Chapter 7: Blood in the Valley

Gunshots cracked through the night like thunder that wouldn’t stop. One after another. Shouts turned into deep growls as people around the camp started shifting. The warm peace inside the cabin disappeared in seconds. My heart slammed against my ribs. Lila dropped the spoon she was holding. It clattered loud on the floor. Rylan moved toward the door with fast steps.

The Alpha stormed back inside after checking what was going on outside. His eyes still glowed that angry red. Sweat and blood already marked his face. “Shadowfang wolves,” he said, voice rough. “They followed your scent straight here, boy.”

He pointed a thick finger at me, then at Rylan. “This is on both of you. You brought danger to my people. If anything happens tonight, if anyone dies, that blood is on your hands. Understand?”

Rylan tried to speak. “Alpha, please listen—”

“No.” The Alpha cut him off sharp. “Stay out of this fight. Both of you. You’ve caused enough problems already. Hide in here. Protect your sister. That’s the only thing I want from you right now.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He turned and stormed out. The door slammed so hard the walls shook. I stood there, fists tight at my sides. The blame sat heavy on my chest like a stone. These people had kept my brother and sister safe for years. Hidden them. Fed them. And now my scent, my choices, brought death to their door.

Outside, the valley had turned into a battlefield. Shadowfang wolves poured from the dark trees like a flood. Their eyes glowed in the moonlight. Hunters with silver bullets moved behind them, firing carefully. The camp’s defenders shifted fast. Clothes tore. Bones cracked. Howls rose into the night air. The Alpha fought at the front line, taking on three wolves at once. His massive brown wolf form was a blur of muscle and fury. He tore through one attacker with powerful jaws, blood spraying across the grass.

He glanced back once toward the cabin, eyes hard. Jax and Rylan had brought this trouble. He would deal with them after the fight. If they survived.

I couldn’t breathe right. The sounds outside pulled at my wolf. Growls. Pain-filled yelps. The metallic smell of blood on the wind. I took a step toward the door.

Rylan grabbed my arm tight. “Don’t. The Alpha gave a clear order. If you defy him there will be consequences. He doesn’t forgive easily, Jax. This is his pack. His rules.”

I pulled against his grip. My muscles were tense. Ready. “I can’t hide in here, Rylan. These people protected you and Lila for years. They gave you a home when I thought you were gone. I brought the danger. I won’t live the rest of my life knowing I stood by and let them die because of me, and I'm not part of the pack yet.”

Rylan’s eyes searched mine for a long moment. He saw the same fire we both carried from our parents. The same stubbornness. He let go slowly, fingers loosening.

“I understand,” he said quietly. “Just—”

I didn’t wait another second. I burst through the door and shifted while running. Pain flared as bones cracked and reformed. Fur burst across my skin. I landed on all fours as a black wolf and charged straight into the fight.

The battle was everywhere. Wolves tore into each other under the moon. I took it all in quickly. Shadowfang had more numbers. Their wolves were bigger, better trained. The camp fighters were brave but tiring. They were losing ground near the tree line.

I searched the chaos for Eli’s silver-gray wolf. No sign of him. Relief and disappointment mixed in my chest. I pushed it down.

Anger from years of pain fueled every move. Memories of my parents’ screams flashed hot in my mind. The night our pack burned. I used that rage. I slammed into the first Shadowfang wolf I saw. My claws ripped deep into his side. He yelped in pain. I bit down on his neck and ended it fast. Blood filled my mouth. Another came at me from the side. I dodged low and tore into his leg, bringing him down. I was merciless. Brutal. I moved like a shadow through the fight, using speed and pure anger to tear through them.

On the other end the Alpha fought hard against three wolves at once. They coordinated well. One latched onto his shoulder. He roared and shook it off, crushing its windpipe with a savage bite. Another jumped for his throat. He met it mid-air, slamming the wolf hard into the ground. Bones cracked.

Then he saw Jax. The black wolf was cutting through Shadowfang fighters with brutal skill. Claws flashed. Teeth sank deep. The Alpha watched for a moment, surprised at how effective the newcomer was. Skilled. Furious. Dangerous.

But orders were orders.

He finished the last two wolves with quick, powerful bites. Blood dripped from his jaws. Then he turned toward Jax with full force. Eyes burning with anger. He charged fast across the battlefield, a massive brown blur of muscle and fury, heading straight for the wolf who defied him.

Jax was about to learn the price of disobedience.