Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,48
systematically.
I distanced myself from Pascal and clicked my walkie-talkie. “This is Big Red. Luthers forming a crescent front from north to south along east ridge. Prepare for phase one. Over.”
Three team leaders responded with “Roger that, Big Red.”
One did not.
I pressed my lips together. Rhona.
Should I read into that?
Turning from Pascal, we inhaled again.
Their scent is strengthening, my wolf growled.
Moving closer?
Fifty of the metres you showed me.
Let me know when they’re another fifty, please.
I checked Pascal and found her tapping away on the tablet.
“This is Reindeer. Circling now. Over.”
The north team was nearly in position.
“Snow. In position.”
West and east should already be in position too. I received confirmation from the third team a minute later.
Not Rhona.
I clicked the walkie. “Big Red. East in position? Over.”
Silence.
For fuck’s sake. I thought she was over this morning. Chills ran down my spine. Unless she was in trouble.
Your pack is in danger? My wolf growled, hackles raising.
Maybe. Maybe not.
They’re fifty metres closer.
I clicked the button again. “Initiate phase one.”
If the Luthers wanted to congregate in a nice, tidy group, then we’d use that to our advantage. My stewards were about to funnel them into a gulley that three teams spent an hour rigging with every kind of quick set-up trap we had in stock.
I heard muffled shouting in the distance as my stewards opened fire to drive the pack into the gulley. Other than that? Nothing.
I shook my head. Those generators were fucking annoying.
Adrenaline, my wolf growled.
The smell of prey rose from my trapped enemy.
They’re running, Andie. Closer to us.
Into the trap. Good. They just had to keep going. If the north and south teams could hold the exit point at their end, and east and west could do the same, then the traps in the gulley would do the work.
A howl rocketed through the air, and I gasped, fangs and claws exploding. I strode farther from Pascal.
It’s him, my wolf said in fury. Greyson.
Not here! I frantically tried to assemble my mental forest. Stepping farther into the trees, I grappled with her for control.
“Andie?” Pascal asked.
My wolf was losing the plot. I had to get out of here.
Forcing my fangs away with every scrap of energy I possessed, I blurted in a rough voice, “Change of plans. I need to see what’s going on. I’m entering the grid.”
“You’re certain?”
“I’ll see you afterward.”
That was all I could manage. My fangs slid back into place as I gave up the battle for control.
I broke into a human-paced run. I had to get away from Pascal.
And fast.
Another howl. Sascha could make the sound in his two-legged form, but that was 100 percent Greyson.
His call was impossible to deny. To turn from it would be like leaving the pup to drown at the river. His howl forced a reaction from me.
Not the need to protect.
Kill.
I licked my lips and focused on keeping my wolf at a human-paced run until we were far enough from Pascal.
Then I just let go.
Oh my god. We were too weak to run last night. This felt…
Glorious didn’t sum it up.
This was freedom. Elation filled every part of me. For a moment, the need to tear Greyson apart took second place.
It feels even better with four legs, she grumbled.
I look forward to shifting after the grid. Smelling a steward nearby, I slowed to a lope and veered west.
But you said Luthers lose points for shifting in the grid.
I halted behind a tree, scanning for company. You’re evil. And smart.
Thank you.
Glancing around once more, I sniffed hard. Nothing except small prey.
“Wizard here. Phase one successful. Over.”
I jerked at the jubilant message from west and hastily clicked on my walkie. “Big Red. Initiate phase two. Over.”
“Roger.”
Three replies.
Again.
You’re worried about your sister.
She could take care of herself, but the protocol was clear. If Rhona went down, the closest member of the unit took over communication. I should have heard from Billy, Foley, or the others by now.
My gut churned.
Ripping off my clothes, I crouched. Okay, shift. Quickly though. I need to get back to the walkie.
Greyson’s distant howl hammered in my chest.
My pleasure.
My gasp was more from shock as my human body split into a thousand pieces. Last night, I felt every breaking bone and every snap of sinew. Tonight, my mind couldn’t process the rapid breaking and reforming.
FurLegsSnoutFangsKneeBendTeeth.
An ancient strength infused us, filled us, completed us.
Mmm, my wolf said, shaking her coat.
She wasn’t wrong. I felt invincible. We should walk close to a heat sensor to make sure they lose a point for a shift.