“She hit her head. We need to take her to the hospital.” Cricket still had a pulse, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t go into a coma and die.
The two betas moved in and growled at Gaby.
Kiara frowned. “Hmm. I doubt Rylee would want her so called beta in charge of human affairs struck by a newly-appointed overseer.”
Her adrenaline spiked. “What are you saying?”
“As far as the LIA knows. We are driving back to the council today.”
Would Kiara leave them here without horses and mobile service? Or was murder on her mind? Holding Cricket’s head in her lap, she looked up at the jealous she-wolf. “I’ll take care of her.” Please, just leave.
Kiara laughed. “How sweet.” She circled around them. “You and the runt can die together.”
“You can’t.” She met her fierce gaze. “Rylee will scent you on our bodies.”
“My betas are good at cleaning up after my indiscretions.”
“They’ll be suspicious.” Had Kiara killed before and then hidden her crimes?
“People go missing in national parks and forests all the time.” She smiled. “I smell a grizzly close by. Poor Cricket might have died protecting you. Or perhaps you both fell down a cliff.” She tapped her lip. “Maybe you got too close to that wolf pack and they tore both of you to pieces. Of course, those options are a bit messy.”
“Please. You have Steele, what more do you want?” Stall. Think of something because no one is coming to the rescue.
Kiara growled. “I want his heart and soul.”
“You do. Steele refuses to keep a human even as a pet.”
She cocked her head. “The question is do I kill you here or elsewhere?”
Her betas snarled, waiting for her command.
Gaby had no choice but to use her charm. She called on all nearby predators. Protect us. “Let Cricket live. She’s no threat to you.”
Cricket stirred and blinked. “What’s…happening?”
“I can’t leave witnesses around. Besides, she’s almost dead.” She stepped closer. “I’ll kill you first and then finish her off.”
The pack of wild wolves leapt out of the forest and surrounded them.
Kiara turned. “What the fuck!”
The pack snarled, baring their teeth. Their hackles up and muscles bunched ready to charge.
“Kill them,” Kiara commanded.
The two betas faced the pack.
Gaby stood. Now bear!
The enormous grizzly launched from the dark forest and thundered toward the betas. They turned to face their attacker. The bear mauled one of them. He fell wounded, but scrambled away as the second beta bit the bear’s rump. The beast twisted and chased after the second beta.
Kiara shot Gaby a confused look. She shifted to full bipedal werewolf form and clawed the bear. It roared but didn’t back down. The pack of wolves stood in front of Gaby and Cricket, a ring of protection.
Gaby’s arms spread and her eyes closed in complete concentration.
Two mountain lions came out of the forest, bound for Kiara and her betas. Between the grizzly, the pack and the big cats, the odds were now stacked against them. Kiara and her betas ran.
Safe from the she-wolf, Gaby commanded the animals to stand down and leave. The bear lumbered off and the mountain lions returned to the forest. The pack of wolves kept their gaze fixated on the werewolves running away.