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He grumbles, climbing to his knees and closing his eyes. “I’ll just picture you pissing me off . . . or maybe on your knees.” He smirks at me.
“Focus,” I mutter, but I can’t keep the amusement out of my tone.
His eyes close, and I watch him struggle, his skin rippling before he finally sighs. Before he can ask, since I know that would wound his pride, I slap his face hard.
He snaps his eyes open, angry and annoyed, but it’s not enough. He’s still holding back, so I turn, grab Lucien, and yank him down for a kiss.
Lucien blinks before sinking into me, grabbing my waist, and dipping me as he nips my lip. I can taste Vale’s jealousy. Wolves are not good at sharing what they claim as theirs, even temporarily.
A growl splits the air moments before we are ripped apart. I stumble back, watching as Vale stands before me in his wolf, shifting faster than I expected. A growl trickles out, as if he’s threatening his brother.
“Easy,” I murmur, stroking his back. I wouldn’t dare to touch any other wolf this way, since they would take it as a sign of aggression and snap, but something tells me I can get away with just about anything with Vale, though I’m not sure why.
He turns back to me, nudging me, and I kiss his head. “You did good. Now change back, and I’ll let you rest for a while.”
This time, he changes back to his human form, and before I can react, he kisses me hard then steps back.
“You’ll be fine as long as we piss you off before the fight,” I mutter. “Now, it’s your turn.” I clap as I turn to Lucien.
Unsurprisingly, Lucien is easier to help. He’s emotional, and he doesn’t let it hold him back, nor does he fear it. He seems to take it in stride, accepting this is who he is now, and doesn’t reject the wolf, making it easier for him to shift, much to Vale’s chagrin.
“Good. Again,” I command, leaning into the bars as Lucien hangs his head with a groan, his naked human body shuddering from exhaustion, but I need to keep pushing. It will be dawn soon, and they will come.
They need to be ready or they will die. A small part of me doesn’t want them to, and I tell myself it’s so we can all survive, but I know that’s a lie.
“I’m tired,” he mutters.
“Aww, poor baby.” I whine. “Tough shit. Again.”
“You’re a mean alpha,” he mumbles but does as he’s told, shifting quicker and quicker each time.
“So I’ve been told.” I wink at his massive wolf. He’s the biggest I’ve ever seen, even bigger than Jang. Pain pierces my heart, and for a moment, I sway with it. When I come to, Lucien’s wolf is wrapped around me protectively, whining with my pain as he holds me up.
“I’m fine,” I whisper, sinking my hand into his fur to ground myself. The warmth and comfort settle my grieving wolf, just like any wolf’s touch would.
Breathing through the pain, I smile down at him and bend over slightly to kiss his head. “Thank you, baby. Okay, change back. We’ll go again.”
Vale chuckles. “No rest for the wicked.”
“Or the beasts,” I tease.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Being a wolf is strange. I can see every little detail of this room, even in the shadows in the corner where a family of spiders seems to live. I can smell the wet, old fur of the ferals, the stench of the mould, and under it all, I smell her.
She’s sweet, musky, and mine.
I feel stronger and faster, as if I could do anything, yet lingering under it all is something wild. It slides through my body every now and again, the feeling almost uncomfortable. It’s like I’m walking on a wire and could fall into its waiting jaws at any time. I grit my teeth against it, forcing myself to walk straight and tall.
Quinn explained that shifting takes a lot of effort and energy, but when we are fresh, we take on a feral edge of adrenaline and power, and we can also shift whenever if we are not careful.
She pushed us all night, only giving us an hour to rest. I know why. Despite the fact that she’s trying to hide it, she’s worried we will lose the fight and they will turn their attention to her. It’s not just her life she worries for, though, it’s ours.
She doesn’t want us to die.
It makes warmth bloom in my chest as I watch her stroke Lucien’s back where he lies with his head on her lap. Myarm is wrapped around her, holding her to me, as a strange possessiveness rolls off me in waves. I feel the need to constantly touch her.
Under that, though, is a deeper need to mark her.
