***
Ty stood facing the men of the firing squad as they settled into place. How odd none of them wanted to look him in the face? Truly a bizarre turn of events he mused.
Hortence's words came back to him. If he had the gift, that meant he could not die. What word had she used? Invincible!" Well, they would soon see, wouldn't they?
The captain's words brought him back. "Do you want a blindfold, son?" His gruff, gravely tone, all an attempt to remain unperturbed by the impending court-martial had Ty thinking better of the man.
Ty shook his head. He did not glance at the captain, whose job it had been to watch over him since his arrival. "No, just promise me, you'll give me a minute's head start when the shooting starts, okay?"
Sure Ty was attempting to make light of the situation, the captain snorted out a laugh, before patting him consolingly on the shoulder.
The sun peeked over the tree line. The shooters stood quietly waiting for the order. Ty could see the general out of the corner of his eye as he rode up on his gray mare. Hoping they did not stall much longer, Ty glanced toward the creek where a line of trees flanked the water.
There along the edge of the furs stood a wolf of purest white with a silver ring of fur around her neck. Ty marveled at her beauty. She held a regal stance for a moment more before turning to disappear into the undergrowth.
Stewart's voice could be heard giving the signal to ready. "Attention. Aim. Fire!"
Gunfire erupted. The sound shook the ground. Ty smelled the gunpowder and heard the bullets coming. With the bullets hitting him in his chest and heart, Ty raised his arms snapping the restraints and throwing them sideways. In the midst of the change, he snarled and snapped at the rifles pointed at him. The bullets zinged by in rapid succession. Bolting for the tree line and on the other side of the creek, he could hear the call to action. More bullets whizzing past followed his departure from the line.
He let the change come without consideration. It mattered little the soldiers would see him shift to the wolf before racing off into the woods. The instant he disappeared into the undergrowth surrounding the water's edge, the she-wolf appeared in all her glory. Sonja stood regally with the shimmer of gray fur encircling her neck. A quick swish of her white tail and she bounced out of sight. Ty did not hesitate. Following his mate, he vanished into the dim shadows that played along the trail.
The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) Page 32
