Page 46 of Wicked Wolf

“I’m a witch. I’m a wolf. I’m blessed by the moon goddess to one day be the Enforcer. I know I will need to prove myself to you. I’ve been doing that since the day I first growled and shifted. You don’t like my past, my blood, or who I am? That’s fine. I can’t change that. But no matter what your opinions of me are, you will learn to respect me or deal with the consequences. I have shown both of you that my wolf is more dominant. If you can’t understand that, then we have a problem.”

The weaker wolf in front of her knelt low to the ground, his body quivering. The other wolf, however, was a freaking idiot. He snarled then pounced. Without a second thought, she closed her hands, putting out the flames, and then pivoted so the wolf hit the ground instead of her. His face hit the dirt, and she picked him up by his neck then slammed him back into the ground, this time on his back. She straddled him and growled.

His wolf whimpered, but she was tired of this.

Tired of fighting for what she had because others wanted it, too.

“Are you finished? You are a strong wolf. I get that. But you are not stronger than me. Fighting within the Pack will only hurt us when it comes to outsiders. Don’t you get that? You’re hurting the Redwoods because of your prejudices. I’m done dealing with your shit. Get over yourself and learn your place. Respect who we are.”

The wolf met her eyes for only a moment then lowered his own, defeated.

Her own wolf howled. She hadn’t drawn a single drop of blood, and she had a feeling she’d resolved at least some of the issues going on in her Pack. It took power, not carnage, to do so.

Thank the goddess.

With one last look at the wolf below her, she stood up and glared. Both of the wolves ran in the other direction. If they’d been in wolf form, their tails would have been tucked between their legs. She knew proving her dominance would never be over—that was the way of the wolves—but she hoped this would put a damper on the whole prejudice thing. She’d had full control of her powers and hadn’t used them to hurt another member of her Pack. That was something others who didn’t know her worried about, and now she had proof she could handle things on her own.

“You were magnificent.”

She jumped at Quinn’s words then looked up to see him with Jesse in his arms walking toward her. Her mate had a frown on his face but still looked proud.

Warmth filled her at that look, but she pushed it down. She couldn’t fall in love with him, she reminded herself.

“Are the bad wolves gone?” Jesse asked, and she smiled at the little boy in Quinn’s arms. The two of them reached her and stood only a few inches away. She could scent their wolves, all warmth and forest, and the connection that proved she was theirs, at least as far as she would let them be.

She hesitantly reached out and cupped his little face. He grinned and rubbed against her skin. Her own wolf nudged at her, wanting to make sure this little pup knew he would always be taken care of.

She’d been adopted into a loving family and had never once thought she wasn’t loved. She would make sure Jesse knew the same feelings—despite what went on between her and his father.

“Yes, they’re gone. They just needed a little lesson. Don’t worry, though, okay?”

“Okay.” His eyes brightened as he looked behind her. “Is that our new home?”

She met Quinn’s eyes, and he nodded at her. “Yes, when you’re strong enough to go through bond changes, then you’ll move in here with me.” Her voice trembled a bit, and she had a feeling Quinn caught it.

It was a scary prospect. One day she’d been a wolf just finding her place within the Pack, and the next she was a stepmother to a sick pup and mated to a wolf who would never love her.

She’d deal though. She always did.

“Can I see inside?” he asked, then grinned at her. Jesse had the best smile, and he knew it. He was going to be trouble when he got older, and she couldn’t wait. The fact that he would be able to get older at all made everything worthwhile.

“Come on then,” she said and held back a gasp when he wrapped his arm around her neck. She stepped closer to him and Quinn handed him over, making sure she had him tucked close. He was five, so he was already too big to be held most days, but she was a wolf and could handle it. Plus, this was a new place so she understood he wanted the comfort.

She met Quinn’s eyes, and he gave her an odd look then moved toward the house. “This is it. It’s an older cottage that’s been in my family for a while now. It has enough land that if we want to build on, we can.”

“It’s great, Gina. Perfect.”

She looked over at Quinn and smiled softly. “Thanks. I’ve only spent a couple of nights in it and haven’t unpacked really. I was just waiting…you know.”

He met her gaze and nodded. “I get it. Soon, I think.”

Her heart raced, and she sucked in a breath. Technically, with the bond between them already working, they didn’t have to live together. Yes, the two would have to join her Pack because of the ways the other Pack bonds and wards worked, but they didn’t have to act like a mated couple if they didn’t want to. It would be awkward and horrible, but she could deal with it. But Quinn was doing everything in his power to show her that he could be a normal mate. He was going to become a Redwood, live with her, and raise his son with her.

He just didn’t love her.

She didn’t need that though. And if she told herself that enough times, maybe she’d believe it.

“Well, come on in, I’ll give you a tour.”