Chapter 27 · Blood Memory

"Rena." Cain's voice cracked. "You have to run."

"I'm not running." She shoved both palms down on his chest. Blood poured between her fingers, hot and slick. The silver round was still inside him. She could feel it through his skin, a cold lump that didn't belong.

His hand caught her wrist. Weak grip. Claws scraped her skin but didn't squeeze. "Run."

"Shut up." Her wolf screamed inside her skull—not words, just raw noise that wanted out. Her fingers curved wrong. Nails pushed through the tips like they were tearing free. She bit down on her tongue until she tasted copper.

Gunfire cracked through the clearing. Wolves poured out of the trees, fast and low, heading straight for the hunters. Someone screamed. Hayes was shouting orders, but half his team was already backing toward the vehicles.

Marcus stood in the center of it all. Alone. Calm. Rifle raised.

Looking right at her.

Rena's wolf snarled. She felt it in her throat, vibrating behind her teeth. Her vision sharpened. She could see the sweat on Marcus's temple. The way his finger rested on the trigger.