Shut Up and Kiss Me

Chapter 3: Stirring Up Trouble

 The snarl tore out of my throat, surprising even me with its ferocity. I lurched forward with nothing else on my mind except hurting my enemy. A silver bullet whizzed past my ear and then another, barely missing my hip. My movements were faster, but only barely. Theo’s face hardened into a mixture of anger and frustration. He began to shoot more quickly as I closed in.

 When I was only a few feet away, he dropped the pistol and pulled a large dagger from his belt. I pounced on Theo, careful to avoid the sharp silver glinting in his left hand. We toppled to the ground and my shoulder slammed onto the asphalt. The connection stung worse than a bee. Adrenaline coursed through my body, dampening the pain enough for me to recover and claw at Theo. My nails slashed a deep gash on his soft tissue between the neck and shoulder.

 Theo grunted in pain and elbowed me across the face, snapping my head back in agonizing whiplash. That pain was pushed aside though when a sharp, white, blinding fire seared between my shoulder blades. A hollow echo resounded off the storefronts. I hissed in obvious distress, but tried to ignore the pain so I could counter the blows Theo was sending my way. I rose as another hollow echo bounced off the glass windows. This time, sharp agony tore up my calf.

 I crumpled to the ground, crying out and let my wolf form disappear since the discomfort was too great for me to keep it up. The bullet wounds continued to sizzle as another figure strode up behind me. I peaked beneath my arm. Brice smirked.

 “So much for keeping a low profile.” He said although he didn’t seem all that disappointed. “Where’s that brother of yours?”

 Brice turned around, calling, “Little wolf! Oh, little wolf! Come out, come out wherever you are.”

 Theo was now standing above me, his face fierce and his body tense. It was wasted effort on his part. Even if I could get up again, the shearing pain wouldn’t let me move very far. I’d never been shot, but I can tell you now that silver bullets hurt worse than any wolf could ever describe. My fists clenched and twitched uncontrollably and I tried to still my writhing body to no avail. It was attempting to heal which only made the throbbing worse. I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood.

 “Little wolf!” Brice called again.

 ‘Don’t come out.’ I begged silently.

 When everything reverberated silence back to us, Brice paused and half smiled down at me. He pointed his gun at my torso, the sleek silver barrel blinding me. At this close range, the bullet ripped through my skin, tearing a hole into my left side. I screamed in agony. I had to have been a bloody mess by now.

 “Stop!” Ben yelled, stepping out of the shadows twenty feet away. His face was twisted in wretchedness.

 “No.” I moaned when I saw him. I’d hoped he had listened to me and fled. I should’ve know he wouldn’t leave me behind.

 Brice smirked.

 “Stop hurting her!” Ben demanded.

 “Why don’t you come make me?” Brice taunted.

 “Brice!” Ainia snapped, striding toward him from his left. She didn’t even glance in my or Ben’s direction. At first I thought she was mad at Brice, but then I noticed her eyes were narrowed on a focal point behind us. Keyleigh came out of Dink’s supporting Danial across her shoulders with ease.

 I winced as I turned my head to see what was so important to have all their attention. My senses felt dulled, but a hopeful flutter filled my chest as soon as my eyes rested on Jasper and the five wolves flanking him. One of them was dad. The hunters were now outnumbered, even discounting me.