THE AWAKENING

Tieran and Cassandra surveyed the scene, growling in warning to anyone from Ulster’s clan that if they dared challenge either, they would die like their Alpha, gurgling on their life’s blood.

A scattering of yips and howls filtered through the moonlight as the battered remnants of Ulster’s clan melted into the forest, running for their lives.

Within minutes all that remained were the dead, injured, or exhausted Clan Barrachius. Victory was bittersweet.

Tieran padded over to a fallen wolf and nudged the large body with his muzzle. A whine of sadness followed. Cassandra felt Tieran’s pain as he checked the bodies littering the forest floor. Blood stained the pine needle carpet and filled the air with the scent of death.

With an anguished howl, Tieran changed from beast to man until he stood before the scene smeared in blood, both his own and others, and Cassandra followed suit.

“How many?” she asked quietly.

“Ten,” he answered, looking to the large wolves licking their wounds. “We must get them back to the compound or else that number will increase.”

“Are they able to run?”

our human form.” Tieran’s grim expression told of his worry for his clan mates. He would not leave them behind. Cassandra could see his

will go get

that one of Ulster’s band will wait for this exact opportunity to retaliate for their fallen Alpha. I will

Cassandra asked, exasperated by Tieran’s stubbornness. “Besides, it’s my fault that they are

walked away to discuss the situation with

opposite. Cassandra growled low in her throat and Tieran’s head whipped around in surprise

own safety, I would suggest you stop underestimating me,”

was fleeting as she settled into her familiar animal skin before Tieran could stop her.

bounded away from him and the clearing, easily putting distance between

the compound and she went unerringingly along a dizzying path, her padded feet eating up the miles as if

from the exertion but

brains and their startled eyes told her that she’d succeeded in not only freaking them