OLD VERSION: Amendable (Book 3 in the Original SOCIETY Series) ✔

❦Thirty-Five❦

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I noticed how much younger than the rest of the guards this particular one was. The helmet didn't even fit properly on him as he kept pushing it up from slipping over his eyes. Frowning, I felt my fingers' grip on the gun loosen and even though to him it was expected for an Advanced Hunter to be merciless, I didn't have it in me to take this kid out. He was just a kid... 

I groaned out a frustrated huff and straightened, lowering the weapon. Seeing my reaction, the kid blinked, obviously confused as he looked at the lowered gun and then back up at me.

"Get out of here," I warned him who was still just staring oddly at me. "Get out of this while you still can."

Then I left. I ran back to where Thea was shooting off a few shifted guards getting in her way. To assist, I closed an eye and aimed at each Were, putting a bullet in between each of their eyes. Thea blinked, looking at me before I nodded at her to keep going.

"I've got your back," I promised, turning around and walking backward cautiously with the gun raised at the ready.

As we closed in on the raving Werewolf, I could hear Maddie's screaming cries from inside. It sent chills down my spine. Then there was Eli's struggling grunts to keep the door locked while the Were was doing everything in its crazed power to get in. Originally, it didn't seem too aware of what it was trying to get into since its brain was clearly out of sorts. And I say originally because now its crazed gaze fell to the small opening at the bottom of the door where Eli's sneakers could be seen.

Thea growled, lifting the gun and started shooting at the Were's back. Its abnormal fanged mouth stretched open and let out that blood-curdling screech then jerked its head in our direction. My cousin's eyes narrowed, raising the gun at the Were and continued shooting. The Were slammed back against the shed, screeching and gnashing its jaws at Thea and me.

Then the creature ran off. Into the treeline.

Thea and I stepped around to face the trees, guns raised for any surprise. When I felt like it was clear, I continued standing guard while ordering Thea to get the boys. She didn't even hesitate.

"Eli!? Maddox!?" She had dropped the gun off the side and was trying to wedge open the door. With a grunt she managed to yank it open and reveal her two boys; the teenager had stepped back and standing in front of his younger brother whose arms were wrapped around Eli's shins.

"Oh thank God!" Thea gasped, her shoulders relaxing.

"Mom!"

"Mommy!"

Thea knelt, pulling Maddox into her arms before lifting him up so she could pull Eli into her embrace. I turned away from the family a moment, looking back at our surroundings where it was starting to grow calm. The Council---the few that were left---were just as injured as some of our group; with scratches and cuts in various places, clothes were torn and holding their hands to more open wounds.

I stepped forward, glancing behind me where Thea was bringing the boys out and I cautiously studied the remaining opposed side. I didn't trust them as far as I was concerned so I needed to make sure that nothing got past me.

With the gun still raised, my gaze scanned those gathering from the fizzled chaos and I felt someone stand beside me. I glanced at them without moving otherwise and my Moody-Asshat's ice-colored eyes narrowed at the others. I faced forward, frowning, "Where the hell have you been?"

I could hear him growl and I grinned, knowing where he was but I figured that I could ease my tension by bugging him. Easton huffed that most of the Council were dead, albeit the High Councilman was still alive.