He was easy to bait. With my hands tightening like I was about to sock him, I Bruce-Lee-kickedhim in the balls. I got one more hit before he socked me across the face with strength I'm sure would shatter concrete. Whatever skill I had barely kept my head attached. A supernaturally strong jab to my spine or neck would finish me off.
I stumbled away or hoped I did while my vision blurred. The hit never came, but a growl rumbled from within Henry's torn clothing. A few quick blinks later, the largest wolf I'd ever seen leapt and knocked me to the ground.
This wasn't to win a fist fight, but to make sure I'd never fight again. He'd eat my flesh and bones, taking me out of Mike's life forever and teach him a lesson: Cross me and look at what'll happen to you.
Punches and kicks I could defend against, but this was pure animalistic hatred, raking black claws over my chest and neck. Warm, red lines bubbled out and my skin seized with electric pain. My fist came down like a hammer over his black nose, and I followed it with a short punch. A high-pitched yip echoed in the night.
Dogs never cared for me, even though I'd never hurt one. My shifter nature meant they saw me as a predator, but we had them at the station. The most sensitive spot, besides their balls, was the nose. Wolves weren't different.
The sheriff's rules said anynaturalweapons, and I didn't have time for a clarification. With both hands, I ground dusty dirt and gravel into Henry's now yellow eyes. He shook violently, snapping his jaws.
I backed off, searching for a rock.
He couldn't see but smelled just fine. With perfect aim, he leapt toward me digging claws into my already torn flesh, throwing me back down. My fists slammed into his black canine ears, delivering pain but not enough.
White teeth sank into my neck and shoulder. The first bite. Soon he'd have me as a finished meal.
I failed.
Shouts erupted from the crowd, telling someone to step back. Mike skidded near me and screamed, "Stop!"
Henry snapped his jaw, throwing bile, and warning his Omega to back off. Mike stumbled, and his leg grazed over a long, white tooth. Through a small tear in his pant leg wafted a slight copper scent.
My left thumb dug into Henry's yellow wolf eye, not popping but wishing I did. He yelped before thrashing back and adding another scratch to Mike's wounds. This was an accident, but he did plenty already. I brought my head down on his snout and it put me in a terrible position. One neck bite would end me.
"Stop!" You wouldn't think Mike's tiny voice would quiet a crowd, but it did. Even the pack leader whispered to his sheriff. Mike's shaky hands pulled me away from Henry, while the sheriff ran over and did the same with Henry.
"Invalid." The sheriff turned to Mike. "You interfered with the fight. Nobody won."
Mike's faint-green eyes narrowed, his lips trembling. Seconds stretched like eternity as he stared into the night, his thoughts unreadable—except for the sharp scent of blood and anger curling in the cold air.
He spun to Henry shifting back into his naked and bloodied human form. "I… I'm not your Omega, because of what you did."
The crowd's murmur wasn't directed at just Henry. Wolves mate for life unless one dies, but there were other reasons.
Mike raised his pant leg showing the wet, red scratch to everyone. He raised his wrist, speaking of a now faded bruise and other abuse. Some wolves weren't bothered. To them, Alphas knew better, so what if Henry got rid of books with uppity ideas or listened to the Alpha's music instead? Omegas were emotional and not made forrealthinking. That's why they needed an Alpha.
However, a bruise—even if almost gone—converted many, as did the thin blood running down his calf. Mike looked up into the sheriff's eyes. "If an Alpha physically attacks his Omega, that's grounds for a separation." It wasn't a question.
"Yep, the Omega's right." The sheriff knew Mike got scratched because he ran over, but there was earlier abuse. He had a policeman's instinct and if this is what it took, he'd agree to it.
He turned to the skinny pack leader. "I seemultiplewounds on an Omega, delivered by an Alpha in front of witnesses. Likewise, I smell no lies from him."
Henry's eyes, one good and the other bloodied, glared with hate but stayed quiet. If he were smart enough to shut up, I'd do the same.
The thin pack leader licked his lips while thinking of the best decision. Not for the wolves I'm sure, but him. Something about his style didn't sit right with me, but for now, I'd listen.
"Henry Simmons," he said with a flat voice. "You have not proven you can take proper care of your Omega. There were whispers before, but we now have proof. Only one thing can keep you together."
What? Even after all that?
"Is the Omega with child?"
He has a name!
The sheriff leaned over Mike, sniffed, and shook his head no. His released breath hinted it was a 'Very Lucky Thing.'
"…since no pup was created," continued the pack leader, "there is no bond. Thus, the connection is dissolved."
