The Guardian Alpha: A Paranormal Werewolf Romance (Nameless Sentinels Book 3) by Evelyn Glass Page B

distorted as the anxious adrenaline in his body warped his senses.
     
    Then, he heard it. It started low and far away. A howl. Three howls. Fifteen. They interlaced into one long, loud warble. An ancient battle cry sent goosebumps racing along Jay's arms and down to his feet. He swallowed a sudden lump in his throat. His eyes remained peeled, his senses alert, for the first sign of the enemy.
     
    Then, from the forest, like shadows, they poured into the fields around Goldbridge. Jay sent up a Silent Howl among his Sentinels, reminding them to remain calm and take their positions. Waves and waves of uncertainty rose through the ranks. Jay's stomach flipped, unhappily.
     
    From the midst of the sea of ferals, Jay picked out Kristi's yellow gaze and her scent.
     
    The alphas stepped out of the forest together, hard expressions on their faces. The pack gave them a wide berth, though they hovered in a circle around their leaders – both afraid and determined to protect Kristi and Selene.
     
    “For far too long, Goldbridge has committed transgressions against the Crystal Ridge pack,” started Kristi, her voice carrying along the night air. Excitement and dread raced through her veins. She surveyed the crowd, rage and pride wobbling back and forth in her head; her eyes softening as they fell on Jay. For a brief second, Kristi subjected herself to his muck of emotions. Anger, frustration, fear….love. She turned away from him, shoving her thumping heart to the bottom of her stomach. Jay's mouth went dry and his palms became clammy. This was it.
     
    Beside Kristi, Selene stepped forward. Her tone strong and rock solid smashed through the air, “It ends tonight!”
     
    A howl erupted from the pack and made a chill run down Jay's spine. It was the same howl from the Hunt. He felt countless eyes turn to him, looking for reassurance and direction. When the howl died down and the lycans jerked to attack, Jay stepped forward. All eyes drew to him, all action ceased. His gaze turned, slowly, to everyone on the field. He could recall the names to many of the faces, on both sides, and his heart ached. They stared back at him in a mixture of hope, uncertainty, anger, and disgust.
     
    “This should end tonight,” Jay's voice boomed over everyone's heads, filled the empty air, “But not like this. Crystal Ridge and Goldbridge should be working together, not mindlessly participating in a violent showdown.” Jay swallowed, watching the changing emotions ripple through the crowd. Beside him, he could feel Mayor Stone's curious glare snap to his body. “I will protect Goldbridge with my dying breath, if I must. But it doesn't need to be that way.”
     
    His gaze fell on Kristi's wide eyes. There was a glassiness there that hinted to tears. Jay swallowed and sent one last plea along their connection. Again, Kristi jerked and tore her gaze away from him. She stared off in the distance, where the moon hesitantly peered over the edge of the world. The Wolf coursed through her veins, wanting the Hunt and wanting blood.
     
    Of course, it didn't have to be this way. Jay could have stayed with the pack. He could have dedicated himself to Kristi, not to this vile town. Yet, her Mate had chosen his path.
     
    “It must be this way, Sentinel.” The words came out as more of a growl than a statement on Kristi's lips. When she whipped her gaze back to Jay, her pupils became slits. Her teeth lengthened and filled her mouth, a snarl on her lips. Jay raised his head, his own eyes starting to bleed out his Wolf. Even crestfallen, Jay wouldn't show his uncertainty.
     
    Kristi charged at him. She sprinted with preternatural speed up the hill. By the time she reached the top, neither Mayor Stone nor Jay had the chance to run. Kristi's claws slashed across his chest and Jay danced back, his shirt bearing the brunt of her attack. With the slight distance between he and Kristi, he realized the battle had erupted.
     
    Howls and screams, tearing flesh