The bullet hit me before I heard the shot.
One second, I was standing on the porch with Cade and River, watching the last of Korr’s men disappear into the tree line. The next, fire exploded through my left shoulder, and I hit the porch hard, the world tilting sideways.
“Laney!” Cade’s roar shattered the night.
Then he was on me, his body covering mine, his hands pressing against the wound as blood—hot and slick—poured between his fingers. River was already moving, his wolf half-emerged, scanning the darkness with eyes that burned gold.
“Sniper!” someone shouted. “North ridge!”
The courtyard erupted into chaos. Bikes roared to life. Enforcers scattered for cover. Alpha Rain’s voice cut through the noise like a blade, barking orders to his men.
But all I could feel was the pain—white-h
