Page 59 of Wicked Wolf

“Oh shut up. I don’t have time for this.” She grinned then looked out at the circle. “When do we start?”

Quinn leaned down and kissed her temple. “Soon, I hope. I don’t know if Helena is here or not. We’ll find out though.”

“Is that her?” Finn asked, and Gina looked up.

“That’s her,” she growled.

Helena strode in, her hips swaying. Gone was the woman who looked contrite and apologetic. No, this was a woman on the prowl, a woman who wanted the man she’d left behind.

Well, too bad, because she couldn’t have him.

“Since both wolves are here, and since we can’t let the mate in question decide, we’re ready to begin,” Gideon said, his voice holding contempt.

“Since Helena is the wronged party, as her mate was stolen from her, she can decide if they fight as wolf or human,” Shannon said.

Gina’s jaw dropped as the wolves around her growled and shouted.

“Wronged?” Quinn yelled. “You’ve got to be kidding me. She’s the one who left me. She’s the one who almost killed me and Jesse. Fuck her. I want nothing to do with her. I’ve made my decision. It’s Gina. It will always be Gina. No matter the outcome.”

Gina’s heart bloomed, and she gripped Quinn’s hand and squeezed. “I’ll fight and win. You don’t have to worry.”

He turned and cupped her face before kissing her. Hard.

“I love you, Gina. I made my choice, and you’re it. I don’t trust her not to try something tricky.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. It strengthened her while before it would have left her muddled and worried.

“I have something to fight for, Quinn. Something more than she could ever hope to have.” She kissed him again, putting her heart into the kiss, into him. “I’m coming back to you.”

“If you’re quite done...” Shannon snapped.

“Watch your tone, wolf,” Gideon said, his voice deadly calm.

Shannon glared then ran a hand over her dress. “What I meant was it was the witch who wronged her.”

“Never trust a witch,” Helena said, her voice snide.

“Fucking bitch,” Finn snarled.

“Language, Finn,” Gina snapped.

“Is this really the time?” he asked incredulously.

“No, but it’s calming me, so get over it.” She looked at Helena then dismissed her to face Shannon. “I’m a witch so you need to watch your tone. I’m not your wolf. I don’t need to respect you. As for who wronged who, we all know what really happened. If you’re in some kind of denial, that will be something we’ll all deal with later.” She looked over at Gideon. “Or maybe that’s something you’ll have to deal with on your own because I don’t really care. Now, about the challenge? I don’t care either. I’ll fight as wolf or as human. We all know I’m stronger. If she tries anything that goes outside the rules, the entire Pack, as well as my brother, are here to judge.” She narrowed her eyes at the elder. “Don’t start a war you can’t win.”

With that, she kissed Quinn one more time, squeezed Finn’s hand, and then strode into the circle.

She was a witch, a wolf, and a woman who loved a man who loved her back. She would one day be the Enforcer and had fought the prejudice of those who didn’t think she was good enough for her blood and didn’t like how she’d come into her powers.

She wouldn’t lose today.

And from the look on Helena’s face, the other woman knew it too.

“Human with claws,” Helena spat. “We’ll fight as human.”

Gina cracked her knuckles and let her claws come through her fingertips. It was a hard shape to keep if the wolf wasn’t strong enough. She didn’t think Helena would be, but maybe the other woman thought she could handle it.

“Good enough for me.” She kept her eyes on Helena just in case the other woman tried something. She wouldn’t put it past her considering her background.