6

DIANA

I couldn't stop my feet from moving, not that I wanted to anyway. Getting away from the violence behind me was crammed in every bit of my brain, pushing my body forward and causing my heart to thump.

My legs burned as I pushed past the crowd, out the door, and into the open woods. I didn't bother with looking back. If the sound of bones cracking and pained grunts was any indication, those gammas would not leave here without me - not even if it meant engaging in a war with another pack.

There was no way I could hang around to thank Bradley for fighting to protect me, not when it meant being susceptible to capture. The burn in my lungs grew as I pushed through the exhaustion, and the air became more difficult to drag in, but I was determined to push until I got to safety or dropped. Whichever came first.

As I reached the main road, I slowed down and then dragged in a full breath of air. Most of the danger had been left behind, but if Damon was anything like I knew him to be, then his goons were going to be waiting for me anywhere and everywhere.

"There she is," a loud voice echoed behind me.

I looked behind me, and sure enough, two of Damon's guys were not too far behind me. I would recognize them if I looked closely enough, but I didn't bother with that; I just turned around and ran even faster.

"She's getting away," the second voice shouted. "Get her."

My mind contemplated getting back into the woods, but these men were trained soldiers and hunters. The woods would do me more harm than good. I stayed my course, pushing myself to pick up the speed despite the exhaustion that ate at my bones. If I got to the intersection before they got to me, then I could easily get away.

Just as I turned left at the intersection, an SUV barreled into me, sending me flying over the asphalt, my head connecting with the ground in a painful thud. Shadows danced around the edges of my vision, pain an ever-present force in my body. I choked out a cough, head lolling to the side as I watched hazy figures step out of the car and traipse in my direction.

One man tapped on his ear. "We got her."

A breathy response came back over the transmission, anger and violence a dangerous mix in the voice of the responder. "Dead or alive?"

"Alive. Just incapacitated."

"Where the hell are you?" The other man barked again.

"At the intersection right outside Blackwood pack."

"Meet you there." The call clicked off and rough hands closed around my shoulders, hoisting me off the floor with reckless abandon.

"Get her into the car. Alpha Damon is going to be so pleased."

Just as he finished saying those words, the silent man behind him smiled. "I didn't come on Alpha Damon's orders." He twisted the neck of the soldier that held me and both of us hit the ground in another thump. One lifeless, the other in great pain.

Fear sliced through me at the realization that he wasn't here for Damon. That meant one thing...

"Celeste is going to be so pleased," he said as he lifted me off the floor.

No. I wasn't going to lie around like a doll and let them do as they pleased with me. I forced the healing process to become faster, drawing on energy from Bradley.

My elbow came down on the middle of his back, and he growled. I took the distraction to release my claws, slicing through to leave his spine exposed. Blood spouted out from the gaping wound, howls of pain a melody in my ear as he dropped down to his knees.

I rolled off him, my claws dripping with his blood as I regained my feet. "Tell Celeste she can never have me." I slit open his throat and his lifeless body dropped down with a sickening thud.

My body moved before I even gave the command, adrenaline the guide I needed for tonight. I got into the car they came in and started the ignition. All I needed was to get to Uncle Jeremy's place and then I'd be safe enough to...

The car I hadn't even seen coming rammed into the side of mine, causing me to lose control of the steering. The car spun around carelessly while I struggled to regain control. Another slam, and this time, I came in direct contact with a huge tree. My head collided with the steering wheel, my vision blurring for the second time tonight.

I pushed open the door and fumbled my way out of the smoking vehicle. Whoever did this had to be close by still. I needed to...

Strong fingers clutched at my hair and a scream tore past my throat. I struggled futility against the painful hold, trying to free myself from the clutches of my assailant, but he was too powerful.

"Where did you think you were going?" He laughed against my ear.

"Let go of me, you bastard!" I swore angrily, even though my scalp still tingled with pain.

He flung me aside, and for the third time tonight, my head hit the ground. His booted foot came in contact with my stomach immediately after, then another strike to the side of my head.

Pain swarmed me but I refused to back down. I struggled to lift myself off the floor, but my body was becoming too weak already.

He held onto my air again and raised me off the floor. "Look at you, all weak and pitiful." His fingers squeezed my throat and my breathing stuttered. "You're so beautiful when you fight for your life." He caressed my cheek and I took the advantage to bite down on his hand. Hard.

He grunted in pain and dumped me back on the ground. I reacted quickly, slicing across his thigh as I went down, my claws suddenly present once more.

If I had to die I would go down fighting. I thought to myself. I pushed through the pain and scratched at his thigh again, then reached higher and clawed at his stomach.

His growl resonated in the space around us, and his eyes blazed with fury. "Now you have to die, bitch."

His extended claws plunged into my stomach and I felt the fight drain right out of me. My breathing halted, tears pooled in my eyes and pain consumed me.

I tried to blink back the tears, but then it was one, two... darkness.