Chapter 22 – Caden

‘Fuck, there are more then the two from before.’ I think to my self, pissed off for not using the power in my blood and forcing a link between Grace and me. I should have insisted on one to make it easier to communicate, but that would mean revealing myself to her. I fear that if she were to find out who I truly am, she would hate me and never give me the time of day again.

I keep a steady pace behind the six Ragers pursuing Grace, making sure to stay just far enough I go undetected – even so, it seems that the Ragers only have their mind set on Grace. This is good. Even if I can scent her fear, with the Ragers clueless to me following behind we can take care of them with ease. Thankfully, even with her fear Grace is sticking to the plan. She is racing through the trees like a flash of silver light and always staying far from the Ragers grasps. I wait patiently for her to bring them closer to the traps, any would be fine but I prefer one that could kill these horrid wolves. With a smile, I watch as she makes a sharp turn to the left, her indication that a trap is directly behind her. My paws instinctively push forward as I gain speed. I watch the wolves scramble to turn and chase after Grace giving me time to catch up to the ones ahead and slam my body into a scrawny black wolf. He yelps, his body flying into the ruddy brown wolf beside him and the two land on a seemingly simple patch of dirt. A crack sounds as the ruddy brown stands and in an instant the ground gives way. The two wolves vanish into a twelve foot deep pit and I look over to see them laying on the cold ground bloodied and battered. Two down, four to go.

Grace makes a long turn to the right, jumping over a fallen log with ease. I stare in awe at her beauty and – ironically – grace. She leads the Ragers in a cat and mouse race, the four wolves behind her panting like mutts in heat. They can taste her fear in the air, but also the power in her blood. Grace is able to make a veer to the right, one of the wolves unable to keep up with her sharp turn and falling into another trap. The scent of blood floats from the pit this wolf fell into and after a quick glance, I wince in empathy. Unfortunately for this wolf, tree roots have grown into the pit and he has the shitty luck into being stab right through the leg with one.

Two of the three remaining Ragers split off from the group, their bodies disappearing into the dense forest. Panic settles in and I wonder if they are running to gather more support. Grace and I need to finish this lone wolf off now and rush back to Amelia before the other two can bring more Ragers and make our way to safety fast. Grace continues to run, weaving through the trees, pushes and rocks without missing a step, her eyes searching the forest as I try to keep up with her and the Rager. Suddenly, the two wolves that separated from the pursuit appear like ghosts in front of Grace, forcing her to skid to a stop and dodge their attack. The three wolves slowly take turn attacking her, forcing Grace to back into what I can only describe as a wall of stone. She growls, her fur standing on edge as the wolf in the middle, one I have concluded to be the leader of this small group, shifts to human. He is tall, at least five foot eleven, but his body is built of muscle.

“Now, now beautiful.” He coos, smiling at Grace who eyes him with hatred.

“I think its time you stop running and come with us willingly.” The man chuckles out, his red hair blowing in the breeze. Grace snarls has him, baring her teeth and I can tell she is ready to fight. I need to reach her fast if she is to be safe.

"You have spunk Silver wolf. Our Alpha will love you." The man states with a smirk as he reaches his hand out to touch her fur, only to snatch it back quickly when Grace lunges to attack. He curses, the scent of blood filling the air and I chuckle. My Grace is a fighter and this wolf just learned that the hard way. The two wolves standing on either side of the man snarl back at Grace, not happy that their leader was injured, but the man holds his hand out to stop them. It seems they want Grace uninjured. The only reason that I can think of is that she will be left for their Alpha. Threatened at the thought of Grace being claimed for a wolf before I can get to know her, I channel the power within my blood and surge forward. My first target is the brown wolf closest to me, his scrawny frame being an easy target. Without thinking, I am out from the safety of the trees and tackling the brown wolf. My jaw clenches around the scruff of his neck and as if throwing a sack of grain, I throw this wolf into the nearest tree. Bones crack and the wolf lays motionless at the base of the tree thankfully still breathing. A snarl has me turning around to see the black wolf lunging at me, his teeth sinking into the flesh of my shoulder. A whelp of pain escapes my throat and I whirl around, using the same tree that I harmed his friend with to knock this black wolf off of me. A soft thud is heard and the wolf thankfully lets go, leaving my shoulder bloodied and bruised.

“It seems we have a wolf trying to be a hero.” The leader states with a chuckle, returning my attention to him. It seems that within the few moments I have been preoccupied with his two lackeys, another wolf had snuck up on us and now has an unconscious Grace on his shoulders. My lips furl back in a snarl while I draw closer. How did these wolves get their hands on her?

“Ah, ah, ah goldilocks. One more step and I will have my friend here kill her.” The leader chuckles as his friend holds a gun to Grace’s head, reminding me that her life is now in their hands. What bother’s me the most is that she is still in her wolf form. Any drug by now would have forced her to change into her human form so what is stopping her?

“Curious about your friend here?” The leader asks, his grin growing. I growl, trying to figure out how I can get her away from these wolves.

“Its simple, a knock out drug mixed with a bit of wolfsbane.” Without warning, the gun is turned to me and before I can dodge I feel something imbedding itself into my injured shoulder. I snarl, turning my head just far enough to see a dart sticking from my shoulder. The world begins to grow blurry, my limbs feeling weak and heavy.

“Now, I think we have been here long enough. Everyone is probably wondering when I will be back with our prizes.” The man chuckles as more wolves emerge from the trees, some carrying an unconscious she-wolf in their arms. I lunge forward, not wanting to give up fighting but my legs give out. The leader chuckles at my futile attempts, his beady eyes looking into mine as he runs his hands through Grace’s fur.

“Don’t worry goldilocks, we will take special care of this one. She will be the perfect Luna to our Alpha and the perfect breeder for our pack.” With his taunting words, my eyes grow heavy and as they close, I watch the wolves disappear.

I have failed to protect Grace.