Free Wolf by Cara Carnes Page B

from my mind in a scream. Alphas moved to encircle Stephan. I felt his gaze on mine as he maneuvered from the pack toward me. I shook my head. Fear for him and his people burned my insides. Somehow my father expected his diabolical double-cross to be fulfilled.
    I glanced though the thick mass of fighters. Desperation consumed me while I tried to recall the faces of all the villagers. I might know why my father seemed enthralled by the scene before him. Faces blended in my mind and distorted my fear into a raging inferno of consummate desperation.
    Fallon was at my side. Stephan’s booming command to release him reverberated through the glade.
    “Answer me, Hannah.”
    I hadn’t heard Fallon’s question.
    “You must calm yourself. Your agitation erupts Stephan’s protectiveness and that of our alphas sworn to protect him. What frightens you?”
    “My father…his face.” I continued to search.
    Nothing.
    A bustle of movement to my left drew my attention. I moved toward Xavier and the Timbrian leader. From there I could see the remaining faces.
    I hoped.
    I had to figure out what my father’s diabolical plan was. These people had allowed me to remain with them when I had nowhere else to turn. Their warriors had saved me from a horrendous fate I refused to fathom. I owed them my protection. Even if it was from my kin.
    Michael.
    He lives!
    I blinked and he was gone. Fallon and Xavier moved swiftly. Only I knew my brother’s face. I and my father. Finding my brother was paramount.
    He lives .
    Surely that was my father’s insidious plan. Michael served the Timbrian. Their leader was at my side along with Xavier, whose words mimicked my thoughts.
    “Have you any new among your men—any strangers?”
    “Only one. He came from Tash and swore his allegiance just two risings past.” The man glanced at the thick mass of bodies. “I don’t see him.”
    Something within me stirred to life when my gaze met Michael’s. An evil grin etched his face into a sinister reminder of my father’s. I screamed his name when his arms moved. An arrow aimed toward Stephan—who’d broken from the crush of alphas determined to confine him to the safety of the inner circle.
    Xavier and Fallon moved toward where I stared, but many had drawn their bows, ready to strike whoever amongst them dared to assault the king.
    Stephan.
    I leaped when the arrow fired, unsure of my plan. I doubted my mind ever formed anything beyond the overwhelming need to protect Stephan and his people from my flesh and blood.
    Pain slammed into my shoulder and leg where I fell to the ground. Menacing growls severed Michael’s enraged cry. Dizziness assailed me, and my hand moved from my wound then above my face to where I could see the crimson droplets falling onto me.

Chapter Eight
    I grabbed the arrow, but a steady hand pried my fingers from it. Someone lifted and embraced me. I blinked, trying to focus on Stephan.
    “Nalla!”
    “Easy, brother. She comes already with her potions.” Fallon’s steady voice filled my ears, his tone a forced calm to offset Stephan’s pained cry.
    “Oh, Hannah. My heart can’t bear your loss. You must fight.”
    I squeezed his arm and moved my hand to his face when my vision finally obeyed my confused mind and focused. Golden eyes filled with grey flecks peered back at me, their sadness tugging at my flailing heart.
    “We need an elder to walk our king through the passage.” Gasps followed Fallon’s shouted statement.
    “I will journey with our king.”
    “As will I.”
    Their voices drifted through my mind. I swallowed back my turbulent emotions and focused on Stephan.
    “Stay with me, Hannah.”
    “Go.” Fallon removed Stephan’s hand from me and I moved to reestablish contact. “Prepare yourself for the journey. I will see to Hannah and aid Nalla.”
    “But she cannot journey.” His voice was low and pained, not the Stephan I loved.
    Love .
    I choked on the realization and hoped Stephan knew the depth of my