Chapter 18

• (Time is reversed to the moment Megan got to Blaire and the kids.)
• I came up behind Blaire and the kids until I was standing next to her. Along with the smell of blood, the youngsters who were crowded together behind me were emitting the terrible fragrance of terror. I could see Blaire's tail flicking apprehensively. We both kept our eyes fixed on the band of outlaws. We were significantly outnumbered, and the situation did not seem favorable to us. It was two against six, and it was likely that none of us would make it out alive, much alone the defenseless kids.
• My body suddenly felt the need to defend me. I wanted to taste the warm blood of my foes on my tongue and I needed them to be safe. The idea of slitting their necks almost made my lips drool. An unknown person was attempting to approach from my right, in my blind area. They walked on a twig, and as it snapped loudly, I jerked my body around. In preparation for launching itself at the defenseless kids, its shoulders were trembling and its body was nestled low to the earth. I quickly changed my position in midair and tackled it to the ground as it jumped off the ground. We landed hard on the ground and rolled about. He came down on his stomach in front of me, and I came down on my feet, hunched over, my fur sticking up to give the impression that I was larger. I made a mental declaration that no one would be allowed to touch these kids.