Chapter 101

Chapter 101

I was going to see a slaughter that caused my heart rate to become irregular. The first group of feral wolves crept out of the tree line, their teeth bared with a cruel intent, saliva and blood dripping from their sharp fangs as they prepared to tear everything apart. They howled a hellish sound, and I had no idea what was happening.

The howl tore through the gathering, summoning more and more wolves until they encircled the clearing, and I was the first to notice them.

The world appeared to stop; those in the pack surrounding me were engulfed in dread at a pace that was far too slow, their breathing was labored, and their heart rates were slowed.

It was quiet before the chaos, the stillness before the storm.

I was the fucking catalyst, and it was a ticking time bomb.

The wolves moved, cautiously at first, then pushing forward into a sprint, and this time there was no disguising who I was. Women, kids, and partners were screaming all around me, and as I envisioned the horror happening, I could see the red line on the borders of my vision. It would give him even more reason to despise me if I just stood there and did nothing.

Despite this, I knew that I was alone to blame for the ambush; everyone else involved in this act of war was innocent.

My abilities simultaneously drew and pushed me closer as the magic inside of me started to radiate outward in waves, detecting the threat.

Given that it had not listened to me for the last two days, my magic was questionable at best, but it had a powerful effect on my feelings. It seemed natural as it slithered beneath my skin and merged with my bones, and it tore through me like nothing else I had ever experienced.

I was a witch-blood wolf, and magic permeated every part of me. It didn't live in terror, despite my best efforts to hide it from myself and from others.

I let out an excruciating cry as I launched my abilities into a force field, the shield forming around me and encircling me as I advanced toward the threat rather than away from it. In a panic, Derrick called out to me, and I was hardly aware when he took my hand in his, and my strength surged deeper with the mate connection.

I let out a louder cry, causing the pack to tremble as the spell clicked into place. It gradually spread to the individuals surrounding me, drawing my magic closer to the ground and enclosing us in a dome of protection.

I was breathing heavily, mentally shoving the criticism of my pack behind a wall. As much as I wanted to save them, I could feel the disgust of my revelation biting into my spine. Instead of celebrating their alpha and Luna's mateship union, they had come to see a claiming ceremony, but what they saw was betrayal.

I was drenched in sweat and had to force myself not to look away from the force field to meet my mate's gloomy gaze. He hadn't listened to me when I warned him, but now he couldn't refute anything.

The wolves charged into the force field in the first wave, their fur singeing against the shield. I nearly fell to my knees from their screams and the force of their bodies pressing against the energy I was releasing, but Derrick held me in place with a tighter grip on my wrist, dragging my back against his chest.

The sensation of blood rising to the top of my lips as my nose began to flow, the metallic tang of blood filling the air, and the relief of his touch and the tension of his intentions washed through me.

I kept leaning toward my lover while the wolves persisted in their attack. Despite their feral nature, the wolves were more adept at survival skills than most. They could feel my energy dwindling with every hit they took against my force field. Every muscle in my body ached as I struggled to focus on the undulating dome, my mind racing with the attraction of light and the desire for darkness. We couldn't be secure without it, and the barrier would collapse if I fell.

My magic was pumping more with my desperation; they stopped when I thought I wouldn't be able to take it any longer. I had never done anything like this before; I felt the pain and the bliss.

They parted ways for me in the midst, moving in unison.

When my brother finally came into view, his fading body caught my attention. He appeared more damaged and broken than the last time I had seen him, but eventually his form gave way to the monster.

Vera was trying to console her own mate, but the mate bond meant she wasn't thinking properly, so I grabbed her with my free hand to stop her from making the huge mistake she was about to make.

"Going to him now will get you killed; you can't reveal yourself." I watched the agony obscure her features as I tightened my teeth. "I promised him that I would keep you safe." She remained by my side after hearing the words, and I felt a wave of relief until I saw Derrick creeping behind me.

I dared not look at him, not even while he was holding me.

Morgan looked at the shield I had made, then turned to face me suspiciously. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered angrily.

The beta was on the attack, waiting for his alpha's order, and his son was no longer in his arms.

Derrick was expected to speak, but he remained mute throughout. His hands remained motionless on mine, and his heart continued to beat steadily. I had no idea what was going through his mind because every response he showed to everything I told him about myself was completely out of character.

With a shudder, I answered, "I know what this looks like," knowing that even while I was keeping everyone safe, my own safety was crumbling around me. "Despite what all of you think of me right now, I need to keep this force field up—you don't understand how dangerous she is."

Morgan gave me a nervous glance, obviously uncomfortable about my revelation. His eyes swept across the gentle radiance emanating from my form, the enchantment seeping from me in a shimmering silver radiance that spread outward and encircled us. The only thing preventing rabid wolves from tearing us all apart is the celestial-looking light.

"How dangerous is who?" His tone was sharp and distrusting as it came from behind me.

That was all the kindness he showed me, holding me.

"My mother." With years of pain suddenly surfacing in front of me, my words were feeble, and all I wanted to do was curl into his arms.