The scent of hunters had been carried over the wind. Alani had already shifted, her large, dark brown wolf hidden in the underbrush. Her eyes shifted, slowly scanning the pathways as she awaited the appearance of the Freeridge pack’s mortal enemies. She knew that Reuben, their alpha, was somewhere nearby, having shifted as well. Most of the pack was, besides the youngest members. Francis was guarding them, and Brennan was somewhere between the young ones and the frontlines. It was easier to fight in their wolf forms, their jaws were far better weapons than fists.

Alani’s left ear twitched, the sound of a soft crunch under a boot catching her attention. She shifted ever so slightly, getting prepared to rush the hunters. Slowly, she saw three humans crest over the hill, wearing their tactical gear and the guns raised. Alani heard a howl from somewhere behind her. Brennan had signalled the safety of the rest of the pack.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Alani leapt from her hiding spot, immediately tackling one of the hunters. She pinned the figure down, tearing at their right arm. The metallic taste of blood blossomed over her tongue, sending chills down her spine. She rolled off the figure just as one of the others tried to shoot her. Reuben appeared after that, his hulking wolf form dragging the human away. The third human nearly stumbled, dropping their gun. Brennan’s limber red wolf shot out, taking that human with him.

Her first victim rolled over, desperately trying to reach their gun. Alani pressed a paw to the back of their head, her mouth open to bite down on their neck. As she hovered there, something pushed past the strong blood scent. It reminded her of a bakery, the sweet cakes being prepared. Something within her stirred.

She felt her mouth relax, and instead, her nose pressed into the nape of the human’s neck. Alani’s body throbbed, and she pressed against them.

Mate.