodlust. It would take everything they had to bring them down.
“There.” Fane pointed to a black spot in the air through which the hybrids jumped, as if from some sort of portal.
“What the actual hell?” Lizzy hissed, echoing Jacque’s thoughts.
On her left flank, Dillon tore into hybrid flesh with ruthless precision. They seemed to underestimate him because he wasn’t as large as some of the other males, but he was an alpha for a reason. His hand shot out at one opponent, wrapping around his neck and crushing the male’s windpipe.
Jacque turned, trying to keep track of all their people, as if her eyes staying on them would somehow keep them from getting injured. But she had her own fight to pay attention to, lest she wanted to lose an arm or her life.
Costin fought just as fiercely beside her, supported by Wadim and Zara. They all worked together seamlessly, using their skills to hamstring hybrids for the others to finish off. Blood slickened the asphalt beneath their feet.
