#Chaptér 79: Dire Circumstances


    They must sense something because their pace quickens. When we hit the stream, they take a right through the water, sshing me and adding to my difort.


    I buck up and tough it out, but soon we are back out of the water and below the mountain, ready to climb.


    Then I smell it. Blood. And pine. It''s Alex!


    We can''t see him yet and begin making our way up the mountain, but the progress is slow and my sight is back to zilch. The smell is getting stronger, and my body is beginning to tingle.


    That familiar tingle. We must be getting really close...


    Suddenly, Rita rears back and I slide off. She shoots forward and my eyes follow her and Charles. I still can''t see anything, so I run to get closer until my developed night vision locks onto the sight that is driving them.


    Below an overhand of rock, in a small crevice, lies a werewolf. It isn''t moving-and I know it''s Alex! Another werewolf, Ryan, is crouched over him, like he''s about to go in for the kill.


    I scream, unable to stop myself.


    When he sees the approaching onught, he moves in front of Alex''s body, protectively. He kneels down, ready to meet the two werewolves racing toward him.


    I run even closer but make sure I''m not in the way. I couldn''t bear it if I put myself in danger and they had to rescue me instead of Alex. I would never be able to live with myself!


    Rita stays back and allows Charles to make the first strike. I don''t know why they don''t both strike at the same


    time, increasing their chances of overpowering him. Then again, I''m not a warrior and they understand things I don''t.


    So I stand back and watch, first Charles tussles with Ryan, the two striking back and forth, one with the advantage, then the other.


    After a particrly ferocious strike, Ryan is able to knock Charles against arge rock. I don''t know if it knocks the wind out of him, but he doesn''t get back up.


    Now that she has the opportunity, Rita strikes at Ryan. She is significantly smaller in size. I''m hoping this makes her faster.


    That''s when I realize I''m fisting my hands so aggressively that my fingernails are drawing blood from the inside of my palms.


    I feel so helpless as I watch Ryan get the advantage over Rita: She bites at his leg, gaining a firm hold, only this allows him to mp down on the back of her neck. Even I know the neck area is vulnerable, and now I fear Rita has lost any advantage.


    Charles, who has made his way to his feet, now jumps on Ryan''s back, sinking his teeth deep into Ryan''s fur. I hope he''s getting meat!


    Ryan throws himself backward, howling in pain-and I jump for joy.


    Charles must have a good hold because he doesn''t fall off like Ryan was probably counting on. Ryan spins his torse left to right and back again, trying to get Charles off.


    As they battle, I run around them-making sure to keep my distance-and kneel down beside Alex.


    He''s breathing, which is good, but his breath is raspy-I fear he may have been given something to keep him


    from healing.


    I kneel down and wrap my arms around him, burying my face in his neck, crying and speaking words offort. With each tear that falls, I feel the throbbing intensity between us grow until my senses are vibrating.


    There is a gash on his shoulder, and I smell the blood dripping from it. I smell


    other wounds, but I''m afraid to move his body to find them. If something is broken, may make it worse.


    Besides, what can I do for him?


    As Iy there with him, the movements of his chest be more regr, smoother. That must mean he''s healing. If only they can hold Ryan off long enough...


    But my wish is dashed against the ground with Charles''s mangled back. Whatever Ryan did, Charles''s body is barely moving, and it looks like his muscles are spasming.


    Oh no! If something is broken we''ll never get him out of here!


    Then I realize that may not be a concern after all. Ryan is the most powerful


    member of his pack, and certainly isn''t an honorable one.


    For whatever reason, he wants me dead. To do that, he has to kill them.


    And it looks like he might seed.


    Now Rita is the only thing that stands between Ryan and us, and I fear that he is simply too much for her.


    My heart breaks in two as I watch them square off, snarling at each other and circling. In spite of our differences, Rita has always risked her life to defend me. I even feel like we''re bing close, and this moment could end that forever. Ryan could end us all here and now.


    And he is the first to make a move, springing his into the air and lunging at Rita. Thank goodness she''s smart! She registers his move as soon as he''s airborne and slides out of the way.


    When Ryannds with a thud, I can feel the smile on Rita''s face. If only I knew what she was think when she''s in wolf form. I can almost hear her smartass mouth taunting him.


    But Ryan won''t be subdued easily! He quickly runs off, out of sight, and I see Rita turning to look for him.


    Did he run away? Surely not-he was winning! I look around and don''t see anything.


    But I hear him, and so does Rita. Her head turns toward the mountainside above us just in time to see Ryan- descending upon her. She rears up on her hind legs and hends almost square against her chest, knocking her backward.


    Now he is on top of her, trying to get to her jugr. She''s twisting and turning with all her might, so his bite doesn''t connect in the right ce, despite many efforts. 歌


    Even if he''s not getting her where he needs to, he''s ripping up her neck. I can


    smell the blood and realize she''s probably running on adrenaline.


    I stand up, moving between the two of them and Alex.


    At the top of my lungs, I scream, "STOOOOP!!!!"


    Ryan does. Still straddling Rita, he turns his head to look at me.


    I must be too good a target to resist because he dismounts her, staring at me. #Chapter 79: Dire Circumstances


    I can''t make out the details of his face, but I swear he''s licking his lips...and my anger increases. My heart is pounding in my chest, blood is ringing in my ears, and my skin itches with what I assume what must be adrenaline.


    I''ve never felt this way before...like my senses are all heightened, and my body is ready to explode with power!


    My breathing bes ragged. I snarl at him, my own angry beast ready to emerge.


    What will I do? I''m not even sure. I must be out of my mind to challenge a monster like this, but my brain is obviously not in charge right now.


    Ryan''s form alights with what appears to be a golden ring, and everything around


    me bes brighter as if bathed in golden light.


    He begins stalking toward me, but I stand my ground. Suddenly, I am no longer afraid-just itchy and pissed off.


    No one messes with my friends!


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