A good alpha assesses the situation and determines next steps.
My father’s voice echoes in my mind.
My vision slows everything down and homes in on the incoming threat. Three rogues in wolf form weave through the trees, all shades of gray, one darker than the rest. That one in particular has my wolf riled up the most.
Although they mostly look just like us, their fur is matted. They don’t take care of their wolves. They have little to no respect for anyone, even their own wolf. Besides Jay and the rogues who interacted with her while I spied from a distance, I seldom saw them in their human form.
It’s likely a tactic to conceal their identity, so they can infiltrate and steal. They probably overwork their wolf, never allowing them to rest. Rogues take advantage of our Goddess’s gift. They don’t value anything sacred. Andthatis why they look the way they do. It’s insulting to my kind.
“If you have to defend yourself, fine. But please, don’t kill them.”
My fur stands up straight on my back. Tyler’s wolf growls and paces behind mine, awaiting my command. My wolf tells Tyler’s, “Defend self only.”
Tyler doesn’t question me... to my face. He only huffs a response, but it’s not in defiance.
The rogues split and everything goes silent. Any other wolf would panic. If I didn’t have my abilities, the disadvantage would make me uneasy. The wind carries their scent, so they’ve surrounded us.
The trees stop swaying. The birds stop chirping. My ears are perked, scanning the area. Looking to pinpoint any noise.Wolves have naturally good senses, but none are quite like mine. No one can hide from me. That’s why I know I’m the only one who notices the faint crunch of dirt beneath the rogues’ paws—because that’s all it takes.
“On your left!”I yell to Tyler.
A smaller wolf launches itself out of the trees at Tyler.
I can’t watch him to see if he’s good. I can’t protect everyone—even as a future alpha.
The other, much lighter wolf springs out, and I’m ready for him.
At the last second, I dodge him and snatch him by the throat, launching him across the clearing.
Once he stops rolling, he stands, shakes his head to recover and charges me again.
Our teeth clash, and our paws tear at each other’s hides, taking out chunks of fur.
I go on the defensive to protect my neck. I’m trying my best to hold my wolf back from killing the guy. It’d be so easy. Not killing him is harder. And I’m not so sure how long I can allow him to live when he’s trying to tear out my throat.
The darker wolf is closing in on us, about to pounce. With my attention on his accomplice, it’d be the most predictable time for him to strike. His movements are becoming more erratic. The more he moves, the more of his stench fills the air. His smell causes my wolf to both whimper and rage. And it’s driving me crazy not being able to pinpoint why.
I rip a shallow chunk from the wolf’s forearm, enough to keep him writhing while I brace for his friend’s attack. Right on cue, the darker wolf emerges.
When I brace for the collision, I don’t expect to find Jay standing in the middle of the deadly brawl.
I rush to her side, about to knock her out of the way. I assume the darker wolf is going to clobber her with the hair on his back standing up, but he doesn’t.
He skirts to a halt right in front of her. Towering over her, he glares at her, baring his teeth. I hate the way he licks his chops like she’s his meal. His prey. The wolf gets a little too close to Jay.
I nudge her out of the way. She tries to resist me, but my strength overpowers her.
“Caleb, don’t.” She shoves back. “I’ve got this.”
The wolf and I lock eyes, and his jowls turn up into a snarl. He’s challenging me.
Jay would prefer me not to instigate, but I’d prefer her to have stayed back like I instructed. So, I growl back, and he does exactly what I thought. He takes the bait, prowling for me.
Come and get me, motherfucker.
Jay steps in the way again. “Jeff, stop!”
Stop doing that,I bark at her in my mind, but we aren’t mindlinked, and it comes out more like a desperate whimper.
