Page 63 of Knotting Autumn

“Autumn?” he mumbled. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Of course it is,” I replied, placing a kiss on his temple. He was clearly in pain, but he took the time to reassureme, when I was trying to comfort him.

“Someone’s here!” Sawyer yelped.

I glanced up, having a clear view of the front door from my spot on the sofa.

Thorne rested his arm against the front door, his head hanging down as he tried to strategize. “How many?”

“Looks like three, no, four guys getting out of the van. They’re big dudes. Should we make a run for it out the back?”

“Cole isn’t up for that,” I snapped.

Thorne twisted, his eyes narrowing as he took me and Cole in. “You guys should go back to the bedroom and shut and lock the door.”

“What difference would that make?” I met his stare boldly, challenging him. I couldn’t move Cole that far. He was relaxing under my touch, but his hands still shook.

Sawyer glanced out the window again. “Do you have any weapons?”

“No. Why would we?”

“Because you’re on the run, you fucking moron,” Sawyer growled, sprinting to the kitchen.

Sawyer was crossing the living room with a chef’s knife in hand when the door splintered. Throwing his hands up to protect his face, Thorne was shoved back into the wall. A huge werewolf, a head taller than Thorne and twice as wide stormed in. Past him, two other thugs jogged past a smirking Hunter.

Thorne shook off the shock and stepped in the brute’s path, bringing his fists up.

“Can you move?” I asked Cole.

He shook his head. “No use.”

“That’s not very helpful,” I growled, climbing off his lap.

Thorne swung at the huge man, landing a punch that was promptly ignored. His opponent lashed out, hitting Thorne in the stomach. He doubled over, and the two other men pushed past him and advanced on us.

Sawyer threw himself forward, brandishing the knife. One guy lurched back, but the other moved forward, obviously thinking Sawyer wouldn’t actually use it. He was very wrong.

Slashing forward, Sawyer left a crimson line across the man’s stomach, making him stumble back. Unfortunately, the other man leapt closer and grabbed Sawyer’s wrist, twisting it until the knife tumbled away. With a vicious uppercut, he sent Sawyer sprawling across the floor.

The massive man who broke down the door advanced on us, but Thorne flung himself onto the man’s back, looping his arm around the man’s neck to choke him.

The intruder with the blood blooming across his stomach reached for me, and I jerked back, keeping out of reach. Cole met my eyes, and I wanted to cry at the quiet acceptance there.I wanted him to fight, to do something, but he let the man who had punched Sawyer haul him up by his arm.

In slow motion, the huge werewolf sank to his knees and dropped. Thorne released him, scrambling to his feet beside the felled giant.

While I was staring at Thorne, the man with the bleeding stomach grabbed my wrist and dragged me forward a few steps. Screeching, I jerked in his hold, bringing my other hand up to claw at him.

Eyes blazing like a demon, Thorne launched himself at the man. He grabbed the man’s wrist and squeezed, causing him to release me. Snarling, Thorne punched him, sending blood splattering across my shirt.

I couldn’t help my horrified scream. Eyes wide, I stumbled back a step.

The third man who had knocked Sawyer down was dragging Cole out the front. I had to help him. It would be too late if we didn’t stop him right now.

Taking a step in his direction, I faltered as Sawyer darted in. Grabbing the man by the shirt collar, he shoved the knife between his ribs.

“Don’t you fucking touch him,” he growled, his hand wrapped around Cole’s waist to support him as the man fell to his knees.

Surprise ricocheted through my mate bond, followed by a flood of desire and rage.