Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

“What’s happening to them?” Rico whispered.

“I don’t know,” Gordo said, panting. There was blood on his face, but I couldn’t see where it’d come from. I didn’t think it was his. “It’s like they’re—look out!”

But his warning was for nothing.

The children moved as one, but they didn’t come for us. They took off across the road, heading east toward a line of trees that led to the top end of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge. If they were returning to the compound, they’d cut north once they hit the trees. They didn’t stop once they disappeared into the forest.

“Jesus Christ,” Rico said, sounding breathless. “What the fuck was that?”

Ox’s face was twisted as he shifted back. “They…they didn’t hear me. They—”

“Livingstone’s stronger,” Aileen said, crouching down next to the dead witch. “His magic is deeper. He knows we’re here.” She shook her head as she reached up and closed the witch’s eyes. Elizabeth paced around them, growling low in her throat. Carter was licking at the blood on the timber wolf’s back. Aileen stood slowly, hands curled into fists. “Alphas, if we’re going to do this, we have to do it now.”

Joe tilted his head back and howled. Ox shifted to a great black wolf once more, joining in with his mate. The other wolves sang with them.

Kelly grinned at me, crazed and beautiful. He said, “Shift. Lead us.”

“You stay with me. You stay by my side.”

“Always.”

He kissed me then, and I tasted blood.

I called on my wolf.

My skin rippled.

I was angry.

So fucking angry.

My clothing shredded and I—

breathe

just breathe

ox

alpha

kelly

mate

i am wolf

i am pack

i am bennett

sing

sing this song of war

I was above myself, like I was floating and attached by a tether, my wolf holding on to me tightly. I led the way through the reserve, ignoring the familiar sights and scents of the refuge. The others followed closely behind, the humans and witches running at our sides. Kelly was there, always there, the scents of grass and lake water and sunshine filling my lungs with every breath. I was stronger because of his presence, his need to hunt combining with my own.

There was a twist of green shooting through me, the sweet power of relief as my Alphas followed me, trusting me to lead the way. I could hear the faint voice of Ox in my head, louder than it’d ever been, saying go go go PackBrotherLoveFriend show me show me.