Chapter 183: Chapter 183
Lily’s Perspective The hunters’ convoy was more vigilant than we had imagined. They were not driving fast. From the sunroofs of each car, shooters armed with shotguns were peeking out, their eyes scanning the roadsides like those of eagles and falcons. Damn professionals. My fingers were tightly clasped to the ground, my limbs were gathering strength, and my breathing was gentle. We had the geographical advantage, but forcing an attack was still extremely risky. Just then, I noticed that the rear window of the car in the middle was not closed tightly. Vaguely, I could see a figure tied up and with its head lowered. It was Brett! He was alive, but looked utterly wrecked. "Spotted Brett," I growled through the wolf pack link. In that instant, one hunter seemed to sense something. The muzzle of his rifle whipped toward our hiding spot! "Now!" My command snapped out. There was no choice! We suddenly leapt out from our hiding place, and the battle broke out instantly. The hunter’s marksmanship was so accurate that the bullets flew in as if they had eyes. I felt a burning pain in my shoulder, let out a muffled groan, and blood instantly stained my fur red. Beside him, Xaver also let out a scream of pain. He was shot in the leg and his movement froze. "Lily!" Jacob’s voice cracked with terror and fury. In the next instant, he transformed into a brown bolt of lightning, charging forward without hesitation! His speed was astonishing. His claws slashed through the air, tearing open one hunter’s throat. Another was sent flying by sheer brute force, his head smashing hard against the car window, knocking him unconscious instantly. He savagely seized the car door, roaring as he used his werewolf strength to flip the entire vehicle onto its side, sending it tumbling to the roadside! "Nice work, Jacob!" Dave yelled, engaging the hunters from other vehicles alongside Jim, drawing most of the fire away for now. Our chance! Xaver and I gritted our teeth against the pain, rushing to rescue Brett trapped inside the overturned car. But as we approached, a bloodied hunter struggled halfway out through the shattered window, pressing a pistol firmly against Brett’s temple! "Back off! You monsters! Move again and I’ll blow his brains out!" Stephen,I recognized him by the tobacco and alcohol reeking from this middle-aged man. He screamed wildly, his eyes were wild and vicious. My feet froze instantly. Xaver stiffened too. Could we risk it? Bet his gun wouldn’t be faster than us? Bet he wouldn’t actually shoot? I couldn’t do it. Neither could Xaver. We couldn’t gamble Brett’s life on whether this madman would pull the trigger. During those crucial few seconds when we were in a stalemate, Stephen seized the opportunity, suddenly turned his gun around, and fired two consecutive shots at Jacob, who was facing away from him and fighting with other hunters! "No!" I screamed. "Jacob!" Celena’s heart-wrenching cry came through the link. The bullet hit Jacob’s broad back precisely. His body gave a violent jolt, and blood splashed out, so red and so dazzling. Warm blood spots even splashed onto Brett’s face as he was being held hostage. Stephen was still laughing ferociously. Brett was awakened by the blood on his face. Seeing Jacob fall down after being shot, he instantly flew into a rage, let out a beast-like roar and began to struggle frantically! "Bang!" Another shot rang out, striking Brett’s struggling shoulder as blood blossomed. The spray splattered onto Jacob’s face as he struggled to rise, which blurring his vision. "Ah!" Jacob let out a pained howl. This time because the lycotine from one of the earlier bullets was taking effect! I could see his muscles twitching uncontrollably as his wolf form began shifting erratically. Intense agony was consuming him from within. Inside the car, Brett and Stephen were locked in a deadly struggle. Pistols flashed wildly in the confined space, stray bullets whizzing past, keeping us too scared to approach. "Jacob!" Brett’s voice cracked hoarsely, filled with despair and resolve. Clutching Stephen’s gun-wielding hand, he shouted toward Jacob, who was writhing in agony outside the vehicle, "Do it! Don’t worry about me! Kill him! Do it!" Jacob lifted his head, his face smeared with his own and Brett’s blood. The lycotine’s torment had driven his eyes wild, and the wolf’s killing instinct had taken hold. He stared at the two men wrestling inside the car, at the hunter who had harmed his mate and held Brett hostage... Amidst the crimson haze and searing agony, hearing Brett’s almost pleading command, Jacob let out a tearing roar and instinctively, with all his strength, swung his wolf claws! That flash of cold steel was too fast for the naked eye to follow. Time seemed to freeze. The Wolf’s claws precisely drew a fatal arc, simultaneously brushing past the necks of Brett and Stephen. The struggle ceased. Both men’s eyes widened, their throats torn by vicious gashes, blood gushing forth in a torrent. Stephen’s face was still filled with astonishment and fear, while Brett... He looked at Jacob, his eyes as complex as a storm, with relief and reluctance. Eventually, all his emotions froze and became empty. Two people fell down simultaneously, lying in a pool of blood and no longer moving. The world fell silent in an instant. Only Jacob’s heavy and painful gasps remained, along with the unbelievable, deathly silence of all of us.