I hit the first one head-on, slamming into him with enough force to send him crashing to the ground. He snarls, twisting beneath me, but I don’t give him the chance to recover. Instead, my jaws snap down near his throat just close enough to make a point.
The others react fast, almost too fast, as they regroup in a strangely organized fashion.
One comes at me from the side, claws catching my shoulder as I turn too late. Pain shoots through me like static immediately, but I ignore it, pivoting into him and driving him back. Another circle in search of an advantage.
I adjust, doing everything I can to keep them in front of me, forcing them to engage where I can control it.
They’re good, but not trained like us.
There’s no Alpha scent and nothing grounding them to any pack that I can tell, which means they’re either working under someone who isn’t here or they’re something else entirely. The thought doesn’t sit well, even as I do my best to focus.
One of them lunges again, and I meet him halfway with bared teeth, forcing him back with a low snarl that rips from my chest. He stumbles, but doesn’t retreat completely.
They’re testing me, seeing what I’ll do and how far I’ll push. Seeing as they’re in my territory, I’ll go as far as I need to.
I step forward, aggressive now as I force the space and make it clear this isn’t a negotiation. They don’t belong here, and regardless of their plans, they aren’t wanted either.
Not far behind me, I sense as the others crowd in, and the rogues ahead of me notice too.
They tense and lower themselves in trepidation as the guys flank me, immediately outnumbering them. Instinctively, one of them backs off, then another hesitates before following.
Before long, their small group retreats entirely, not fully running, but withdrawing in a way that says they’re not finished yet, but they’ll make this concession just to keep themselves alive.
I don’t chase, even if something in me wants to. That won’t happen without knowing exactly what I’m dealing with. Instead, I hold my ground and watch until they disappear into the trees.
Zane.
I turn to find Zeke already moving toward me with the guys not far behind.
You good?He asks, eyes flicking over the blood on my shoulder.
Yeah. I’m fine, I say shortly.
He doesn’t say anything at first as his obvious concern lingers; then he glances around, pulling in a deep breath.Were those the same wolves you tracked in Ashford?
Some of them. It seems there are more of them than I thought.
Zeke exhales slowly, internal voice sounding sardonic.Great.
As the others close in, I glance between them and reach out.They were testing the perimeter and pushing closer. I imagine they would’ve reached town if we didn’t intercept them.
That lines up with what we’ve been seeing:Caleb returns.They’re brave.
I glance at Zeke again.Track them and see where they go. Don’t engage if you can help it.
Zeke nods.Got it.
We’ll back him,Luke says, giving a subtle shake of his flank.
Are you not coming?Dominic asks me.
I hesitate just long enough to consider if I should, but with the pulse in my chest growing stronger, I know I can’t.No. Not this time.
Zeke looks at me curiously.Something else on your mind?
Yeah. Something I need to do.
He studies me for a second, then, without pushing, he nods.Alright. We’ll handle it.
