No, it was a wolf.
And the canine was prowling toward Amanda with intent.
Maia swallowed hard.A distraction attempt would be the best idea.
“Call off your dog,” Amanda shouted.
“Why?”Maia’s eyes widened when she spotted a black leopard.The sleek creature was stalking Amanda from a different angle.Maia swallowed hard, her mind struggling to understand what she was seeing.
A roar sounded in the distance, and the wolf approaching Amanda howled in return.The eerie sound immediately bounced back.The wolf stared straight at Maia, its golden eyes alert.Maia could feel the animal’s anger.It wasn’t just the low, menacing growl directed toward Amanda, but it was in the animal’s tense muscles and the calculated way it regarded the woman.
“Why is it so important for you to make the team?”Maia asked.
“My parents want me to do accountancy,” Amanda spat.“My mother doesn’t think rugby is feminine and thinks I should join the family firm.”
Maia barked a laugh, the circumstances so near her own that she couldn’t contain her reaction.
“It’s not funny,” Amanda snarled, her anger back.
She scooped up a rock and fired it so quickly Maia couldn’t dodge.Fiery pain roared through her chest, the impetus of the throw dropping her to the ground.Amanda released a roar of triumph and surged toward her.
Maia didn’t see what happened next, but the wolf growled.Amanda screeched—half surprised and half panicky.She crashed down, howling as her head struck a tree trunk.Immediately, the wolf pounced, grasping Amanda’s arm in its mouth.It must’ve bitten down because Amanda screamed.
The black leopard stalked closer and stomped on Amanda’s legs when she tried to kick.Maia’s heart pounded, fear uppermost, yet the animals didn’t divert their attention from Amanda.Several smaller animals crept from the trees.Maia tensed, but they swarmed her, licking and cuddling closer until her panic eased.
She had no idea what was happening, but the animals didn’t seem a threat to her.She sank her fingers into the fur of a small black wolf.
“Henry, where are you?”a feminine voice shouted.That sounded like Laura.
“I’m over here!”Maia shouted.
Henry?Maia thought belatedly.
Amanda screamed suddenly and thrashed.Maia stared in shock as the two animals used brute strength to subdue her.
Laura appeared with Charlie on her heels.The cops took in the situation with one sweeping glance.
“Who is this?”Laura asked.
Charlie halted beside Laura before sidling around until he stood opposite the animals and Amanda.He didn’t seem worried or scared, and Maia took her cue from the police officers.
“Amanda.She’s on my rugby team.She… She admitted to stalking me and hurting the puppies.She’s been calling Henry and trying to break us up.”
“Liar,” Amanda spat and kicked out with her leg.She got the wolf in the ribs, but the animal didn’t release her.It growled and shook Amanda until she let out a pained screech.“Get your animals off me.”
Maia limped toward Laura, her breath coming in harsh pants as pain raced up her leg.Pressure built at her temples, part relief and part stress.Had Amanda injured her badly enough to make her miss the trials?She shoved away panic.Something to worry about later.
The smaller animals had followed her, and each pressed against her, their presence bringing reassurance.Laura and Charlie had come.Amanda couldn’t hurt her any longer.
A tear ran down her cheek, and Maia scrubbed it away.But the tears wouldn’t cease, and her shoulders shook.One of the smaller animals near her let out a sharp cry, and the wolf and big cat immediately stared in their direction.Every muscle seemed to throb, and she wavered on her feet.Finally, she gave up trying to stand and sank to the ground.She closed her eyes and worked on controlling her emotions.She couldn’t fall apart now.
“Maia,” a soft voice said.
Maia’s eyes flew open, and she started on seeing a naked Levi kneeling next to her.
“Did she hurt you?”he asked.“We signaled Henry as soon as we could.”
Maia’s gaze slid past Levi and the small leopards and wolves surrounding her.The giant wolf guarding Amanda was staring at her, his golden gaze intent as if he were listening.
