Blood War (Book 1, the Halfblood Chronicles)

35 | Tooth and Claw

The wind tore through Dante's fur, and his paws flew across the ground. Voices clashed inside his mind, but he paid them no attention.

Run run run

In this moment, it was all he knew. It was all he'd known for the past twelve hours—ever since the curse had broken and he'd stepped into his wolfskin. He never wanted to shift back, and he supposed, without the unwelcome weight of the curse, he didn't have to. For there was no such freedom as this, running through the woods as a clear night sky sparkled overhead, surrounded by others of his kind.

The only thing he would have changed was the feeling that he might die.

A gunshot blasted from behind, and Dante ducked, swerving around a tree. Listening to the thunk of the bullet hitting the wood, he pushed himself harder. Faster.

The keepers in pursuit had abandoned their vehicles to chase him and the other betas on foot, but based on the headlights flashing in his periphery, some had discovered backroads. Shouts from behind, more gunfire, a lupine wail.

Dante's heart thundered.

Run run run

Roaring engines grew closer, and lights beamed into his path from the left.

Veer north! he screamed to the others, diving to the right.

Most followed, but one was too slow. Dante glanced over a shoulder to see a bullet slam into the young wolf's skull. He tumbled to the ground—dead.

A dozen remained, and four of them had been heavily drugged by their pursuers. Dante and Capello had led a strike on a transport vehicle carrying the Volkari that the Vigil had taken prisoner at the cemetery. They'd broken them out easily enough. Now, all that was left to do was run.

Run run run

A mighty howl erupted, piercing the night. Dante knew that howl; it belonged to his alpha. He followed it, eventually coming upon a narrow river that cut through the forest—a boundary marker. This was the end of the Ministry's territory and the beginning of Inferni lands.

Dante vaulted across the surging waters, barely landing on the other side. The others followed shortly, and their alpha continued howling.

When all the wolves had crossed, Dante looked back to find their Nefili trackers skidding to a halt. Sweet victory pumped through his veins, and he lifted his muzzle to the sky, answering Capello's call.

Then he dove into the mouth of a ravine, leading the others. They scaled the rocky face to get higher ground, and as the last of the wolves climbed over the lip, Dante made out the silvery shape of Alpha Capello emerging from a thick patch of woods.

Other than the padding of paws on loose earth, all Dante heard was the distant rumble of engines and the labored breathing of the wolves around him.

What of the demon-witch? Capello said by way of greeting. The questioned swept through Dante's mind, the minds of everyone gathered.

Dante shook his head. She wasn't being transported with them.

Forget Tatiana! one of the wolves exclaimed. She can rot in hell.

A chorus of agreement followed, until Capello snarled, She can also give the Vigil details of our operations and whereabouts. Do you want keepers rounding up our families and hauling them off to prisons?

Silence festered among them.

We should pack up camp and relocate, uncle, Dante said. The sooner the better.