Chapter 385

Rescue

Ava’s POV

The massive black wolf that was Kenneth stood between me and danger, his strong muscles moving under shiny dark fur. His Alpha aura made the rogue wolves step back a little.

“Stay behind me,” he said, standing protectively as he faced the rogues.

The matted gray wolf that had been stalking Ellie now turned its full attention to Kenneth, baring yellowed fangs in challenge. Two more rogues emerged from the shadows, forming a semicircle around us.

Kenneth didn’t wait for their attack. With a thunderous roar that shook the walls, he lunged forward. His huge paw smashed into the first attacker’s head, sending him flying across the room and crashing into a bookshelf. The hit was so hard that the wooden shelves broke apart.

“Miss Ava!” Ellie’s terrified voice called.

My heart clenched. “Stay hidden, sweetheart! Don’t move!”

I needed to get to the children. While Kenneth kept the rogues busy, I had to make sure every kid was safe.

The second rogue tried circling around Kenneth to reach me, but it never got close. Kenneth intercepted it with shocking speed, clamping powerful jaws around the rogue’s neck. One sharp twist and the attacker went limp.

The third rogue, seeing its pack mates defeated so easily, hesitated. That was all the opening Kenneth needed. He pounced, pinning the wolf under his massive weight. The rogue yelped and whined, submitting instantly.

“Miss Ava, there are more bad wolves coming!” A little boy’s voice called from the corner.

I spotted him—Tommy, hiding under a table with three other children.

“I’m coming!” I called, making a dash toward them while Kenneth continued to dominate the battlefield.

Two more rogues jumped through the broken windows, glass breaking all around them. Kenneth didn’t move back. He went straight at them, a fast black shape moving with deadly skill. None of the rogues could get close enough to hit him. He was amazing—strong, smart, and very scary.

While he fought, I paid attention to the children.

“Everyone, follow me,” I said quickly in a low voice, bringing the kids out from where they were hiding. “We need to reach the safe room. Be quiet and stay close.”

Small hands held onto my clothes as I led them through the mess. Tommy was crying without a sound, tears running down his round face. Ellie had come with us, her pigtails now messy.

“It’s okay,” I said softly. “We’re almost there. Just a little more to go.”

I counted the children as we moved, twelve so far. There should be fifteen. Where were the others?

A quiet cry from the bathroom caught my ear.

“Stay here,” I told the group, having them wait by the wall. “Don’t move.”

Inside the bathroom, I found the last three children. They were shaking, all huddled together in the bathtub.

“Come on, little ones,” I said, holding out my hands. “We’re going somewhere safe.”

Now that all fifteen children were with me, we quickly moved toward the safe room at the back of the daycare. It was made for emergencies—with strong walls, no windows, and a thick door that could only be opened from the inside once locked.

“Everyone in,” I urged, ushering the children through the door. “Quickly now.”

As the last child went inside, I looked back toward the main room. Kenneth was still fighting, but something was different. The rogues now seemed to be working together, as if they knew they could not beat him in a straight fight. They were trying to distract him and split his focus.

“Alpha Kenneth is keeping them back,” I told the children. “You will be safe in here. I need to go help the other grown-ups.”

“Don’t go,” Ellie begged, holding tightly to my leg. “The bad wolves will hurt you!”

I bent down to her height. “I have to help. There may be other children who are not safe.” I softly touched her cheek. “Lock the door after I leave. Only open it for our pack members.”

I gave her one last calm smile, then closed the safe room door. I heard the lock turn behind me.

When I turned back to the main room, things had gotten worse. Kenneth was now surrounded by at least six rogues. Even though he was clearly the better fighter, their numbers were starting to tire him. One rogue had bitten into Kenneth’s back leg, and blood was now showing.

I had to do something.

I used my magic again and shot a burst of blue energy at the rogue biting Kenneth’s leg. The wolf cried out when my magic hit it, letting go and backing away.

Kenneth’s eyes met mine for just a second. Surprise, thanks, and something else I couldn’t name flashed in his fierce golden eyes.

That short moment of looking away cost him. Another rogue jumped at his throat, making him turn quickly. The fight went on, with Kenneth still fighting bravely even though there were so many enemies.

Then I saw movement outside the broken window. Hidden partly by the thick bushes in the shadows stood a shape.

A gun.

My blood turned cold as I understood what was happening. The rogues were not trying to win. They were just keeping Kenneth busy while their shooter got ready.

“Kenneth!” I screamed, my voice cracking with desperation. “Behind you! Gun!”