Born To Kill

Indira's POV

"Nervous?"

I snapped my head to Gretchen as her fingers brushed my hair back. The forest around us was thick with shadow, the members of the coven encircling us like vultures. Twenty one witches of them.

"Nervous?" I scoffed as I slapped her hand away. "I'm prepared."

This was a job-a deadly one, but I'd handled worse. I had taken down rogue werewolves just a few weeks back, tearing through them like they were nothing. Gretchen knew my reputation, and that was why she'd hired me as their mercenary.

Sure, money was part of it, but this job was personal. The Skylaris Pack held the answers to the mystery of my niece, Mira, who disappeared in their territory five years ago. I wasn't walking out of here without them-dead or alive, even if I had to claw it out of every last one of them.

Gretchen chuckled, casting a glance over her shoulder at the others. "You look like you're marching to your funeral, dear."

I shot her a glare. "I'm about to be sacrificed to a murderous pack of wolves. Or did you forget the plan?" Disguised as a witch in one of their rituals, I would be the lure, draw them in close, find Mira, and take down their alpha. Easy. Dangerous. And the only chance I had.

Her smile faltered as her gaze shifted toward the dark trees. "Their alpha now is Kalix Moore. You'll recognize him."

"How?"

"Trust me. You'll know."

That wasn't what snagged my attention, though. "New alpha?" I asked. "What happened to the old one?"

"Dead," she replied, voice low. "Kalix took over from his father-just as ruthless, just as hungry for power."

I clenched my jaw. Stories about Kalix's father-about the way he tore through his enemies-had been enough to fuel my anger for years. His son being like him meant this was no different. I'd dealt with worse, but this time, I had everything to lose.

I narrowed my eyes. "What's the backup if the wolves turn on us?"

"Once Kalix is dead, another will take his place. But... we have contingencies."

A cold gust slashed through the trees, biting through my skin. No layers, no jacket, which had made it too easy to hide my weapons.

A twig snapped somewhere in the darkness, and every head turned sharply. My pulse spiked.

"They're here," Gretchen whispered, her pale face under the moonlight. "Ready?"

I nodded, as I fought to steady my breath, the air thick with anticipation, or maybe magic. Hard to tell.

The coven parted, creating a path. Then, through the trees, the wolves emerged. Their massive forms glided into the moonlight, their yellow eyes glowing like beacons. At least twenty of them, all unnaturally large-werewolves, the Skylaris Pack.

Three humans stepped forward. The one on the left looked young, almost boyish, but his stance screamed danger-no fear, just readiness.

My fingers twitched. I could feel the cold of my dagger against my skin.

The wolf on the left was pure muscle, wild. His hair tangled with leaves and twigs, his chest bare and his presence powerful. I thought for a second it was Kalix-but then I saw him.