Page 26 of Hunted By the Wolves
“We’ll be back,” he murmured against her hair, voice low enough that only she could hear.“This is what we do.It doesn’t mean we’re reckless.”
Rafe pulled back and before she could respond, Dorian stepped closer to hug her, too, one hand pressing between her shoulder blades, the other briefly cupping the back of her neck.He squeezed once—gentle, but unmistakably there.
“You’re safe here,” he said quietly.“And we’re very hard to kill.”
The attempt at reassurance—genuine, controlled—landed harder than any promise.Riley nodded against Dorian’s chest, drawing in the steady scent of him, committing the feel of both to memory before they stepped away.
She nodded.“I will.”
Watching them step out of the room and into an unknown danger was harder than most things she had had to endure in her life.45 minutes later and the feeds shifted as the Wolves hit the streets of Seattle in the Industrial District near Duwamish River.Tracking overlays tightened, data resolving into something more tangible, footpaths crossed, scent trails translated into probability arcs.It was all above her understanding, but Riley watched in fascination as Rafe and Dorian spoke softly into their comms, voices calm, precise.
“Picked him up again,” Rafe said.“He’s doubling back.”
“There is no thread of fear in his scent,” Dorian replied.
From the command table, Malik frowned.“He’s not running alone, is he?”
Ivan leaned closer to the screens.“No.And from here it looks like the wolves are being shepherded.Rafe, Dorian, on alert.”
“Copy that,” both replied
The Gorillas’ systems came online a moment later—CCTV feeds snapping into place.Street corners in the industrial area of town, loading docks, alley mouths.Riley’s breath caught as the picture widened.
“There,” Jamal said.“Two more.”
The image resolved into movement—fast, powerful, wrong.These looked misshapen, and from what Elara had told her, Riley knew they must be hybrids.They moved with frightening efficiency, flanking the rogue, covering angles.
“Highly functional bastards,” Victor muttered.“Obviously Chimera-built.”
Riley leaned forward instinctively.“They’re protecting him.”
“Yes,” Rafe confirmed.“And they’ll engage first.”
The fight broke out on-screen with brutal suddenness.
Dorian took the left hybrid, Rafe the right, the rogue breaking away as the Lions closed from the rear.Riley watched bodies collide with bone-jarring force, the Wolves moving with lethal grace.
“Dorian—watch your right,” Ivan snapped.
The CCTV angle shifted just in time for Riley to see it—a hybrid’s strike passing so close it tore fabric at the neck of his t-shirt rather than flesh.A near miss.Too near.
Her heart slammed into her ribs.
“Clear,” Dorian said, breath controlled but sharp.“Fucker’s fast.”
The Lions arrived seconds later, having incapacitated the rogue.The momentum shifted instantly.
The hybrids went down hard.Final.Efficient.
“Rogue contained,” Wyatt said.“Alive.”
The screen steadied, the aftermath stark and undeniable.Two bodies on the ground.The rogue restrained, breathing hard.
Riley exhaled slowly, hands trembling where they rested on the table.
And the thought came unbidden, unwelcome, sharp enough to hurt.
What would it do to her—really do to her—if either of them was hurt?
