I spun at his warning. A Wintermoon wolf lunged through the smoke. Before I could react, Marcellus yanked me aside, his arm wrapping around my waist. The attacker’s blade slashed where I had been standing.
We moved like two wolves in one soul — synchronized. He circled right, I circled left. The thug lunged again. I dropped low, sweeping his legs, while Marcellus struck him unconscious.
“Smooth,” I said.
His hand lingered on my back. “We work well together.”
Heavy footsteps approached. Marcellus pulled me into the shadows, his body shielding mine. My heart pounded — not only from the fight. His scent was intoxicating: cedar, ozone, and the wild.
“Your warriors are two minutes out,” he whispered near my ear. “Think we can last that long?”
I faced his face, and it made our lips inches apart. “Pretty sure.”
***
My muscles remembered everything — years of brutal training disguised as “education.”
While other Alpha daughters learned harp and courtly graces, I learned from retired Shadow Wolves, rogue champions and underground fighters who knew every vicious trick.
A wolf charged me with a blade. I grabbed his wrist, twisted, and flipped him. He hit the ground hard.
Marcellus let out a low whistle. “Damn.”
“You should see me when I’m not annoyed.” I blocked a punch and jabbed my elbow into another wolf’s ribs.
Two more emerged — military-trained wolves by their stance. Marcellus and I pressed back-to-back, breathing in sync.
“Seven o’clock,” he muttered.
I caught a glint to my left. “Weapon!”
We dove behind a container as shots rang out, bullets sparking off metal. The sharp cracks echoed across the dark water. I checked my ammo.
“How many rounds?” Marcellus asked.
“Thirteen. One in the Chamber.” I peeked. “They’re pinning us.”
More gunfire — closer. They were flanking. A shadow darted left.
“We split,” I said. “Draw their aim.”
Marcellus grabbed my arm. “A suicide?”
“Trust me.” I met his eyes. “My father didn’t spend a fortune training me to cower.”
Before he could argue, I rolled toward the next crate. Bullets struck the ground behind me. I came up firing, forcing one gunman into cover.
Then— A shotgun racked directly behind my head.
“Stay right there,” a strange voice ordered.
