Free Primal Heat 3 by A. C. Arthur

had just been turned on in their heads. They moved in perfect sync toward Nivea and Caleb. Aidan and Brayden came up behind them, extending an arm and latching onto a hybrid’s neck with their claws. Caleb jumped forward, doing the same with the one closest to him. There was another and it was coming right at Nivea.
    She knew how to kill them, but this one was much taller and wider than the others she’d seen. She had to get up close enough, high enough to sink her claws into its neck. Too late, he picked her up by the neck, pushing her back until she slammed into the wall, all the air in her lungs expelling in a quick whoosh that left her dizzy.
    With futile efforts she swatted at the hybrid’s arms but it was too strong, her blows going without any real impact. She lifted a knee and groaned when it only reached its lower chest. Her eyes were watering as he continued to choke her. She wanted to shift but wasn’t sure she had enough air in her lungs to do so. When she felt herself falling forward she had only seconds to realize it was because Caleb and Brayden were attacking the hybrid at the legs from behind. The big bastard tilted back, taking Nivea down to the floor with it, still holding her by the neck. She’d just managed to come up on her knees, staring down into the ugly face of the hybrid. She was preparing to propel herself forward when the splash from its mucus guts pouring out slapped her in the face. The hands let go of her neck and Nivea fell backward. Climbing down off the hybrid quickly before it turned to ash she wiped at her eyes and headed to where she could see her sisters huddled in a corner.
    She ran to them, yanking quickly at the chains that were wrapped around them. When Amina and Serene were free they both hugged her so tightly she stumbled back, tears streaming down her face and emotion welling in her chest. All that she’d done, all that she’d endured to keep them safe and this is how they finally end up, captured by hybrids and rogues, and for what?
    “Why did they take you?” she asked immediately. “What did they say when they came to the house?”
    Serene was shaking her head, crying inconsolably. Amina kept her arm wrapped around her as she replied, “Nothing. I mean, I didn’t hear anything. When I sent you that first text it was after hearing Mom yelling at them. I think she let them in.”
    Nivea immediately looked to Michele Cannon who was wiping down the front of her wrinkled pantsuit as if this were just a bad fall.
    “Did you let them in?” she asked, but the question was never answered since there was yelling from the other side of the room.
    “We got one!” Aidan yelled. “The others are down. Get them out into the first SUV and we’ll be right behind you.”
    Nivea still had questions for her mother but wasn’t about to stand in this house a moment longer trying to get the answers. “Let’s go!” she told them, pushing Amina and Serene in front of her, then reaching a hand out for her mother. Michele looked at her hand, then away, and moved quickly behind her two older daughters. Nivea didn’t let it bother her, at least she didn’t think she had. She ran quickly in front of them, opening the back door to the SUV she and Eli had ridden in together. She was just about to slam the door closed when Michele slipped back out, extending her hand and slapping Nivea across the face.
    *   *   *
    Eli’s chest was heaving as he’d just finished loading the tranquilized rogue into the middle seat of the second SUV. He’d grabbed sweatpants and shoes out of one of the many duffle bags they always kept in the trucks just in case shifting became absolutely necessary. Only he and Ezra had shifted this time and Ezra had pulled on jeans and shoes as well. They were going to ride in this truck with the rogue, along with Caleb. Brayden and Aidan were going to drive the females. He’d been all set to climb in so they could get moving when out of the corner of his eye he