Chapter 118 The Hunters
Adrian’s POV
My paws slammed the forest floor so hard the ground shook under me. Every muscle burned, but I didn’t slow down. Not even a little.
Where are you, princess? Come on, talk to me through the bond. Just one word.
The new mark on my neck throbbed like fire, but it was the only good thing right now. Through it I could feel her…raw panic, confusion, that wild first-run high mixed with pure terror.
She was new to this. Brand new. Most wolves could sniff out a trap from fifty yards away, smell the rust and the oil and the human sweat on the metal. But my mate? She’d shifted for the first time today. She didn’t know the woods like we did. One wrong step and—
I shoved the thought down and pushed harder. Her scent was everywhere…sweet wildflowers and jasmine and that faint copper of my own blood still on her muzzle from the mark. I followed it like a lifeline.
Behind me, howls answered my call. My men were in the woods now, fanning out, voices echoing through the mindlink. ‘We’re here, Alpha. We’ve got your back.
Good. But none of them could move as fast as me right now. Not when my mate was out here alone.
I skidded into a small clearing and froze.
Blood.
Not the dried smear from my neck that clung to her fur. This was fresh… Hers. Bright and sharp on the leaves. My stomach dropped like I’d been punched.
No. No, no, no.
Her fear slammed into me through the bond so hard my vision tunneled. She was hurting. Scared out of her mind. What the hell happened? A trap? A hunter? Some stupid wild animal that thought it could touch what was mine?
I didn’t think further. I just ran. Faster. Harder. Nose to the ground, following the red droplets that painted the trail like breadcrumbs from hell. Branches whipped my face, drawing blood, but I didn’t feel it. All I felt was her…small, overwhelmed, lost.
Then I saw it from behind a tree and my heart stopped.
Kira’s white wolf was crouched low in the dirt, head buried between her front legs like she was trying to disappear into the ground. Ears flat, body trembling, the most scared I’d ever seen any wolf look. And in front of her…shielding her with her own body…was Victoria.
She was in her human form, one leg bleeding around a jagged arrow shaft sticking clean through her thigh. Her arms were spread wide, like she was ready to take every bullet herself.
Three human hunters circled them slowly, guns raised, ugly grins splitting their faces.
“Get away from that wild beast, girl,” the biggest one drawled, spitting tobacco. “The boys and I can’t wait to have a feast tonight. That white pelt’s gonna look real nice on my wall.”
The skinny one on the left laughed, licking his lips. “Yeah, and if you don’t move, sweetheart, that’s fine by me. You can keep us company tonight instead. We got ways to warm you up real good.”
The third one cocked his rifle. “Pretty thing like you shouldn’t be out here protecting monsters. Step aside and we’ll make it quick for the beast. Then we’ll take our time with you.”
Victoria’s eyes flashed gold. She didn’t move an inch. “Step back,” she said, voice low and deadly calm. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I will.”
They burst out laughing, the sound grating like nails on glass.
“Oh, she’s feisty!” the big one hooted. “Hear that, boys? She doesn't wanna hurt us. Maybe we’ll keep her alive longer for being nice. Then break her slowly.”
The skinny one winked. “Bet she screams real pretty too.”
Victoria’s lips pulled back. She snapped her teeth…sharp, wolf-sharp even in human form…and shifted her stance, planting herself more firmly over my mate’s crouched body like a living shield.
That was it.
A growl ripped out of my throat so deep the trees vibrated. They called my queen a beast?
The hunters spun toward the sound…too late.
I exploded from the shadows in a blur of black fury. The first one didn’t even get his finger on the trigger. My jaws closed around his throat. One brutal shake and I felt bone snap, hot blood flooding my mouth. He dropped like a sack of meat.
The second guy screamed and tried to swing his gun around. I was already on him. Claws raked down his chest, opening him up from collarbone to gut. Intestines spilled out in a wet rush. He gurgled once and went silent.
The last one actually got a shot off…wild, panicked. The bullet grazed my shoulder, silver burning like acid, but I didn’t stop. I slammed into him full force, taking him to the ground. My teeth found his face. I tore. Screams turned to wet choking sounds but I kept going until the screaming stopped.
Blood was everywhere. On my fur, on the leaves, dripping from my jaws. My wolf was elated…asking for more blood, but we needed to get our mate out of here.
I didn’t check if they were still breathing. I didn't care. They’d pointed guns at my mate. They were already dead the second they opened their mouths.
I shifted back mid-stride, naked and covered in red. My men crashed through the trees right then…James first, eyes wide at the carnage. He tossed me a pair of black shorts without a word. I yanked them on.
Two of my guys were already at Victoria’s side. She’d yanked the arrow out herself, teeth clenched, but she was healing fast. Blood slowed to a trickle. She gave me a faint, tired smile and a respectful nod.
I dropped to my knees in front of Kira. She still hadn’t moved…head tucked tight between her front legs, body shaking with tiny whimpers that broke something inside my chest.
“Princess,” I whispered, voice rough but soft. “Hey… it’s me. It’s over. They’re gone. No one’s gonna touch you again. I swear it.”
She whimpered louder.
“You’ve had the worst day, haven’t you? Kidnapped, forced to shift for the first time, almost turned into stew… I hate it. I hate every second you were scared and I wasn’t right there. But I’m here now. Let’s go home, okay? Just you and me. Back to the kingdom. Back where it’s safe. I’ve got you.”
My hand hovered over her fur as she flinched hard.
I waited. Then slowly, gently, I sank my fingers into the thick white fluff behind her ear. She shuddered once… then melted. The tension bled out of her body like someone had cut a string. A soft, relieved huff left her nose.
I didn’t hesitate any longer. I scooped her up…eighty pounds of warm, trembling wolf…and buried my face in her neck, breathing her in deep. My wolf settled instantly, the rage cooling into something fierce and protective.
“Get the cars ready,” I ordered my men, voice low but steel. “We’re heading back to the hotel tonight. First thing tomorrow morning we leave for the kingdom. No stops.”
“Yes, your majesty.” No questions. Just instant movement.
I glanced at Victoria again. She’d put herself between my mate and bullets. I owed her more than I could say for today.
We turned to leave, my arms full of white fur, when I heard it.
A tiny crunch of leaves. Too careful. Someone trying to sneak away after seeing something they never should have.
Then…click…the soft mechanical shutter of a camera phone.
My head snapped toward the sound as a low growl rolled out of me.
“Find that person and handle it,” I said, voice flat and cold. My men melted into the trees without a word.
I tightened my hold on Kira and kept walking, her warm weight against my chest the only thing keeping me sane.
Whoever just took that picture?
They’d just signed their own death warrant.
And I was going to enjoy collecting.