Fall Back - Halley's POV

Fall Back - Halley's POV
The word tears out of me, raw and panicked. I’m already moving and sprinting toward where he and the creature hit the dirt. The sound of the impact is sickening to my stomach. But he’s not dead.

He can’t be.

The twisted wolf thrashes on top of him, furiously slashing its claws toward him. Its limbs spasm like its own body is fighting itself. It tries to drag my father away with it as it reaches for the trees.

Rage ignites inside of me so hot it feels like it’s going to burn me alive.

I don’t think and shift mid-run. The world erupts into colors and sensations. Gritty dirt meets my paws, copper hits my nose, and there’s a sharp metallic tang in my mouth from shifting so fast. I slam into the creature with my full weight, making us tumble.

We are a fury of claws, teeth, and snapping jaws. Its limbs jerk unnaturally, trying to twist around and sink its teeth into my throat, but I’m faster and more agile.

I bury my jaws in its neck and rip it out. The creature shrieks in an awful, broken sound before collapsing and twitching once before finally going still. I spin toward my father, worry flooding over every other emotion.

Sam is already there in his human form with his hands pressed against the gashes in Dad’s stomach. Reed rushes over, sliding across the dirt. He’s shaking and trying to finish shifting back to his human form. Blood saturates the ground beneath him.

It’s too much and too fast.

Dad coughs, breath rattling. “H-Halley…”

I shift back instantly, my skin burning as I kneel beside him. “Don’t…don’t try to talk. We got you.”

His eyes are glassy with pain, but still focused on me. “You… you’re alright.”

A horrified laugh punches out of me. “Me? I’m fine. You just got run through with that thing’s claws.”

Sam’s jaw is tight, his voice low and urgent. “Halley, his wounds—”

“No.” I shake my head sharply. “No. Not now. We need to get him to the healers.”

My father grips my wrist with surprising strength. “No time. You have to—”

Another howl splits the night. This one is lower and deeper than any I’ve heard. I turn to look over my shoulder only to find dozens more of the creatures the council sent.

Reed’s head snaps toward the sound, face draining of color. “There’s too many. We have to fall back.”

Rook skids to our side, his fur matted with blood and one arm torn open. “Halley, we are overrun. Cale’s flank is holding, but not for long. They’re pushing us toward the ridge.”

Dad tries to move, choking on a groan. I press him gently down. “Stop. Please.”

He swallows, breath shaking. “Listen… to me…”

Sam’s hand stays firm on his wounds, trying to slow the bleeding. “Save your strength.”

Dad’s gaze locks with mine. The pain in it cuts deeper than any wound.

“I didn’t tell you… to protect you from this.” His fingers tighten around mine. “But it’s too late now. They know what you are.”

My pulse spikes. “What do you mean? What am I?”

Another piercing howl. This one is even closer.

Dad forces a breath. “The council didn’t just alter wolves… they were trying to create a countermeasure. They want a weapon because they are terrified of one thing.”

He coughs hard, blood bubbling at his lips.

Reed’s voice cracks. “Dad—”

Dad lifts his gaze to mine. “They’re terrified of you and what you will become. Alpha females who mate with betas, as you know, can become the alpha pair. But it renders you unable to be controlled or answer to any alpha. I don’t know what else… most has been buried.”

The forest explodes behind us as creatures crash through the trees. 

Rook curses violently. “We have to move now!”

Cale comes into view with blood coating his entire body. “They’re coming in from both sides. If we don’t go now, we’re all dead.”

Reed slides his arms under Dad’s shoulders but freezes, looking at me and asking without words what to do.

Dad gasps “Halley… lead them. You were born to.”

I shake my head, tears streaking through the dirt on my face. “Not if it means losing you.”

He smiles weakly. “That’s… why it has to be you.”

Sam’s voice is rough, urgent. “Halley, we need a call. We can’t stay here.”

The forest behind us thunders with the beat of their paws.

I wipe my face and stand, looking at all of my pack fighting. They’re bleeding and if we don’t do something, we will all die. I inhale steadily.

“Reed, carry Dad and get him out of here now.”

Reed nods with his jaw clenched and tears in his eyes.

“Rook, Cale,” I say, then pause. Everyone is counting on me, but I don’t know what to do. Except… run. “Call them. We’re falling back.”

Rook throws his head back instantly and howls in a deep, commanding sound that feels like it shakes the ground beneath us. Cale joins a heartbeat later, then Sam. Every wolf still standing hears the call and turns.

What’s unexpected is the creature's response. Their shrieks overlap like bones grinding together. Their voices fill the air and they surge through the trees toward us.

“Move!” I shout.

Wolves break from the line, slipping into formation around Reed as he hauls Dad against his chest. Sam shifts mid-stride, fur bursting from skin in a flash of gold, and placing himself at my flank without hesitation.

We sprint.

Branches whip my face, roots crack under pounding paws, and the smell of blood trails us. The ridge isn’t far, but the creatures are faster. I can hear them closing in while they snap, skitter, and tear through brush with monstrous speed.

Rook barks an order, peeling off with a handful of warriors to intercept a group coming from the left. Their bodies collide with sickening force, buying us seconds.

“We’re not going to make the ridge,” Cale shouts over the thunder behind us.

“Yes, we are,” I growl, pumping my legs. “We don’t have another choice.”

But even as I say it, the ground ahead trembles. Shadows pour down the slope.

Another wave waits for us.