Chapter 5

Hannah's POV

When your child is in danger, nothing else matters. Nothing.

I didn't think, I just acted. I shifted into wolf form and attacked. All fear was gone.

The only thing that mattered was saving my son.

As I shifted, I mindlinked and ordered Bash to get behind me-behind the big tree and be still.

I could feel his shock at having my voice inside his head.

All blood related werewolves could mindlink each other.

There was a tiny second of pride in me in that moment because I realized that Molly had never been able to communicate with him that way. They didn't share that connection.

I counted that as a small win, but I felt his resistance and his distrust.

There were five wolves and they were snarling at me. Ears back and ready to attack. But, they underestimated me. They didn't know me or my lineage. As an alpha's daughter, I'd been trained to fight starting at just a few weeks old.

My son should have been training like this already. Instead, he was weak and behind in his duty. He was behind the curve and his instincts were off. That's how he ended up in this danger.

But, it was not the time to think about that right now, I had to focus on saving him in this moment. I had one chance to get the advantage and I was going to take it.

I dove forward at the most aggressive and biggest wolf and tore into his neck. The flesh ripped in my teeth and he let out a high pitched bark as he fell beneath my deadly bite. The blood gushed down my face, warm and thick. I could hear his heart slow down and sputter to a stop.

As he fell, I leapt over him and went for the next one.

While I battled away, unleashing the power I'd kept hidden for so long, I could feel Bash try to slip away but quickly scared back to where he was standing by one of the rogue's growl towards him.

I quickly finished the rogue under my paw and rushed towards him. I growled back and started fighting the one aming at Bash.

He probably thought that he could make it back to camp and to the safety of Molly. Little did he know or understand that Molly couldn't protect him. She was weak.

My teeth tore through flesh, fur matted with blood filled my mouth.

Growls surrounded me and I kept going. Pushing. Biting and gnashing my teeth at them.

I'd killed two and another had limped off after I'd snapped his leg in a tackle and roll. The fourth one had retreated-possibly to get more help but I was still facing the last one.

Focus. Focus.

We'd circled each other in a stand off and neither had the advantage. We were about evenly sized and I was planning my attack move when...

Ouch!

The sharp pain of a hunter's trap closed around one of my back legs. I yelped in pain and I could almost hear the other wolf laugh at me. He fully thought he'd won.

He'd cornered me between him and the cliff's edge and now my back leg was caught in a trap.

It hurt. It really hurt. The flesh was burning and I felt blood run down my leg. But, I couldn't stop now. I had to take him out if we were to survive this. Gritting my teeth, I fought on.

I could smell the fear coming from Bash. I wanted to send back reassuring scents but I didn't have them to give. Only pain.

My leg was damaged. I didn't want to see just how badly it was damaged just yet because it might make me falter. So, I pushed on.

It was a battle of the wills and I would be the last wolf standing. But he knew I was hurt and he planned to try to wait me out. I paced back and forth and sent out a bit of surrender scent.

Then, when he backed off a little, thinking that he had won...I used all the strength I had left and charged him. Catching his ear in my mouth and biting down hard.

He whined with pain and pulled back. I let go of his ear and let out a fierce howl.

At this, he retreated. I fell to the ground, shifting back into human form. I'd lost a lot of blood. Pain started to take over me.

"Bash, help me up..." I implored, reaching out for his hand. "Let's get back home together."

He stood there staring at me. He seemed stuck in fear. His face pale, his eyes wide.

"Bash! We have to go...help me," I called again. My voice was shaky now. I felt like I was going to pass out.

His eyes flickered and glowed, he looked behind him. Hesitating. He shook his head and then turned and ran.

I dropped my head down on the ground. I didn't have any strength left. I was hurt, badly. There was no way I could make it all the way back to camp by myself.

My vision blurred. I held my hand up in front of my face and it was blurry. I was losing consciousness.

Did he really leave me here to die?

The thought frightened me and, yet, I could almost believe that it was true. I guessed in his mind he'd believe it would solve all his problems.

I fought to stay awake. I heard the sound of footsteps in the distance.

"Bash?" I called out too weakly for anyone could hear.

No response.

I waited. Listened. Did Bash get help? Had some of the pack followed us into the woods?

"No, it's this way..." I heard Bash's small voice. Was he leading them to me? Was he actually trying to save me? Maybe there was some hope.

I could hear Sebastian's voice and Wendy's voice too. They were searching for me.

Oh, thank goodness.

I smiled. He was bringing me help. All wasn't lost.

And, then the voices drifted away. They were going in the wrong direction.

What was happening? Did he forget where he'd left me? Or, was he leading them away from me on purpose?

I closed my eyes as their steps went away.

When I managed to slightly reopen my eyes, I wasn't sure how long had passed.

Was it getting dark out already? How long had I been here? I couldn't see things clearly.

I heard the howls of rogues again. They were still nearby and maybe coming back this way.

If they returned...if they brought more...I was dead for sure.

I tried to push myself up, but there was no strength left inside me. I fell back to the ground and closed my eyes again.

My son hated me. My husband wanted another woman. I was done. Maybe I should just give up.

When I drifted closer and closer to total darkness again, there was a scent of a wolf drew closer.

But not rotten stink like those rogues. It was the scent of vanilla and whiskey, warm, rich and intoxicating.

Then I felt myself being lifted. Strong arms gathered around me and held me close to a warm body.

I forced my eyes open. Just barely.

A face swam above me — jaw like cut stone, dark eyes wide with something I couldn't name. Shock. Recognition. Hunger.

He was stronger than any other Alpha I've ever met before.

I tried to speak. Only a groan came out.

He stared down at me like I was the only thing in the world.

The last thing I heard before everything went dark was his voice — low, rough, barely a breath:

"...fated mate."