At that moment, she was certain that some unknown force seeped into her body, making her unnaturally strong. It was the power of a mother possessed. One second she was weak, and the next, she was a force to be reckoned with. Infuriated, she sank her teeth straight into Jake's hand. He released her, and she used the opportunity to throw her body against him. The man was pushed off balance by her sudden strength.
During his moment of weakness, Emmy kicked and bit every inch of Jake she could reach. Wails of rage escaped her lips. She didn't want to stop until every inch of him was battered and bruised.
"You. Will. Not. Hurt. My. Baby," Emmy screamed at the top of her lungs, protecting her child with every last bit of power she possessed.
Sebastian leaped to his feet and headed straight toward her. Unfortunately, that was when Jake recovered from his surprise. The man stood up and threw her against the wall. As she let out a scream of agony, Sebastian yelled, "Emmy!" and rushed toward her.
At that moment, Jake stepped in his way. The man's eyes narrowed and a deep growl burst from his lips. Sebastian echoed the noise and crouched, his eyes darting toward Emmy.
"I wouldn't be so quick to rush over here," Jake said. "I can still kill your mate and your baby in a heartbeat."
"You son of a bitch!" Sebastian screamed.
With a cruel grin, Jake began to morph into a dark beast. Fur sprouted from his skin, and his cold eyes turned a mutant green. Claws sprouted from his feet, causing divots in the cement floor. Emmy whimpered, terrified of the transformation she'd just seen. Despite the fact she knew that werewolves existed, the metamorphosis from human to beast was horrifying.
"Move one step closer and the woman will die," Jake said, his voice echoing in her mind.
Sebastian howled, but he didn't come nearer.
At that moment, Emmy was certain that everything was lost. All it would take was one leap for Jake to reach her. In a matter of seconds, he could sink his teeth into her neck. Even the empowering strength of motherhood would not get her out of this one. Still, she felt no sadness at the thought of her own death and only contemplated the horrors of losing Sebastian and her child. Her family, all gone.
I'm so sorry, baby, she thought, pressing her hand against her stomach. I would have done my best to be a good parent.
As a tear spilled down her cheek, Jake glanced at her. She tensed, certain that something was going to happen soon—and that something was going to involve her skull being crushed between jaws.
Then everything went black.
Emmy screamed, wondering if Jake had killed her.
"What the hell?" Jake howled in her mind.
Okay, judging by Jake's infuriated howl, she wasn't dead. Somebody had just turned off the light. But who? No, that didn't matter. She just had to get out of harm's way.
Shaking, Emmy inched her way along the floor, holding back vomit. She heard howling and growling, but she forced herself not to look behind her. No, she had to keep going forward. After she found a stack of old, dusty boxes, she crawled behind them, shaking. Yet even as she hid, she heard something heading closer to her.
Horrified, she realized that Jake must have found her. She curled up in a ball, trying to make herself as small as possible. Unfortunately, that was when she was seized.
Emmy wailed.
"Will you shut up?" Mary Lou whispered.
"Mary Lou?" Emmy's eyes widened in shock.
"Stand up and run," Mary Lou said.
"But Sebastian…" She peered through the dark.
"Did I risk my keister to save you for nothing?" Mary Lou dragged her forward. "Let's go."
Though Emmy hesitated, she allowed herself to be dragged across the floor. As she hustled, she saw two massive werewolves warring in the middle of the basement. Eyes glowed green and teeth flashed white. One of the terrifying werewolves had to be Sebastian.
Her Sebastian.
Oh, dear God. Tears filled her eyes.
"Come on." Mary Lou trembled as she yanked Emmy out of the basement.
Emmy followed Mary Lou up a flight of stairs. The woman pulled her out the door and into the yard. They were in the middle of a forest, and unfortunately, no other houses were in sight. Still Mary Lou looked around, searching for a way out.
"What happened?" Emmy asked, choking on a sob.
"After I screwed up and led that messed up bastard right to you, he knocked us both out," Mary Lou said. "I woke up in the kitchen and heard you screaming. After that, I came down to help. Thank God turning out the light distracted that monster because I wasn't sure what else to do."
Emmy's eyes widened. "Oh."
"What the hell were those beasts?" Mary Lou asked.
Instead of answering, Emmy hung her head.
"It doesn't matter," Mary Lou said. "We have to get out of here before—Emmy!"