Bloodrose

  “Good call,” Shay said, sliding into his other form. The golden brown wolf shook his ruff. That’s much better.

  Ren looked at him. Really?

  Of course. Shay lifted his muzzle, taking in the cool night air. Don’t you think so?

  Well, yeah. Ren pawed at the snow. But—never mind.

  “Calla, you take point,” Connor said, oblivious to our conversation. “I’ll be right behind you. Ren and Shay, stay close to Adne. Mason, Bryn, guard our flank.”

  He took our steady gazes as assent.

  “Okay.” Connor peered at the tangle of bodies in our way. “On my mark.... Now!”

  My muscles bunched and I hurtled out of the garden into the open. Keeping my focus on the long shadows cast by the building, I steered us away from the center of the fighting. If we could just reach the house, we’d have cover again.

  A sharp bark drew my attention. Several Banes had broken from the battle and were barreling toward us.

  Keep running, Calla! Ren’s howl rose in the air behind me. Mason and I will draw them off.

  I snarled, frustrated to be running when my packmates were heading for a fight.

  Another howl sounded, close but coming from the west.

  Is that— Ren wheeled around, heading in the opposite direction of the battle.

  Hell, yeah! Mason dashed after him.

  Bryn dropped to her haunches and howled joyfully. Answering howls rose from the wolves barreling toward us. The sound made hope spark in my veins . . . but I wasn’t ready to let my guard down yet.

  “Holy . . . !” Connor shouted. “Incoming!”

  “There are too many!” Adne yelled. “We won’t be able to get past them.”

  “Calla! What the hell are you doing?!” Connor screamed as I pulled to a halt, staring in amazement at the massive horde of fur and fangs charging us.

  I couldn’t believe it.

  “Calla!” Connor threw me an exasperated look before grabbing Adne and shoving her behind him.

  The wall of wolves hit us, abruptly splitting and flowing around us like a river.

  “What the—” Connor gaped as dozens of wolves streaked past us, with more following in their wake. The Banes barked and yelped in alarm as Nightshades swarmed among them. The newly arrived wolves pulled the Banes off of Searchers, wrestling them to the ground in a chaos of claws and teeth. Soon the hiss of steel was overwhelmed by growls and snarls loud as thunder as the two Guardian packs tore into each other. Years of animosity fueled their rage as they spilled each other’s blood in the gleaming snow.

  A huge brown and silver wolf, bearing an unusual black mark on his forehead, slowed as he approached us, stopping in front of me.

  It’s good to see you, Calla. His tongue lolled out in a wolf grin. I hope we haven’t kept you waiting.

  Your timing is perfect, Dad. I pushed my muzzle into his chest. And you definitely know how to make an entrance.

  TWENTY-THREE

  “STOP SQUIRMING!” Connor shouted. “I’m trying to protect you.”

  “Just let me go, Connor!” Adne tried to wrestle out of his grip. “They obviously aren’t here to attack us.”

  You have some interesting friends, my father remarked, watching them struggle.

  It helps if you spend more time with them. I barked, catching Adne and Connor’s attention. When I bared my teeth, they stopped arguing. I looked back at my father. The man is Connor and the woman is Adne. I swear they really are good in a fight.

  He sniffed Connor’s hand while the Searcher’s eyes bulged at the massive wolf’s inspection. If you say so.

  Bryn flattened against the earth, wagging her tail at my father. Hi, Mr. Tor.

  You look well, Bryn. My father nipped her ear. Ready for the fight?

  She hopped up. Always.

  Shay trotted up to us, lowering his muzzle as a sign of respect. My dad tilted his head in curiosity, though he quietly snarled a warning. I don’t know you.

  Dad, this is Shay. I lowered my muzzle as well, but my tail was wagging ecstatically. Shay, this is my father, Stephen Tor.

  The Nightshade alpha. Shay kept his head low. I’m honored to meet you. Thank you for coming to our aid.

  My heart skipped a beat when my father put his head below Shay’s muzzle, lifting his head. The honor is mine, Scion. You make an impressive wolf.

  Shay yipped his delight and I snarled at him in frustration.

  Still a bit of a puppy, though, I see. My father’s laugh traveled with his thought.

  Shay put his paw over his nose. I’m working on it.

  So am I. I snapped at his ear.

  We should move away from the fight. My father nudged my shoulder. Get me updated before we make our next move.

  I barked at Connor, tugging at the sleeve of his leather duster so he would follow me.

  “I guess we’re going this way,” Connor said, casting a nervous glance at Adne as I pulled him toward the long shadows cast by the manor.

  My father stopped when we were cloaked by darkness, though even if we’d been spotted, the battle raged at a fever pitch that would probably keep anyone from trying to reach us.

  Connor was still eyeing my father warily when I shifted form, gesturing for the other two wolves to follow my lead.

  I’d forgotten how intimidating a full-fledged alpha could be. Having spent my whole life as the daughter of one and growing into the role myself, I’d taken his regal bearing and stern gaze as a matter of course. Everything from his towering stature to his steel gray eyes commanded respect. Connor didn’t look any more at ease even after my father returned to his human form. Even Adne slid back to peer over Connor’s shoulder rather than get too close to the alpha.

  “Connor, Adne,” I said. “This is my father, Stephen Tor.”

  “The Nightshade alpha?” Adne asked, her eyes widening. “You came!”

  “For the win!” Connor shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

  My father’s mouth curved up in a quizzical smile. Connor dropped his hand, looking embarrassed.

  “Uh, sorry about that,” he said. “It’s just really, really good that you’re here.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” My father extended his hand so Connor could shake it.

  Adne smiled shyly when the alpha greeted her, her gaze flicking over to me. “I can see the resemblance.”

  I laughed, but my father flashed me a proud smile that made my heart sing. Bryn giggled, squeezing my hand.

  Three more wolves trotted up to join us. When Ren, Mason, and Nev changed forms, they were all grinning.

  “The more the merrier, eh?” Mason laughed.

  Connor punched Nev on the arm. “You could have given us some warning that you’re on our team. I thought we were dead for a second there.”

  “Poor Connor,” Adne said. “Such a delicate soul.”

  He threw her a reproachful look.

  “We did give you warning,” Nev said. “Just look.”

  He shifted forms, bowing his head to reveal a black symbol painted on his forehead.

  “Hey!” Shay smiled. “That’s my tattoo.”

  “The mark of the Scion,” my father said. “We thought it best to identify ourselves. All the wolves who joined us were marked by Ethan. It was his idea.”

  “Yeah.” Nev was back in human form. “So no one shoots us. Particularly Ethan.”

  “He’s always had an itchy trigger finger.” Connor laughed. “Is he with you?”

  “He came in on the southern attack,” my father said. “I imagine he’ll be looking for us soon, though.”

  “You mean there are more of you?” Adne asked.

  “We split into three strike teams,” my father said. “Mine was the largest. We outflanked the Bane ambush and came in behind them.”

  “That many wolves?” Ren’s eyebrows went up. “You brought over some Banes too.”

  “Your father was not a kind alpha, Renier.” My father watched Ren with wary eyes. “He drove his own son away, as wel
l as many others. Such is the price for cruelty.”

  “Emile Laroche is not my father,” Ren said, unflinching. “I owe him no allegiance.”

  “True enough,” my father said. “I would seek peace with you, alpha.”

  “And I you.” Ren inclined his head, sliding a glance at me. “Your daughter is the bravest wolf I’ve ever known. She’s the true alpha.”

  “Indeed.” My father smiled at Ren and then at me.

  Bryn leaned over to me. “I think Ren’s trying to score points with your dad.”

  “Shhhhhh.” I stomped on her toes.

  Shay shifted his weight uncomfortably at the exchange. My father’s gaze slid over to him; his smile became knowing. “It must be a challenge having so many leaders in one small party.”

  “Finally, someone had the courage to say it!” Mason grinned. Nev cuffed him on the back of the head.

  “I’m glad you convinced Banes to join us,” Connor said to my father, ignoring Mason and Nev’s impromptu shoving match. “We didn’t know if anyone would.”

  My father nodded. “I was glad too. It’s Neville who deserves most of the credit for swaying them.”

  “Thanks, Stephen,” Nev said; he’d gotten Mason into a headlock. “But I had help. Sabine and Caleb—the Bane you guys met at Eden who played with me at Burnout—were vital. Tom supplied a safe place for us to meet while we gathered allies. Definitely a team effort.”

  Mason flipped Nev onto his back. “Gotcha!”

  “Would you two behave?” I said, exasperated. “We are at war.”

  “We’re always at war, Cal,” Mason said even as he kept Nev pinned to the ground.

  Nev laughed, kicking Mason off. “That’s why we make our own fun in between kicking ass.”

  “Can’t argue with that logic,” Bryn said. She shifted into wolf form, pinning Mason and dousing his face in long, slobbering licks.

  “Ack!” Mason shouted. “You win! You win!”

  “Hey!” Ethan ran up to us, breathless and bleeding from a deep scratch on his cheek. “There you are!”

  Connor clasped his arm. “Good to see you.”

  “Likewise,” Ethan said, giving Adne a one-armed hug. He turned to Nev. “She’s not fighting. I couldn’t find her.”

  “I was worried about that,” Nev said.

  “Who?” Adne asked.

  “Sabine,” Ethan said, his face bleak. “She’s not among the Banes here.”

  Mason and Bryn stopped wrestling. Bryn shifted forms, giving me a somber glance at the mention of Sabine’s absence.

  “Neither is Emile,” Stephen said. “I can smell him a mile away. They must be inside.”

  I glanced at the dark manor, unable to make out any sign of light within. “In Rowan Estate?”

  Ren tested the air. “Efron and Lumine are nearby.”

  “And they don’t take part in the real fighting,” Mason said. “Ever.”

  “The information we received said you’d be sending a small group in with the Scion to finish this,” my father said.

  Connor nodded. “That would be us.”

  “With your permission I’d like to join you.”

  “You don’t want to oversee your pack?” Connor asked.

  “They’re in good hands.” My father gestured to Nev. “He and Ethan planned this strike. He’s the one who should continue to lead it.”

  Nev shifted forms and barked his approval.

  “I’ll stick with Nev,” Mason said, looking at me. “If that’s all right.”

  “Go with him.” I nodded. “And keep an eye out for Ansel and Tess.”

  “You know I will,” Mason said with a wink. In the next moment the two wolves howled and dashed to join the fight.

  My father looked at me sharply. “Your brother is here?”

  “Not fighting,” I said. “He’s helping Searchers tend the wounded. He’ll be safe enough.” I hope.

  “I wouldn’t have left him.” Bryn threw my father a guilty look. “But I thought we needed all the fighters we could spare.”

  “Of course,” he said. “You belong with your pack.”

  My father shot an inquiring look at Connor. “Well?”

  “You don’t need to ask,” Connor said. “Another alpha would be a great help.”

  “Good. I owe Emile a personal visit,” my father said. “One that’s been a long time coming.”

  “Those are the best kind of visits,” Ethan said. “I have one in mind myself.”

  Connor grunted. “Then let’s not keep anyone waiting.”

  My father, Ren, Bryn, and I slid into our wolf forms, taking up positions like sentinels around the three Searchers and Shay as we stalked along the north wall of the manor.

  “The side door will bring us into the kitchen,” Shay said. “We’ll be on the back side of the house. We can make our way to the library from there.”

  My skin crawled beneath my fur. That meant we’d be slinking through the halls of Rowan Estate, passing all of those horrible paintings and ghastly statues. Any of which could come alive should Bosque Mar already be waiting for us.

  I could still hear the battle raging at our backs, but as we approached the far end of Rowan Estate, the sounds of war seemed to be swallowed up by the walls of the manor. The immense building cut us off from the conflict, separating us from enemy and ally alike. Though I’d known it had always been the plan, I felt a sense of dread wash over me as I realized our small party would face the horrors on our own.

  “There’s the door.” Shay strode forward and I saw the dark shape bloom within the shadows.

  I barked at the same moment Connor shouted, “Shay! On your right!”

  Shay had his swords ready as the wraith attacked. But it wasn’t only the wraith that was moving. From around the back of the manor four wolves appeared, bearing down on us in a storm of fangs and furious howls.

  The first wolf leapt, knocking Connor down. Adne pivoted, her steel whip flying out. The wolf squealed as sharpened steel tips lodged in its body. It yelped again when Ethan’s crossbow bolts thunked into its flank. The wolf twisted, trying to pull the bolts out. Its final cry died in a gurgle as Connor plunged his dagger into its chest.

  My father had thrown himself into the second wolf. They were tumbling across the ground, snarling and tearing at each other. A few feet away Ren was facing off with the other two wolves. None of the three had attacked, but instead they all stared at each other, bristling, filling the air with low, threatening growls. Bryn and I stalked up to flank Ren.

  My pulse buzzed through my veins as I realized why he’d hesitated. Dax and Fey glared at their former alpha. Their muzzles twisted in frustrated, furious snarls.

  Don’t do this. Ren’s mind opened to all of us. We shouldn’t fight.

  I ran to his side. Listen to Ren. Please.

  Why? Dax ignored me, barking at Ren. So we can bow down to your bitch too?

  Don’t ever talk about her that way. Ren took a menacing step forward. You know nothing about what’s going on here.

  Really? Fey sniffed the air disdainfully. I think you’re just afraid to be the alpha you should be. You’re weak.

  You’re an idiot, Fey. Bryn snarled.

  At least I don’t let Calla think for me. Fey glanced at Ren and Bryn. You’re both weak. Her muscles quivered.

  Fey, don’t! I braced myself. But she was already lunging.

  I was ready when she slammed into me, but the force of her leap sent us sprawling through the snow. Bryn rushed after us, sinking her teeth into Fey’s side. Snapping jaws and savage growls told me that Ren and Dax were fighting alongside us.

  Our best fighters. I remembered what Ren had said about Dax and Fey. Like attracts like. But now their skill in combat was working against us. We were their alphas, but would we be able to best them?

  I rolled to my feet. Fey was faster. She landed on my back, sinking her teeth into my shoulder. Ignoring the pain, I bucked hard, flipping us over so she slammed into the ground beneath m
y weight. Bryn leapt at her, crushing Fey into the snow. Fey twisted and kicked up, sending Bryn flying.

  I scrambled up, knowing what I should do. Fey was still on her back. The soft flesh of her belly was exposed. Two bites to open up her gut would be fatal. But I had to do it now.

  My breath caught in my chest. Fey squirmed on the ground, about to roll over. I couldn’t wait any longer.

  Something buzzed past my ear. Fey’s bark of pain became a yelp as a second and then third crossbow bolt entered her abdomen. She rolled over, snarling but trying to limp away. A trail of blood soaked the snow beneath her as she tried to flee.

  Ethan was beside me, raising his crossbow. “I’ve got this.” He jerked his chin to my right. “Help him.”

  I pushed away regret as Ethan took aim, turning to see Ren and Dax circling each other a few feet away. They were both panting. Blood darkened their fur, dripping onto the snow. I rushed at them, throwing myself into the air and locking my jaws around the back of Dax’s neck. Even with the force of my attack, he was too big to take down. I bit down harder, struggling to hang on.

  He snarled, spinning in a circle as I clung to him. Finally he reared up. I knew he would come down on me just as I’d landed on top of Fey. I couldn’t afford to be knocked down. I released him, twisting in the air as he fell backward.

  Feeling my weight vanish, Dax spun in the air and landed on his feet again. He pivoted around, snarling at me.

  God, you’re a pest. His eyes were full of hate. Time to squash you for good.

  I’m waiting. I dug my paws into the snow, bracing myself for his attack.

  He snarled but then barked, twisting his head around as Ren’s teeth tore through his hamstring.

  Now, Calla. Ren’s shout filled my head.

  I knew what he meant. Forcing any doubt from my mind and moving on pure instinct, I lunged. My jaws locked on Dax’s throat. I bit down hard, ripping through muscles and finally crushing his windpipe. His blood poured into my mouth as his body stiffened and then went slack. I dropped his deadweight, backing away from the hulking wolf’s unmoving form. My muscles were shaking.