“I’m not scared of you.”
And surprisingly, it’s true. My wolf is too focused on the threat to our mate to feel fear. Every instinct screams to protect, to defend, to eliminate the threat.
“You’re in Grey Ridge territory, threatening a member of our pack.”
“He’s not your pack,” Craig spits. The words hit like physical blows. “He’s a Lennox. A bear. He belongs with his own kind.”
“He belongs with me.” The growl that emerges doesn’t sound human. I take another step forward, and I know my eyes are glowing gold. “And if you threaten him again, you’ll deal with me.”
Craig laughs, but there’s uncertainty in it now. He takes a half-step back. “You? What are you going to do, little wolf?”
I bare my teeth. “Whatever I have to.”
“Carla,” Billy warns softly.
Through our incomplete bond, I feel his emotions, pride, concern, and love. It feeds my determination.
The brewery door opens again, and Ethan enters first, followed by three wolves. The scent of the pack fills the space. They take in the scene in seconds: Craig and his bears, Billy protective but not aggressive, and me standing my ground.
The atmosphere shifts.
“Problem here?” Ethan asks casually, but his eyes are sharp, assessing.
“No problem,” Craig says quickly. Too quickly. “Just visiting an old friend.”
“Funny way of visiting.” Rex steps through the door, Cooper’s older brother, all lethal grace and a stony expression that would stop you in your tracks. “Sounded more like threats from out here.”
More wolves appear in the doorway. My wolf settles slightly. Pack protects pack.
“You boys should move along,” Rex says, still conversational. But there’s alpha blood in his voice, unmistakable authority. “This is pack territory. We don’t take kindly to outsiders causing trouble.”
Craig looks around, calculating his odds. Three bears against a growing number of wolves on their home ground. The math isn’t in his favor.
His jaw works like he’s chewing glass.
“This isn’t over,” he snarls at Billy.
“Yes, it is,” Billy says firmly. “And if you’re smart, you’ll stay away from Grey Ridge. Mitch might be trying to reform the clan, but he won’t tolerate you causing problems with our neighbors. Think about that before you come back.”
Our neighbors.
The casual inclusion makes my heart swell. Several wolves nod in agreement.
“Get out,” Rex says, dropping all pretense of friendliness. The alpha command in his voice makes even me want to submit. “And don’t come back. You’re not welcome in Grey Ridge.”
The wolves move aside just enough to let them pass. Craig glares at each of us in turn, but he leaves anyway. His companions trail behind like whipped dogs.
The moment they’re gone, my legs give out.
Billy catches me, pulling me against his chest. I’m shaking now, the rush of adrenaline making me vibrate.
“You were incredible,” he murmurs against my hair. “Fierce. Perfect.”
“Our Carla’s got teeth, after all.” Ethan observes with approval. “Good. Billy here needs someone who’ll stand up for him.”
“I don’t need…” Billy starts.
“Yes, you do.” I interrupt, looking up at him. My wolf is still close to the surface, making my voice rough. “We protect each other. That’s what mates do.”
