Pain and anger

Sweet floral lilacs and moonlight incandescence washed over me, drowning me in her essence. I mumbled, "Brinley? What are you doing here?"

She looked equally stunned, mossy green eyes wide, flecks of gold swirling in their troubled depths. "I was working early today...I have...to go into town," she trailed off, her gaze now firmly on the floor. Her lip quivered. My Wolf paced in my head. His urge to comfort her was almost overwhelming.

"Oh," I muttered through clenched teeth, careful not to inhale through my nose again. I stared at her, mesmerized, frozen. I had no desire to move from the place I stood. I would have been happy just to sit and watch her succulent lips and the way her auburn hair fell over her shoulders.

I hadn't seen her in two weeks.

I'd assumed all I needed was time to get over her.

I realized the depravity of that lie now.

I was a fool.

No amount of distance or length of time would lessen my captivation with her. It was preposterous to think I could overcome the Moon's ordained attraction between us with tools so impotent as time and space.

Calla tried to snap me out of my trance, tugging me forward as she stepped around Brinley. I didn't want to go.

Abruptly, my panic turned into full-blown horror.

I knew the instant Brinley smelled me on Calla because her head snapped up, eyes flashing full of fire. Dread ran through me, causing a pit in my stomach. The very last thing I wanted Brinley faced with was my release on Calla. Fuck!

The Wolf in Brinley's eyes glared. A deep growl rumbled through her chest, an unmistakable challenge, signaling her intention to stake her claim over me.

She gave no other warning. Shockingly fast, her fist shot out and connected with Calla's face.

Calla yelped and stumbled back.

"Stop!" I ordered.

This confrontation couldn't happen, not here, not now.

Brinley turned her icy gaze on me, her Wolf looking at me with contempt and disgust. I hated that look in her eyes...

...but I deserved it.

She needed to hate me. It would make her stronger, help her move on.

Without warning, Calla darted around my body and connected with Brinley's shoulder. The crack of bone filled the air. Calla added viciousness to her assault, sneering, "He doesn't want you!"

Just hearing those words caused revulsion to swirl in my belly. I had to fight the bile that rose in my throat. My Wolf roared inside my head at the ugly lie. I locked my jaw shut, so the words on my tongue couldn't escape how much I loved her, how much I wanted to hold her in my arms-if only just once.

Who was I kidding? Once would never be enough to satisfy me. Touching her would only fuel my addiction. I would always want more.

Brinley reacted to Calla's assault by dropping on all fours. Black and white fur erupted through her skin. Her snout elongated revealing razor-edged white fangs. Her entire frame vibrated with aggression, her bloodlust tangible in the air.

I was stunned once more. Fuck, Brinley was a beautiful wolf.

But I couldn't just stand there and stare. I needed to calm her down, and end this before it got any further out of hand.

Next to me, Calla shifted.

Fucking hell.

Now, I had two bloodthirsty beasts to contend with. I snatched both of their ears, applying pressure to the point of pain, to force them into motion. I didn't need either of them losing control and taking a snap at me. If they did, I wouldn't be able to contain my Wolf, and then all hell would break loose.

I strode through the hallway, my face twisted into a grimace, knowing the danger. If it happened, if my Wolf broke free, Calla would be on the losing end. He tolerated Calla because on some level he understood we had to defeat Alpha before he could win Brinley.

But if it came to a fight between the two females, his choice would always be to protect Brinley and take out any wolf that was a threat to her. If I was going to keep Brinley alive, I couldn't afford to let him reveal our true emotions by taking a bite out of Calla, or worse.

I didn't let go until we were out the door, and bellowed, "This is not going to happen!" It wasn't a request. It was a command. This challenge ended now.

However, apparently, our sweet little Wolf did not like taking orders from me, because she stood with her fur all riled up, and released growl after growl, her dissatisfaction clear.

My head snapped in her direction, my eyes utterly black as my Wolf stared back at her now. Her blatant challenging display would not be tolerated. Regardless of our circumstances, I was the future alpha, and she would learn her place. My Wolf would guarantee it. He clawed to get out.

I turned so that we faced each other directly, and took a purposeful step forward, invading her personal space. She blinked a few times, startled by the presence of my Wolf in my eyes, but shockingly, she held her ground.

In my head, my Wolf smiled wickedly at her antics. He appreciated her fire but enjoyed, even more, the lesson he was going to give her in submission. Her obstinate behavior would never be allowed against him. He quivered with his desire for release.

I shuddered hard, forcing him back.

Without warning, Calla attacked Brinley from behind, her blind spot. Fury crashed over me. Not only had she disobeyed a direct command, but she also struck without proper warning of a challenge.

Growls erupted into the air. Both wolves tangled into a solid, writhing mass of hair, teeth, and claws as they rolled, kicking up the dirt around them.

Calla's teeth sank deep in Brinley's thigh, causing Brinley to yelp. The smell of blood filled the air, iron oxide and copper. Even if we hadn't been watching, I would have instinctively known the scent of Brinley's blood.

My Wolf almost lost his mind, the smell driving him to the edge of madness. My body quivered hard as he pushed forward, the line between skin and fur becoming blurred. He howled, fighting me to get to his mate, fighting to end the assault against her.