I don’t say anything, just reach up and cup my aching cheek.
“You judgmental bitch. It’s so easy for you.”
The switch in his mood is alarming. I don’t want to stay close to this alpha; he’s too dangerous. He lifts his hand to grab me, but I step into him, bringing my knee up sharply. He doubles over, moaning in pain. I take off running. I don’t keep note of where I run; I just do it.
I can hear the Beta’s Path around us. Shouting in the streets, calling and using their hideous horns.
But then I get to a road, and just as I step out, I see him. It’s too late; he looks at me.
We’re frozen, and I can’t do anything but take in the monstrous size of him.
He’s massive, much taller than me, with huge red eyes. His teeth are sharp and too numerous to count, and drool drips from his mouth. He’s got patchy, black, matted fur, but where it’s exposed, there are black scales. Five-inch spikes stick out of his spine and run in a sick row to the tip of his tail. He’s taller than a person and much longer.
Everything about him is wrong.
My mind wants to scream and stop working. To stop seeing it. Close my eyes and will it away.
He takes a step towards me.
He’s going to kill me.
I’m going to have to run and only hope I have the skills to escape him. I whirl and slam through a door, heaving myself into the building and its dangers. He’s a moment behind me, scrabbling and stretching a massive paw inside, trying to reach me.
The frame buckles, and bricks shift. I whirl, spot a small window just up ahead of me. I lunge for it and shimmy through just in time. He smashes into the room and lets out another one of those terrifying roars.
I don’t sit around and wait; I take off running.
Is that the wolf my mother was talking about?
I run until I slam into a body. Arms grab me, and I almost scream, but then Jarek’s scent hits me, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him close, sobbing for air.
“He’s coming!” I pant.
“Who?”
“The Ravage Wolf.”
Jarek whistles sharply and Legion, Mordecai, and Ava appear.
“Where is everyone else?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
The low growl has us all turning slowly to face the wolf that is approaching through the mist.
“Go!” Mordecai hisses.
We run.
Chapter 21
The Anarchy Wolf
We run from the Ravage Wolf straight into a group of pledges led by three marquesses and two barons. The gold stripes on their masks shimmer in the light as they look us over and focus on me. I can feel the greed oozing into the air. If they catch me, they will be promoted; if they catch me, it’s prestige for life. Their reward will have rewards.
“Get her!” the tallest one shouts, pointing in our direction. “Bring me the Omega Keres.”
The pledges roar and charge. A black robed mob of overexcited young betas chasing one omega. It’s ridiculous and terrifying.
