The Wolf's Mate

Chapter 20

**Chapter 20: A Stand in the Dark**

The night deepened around them, and the air crackled with tension as Isabella and the pack formed a defensive line at the thicket. The sounds of chaos echoed through the trees, mingling with the distant crack of gunfire and the snarls of both wolves and hunters. Isabella's heart raced, the weight of their situation heavy on her shoulders.

"Stay sharp!" Rhea shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "We need to hold this position!"

Isabella felt the adrenaline surge through her as she positioned herself beside Gabriel. "We can't let them push us back. If we hold the thicket, we can protect our territory."

Gabriel nodded, his eyes intense. "We're not going to let them win. We've come too far."

As the first wave of hunters approached, the pack braced themselves. The hunters moved with purpose, their eyes narrowed, weapons at the ready. Isabella could see the fear flickering in some of their expressions—fear of the wolves, and fear of what Callum's pack would do.

"Remember our training!" Rhea called out. "Focus on the first line. Don't let them breach the thicket!"

With a ferocious howl, the pack surged forward, meeting the hunters head-on. Isabella felt the thrill of the fight course through her veins as she charged into the fray, instincts kicking in as she leaped toward the nearest hunter. She tackled him to the ground, using her weight to pin him as they struggled.

"Isabella!" Gabriel's voice rang out, and she glanced over to see him engaged with another hunter. He moved with agility, dodging blows and countering with fierce swipes of his claws. They were a whirlwind of fur and muscle, fighting side by side, each move reinforcing their bond.

But just as they began to gain the upper hand, a sharp cry pierced the air—a howl of pain. Isabella's heart sank as she recognized the voice. It was Tarek, down on the ground, a hunter looming over him with a weapon raised.

"No!" she shouted, breaking free from her opponent's grasp. She darted toward Tarek, the world narrowing to a single point of focus. Time slowed as she leaped, adrenaline propelling her forward.

In that moment, everything else faded away. The sounds of the battle, the crack of gunfire, even the presence of Callum and his pack—none of it mattered except for Tarek. With a fierce determination, Isabella launched herself at the hunter, knocking him off balance just as he brought his weapon down.

"Get up, Tarek!" she yelled, her voice filled with urgency.

Tarek scrambled to his feet, shaking off the daze as Isabella fought the hunter. They struggled together, but with a swift motion, Tarek joined the fray, and together they took down the attacker. They exchanged a quick nod, a silent acknowledgment of their shared determination.

But there was no time to breathe. The fight raged on around them, and as Isabella turned back to the battle, she saw Callum's pack charging forward, their eyes glinting with malice.

"Fall back!" Rhea shouted, rallying the pack. "To the thicket! Use the traps!"

Isabella and Gabriel quickly repositioned themselves, guiding their fellow wolves toward the thicket. As they retreated, they could hear the hunters' shouts growing louder, the sound of their footsteps closing in.

"We can't let them corner us!" Gabriel urged, his voice steady despite the chaos.

As they reached the thicket, Isabella glanced back at the advancing hunters, a knot of fear twisting in her gut. They had to hold this ground. "Get ready!" she called to her pack. "We're going to fight!"