Chapter 51 — Husk

Winter fought a cluster of wolves while I bit another attacker and tossed its mangy ass across the street. Sky, in his human form, grabbed two wolves and flew up in the air with them. Their snarls turned to whimpers and yips as he let go and they crashed to the ground. Everywhere I turned, wolves were attacking us and Fagua's friends.

Blood and fur flew.

A huge wolf lunged, mouth open with long teeth glistening. I hopped back, just avoiding its teeth.

I lunged and sank my teeth into its throat. Blood spurted as I ripped it open.

The wolf shrieked and I choked, the blood hot and salty in my mouth.

It fell, legs kicking, and then went still, a second body to add to the heap.

Stones rattled under my feet and I looked up to see a huge magic ball hurtling through the air directly toward me.

I dodged out of the way and the boulder crushed the wolf I'd just killed. It burst from the hips, shards of bone and stone mixed together.

Another magic spell whipped through the air, striking a gray wolf. Its body ripped apart, blood spraying a tan wolf who fought nearby. The uninjured wolf shifted, its howl turning into a woman's scream. It was Rebecca, Fagua's friend. She shook with rage and tears, her cries tearing at my heart.

I took a step to help her, but there was a flash of crimson and then another wolf charged me.

I snarled and jumped, catching it around the back leg. I swung it around and down, slamming it into the ground.

I landed on top of it, howling my triumph.

Another magical ball hurtled past me, singing the tips of my ears. Magic was flying around us like we were in the middle of a lightning storm.

Two more wolves stalked me. My lips pulled back and I bared my teeth, willing them to come at me. They circled me, taking their sweet time, keeping their distance as they slowly closed in. They snarled and snapped their teeth, but it didn't faze me.

I welcomed the fight. Welcomed getting rid of some of this pent-up energy from holding on to my emotions all fucking day.

The wolves launched themselves at me and I met them with fury.

I met the first wolf in midair as it leapt. Our bodies collided with a crunch. Blood and fur exploded all around us as we rolled. I clamped my teeth into the wolf's neck and hung on as it thrashed.

My body trembled from the exertion, and adrenaline pumped through my system, making everything feel like it was moving in slow motion.

The wolf went still and I released it, scrambling to my feet. I growled and slashed at the wolves that swarmed around me.

A wolf lunged for Winter and he killed it with a quick bite to its carotid artery. Blood spurt from the wound, coloring its pale fur and splattering on the cement road.

Another wolf came at me, and I jumped on it, biting through its neck so hard, I broke its spine.

"Stop, please," Fagua sobbed. Her voice sounded small and so far away. "You don't have to do this."

I glanced up and my heart stopped.

Magic pulsed around her. But she looked pale. The same way she did in the car right after she stopped us from running over that guy.

She didn't have enough power to confront these wolves, let alone her witch mother.

A dark wolf limped toward Fagua. I couldn't let it touch her. The look of madness was in its amber eyes.

I lunged across the distance, killing it before it got to her.

A small part of me felt bad for the wolf, but if I let it get to her… I shook my head and growled. I would kill every wolf in the area before I let any of them get near her.

Using magic would drain her, and I couldn't let that happen.

The wolves growled and circled closer.

I growled back but kept my focus on Fagua. My eyes locked on hers and willed my strength into her.

One of the wolves charged me, teeth bared. I swung my leg out, catching it in midair. It sailed over my head and slammed into the ground. I spun around and sunk my teeth into its back, ripping out a chunk of its hide.

The wolf yelped and twisted around, trying to bite me. I jerked my head back and let it fly past. It landed on the ground, then rolled and rushed back at me.

I caught it again by the neck and bit down hard, crushing its windpipe.

I sent a telepathic message to Winter and Sky. "Get her out of here. Get her out, now."

"I'm trying." Winter didn't even try to hide the frustration in his voice.

Sky launched himself into the air with Fagua, but she pushed against him.

"Stop!" Fagua screamed, tears running down her cheeks. "Stop fighting and talk to me. You don't have to do this. No one else has to get hurt."

Fagua looked back and forth at us, her lip quivering and Sky landed with her and she stood there trembling, looking like a warrior.

I wanted to go to her. To comfort her. To hold her in my arms and make everything better. But I couldn't because I wasn't smooth and charming like Winter, nor was I fun and easy-going like Sky.

Did she really think she could reason with the wolves?

I needed to get to her before this got worse.

I ran toward her and the wolves launched themselves at me.

Winter did his best to shield her and Sky tried to keep the wolves away from me, but there were too many.

I jumped toward Fagua, but an enormous black wolf launched itself onto my back, sending us both flying.

I hit the cement with a crunch. I flipped the wolf off, struggling to get to my feet.

Fagua screamed and all the wolves swarmed over me, biting and clawing and snapping their jaws.

I fought the horde, knocking the black one off my back and into another wolf.

A sharp point pierced the skin between my shoulder and neck, and I jerked my head up.

One of the wolves swatted at the tip of my ear. I let out a growl and swiped back, scratching its face and tearing open one of its eyes. It yelped and backed off.

I staggered to my feet and went after the gray and tan wolf that attacked me. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck with my teeth and snapped his neck.

I was getting tired. And my strength was draining quickly. A wave of exhaustion hit me, my body shaking with fatigue as I shifted into my human form.

I killed one wolf and then another, but they were everywhere. There was no way I could fight them all and win.

My body was coated in blood, but they kept coming.

There were a lot more of them than there were us.

I'd fight to the death, but I couldn't let them hurt Fagua. She was more important than I was.

I would make sure Fagua was safe.

I kicked and punched and bit, but the wolves wouldn't stop.

Fagua screamed and I twisted around.

That's when I saw the huge wolf charging for her.

I didn't even think about it. I just reacted. I dove at the wolf, knocking her out of the way.

Her howl ended abruptly as Mayia ripped the wolf's throat out.

Magic blasted over Mayia's head and she ducked, her face paling. She gave me a nod before turning toward another wolf.

Magic sparked between Fagua and her mother. But the wolves were circling closer to Fagua. I barreled through the wolves, knocking them out of my way. I ravaged them, ripping them apart with my teeth. Blood splattered all over me.

I didn't let it slow me down. I was going to get to Fagua and no one was going to stop me.

I ran faster than I ever had. I dodged and weaved and the wolves flew around me.

I was almost to her.

"Fagua!" her mom shouted. "Give yourself up. Your father and I know what's best for you."

I shifted into my human form, my hands clenched into fists.

"You want to talk?" I said, addressing her mother. "We can talk. Get rid of the wolves and we'll talk."

"You fucking mutt!" Fagua's mother scowled. "You will not touch my daughter again."

One of the wolves bolted for me, but instead of fighting it, I dodged out of the way. I ran as fast as I could, heading for Fagua.

"No!" her mom screamed. "Bring them back! Kill them!"

I tackled Fagua, knocking her out of the way right as the wolf pounced. It hit the ground where she had stood, its momentum carrying it toward the street.

I grabbed Fagua and started to drag her away from the fight.

"No!" She pulled against my hold. "I can't leave."

I ignored her, kicking aside a wolf.

Her magic snapped and crackled around us. "Don't make me hurt you, Husk." Her voice shook.

I dropped her arm and spun around to face her. "Are you serious? You and I both know what happened last time you used your magic. It nearly killed you."

Fagua squared her shoulders, lifting her chin. "I have to try."

"No, you don't." My gut screamed at me to throw her over my shoulder and jog back to the car on the other side of the woods. But I know if I did, she would never forgive me for it, and I already knew from experience she can hold a grudge. Hell, she was still mad at me for locking her in the penthouse when we first met.

She met my glare and didn't back down.

I heaved out a breath past the tightness in my chest. "You're the most difficult woman I've ever met."

"I know," she laughed, her watery smile playing across her lips. "But you wouldn't have me any other way."

"Fine." My heart raced at how stubborn she was and how she was going to get us all killed. "But you need to control your magic or it's going to get you killed."

"I'm not a child, Husk," she snapped.

There was no time to answer her. Wolves were everywhere, jumping at Winter and Mayia and Sky as magic pulsed around them.

"Stop!" Fagua screamed, but it did no good. The wolves were out of control. Blood flying. Magic singeing the wolves' fur, choking the air. Didn't matter if Fagua's mother hit our team or her own pack.

Fagua held out her hands and blasted the nearest wolf with magic. It yelped and skidded to the side but didn't stop attacking.

"Oh my God!" Fagua paled, her eyes wide.

"What is it?"

But there was no time to ask. Fagua's mom grimaced, her attention on Winter and Sky. She was going to kill them.

"No!" Fagua's cry ripped through my heart.

Briefly, her eyes met mine before she was running away from me and between my brothers.

Black magic spiraled in the air. Fagua's power connected with her mother's and lightning flashed between them. But Fagua's arms were shaking, trying to keep whatever curse this was from hurting anyone. Her legs buckled and I didn't hesitate.

I launched myself up into the air, tackling the magic head on. Acid burrowed into me and I crumbled, smacking into the cement with a bone-jarring crunch.

****

Fagua

"Husk!" I screamed his name, my throat raw. "No, no!" I watched in horror, feeling like I couldn't breathe, as Husk leapt between me and my mother's magic. He crumpled to the street with blood pouring from his head.

I didn't wait. Didn't hesitate. I don't even remember moving, but I was at his side, cradling his head. Tears spilled down my face. He sacrificed himself to save me, to save his brothers. All of the animosity and jealousy I felt from him vanished. All his past transgressions, my anger, vanished. None of that seemed important any more.

My chest felt like it was cracking open.

Rage and despair slammed into me. I glared up at my mother, who took a step back. Her hand trembled as she covered her mouth.

"I'm so sorry, Fagua. I-I didn’t mean—"

Winter snarled at her, stalking closer while Sky whined and pushed against Husk's shoulder with his wolf nose.

"Leave her," I said, my voice so hoarse it hurt. "This is between her and me." Gently, I laid Husk's head down. Blood coated my pants, but I didn't care.

"I-I had to do this, Fagua. For your father. He's our alpha. Your alpha."

"No." I stood up, my legs shaking from the magic I was gathering up. "Husk is my alpha. And Winter and Sky."

Margie, my elementary teacher, raised her hackles as she faced me. My next-door neighbor, Bill, who always had a piece of candy for us kids running across his law, bared his teeth.

I didn't know what kind of hold my father had on everyone here, but it was clear to me now that it wasn't natural. And whatever it was, I was going to break it.