Chapter Fifty-Eight

The second wolf paced in front of me, looking for a way in, but I stood my ground. I wouldn’t allow myself to fall and lose these two pups. I pushed forward, so it was my voice that spoke. “Listen, you two.” I waited until I heard their breathing even out. “Do you… think you can… do me a favor?”

“Alpha Amy?” The little boy’s voice hesitated. “Is that you?”

“Yeah, buddy, this is my wolf. Can you do me a favor?” I struggled to stay standing on my legs, so I locked my knees and focused on getting them out of here.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Good boy. Can you be a strong boy for me? Can you take your sister and run?” I wanted to look back to reassure him, but I knew if I took my eyes off the wolf, it would attack.

“Will you come with us?”

“Of course. I’m just going to make sure you get to safety before I follow with your parents.”

“You promise?” His tiny voice made my heart break.

“I promise. I’m just going to make sure you are safe.” I tried to put everything into my voice. “Now go. I’ll make sure you get to safety.” I threw back my head and let out a loud howl, letting them know my urgency. “Go! Now!” I screamed as I charged the other wolf, and I heard the pair run away.

“Stupid girl. You are going to die here.” The rogue crouched, getting ready to attack.

“That may be, but those pups won’t. That’s what matters.” I felt Megan pushing power toward Nix, so I pulled back to do the same.

We believe in you, Nix. And if we fall today, we fall saving those pups. I called to my wolf, and I felt her legs tense. She pulled all the power to her. Even knowing we were still losing too much blood, she rallied to buy those pups the best chance of survival.

“You haven’t done anything.” The rogue lowered himself and watched us. “Once I kill you, I will chase after them, and once they are as dead as their parents, I’ll savor eating their little hearts out of their chests.”

“You won’t get the chance.” Nix stumbled and fell onto her side.

Get up! I screamed.

The rogue laughed harder and then jumped, aiming for our throats. Nix jumped to her feet, lightning-fast, and leapt for the other wolf. She snapped her teeth around the rogue’s neck and bit down.

She landed on her paws as the other wolf’s head went flying, but she tripped once again and sprawled over the ground. Nix lay on her side with Megan and me reassuring her.

You did good, Nix. I called to her. I felt her heart break—our heartbreak—and I tried to take away that pain. It’s okay. We did what we came to do; we saved those pups.

But we won’t make it… Nix trailed off.

I had the best life with you this time around. Just being acknowledged was enough for me. Megan rubbed against me, and I felt a tear fall.

You, we, did our absolute best. We saved those kids. I lived better this time around, and I’m so happy I got to meet you both. I wiped my nose and chuckled. You were amazing, Nix.

I’m happy I got to feel the wind in my fur this time. I could feel our connection grow weaker. The world grew dim. I’m sorry you never got to experience it this time, Megan.

There is always the next life, Nix. Always the next life. Megan and I felt Nix turn in. I was shifting back to my body. The fur pulled back, and my bones snapped back into place. This time was a lot more painful than the first. I screamed as my body finished shifting, and I lay in the dirt, panting.

I felt the blood from my neck slow to a trickle. But it wasn’t a good sign. It wasn’t that the shift helped me heal, which it would normally. It was more that I had lost that much blood, and I was nearing the end.

There couldn’t be much left, not much blood left, and definitely not much time.

I gathered my strength and sent a final mind-link to my dad. I love you, Daddy. Then I closed my eyes and tracked my way back into my inner self. I wrapped my arms around Megan and Nix, trailing my fingers through their fur. I’m sorry, Amy. I couldn’t protect us. Nix heaved in a breath, struggling to get out the words she needed.

We protected each other; I was right there with you. Look at me. Nix raised her head to meet my eyes. I have never, and will never, regret having you as my wolf. You did amazing with what we had to deal with, and never once did my belief in you waver.

But we are dying…

And we gave our all to save those two terrified pups. I think that is a worthy cause.

Yes, yes, I do. Nix collapsed back down to the ground, and I laid next to her.

“I’ll see you both on the other side,” I whispered as the world went dark.