Nala glanced at me and whined. She stepped sideways until her body bumped into my legs.
I might hesitate to hurt wolves who threatened me, but I wouldn’t think twice to defend my familiar. Phaan, I would even admit I was wrong to Ace to help my girl.
Nala’s weight steadied me. Running wasn’t an option—not with her injured and me still exhausted.
The wolves closed in, silent and focused, moving into position as the rain poured around us like a curtain.
I nocked the arrow, my breathing steady despite the pounding in my chest.
This was bad.
With my feet shoulder width apart and my weight evenly distributed, I stood with an open stance to my target. Keeping my grip relaxed, I used my bow hand to push the bow forward, while drawing the string. My back muscles contracted, still sore from the previous fight and following escape. I kept my head still and my shoulders level. I wouldn’t wait for the inevitable attack.
I would strike.
With an exhale of air, I relaxed my string fingers and released the arrow. It sliced through the air and struck the alpha wolf in the flank, right behind his shoulder. He let out a sharp whine and collapsed.
Then chaos exploded.
The pack lunged, teeth bared and claws flashing. My magic curled around me, connecting me with the arrows as I fired them, one after the other. Each one found a mark, but the wolves kept coming.
One wolf slipped through my arrows and bit down hard on Nala’s side. She yelped and spun, struggling to break free.
I kicked fiercely, striking the wolf’s face, buying her a moment. I reached for another arrow?—
Too late.
Another wolf crashed into me, sending us both into the slick mud in a thrashing heap. The wolf snapped at my face. Before it could latch on, I flung up my arm. Its jaws clamped onto me with a crushing force. Pain shot through my body. I shoved my fingers in its eyes. At the same time, I drew my legs up and kicked at its giant body.
The wolf released its hold with a yelp and flew back, bumping into two other wolves in its pack. Sprawled on the ground, pain shooting up my arm, I scrambled to get up.
Nala was fighting her attacker valiantly to my right, but the other wolves had zeroed in on me.
I reached for my quiver to find it empty.
I’d used all my arrows. The thrumming of my magic faded, leaving me drained.
Dead wolves littered the clearing, the nearest one lay behind the wall of wolves snarling at me. I couldn’t retrieve used arrows without getting past the pack.
Fear shot through my body. My heart pounded. This was it. This was the end. I might be immortal, but I doubted I’d survive being torn apart and consumed by a pack of hungry wolves.
Before the wolves could renew their attack, a volley of arrows shot across the clearing. The arrows struck the wolves in quick succession. One after the other, they fell. The few remaining survivors fled, bolting from the clearing with yips and snarls.
Nala yipped and I turned in time to watch her attacker fall over.
Nala had survived. Blood matted her coat, and she limped, but she was alive.
“You are by far the most stubborn woman I have ever met,” a familiar voice spoke behind me.
Ace stood in the shelter of trees, bow in hand, air condensing from his lips with each breath.
“I never thought I'd be glad to see you,” I admitted.
He barked out a laugh before shaking his head.
“In my defense, I was on my way back,” I said, nodding at the dead wolves surrounding us, “I think this is what they mean when they say natural consequences.”
Ace stopped shaking his head and studied me. “Are you all right?”
