Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) Read Online Free PDF Page B

tried to turn her
head.
    Another wolf rushed by, its coat a dark brown color. It was
larger than the other wolves in her living room, almost double in size. The
brown animal approached the fighting pair. It snarled at the blonde wolf,
baring its teeth. The small, blonde beast didn’t relent, lifting its eyes to
glare at the other animal.
    Oh God. Rachel knew those eyes. She’d gazed into them
since she was a child. She’d never feared them before but she did now. Chloe.
    Her head swirled, speckles dotting her vision. She blinked
rapidly, fighting to stay awake. She didn’t want to die like this—on the floor,
watching her best friend turn into an animal, unable to move or speak. She
tried to inhale and gasped at the misery the simple action caused. Her lungs
felt heavy, her body becoming cold. Her teeth rattled as she shook, her muscles
drawn tight.
    Blackness marred the edges of her vision, trying to take her
under. She resisted, telling herself to stay awake. She watched as the black
wolf’s movements became sluggish, it’s amber eyes full of panic. She realized
it was dying. Just like her.
    Serves it right.
    Even though she knew she shouldn’t, she closed her eyes. She
tried to count, to focus on something—anything—but in an instant darkness rose
to consume her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She gave up the fight,
succumbing to oblivion. There was nothing left.
    In her final moments she admitted she didn’t want to slip
from the world.
    Now—when it was too late—she very much wanted to live.
    * * * * *
    Declan growled at Chloe, ordering her to back off. She
didn’t listen, refusing to relinquish her death grip, biting down. Then she
shook her head, thrashing her muzzle violently from side to side. The wolf
she’d attacked stopped struggling, gurgling as it emitted a death rattle.
    Rachel. Get to her. Now.
    He fought to stay with Chloe, wanting to rush to his
female’s side. He’d seen she’d been hurt when he’d run into the home, smelled
the rusty bitterness of her blood. He hadn’t had time to assess her wounds. His
first course of action was to eliminate the threat. Otherwise his female
wouldn’t be safe. He had to make sure the wolf that had attacked was dead.
Snarling at Chloe and baring his teeth, he edged closer.
    A loud snap ricocheted through the room, the sharp noise
meaning one thing. Chloe had broken the animal’s neck. The wolf in Chloe’s hold
stopped moving, its eyes rolling back in its head. Declan paused for a
moment—making sure the fucker wasn’t getting back up. Confident the deed had
been done, he rushed from Chloe to Rachel. His heart thudded in his chest, the
wolf hungry for battle. He didn’t let the emotions deter him, making it to his
mate.
    Oh no. Please. No.
    She was on her side, her eyes closed. Her bloodstained hand
rested on the ground palm up. Blood seeped from her shoulder, her shirt
destroyed and barely covering her chest. The injuries she’d suffered were
severe, deep lacerations that delved to her collarbone. His heart sank, the
wolf snarling in contempt. This was what he was supposed to do. His wolf was
outraged at the loss. This should have been done by him, not someone else. An
event this important should have bound him and Rachel together for eternity.
    She’d been bitten.
    Forcing the wolf aside, he bowed his head and started to
shift. The animal fought, wanting to stay in control. He didn’t allow it, using
all his will. The beast reluctantly receded, thrust back into its cage. It took
several painful seconds as he struggled to return to his skin. Fighting for
breath, he reached for her. She didn’t stir, quiet and unmoving. He pulled the
remains of her shirt back, studying her wounds. Blood no longer poured from the
ragged holes in her shoulder, slowing to a trickle.
    Son of a bitch.
    Inhaling deeply, he took in Rachel’s scent. Instantly he
found what he was looking for. Fury swept through him, a rage so consuming he
had to ball his hands into