Page 83 of Freed

Gage and Hunter have to leave my side to help.

“Go inside!” Maddox commands through our bond, and I turn to leave but several rogues block my path. I run, trying to get around them, but everywhere I turn, a rogue suddenly appears in front of me.

“They’re blocking the house!” I yell through the bond.

“Hold on, we’re coming!” Bain growls as I continue to duck and weave through the mass of wolves on our property. I can’t even see anyone else anymore and realize the sun is now being blocked out.

Shoot, I’m in the woods!

I’m not even sure how it happened. I was just dodging and weaving and suddenly ended up here.

“I’m in the forest!” I cry through the bond.

“We’re coming!” Maddox yells, sounding desperate.

I glance behind me, deeper into the forest. Doesn’t look like there’s any more wolves back here at least.

When I turn around, every hair on my body stands on end as I take in the man standing before me.

Blaze.

Chapter 29

Maddox

One moment, I’m watching Cherry play a game with her friend, thinking how she’s finally starting to look relaxed, the next moment, dozens of rogues spring from the treeline toward us.

How the hell didn’t we smell them? I can literally smell our bear neighbor three houses away and yet these rogues are completely scentless.

It must be magic.

The moment I see them, I yell, “Cherry!” loud enough to get everyone’s attention. I shift, ripping my clothes as I snarl and charge. Why is there nobody between her and the forest?

It’s a stupid mistake. I should have been at her side, but I wanted to give her a little sense of freedom with her friend.

Before I can reach her, I see a wolf lunge for Lexi. Cherry sees it too, and she shifts, tackling the wolf, which sends her rolling in the other direction. Finn suddenly appears before Lexi, grabbing the wolf and ripping into its neck with his fangs.

I turn my attention back to Cherry, reaching her just as Bain and Chase do. We quickly place ourselves between her and the surrounding wolves. At least they don’t seem to be targeting her specifically, they seem to be attacking everyone.

After taking out two rogues, I glance around, seeing Hunter and Gage in their wolf forms on either side of Cherry. Behind them, I see the mages ushering Erica inside. Good, at least they’ll be safe. As far as I know, they didn’t have any sort of casting ability that would help in a fight.

As I take out another wolf, another wave of wolves comes through the treeline.

“Fuck!” Chase hisses through the bond as Gage and Hunter move up to join us and fight them.

“Go inside!” I yell at Cherry through the bond. If she’s inside the protective wards of the house, it would be easier to take care of all these rogues.

“They’re blocking the house!” she yells back, making me curse as I try to move to her. But everywhere I turn, there’s another rogue blocking my way that I have to get through.

“Where the hell did all of these rogues come from?” Hunter asks.

“It has to be Blaze,” Gage replies.

“Hold on, we’re coming!” Bain tells Cherry as we simultaneously take out another rogue, finally giving us a clear view of the house.

“Where is she?” Bain asks, as our heads whip side to side, looking for her. She had been right behind us!

“I’m in the forest!” Cherry suddenly cries out.