“Fine,” he grumbled, crossing his arms.
Going to her knees, Katalina peeled back her aunt’s sweater as she shifted to the side to make room. Blood soaked the material, and at first glance, Katalina thought his wound was life-threatening.
“How did you get this?” she asked carefully as dread uncoiled its steel talons.
“From one of those creatures.”
“In wolf form?”
He nodded. “Clawed me as I tried to fight them off.”
Well, if you don’t hate me now, you will soon. Katalina inspected the wound further, saw what she’d missed the first time. The wound was deep and had partially severed an artery. It was a cut that would have killed a human, but Paul was no longer a human; he was in transition—his DNA altering to become part wolf.
“Take off your belt,” Katalina asked. “We need to stem the bleeding as much as possible.” Glancing at Dillon, she smiled gently. “Dill, take your sweater off under your coat, so I can use it as a bandage.” Changing DNA or not, Katalina wasn’t taking any chances. Her uncle might end up hating her, but she’d rather him be alive and hating her than dead from blood loss.
When her young cousin handed over his sweater, Katalina let a claw spring free and tore the material in half to her family’s audible amazement.
“That’s so cool,” Dillon breathed. “You’re like a superhero.”
Katalina smiled tightly. If only that were the truth, then maybe she’d be able to walk away without any more of her packmates dying. After tying the belt tightly above the wound, Katalina used the torn sweater as a bandage.
“There, that should do it until help comes.”
“Will help come?” her aunt asked timidly.
“The packs will come for me,” Katalina confirmed. “And when they do, I’ll—” Her head whipped around, her ears straining. “Someone’s coming.” She met her family’s eyes. “Be ready to run when I attack,” she whispered.
Moving toward the door, Katalina silently pressed herself to the wall next to the door, ready to grab anyone who entered the small brick room. Counting two sets of footsteps as they approached, she braced herself, her claws curled and ready to shed blood.
The door opened, and Katalina waited for the first person to enter the room fully before lurching herself at him. Dragging her claws up the back of his leg, she severed his muscle and followed through with a blow to the back of his head as he collapsed with a yell.
The second person followed quickly behind him, slamming the door to their escape as she did. “I told my father he was stupid to not tie you up,” she sneered. Katalina had never met this young woman before, but she saw enough of Castor’s features to know she was at least a relation. Her ink-black hair was swept up into a high ponytail, her dark brown eyes narrowed with hate. “My father tends to be an idiot sometimes though. I, on the other hand, have been waiting to meet you, Katalina.”
Castor’s daughter. “The feeling isn’t mutual, Raven,” Katalina growled. “Let my family go. They’ve no place in this war.”
Her cackle filled the air. “Anyone connected to you is fair game.”
Lunging, Katalina swiped with her claws, but Raven was fast, dodging the attack at the last second. Twisting around, Katalina leaped again, all her rage bursting free, and they clashed in a fury of fists and snarls.
Blood, hot and slick, splattered Katalina’s skin as she gouged into Raven’s flesh. The woman shrieked angrily, landing a kick into Katalina’s side as she struck with her fist. They scuffled and fought, throwing each other around the room, spilling blood and bruising flesh, all while Katalina’s family huddled frightened in the corner.
“Get up. Run!” Katalina screamed, not daring to take her eyes of Raven; the dark-haired woman was as good as Katalina. Maybe better.
Raven kicked out Katalina’s feet, and as she fell, Katalina dragged Raven with her. They rolled and brawled over the concrete, yelling and snarling as they went until a scream broke through the aggression, followed by the booming shout of the enemy.
“Stop or I shoot.”
Katalina released Raven with a shove and climbed to her feet, palms up as fear slivered over her skin. The man she’d first attacked aimed his gun at Dillon, one hand clutching the severed muscle on his calf. “Okay, okay, just let him go.”
“About time,” hissed Raven. “Keep the gun on the kid while I deal with the queen here.”
Katalina forced all of her hatred into her gaze as she took Raven in. “I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt them.”
Raven sneered. “Can’t promise that. I guess we’ll just see how cooperative you are.” Stepping back a few paces, Raven picked up a heap of white lace Katalina hadn’t noticed until now. “Put this on,” Raven instructed as she threw it at her.
Catching the material, Katalina held it up in front of herself and took in what seemed to be a white lace dress. “I’m not wearing this,” she muttered.
“Fine. Which family member should I kill first?” Raven asked matter-of-factly.
Katalina growled. “What the fuck does it matter what I wear?”
She smiled darkly. “Let’s just say my father’s into his theatrics and his show requires his sacrifice to be dress appropriately.”
Gritting her teeth, Katalina slipped the material over her head. The garment was tightly fitted, the arms and bodice near see-through as it hugged tight, before clinging to her hips and falling to the floor. She looked like a virginal sacrifice, and the length and tight fit made it impossible to fight in.
Throwing Raven a dirty look, Katalina took a claw to the skirt and ripped it down the middle, shearing off as much fabric as she could before Raven lunged forward and seized her hands.
“Father won’t like that,” she snapped.
“Bite me,” Katalina spat. “I’m
