Chapter 9 · Hunters at the Door

"Down!"

Rex slams me into the floor before the glass even finishes exploding. Silver rounds punch through the wall where my head was half a second ago. The air reeks of burnt metal and wolfsbane.

"Back door," Cain barks. He's already shifting—claws out, fangs dropping, eyes gone full gold. "Now."

Aiden hauls me up by the arm. His hand's shaking but his grip's solid. "Stay behind—"

"She stays behind me," Rex snarls. He's between me and the shattered window, teeth bared. "I'm not letting some council lapdog—"

"Shut up and move!" I shove past both of them. My wolf's awake now, pacing under my skin, and she doesn't care who's alpha. She wants out.

Another window explodes inward. This time I see them—three hunters in black tactical gear, silver mesh over their vests. One locks eyes with me through the broken frame.

He smiles.

"Ivy Gray." His voice is calm. Too calm. "We're not here for the Alphas. Just you."

Cain moves so fast he's a blur. He hits the hunter before the guy can raise his gun, and they go down in a tangle of claws and cursing. The other two don't hesitate—