Gathering my muscles, I straighten up suddenly, throwing two of the guys off. One of them still has my arm, but I see Aaron in front of me and just charge. I don’t have the speed I need, dragging one of those goons with me, but I power forward and tackle Aaron around the waist.
Three of us go down in a messy pile. I catch a fist right across the face, but it doesn’t even slow me down as I start pummeling Aaron. He yelps under me as I punch him over and over again, and I don’t get many blows in before my arms are grabbed and his buddies pull me back.
I go limp in their arms, pretending to be dazed. The second I feel their grip loosen, I plant my feet and yank myself backwards, freeing my arms. All four of them are in front of me. Aaron is too far away, so I just tackle the nearest one.
I can’t let them get to Sadie!
I smash the guy’s face with punches as we roll across the ground. Every second that drags by terrifies me, knowing that they could be going after her.
I can still smell her scent, way too strong. Did she run? Oh, God, I hope she’s running.
The other guy rolls towards me, and someone starts kicking my back. Suddenly, it’s hands and heavy boots all over me, and I have to just take the pain as I find enough room to stand up.
As I rise, I throw myself backwards, slamming into one of the guys and knocking him over. I want to turn and run, get them chasing me so they’ll leave Sadie alone, but I know it probably won’t work.
They came here for her. I’m just in the way.
My vision clears, and two of the guys are advancing on me. One is in the dirt on his ass, and Aaron is walking towards Sadie with slow, purposeful steps.
A roar echoes out of me, and as I charge for Aaron, I try to shift. My wolf won’t come, even though I can feel him in my blood, simmering with pure rage. Nothing happens, and I end up stumbling against the other two guys, falling on my face, and grabbing Aaron’s ankle on the way down.
No, not now! On the night of the party, I shifted just fine! What the fuck is going on!
Over the last couple of days, I thought my strength was returning, but now I realize I was distracted by love and neglecting self-examination. I pushed away the knowledge of what was happening in my pack, and in doing so, denied my own reality as well.
Aaron tries to kick me, but I hang on to his ankle, growling as I try to drag him towards me. Two of his goons jump on me, and Sadie’s scream splits the air.
Why won’t she run? Goddammit, run!
In a pile on the ground, three of us punch and kick while Aaron stands over me. I can feel his attention still on Sadie,that he wants to go straight to her and break her neck, but he’s decided to neutralize me first.
Roaring, I throw them off me again, feeling power flooding through my blood. I call on my birthright, the primal soul of the alpha wolf, passed down to me for generations.
I will not fail. I can’t.
With the rush of strength, I launch myself from the ground and smash my fist into the jaw of the nearest bully. He goes down and smashes against the ground. The next one is running towards me, and I slam my shoulder into his chest, knocking him down as I continue my charge towards Aaron.
The last guy actually moves out of my way, giving me a clear path to Aaron. As I clear the distance, I try as hard as I can to shift.
Shift, shift now! I have to!
Aaron smiles, putting up his fists, and I realize that he knows.
He knows I can’t shift!
I slam into Aaron, full force, and we hit the ground, rolling for some distance before I come out on top. I pound his face a few times before he grabs my fists and holds them, growling as he fights against my strength.
“What’s the matter, Alpha?” he sneers. “Can’t get it up?”
“Fuck you!” I roar, trying to free my hands. He holds me steady, even though I can see he’s having trouble doing it.
“Even the alphas can’t shift now,” he laughs. “I overheard Owen talking about it with Shane, and I figured you’d be limp, too, if they are.”
I try again to free my hands, but Aaron roars with effort, flipping us over so my back slams against the ground.
What is happening to me? Sadie, run. Please run.
Aaron punches me across the face, and I roll away, flipping to my feet. I can’t really feel any pain, and I know I’m not badly injured—the fight is far from over.
