Untamed - Book 1
Chapter 22

“When you are done here, where will you go?” She straightens in her seat and her eyes meet mine.

“I will replace my brother. I will replace Luca.” Her brother’s words echo through my mind. ‘Please let me go.’ I shudder at the realization that this is a suicide mission and she knows it. I watch as she wraps her fingers around her brother’s amulet, holding onto it as though it might disappear if she were to let it go.

‘Alpha, perimeter breach, northern border. Rogues!’

‘On my way.’

Her eyes follow me as I stand up, a strange knowing look on her face.

“Stay inside and lock the doors. I will let you know when it’s safe to come out.” I rush out the door, shifting once my feet touch the dirt and running toward the northern border at breakneck speed. By the time I reach the patrol, the fight is in full swing. The ground is littered with fur and blood, snarls growls and whimpers filling the air. I lunge at a rogue that is preparing to sink its teeth into one of my men, tearing the flesh in its shoulder as I fling it to the side. I rush him before he gains his footing and tear into him, my claws shredding through the flesh on his chest as his jaws snap at me. He falls to the ground and another comes running at me, but suddenly stops, letting out a low whimper as he stares toward me. I hear the loud, thundering of heavy feet hammering into the ground and turn just in time to see the large white beast rush past me. The white wolf howls, the sound hauntingly beautiful and causing all of the wolves to stop their fighting, the rogues drop to their bellies before her, bowing in a show of submission. All of my men are fighting the need to follow suit, confused as much as I am about the wolf in front of them.

“Enough! Enough blood has been shed today!” My men stumble back as the wolf speaks, something that might surprise me more if I didn’t know the identity of the white wolf. She steps closer to one of the rogues, a wave of heavy energy erupting from her.

“Shift.” The word is spoken in a soft voice, but it is clearly a command, not a request.

‘Get our wounded to medical. Everyone leave now!’

My men look at me with concern etched on their wolves faces, but none dare defy my command. They are all retreating when the rogue begins to shift, Cora quickly shifting as well.

“Why have you come here? Why attack this pack?” The rogue studies her for a moment before responding in a raspy voice.

“We were sent here. We were paid well and given instruction to discover the weak points in the border patrols.” I step forward, ready to punish the wolf when Cora grabs my arm. Her touch instantly warms and calms me.

“Who sent you?” The rogue looks away, not wanting to give up the name of the one who provided for his people. “I will heal your men if you tell me who sent you. Please.” His eyes meet hers and I can see his resolve fading.

“Jacob Laurent.” Her grip on my arm tightens as if she knew this information would push me past my breaking point.

“What were your orders?” she reaches forward, placing a hand over a large gash on his arm, channeling her energy until the flesh is knitting itself back together in a matter of seconds.

“Once we found the weakest point, we were to attack, killing as many as possible.” Her head tilts slightly as she takes a step closer.

“You would not risk the safety of your people for money alone. What leverage does he have?” The man drops to his knees in front of her, tears staining his soiled face as he sobs at her feet.

“He has our mates and children.” His words are choked out between sobs. I notice his men finally getting to their feet, all in their human form as they make their way to his side.

“What is your name?” I stand, at a loss for words and struggling to take in everything that is happening.

“Colton. Laurent has my wife and son. This is Bret, his two daughters are among those who were taken.” Slowly, each wolf steps forward, offering their name and the person they are fighting to save. It is the last man to approach who truly shows us the reason for their fight.

“My name is Amus. He took my mate and our three children. When we refused to follow his orders, he killed my wife and my youngest daughter, Amelia, to show us what would happen if we refused him again.” Cora steps forward and pulls the man into her arms, whispering something in his ear before pulling away. The man nods his head and the wolves all take off, crossing back over the border.