For a moment, Axe scans the three formations. Every face remains stoic.
“Make no mistake, this mission is dangerous. Vampires don’t typically gather in the Circle where human prey isn’t high in supply, but if you do find them, they will be starving. As will the qi’yovar. These demons will not hesitate to spill your blood,” Axe continues, “and they will not waste a drop of it if they catch you.”
Qinnu bellows to the units, standing the tallest among all the fighters. He too, bares more abdominal muscles than I have fingers. “The creed—say it together now!”
The wolves repeat in unison. “We bleed only for each other, never for our enemies.”
“Again!”
Chills ripple down my spine as this time, the words are spoken sharper, like clinging blades. The three lines stomp their feet in unison, followed by a chorus of howling.
Finally, a grin crosses the leader’s face. “Alright, pups. Let’s see how bad you want it.”
Tripp sizes up his opponent, a boy of the same age and build with fire in his eyes. Axe calls out for them to begin, and Tripp unleashes himself. Becoming a golden wolf with a brown muzzle, he collides with the other fighter, teeth first. Tesni’s lips curl into a rare smile.
Tripp stands out after winning his first fight, capable of speed to meet a vampire’s in combat. Next, he faces a seasoned fighter from Qinnu’s ranks, followed by a brief skirmish with Axe, who puts him on the ground in roughly ten seconds. Out of all the challengers he bests, Tripp is the only one capable of landing a punch on the Alpha.
By mid-morning, dozens of onlookers have gathered for Tesni’s official selection. In her sleek brown wolf form, the captain struts over to Tripp, slashing him in the chest, thereby declaring him the first to join her operation.
Part of me wishes I could join the team, just to burn the godsdamned portal down. I could warn them, but not without blowing my cover. The only thing I can do is pray that the Blood Master doesn’t show. And find a way to prove to the Sentinels that I am worthy of coming along on the next mission.
Axe
While the freshly battered cadets head to lunch, I take off towards the western line of pines, shedding my human form. As my paws pound the cold earth, all I can think of is how badly I want to get Vessa alone.
As we dined together, the image of her in the sparkling dress was still fresh on my mind. It wasn’t even a full moon, and yet I sat there, body and soul inflamed. I have no fucking idea how I managed to carry a conversation. Most of my attention was fixed on the way even a simple garment clung to her curves like a second skin. The way I could've sworn she purred when I so nearly closed the distance between us, if only to breathe in the heavy, sultrysmellof her silent pleading to be touched. By the end of the evening, my wolf was frenzied, and I wound up chained by Jabir in the pit again.
I don’t know why I ever thought I was prepared to wait this out. I’ve never grappled with rebellion this fierce. Never encountered such raw fear of the wolf bursting out of my chest. If I were to let him off the leash even for a moment, I might prove to be the monster Vessa convinced herself she was running from.
Huffing indignantly, I redirect my focus to the quiet terrain. Massive canopies overhead drip rainwater onto my fur. A large moose rubbing his antlers on the trunk of a sizable hemlock clomps away at the sight of me, a reminder that there’s nothing out there that doesn’t fear me in this form.
As I venture deeper into the forest, my ears tune into every slight movement, nose fixating on all the scents around me: pine, dirt, caribou, and my least favorite—a sweaty, arrogant male.
Qinnu catches up to me by a cliff formation, where I brood overlooking the river, watching the melted snow runoff trickle downward. I turn to him with a low growl and raised tail. The Sentinel chuckles, throwing a fresh pair of shorts at my feet.
I tuck the beast in and resign to my natural form, pulling the trousers over my hips.
Qinnu crosses his thick brown arms over his chest. “Someone’s irritable today.”
Irritable is a vast understatement. I’ve never been prone to functioning on a short fuse, but the Beckoning is a state of nonstop chafing. My wolf is hyper focused, scrutinizing every subtle jab, doubting everyone’s intentions. Even without its influence, I’m constantly assessing for any hint of disloyalty among those who follow me, while others stare back, wondering if the control I exude on the outside is wound just as tight internally.
Only a select few know the truth—it isn’t. Looking inside of myself is like walking directly into a hurricane. I was barely holding my own against the storm before Vessa burst into my life. Every day is a struggle to contain the winds of rage. To deny the itch for shedding blood, to abandon my duties and hunt down the monster who nearly caused this pack to crumble. With every kill, the demand grows stronger. But, as Demi always reminds me, this pack needs a stable leader, not an avenger.
Next to Qinnu, I stiffen. “You’re considering siding with the elders.”
“That wasn’t where I was going with—silverfire, Axe. Look, I know that you’re giving Vessa a chance to mull it over for a few weeks. Just remember that she already ran from you once. Don’t think for a second that she isn’t capable of leading you on and splitting again. You don’t smell what the rest of us do. There’s some heavy baggage there, brother.”
My wolf sneers.It’s not like that with her. She’s just a little skittish.
He’s not wrong.I hit back.She hasn’t exactly been forthcoming about her past. But then again, neither have I.
“It’s infuriating to watch you suffer at the hands of an ungrateful?—”
“Careful,” I snarl, cutting him off.
Sighing, Qinnu pumps his brakes.
“I think . . . that she’s starting to lean into me. But damn, it’s taking everything I have not to . . .”Hell no.I’m not finishing that thought out loud. I take a beat to steel my composure. “I only have one shot at this, man. The last thing I want is to lose control.”
