by Eva Gordon
Jesper turned to Nexus and his pale face turned red. “You are the asset?”
“Nexus.” She cocked her head. “You’re a werewolf?”
He frowned. “Of course, I am.”
“Hurry. We don’t have time,” said Nik.
Jesper looked down. “Yes, sir.”
“Nexus, give Jesper the coordinates.”
She nodded and handed him a piece of paper.
Jesper took it and left the cabin for the cockpit. “Seatbelts.” He started the engines.
Nik sat and once they were in the air, he went to the washroom, cleaned off the blood and changed into spare clothes. Black camo pants, turtleneck, and boots. Good attire for night missions. He entered the cockpit. “Find a place to land?”
“Yes, about fifty miles from Bolton’s property.”
“Have a vehicle ready for me.”
“Yes, sir.” He looked back. “She smells different.”
“She’s a shifter, but apparently with dog DNA.”
“No kidding.” Jesper chuckled.
Nik smiled. He’d scented the omega’s attraction to Nexus.
Emma pressed her hands against her temples as a pounding headache pulsed through her. Each bout of blinding agony somehow eased the pain in her ankle, even after the headache passed. Emma stared down at her leg. The swelling had completely vanished. How can that be? She wiggled her ankle, normal movement. She pressed her temple, anticipating another head-exploding throb. Hmm. She blinked. Nothing. Headache gone, too.
Emma gasped. The scent of a world she was once blind to accosted her nose. Like being in a store with thousands of spices, all demanding she pick them up. She smelled everything around her, yet the sensation was so overwhelming she couldn’t identify one scent. Emma clapped her hands over her ears as every sound called for her attention. Noise pierced her in high and low frequencies as if she were trapped in a sonic storm. She fell on all fours and cried out as sensory overload shook her.
Shit. I must be shifting. Only she didn’t. No fur, no paws, no ripping out of her clothing, and no fangs or clawed hands. Emma closed her eyes and took a calming breath. After the initial shock, she adjusted to the sensory overload, beginning to recognize individual smells and sounds and not reacting to them. Would the shift happen soon? She sniffed, categorizing every odor. Pine. Soil. Mammals of every variety. Humans. She inhaled, invigorating. Odd, the chimera male werewolves didn’t have super senses like she did while in human form. Yet, she and Nexus did. Unlike Nexus, she remained human. Perhaps, it had to do with Bolton's latest altered drug.
A distant helicopter alerted her to look up. Still too far out, but she sensed it must be Saskia. She narrowed her gaze. Wow. I can see every detail. A military helicopter, probably part of Bolton’s illegal cache. Did the improved formula include a gene to enhance long distance sight?
No time to figure out what kind of chimera DNA Bolton injected into her, she scrambled away. But to where? She sniffed. Away from werewolves. To the west. With her ankle pain gone, she ran, and then sprinted like an Olympic runner. No, like a racehorse. An exhilarating feeling. Yet, why was she still in human form? She supposed better than becoming a monster. Although in wolf form, the fur would have kept her warmer. Though she felt a chill, it wasn’t as bad as if she were human. What am I? Bolton had hinted that the chimera drug was an improvement, human but with superior senses and strength. Good for flight, but not fighting monstrous werewolves.
A distant, blood-curdling howl echoed through the woods. Her highly attuned hearing recognized the distinct howl of a female werewolf: Saskia. She also understood the emotion behind it. Rage. Things were not going as Saskia planned. So much for giving Emma a half-hour head start.
Emma didn’t stop running. With her newly acquired speed, she might make it to a nearby road. She scented a river running westward.
She paused and sniffed. Humans. Their obvious scent as thick as cheap aftershave. Luckily, they weren’t Bolton’s men. They smelled different and there were definitely three of them. The scent of a campfire. The campers. Yet, Bolton had mentioned there were four including the adult. Had one of them been separated? Or had the adult gone for help? She had to warn them now before it’s too late.
Emma sprinted toward the river. A couple tents sat next to the river. Three preteens huddled around the campfire. She scanned the area for trouble then approached. “Hello.”
They froze, but then one of the boys stood. “You found us.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you see Mr. Aker, Rick?” asked another boy.
“No, I’m afraid not. How long ago has he been gone?” She hadn’t caught the scent of anyone else within that vicinity.
“About two hours. Rick went to find help. He told us to stay here.”
The man hollering at Bolton’s property must have been him. Help wasn’t coming. “We can’t. We need to leave now.”
“Are you with search and rescue?” asked the boy, who appeared to be the oldest.
“Yes.” At least your best bet for now. “My name is Emma.”
The bigger boy introduced himself. “I’m Pete.”
“I’m Brad,” said the blond boy.
“Jake,” said the last, the smallest of the three.
Pete folded his arms. “We should wait for Rick.”
“Normally, that would be a good idea.” She hated scaring the crap out of them, but had no choice. “I’ll be honest, if we stay here, we’ll be murdered.”
“You mean by a serial killer?” asked Brad.
“Yes, only not just one, but several.”
The distant howls made them twist toward the calls.
“Wolves,” said Pete.
Might as well be honest. “That’s them.”
Nik parked near Bolton’s property. He prepped his harness and pack that carried his clothes, not knowing if he’d have to go human. He shifted and honed in on Emma’s scent. Her aroma appeared to come from deeper in the forest than Bolton’s property. Although, she smelled slightly different. Did she use something to cover her scent? How had she escaped? Nonetheless, she was on the run. He dashed through the forest. He stopped and whirled around to listen. Saskia and six werewolves headed in Emma’s direction.
Hold on, Sparrow.
Nik ran at breakneck speed. He noticed Emma was not alone. Three other humans, young males, accompanied her. Had she run across what Americans called boy scouts? Yet, this entire area belonged to Bolton.
He slowed. They were just up ahead, along the shores of a river. Heading toward him. Good. They’d be closer to his parked jeep.
They stopped.
In a flash, a woman leapt on him. She shouted. “Run!”
Three boys dashed past him.
Nik shook her off and stood. He shifted to human form. “Emma, it’s me.”
She gaped then exhaled. “Oh, thank god. I thought you smelled somewhat familiar, but I wasn’t sure I should trust my nose.”
“Emma, what are you talking about?”
“Bolton shot me with the chimera drug, only I remained human but with lycan senses and strength.”
Nik smiled. “No wonder you threw yourself at me. To save the boys.”
“Yes, they are lost and I’m pretty sure their leader was killed by the pack earlier.”
He cocked his head. “Let’s go before her pack reaches us.”
“Wait. Does Rylee know I’m here?”
“Yes.”
“So where’s the rest of the team?”
“I’m it. Unless you count Jesper flying the plane.”
“What?”
“Long story. Let’s catch the boys.”
“Not that I mind, but you better dress.”
“Good point.” He took out his black trousers and top from the pack and pulled them on. “How fast can you run?”
“I’ll race you.”
He smiled. “Ladies first.”
They quickly caught up with the out of breath boys.
“It�
��s okay, it’s me. This is my friend Nik.”
“What about the giant wolf?” Jake asked.
“That was me,” said Nik. After they were safe, he’d erase their memory. For now, he must have their trust.
“Huh?” questioned Pete.
Emma answered. “He’s one of the good ones, so we’re safe.”
Nik grinned. “I don’t bite.”
Pete furrowed his brow. “You sound Russian.”
“Good observation.”
Emma looked at Nik. “Where to?”
“My jeep is a couple miles this way.”
Pete turned to Emma. “What about Rick?”
“First, let’s get you to a safe place.”
Nik raised his eyebrow. Emma obviously evaded the truth. “This way.”
They ran, but it wasn’t long before the boys could no longer keep up. Nik turned to Emma. “I will carry two and you one.” He bent over. “You on my back and you under my arms.”
“No way,” said Pete. “You can’t carry both of us.”
Nik furrowed his brows “Look in my eyes.” They did. “You will do as told, understood?”
The boys nodded.
Emma bent. “Okay, Jake, climb on board.”
With no arguing, they did as requested and gasped as both he and Emma raced toward his vehicle.
They reached the jeep and set the boys back on their feet.
Before they could ask a million questions, Emma said, “Get in and buckle up.”
The nearing growls and howls was all the encouragement they needed.
Nik jumped in the driver’s seat and Emma on the passenger side. “Let’s rock and roll.”
As the jeep moved, a werewolf slammed against the front windshield, shattering the window. He clawed at Nik.
He swerved and hit a tree.
Nik went partial werewolf and grabbed his arm and ripped it off, sending the wounded werewolf off the hood and howling in pain.
Another werewolf leapt out of the forest and slashed the tires.
The boys screamed and hunkered down on the floor of the jeep.
Nik opened the door and went full out bipedal werewolf. He roared and attacked the werewolf who ruined the tires. Worry dampened his rage as Emma stepped out. She had no fangs, claws or other features.
She frowned. “I guess we need to make a run for it.”
“Too late. They are close.”
Emma looked around. “At least six.”
Pete peeked from the floor of the backseat. “What do we do?”
Nik looked in. “All of you. Look into my eyes.”
The three boys nodded.
“Stay on the floor. Now fall into a deep sleep.”
“How will that help? Shouldn’t we make a run for it?” asked Emma.
“We are surrounded.” Without Nexus and her wolfsbane rifle, he had no choice. He reached in and took out a bottle of vodka.
“Now isn’t the best time to drink. Besides, I thought you didn’t touch the stuff.”
Nik smiled. “You will soon see why I never drink socially.”
“What do you mean?”
“Please run, Emma, you do not want to see what I become.”
She cocked her head. “What about the boys?”
“I will return to human form once the job is done.” He snapped off the top and drained the bottle. He had never consumed an entire bottle, but he’d no choice. He wiped his lips. “Run.”
Emma nodded, but froze. “Shit.”
Nik growled. Too late.
Saskia, in human form, stepped out of the woods. “I see you are celebrating our reunion.”
The other werewolves snapped and snarled.
Nik grimaced. “Let’s leave, Saskia. I don’t want blood on my hands.”
“Prove to me you are worthy to father my pups.” She signaled her pack.
The vodka initiated the change. Just as monstrous and as mindless as the men who didn’t turn human in time to prevent the monster. The last time he’d imbibed vodka, he had slaughtered more than twenty men. He fell to his knees and howled.
Emma slowly backed away as Nik turned into a giant savage werewolf, towering over the others by at least six feet. What was he?
He roared.
Two werewolves attacked him. Nik swiped one, decapitating him and snapping the neck of the second. Two more werewolves attacked.
One stalked toward Emma. Saskia snarled. “She’s mine!”
Shit. Emma ran. At least with Saskia hunting her, she bought them some time. Knowing Saskia, she might have killed the boys in front of her just to torment her.
Emma didn’t look back as Saskia’s paws slammed the ground, catching up to her. Fortunately, her ankle had completely healed. Even better, she somehow outpaced Saskia who failed to reach her. How could she outrun an alpha lycan? Did Bolton add cheetah DNA to the modified drug?
Emma reached the bank of a river, took off her shoes and leapt in. The shock of the water’s cold temperature encouraged Emma to swim faster. Never a good swimmer, her super strength amazed her.
A splash behind her meant Saskia had followed.
Emma reached the other side of the river and dragged herself out. She ran deep into the forest. I can’t outrun her forever. Sure enough, she reached the edge of a cliff making her thought a self-fulfilled prophecy. The end of the road. No one could survive the fall, not even a werewolf.
The giant she-wolf arrived and shifted to human form. Saskia stalked forward. “I must say whatever Bolton gave you made you better prey.”
“Like it did any good.” Emma backed toward the edge.
Saskia grinned, baring sharp, dagger-like fangs. “Some creature with speed. A horse, perhaps.”
Emma swallowed. “Any closer and I’ll jump.”
“No, no. I prefer for you to come to me. I promise you will not be harmed” She outstretched a clawed hand.
“Yeah, right.” Shivering, Emma shook her head. “Plunging down the cliff robs you of killing me slowly.”
Saskia’s face twisted. “You jump and I’ll eat those boys as a snack.”
“What?”
“I told Bolton he can have them for his chimera projects, but if you leap to your death, I will eat them, one by one. Slowly.”
Emma frowned. “How do I know your wolf-men haven’t already slaughtered them?”
“I give you my word as a fellow lycan.”
“I’m yours,” said Emma, but didn’t budge from the edge of the cliff.
Saskia smiled and moved to grab her.
Emma held onto Saskia’s arm and fell back. Together they plunged over the cliff. In the distance, Emma heard the roar of a werewolf. Nik.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Nik reached the edge of the cliff, his claws extended. He got there too late. Emma was lost to him. His fault. In his monstrous form, he existed in a twilight world between monster and human. Drunk, but sober enough to know he’d lost his mate. Tears escaped his eyes. Despite the poison in his veins, Emma had brought out his humanity.
Nik peered over the edge at the distant ground. Saskia’s twisted body lay sprawled on the rocks. He cocked his head. Where was Emma? He had to get down there. Had she landed on a ledge?
Nik scanned the rock cliff, looking for a way down, but found none. He howled in rage.
A peregrine falcon screamed above him.
Nik growled.
The falcon swooped passed him, soared up into the air, and then dove below the cliff.
Still inebriated, Nik shook his head. Huh? He stared below. The peregrine landed near Saskia’s body, pecking at it. Not to feed on exposed flesh, but as if testing to see if she was dead.
The falcon took off and flew toward him. Then circled over him.
Nik stumbled away from the cliff and stared at the bird of prey.
The falcon landed on the ground.
You want to die, too. No problem. Nik charged the bird.
The creature flew off.
Nik smelled humans, live hu
mans. More to kill.
Bolton, followed by two of his men, approached. The men carried normal rifles, but he recognized Bolton’s weapon, a wolfsbane rifle.
Bolton shouted to his men. “Keep shooting while I take aim.”
Nik attacked as a hail of bullets struck him in the torso, shoulder and leg. Blinding pain stoked his rage and strength.
Bolton lifted his wolfsbane rifle.
The peregrine appeared and raked its talons across Bolton’s head. He snarled and snapped at the already airborne raptor. Bleeding, Bolton’s shot missed Nik.
Nik grabbed the men and beheaded them.
Bolton roared and shifted.
Nik growled and accepted the challenge. Bolton was not as big, but Nik’s open wounds would take time to heal.
Bolton charged, clawing at the wound in Nik’s torso. Nik yelped in agony, but gripped Bolton’s thick neck and threw him to the side.
Nik placed a paw over his gaping wound for only a second, when once again, Bolton attacked. This time Nik gripped Bolton’s arm and ripped it off then flung it off the cliff.
Bolton hollered in pain and bit Nik’s shoulder, opening a bullet wound.
Nik roared. His strength doubled as did his height. Ten feet. A true monster. Now you die, mother fucker!
Bolton released his grip and fell to the ground. His eyes widened.
Nik grabbed Bolton, knelt, placed him over his knee and snapped his back. He threw him on the ground and stomped on his head, crushing it. In a final show of distain, Nik picked up Bolton’s body and threw him over the cliff to join Saskia in death.
Several vultures circled. The cleanup crew would remove what was left.
Nik breathed in as each gaping wound closed. The smell of blood drove him mad for more. Kill. He sniffed. Humans. He growled and stalked toward the jeep.
The falcon swooped near him. He bellowed at the raptor and swiped at it, but it moved with great speed.
He stepped forward to rip it in two, but then the bird landed ahead and became a woman. Emma.
Emma stood facing the massive werewolf. She didn’t recall a creature this size ever existing in lycan history.
The monster snarled and then cocked its head. It half-barked, “Emma?”
