“He’s coming now. He’s picking off the rest of them.”
I try to get to my feet again, but Luka restrains me easily. “He can’t handle four on his own,” I protest.
“There are only two left. We took out the other two as they were chasing you. He’s on top of things.” Luka frowns, carefully exploring my wound. “This is deep. We need to get you home. You shouldn’t have come.”
“They were going to kill you,” I counter. “You couldn’t have fought them off.”
“How could you have known that?”
“I heard someone cry out. Was it you?” I’m looking him over as thoroughly as he is me. He looks uninjured. “It was Jack, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure the extent of it.” Luka sighs and pushes his sweaty hair out of his eyes. “They did have us cornered. Where’s Ryan?”
“Still in the cave. He doesn’t know I left. Or, well, he probably does by now. He thought I was just going down the tunnel to peek out.”
“And you decided to play the hero,” Luka says. “He should have known that would happen.”
“It was a spur of the moment decision. I couldn’t leave you to die, Luka. I couldn’t.”
“If anything had happened to you....”
“But don’t you understand, that’s exactly how I feel?” We’re both holding onto each other’s arms tightly now, and I can tell he’s as afraid to let go as I am. “You’re my family. I can’t sit still while you fight.”
He pulls me into an embrace. “Thank God, you’re all right.”
Jack stumbles out of the tree line, one arm cradling his ribs. “Is she all right?” he calls across the clearing.
“She will be,” Luka answers. “You?”
“Just a few broken ribs, I think.” He walks over a bit unsteadily, as if it’s causing him pain, and I see his eyes register the two wolves on the ground. “That’s all of them, then.”
They’re all dead. I can’t believe it. For the first time in a long time, I am truly safe. No one is hunting me. Luka helps me to my feet and I reach out for Jack’s hand and squeeze it. No more fear. No more running away. The four of us can relax and be a family without worrying about an attack, and I can have my babies and bring them up in a peaceful environment. Everything’s going to be okay.
I let a smile find its way onto my face and look from Luka to Jack. “Let’s go home,” I say. “I have something I need to tell you both.”
