As they all gathered around the funeral pyre where Alicia’s naked body was draped in the standard sheer burial cloth, Isabel pulled the burning torch from its stand and lit it under the body. She placed it back in the holder, then went back to stand with the rest of her sisters.
The flames licked high into the darkening sky, painting it a bright orange. Sharp and intense, the colors mimicked the sad yet angry mind-set of the mourners. Despite Ana’s desire to stay away from vengeance she knew that once the pack discovered who had done this, blood would be spilled.
One by one each pack member walked up to Isabel and her sisters and gave them comforting hugs and kisses. Their funerals were different from that of humans. No flowery speeches were given, no eulogy. They simply embraced one another and after the flames died down they scattered the ashes of their loved ones. Their bodies burned much quicker and easier than humans. Something different in their DNA. Some thought it was barbaric, but they’d come from the earth and that’s the way they returned. With no barriers and no urns used to save the remains.
Ana wasn’t sure how much time passed but eventually Connor, Liam and the rest of the males started the process of scattering the ashes.
“I don’t know if I can take much more of this,” Carmen murmured as she wrapped her slim arm around Ana’s shoulder.
Ana pulled her younger sister into a tight hug. “I’m so happy you’re all right.” She kept her voice a whisper. A trickle of shame surged through her because she was grateful her own sister was alive. It wasn’t that she wished her cousin dead instead, but the relief that Carmen was safe was almost overwhelming.
“I’m still weak but better than Teresa.” Carmen’s voice was just as low.
Ana felt another pair of arms wrap around her from behind and knew it was Noel without looking. “I swear if anything ever happens to you two …” Noel shuddered and Ana mirrored the reaction. Her sisters had been her lifeline after their parents died. Even before that, actually. Ana had loved her father but he’d been a hard man and part of her thought he’d always wished for a boy. Whenever he’d gotten into one of his lecturing moods, the three of them had always stuck together.
A piercing scream ricocheted through the air, pulling them all apart. Ana swiveled toward the sound.
It was Isabel. Her face was ashen and she pointed toward the barn. A few of the horses whinnied loudly, and though it was dark Ana could see the outline of at least four wolves. By the time she realized what was going on all the men had moved into action.
Connor rushed at her, his jaw set in a firm line. “Take all the women and cubs back to the main house. I’ll send a couple of the males to guard the house, but we’ll take care of this.”
“We can help.” Noel stepped forward.
“Now,” he barked.
If Ana hadn’t been injured she might be tempted to argue, but he was right. They needed to get the majority of the pack inside. If mass pandemonium followed it would be better if they were all in one place. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but if Taggart wanted to separate any of them now would be the time. And she refused to let that happen.
“Come on.” She grabbed Vivian’s hand and started helping her sisters herd everyone inside.
Connor looked back at Ana as all the women hustled together. He hated leaving her but she was with her sisters. They were all protective and he knew they wouldn’t let Ana out of their sight.
The wind shifted and a familiar scent rolled over him. It wasn’t Taggart but the wolf he’d visited the ranch with earlier. He was hiding somewhere in the forest. The smell was too distant.
He pointed at Nathan and Aiden. “You two, guard the main house with the women.” Then he swiveled toward his brother. “Liam, you’re with me. Everyone else, fan out and do what you do best.” He didn’t need to give more orders than that. His men knew how to handle themselves. It soothed him to have two of his men guarding the house but the wolves here tonight wouldn’t get that far. He’d make sure of it.
The seven of them started to fan out while Nathan and Aiden headed for the house. Connor stayed trained on the barn. Two wolves stood by the entrance and something told him there were more inside. Waiting. And definitely more waiting out in the fields.
When it came to numbers, Taggart’s pack was bigger than his. For now. That would change soon, though. Not that it mattered. All his guys were trained warriors. And a hell of a lot older and stronger than anyone in Taggart’s pack.
Without pause he underwent the change.
His sweater and pants ripped as his bones shifted. The cracking and breaking was painful as always but gave way to a rush of adrenaline. As his bones and joints realigned he growled deep in his throat.
If Taggart wanted to bring the fight to them, that was fine. From a tactical standpoint, home turf was better anyway.
Let’s take the two by the barn, he projected to Liam.
My thoughts exactly. Liam howled loudly, sending an eerie vibe through the night air. With the exception of their eye color, he and his brother looked almost exactly alike in wolf form. Liam had the same black coat but his golden eyes glinted dangerously, echoing Connor’s own rage.
Connor knew there were other wolves out there watching and waiting, but he had to trust his pack enough to watch his back.
The two wolves didn’t move as he and his brother zeroed in on them. Just bared their teeth like inexperienced fighters. He glanced to his left and found Liam directly next to him, ready to attack.
Without having to give any direction to his brother, Connor went for the gray wolf on the left. The fight was over before it started. He could see it by the way the young wolf hopped and danced around like a crazed boxer.
Connor crouched low and started to circle the wolf. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Liam doing the same thing to the other one.
Part of him felt pity because he knew these wolves were following their Alpha’s orders, but he didn’t feel so bad he’d let them kill him or his brother.
The gray wolf lunged once and Connor darted out of its way. He could hear the sound of its jaw snapping against air. If he could tire the animal out or make him see it was a losing battle, maybe it would run off. Though he doubted it.
Swiveling, he faced off with it again. Behind him the horses still whinnied loudly. Next to him, his brother and the other wolf still circled each other.
Keeping focus he crouched lower and waited for an opening. The other wolf wasn’t jumping around as wildly now but still looked antsy. It bared its teeth and lunged at him again.
Connor dodged away and sank his teeth into the animal’s side. Not as hard as he wanted, but he drew blood and pulled away fur and skin. The coppery taste in his mouth made his animal side hungrier.
The gray wolf growled in pain and lunged at him again. This time Connor didn’t retreat or dodge. He extended his claws and slashed at its face with his paw.
The blow was harder than a punch. Connor had a lot of strength, and unlike regular wolves lupine shifters were more in control of their blows.
When the animal hit the ground, Connor jumped on top of it and bit its neck.
Hard.
It didn’t even get a chance to cry out as he broke through its spinal cord and ripped its head off. Instead of piercing his claws through the animal’s chest and heart, he preferred taking the head. It sent a message. The acrid scent of blood rolled over him.
He’d sensed the fight in the young animal. It wasn’t going to stop until it killed something. Sometimes Connor hated his human side. If he let his animal side completely take over while fighting, there wouldn’t have even been a fight. He’d have just killed the wolf without guilt.
A new scent played against his nose. He looked up to see Liam standing over the other wolf. It was decapitated too. Behind his brother two other brown wolves were attempting to creep up behind him.
Down! he projected to Liam.
Without pause his brother dropped to the ground. Using the strength of his hind legs to propel him, Connor exploded through the air and over Liam.
These two wolves were more experienced. No hopping around like maniacs from them. But he had strength and speed on his side. As he hurtled toward one, he turned in midair so that his back legs hit the one on the left and he tackled the one on the right.
Liam growled behind him so he didn’t bother turning. He knew his brother had his back and would take care of the second animal.
As they tumbled onto the hard earth he felt the other animal’s sharp teeth dig into his shoulder. Rolling away from him, he bit back a howl as his skin ripped away. The rush of pain centered him.
Hard and fast.
That’s how he needed to strike this one.
On all fours he squared off with the animal and found it rolling to its feet. Lunging, he threw himself at it and took it off guard. It extended its claws and swiped at him.
Connor endured the pain of the attack as he zeroed in on its neck. Instinct, primal rage and power surged through him as he went for the killing blow.
Its claws dug into his side but he barely felt it. With one giant bite Connor locked his teeth onto the animal’s neck. The crunching and snapping of cartilage and bone resounded through the air. He didn’t have to finish it off. Connor’s bite was so sharp the animal’s head was barely attached.
Immediately he turned to find Liam stepping away from the other wolf. Before they could hunt down any more intruders, Ryan ran in from the east field.
He was one of the few wolves that could communicate with them in shifted form. Normally blood relatives and bondmates were the only ones who could communicate and oftentimes even blood relatives couldn’t. Ryan was different, though. Connor wasn’t sure what it was about the older wolf and he didn’t truly care. He trusted him almost as much as his brother.
The perimeter’s secure. I killed three wolves. A few escaped but most of our guys killed one or two. They’re all headed back as far as I can tell, Ryan projected.
You two head to the main house and make sure the women are safe and Nathan and Aiden don’t need backup. Keep it locked down until I get there, Connor ordered.