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Just as we cleared the forest, someone shoved me to the ground. I immediately bounced to my feet in mere seconds. “What the fuck!” I spun and came face to face with a grinning Violet.
“Careful, Ivy. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.” The malicious shown in her cold eyes. Two of her friends grabbed at Lori, clawing a bloody scratch down her arm.
Violet giggled along with the other two, and poor Lori could only stare at the ground. Why? I was puzzled about the situation until it clicked. I rarely used my alpha vibes. There was no need. I never worried or felt the need to dominate unless someone was actively trying to dominate me into submission. But these three were and Lori was helpless to defend herself.
Oh, hell no!
The magic buzzed my fingertips as I tried to squash it down. This was wolf business and mine preened at the thought. She was all smug satisfaction ready to take on Violet and her band of bullies.
“Leave Lori alone,” I said in a bored nonchalant voice.
“Or what?” Violet stood a little taller, crossing her arms. She gave a tiny signal and the other two made a grab at Lori, ripping her pouch away. I heard her grunt when one of them grabbed her arm too hard. Violet obviously felt strong with her friends and didn’t see Lori as a threat. And she thought she had the numbers on her side.
“Or this.”
I sprang into action and went for the friends first. My eyes zeroed in on the hand gripping Lori too hard. Without slowing, I kicked her knee from the front, snapping it at an odd angle. The dark-haired wolf let go of Lori’s arm, falling to the ground in wails of pain. I didn’t stop there. I grabbed her wrist and snapped it backward.
The blond backed away slowly, her eyes widening in horror. I grinned like an evil villain as I stalked her way. Then, not wasting any time because I could see Violet slipping away, I punched her square in the face. Blood gushed from her broken nose as she collapsed to the ground. Out cold.
I turned in time to see Violet start to run. My wolf thrilled at the thought of chasing prey. I let her come forth even though I remained in human form. I easily caught up to Violet and tackled her to the ground. She screamed and thrashed, but I didn’t care. I let out my alpha vibes, smothering her into submission as she stilled underneath me. I knew my eyes were glowing.
I straddled her, my hand squeezing her throat with ease as my alpha voice warned, “If you or any of your friends get within twenty feet of Lori, I will kill you. Do you understand?”
She tried to nod as her eyes widened in fear. It pleased my wolf to see it.
“Good. And here is a little reminder to motivate you to heed my warning.” My fingers transformed into claws, and I raked them down her chest, drawing blood. She barely whimpered, but I still heard it…and smiled.
I got back to my feet and headed back to Lori, who stood with her eyes cast on the ground. Her shallow breathing was rapid and the pulse in her neck hammered away.
“Are you okay?” I asked when nearing her. She nodded but wouldn’t look at me. “Lori,” I took her hand and it jolted her.
Her eyes lifted and then widened. “Ivy, you’re okay.”
I smiled. “Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“There were three of them. And Violet…I mean, Ms. Raynes…she’s so vicious….” Lori swallowed hard and then slowly looked around and gasped. “You did this?” I nodded. “I know that you are powerful. Well, I didn’t know until you faced off that one day with Ms. Raynes, but you never….” Her mouth snapped shut.
I knew what she meant. I never threw my alpha vibes around. “They won’t hurt you anymore, Lori. And if they threaten or scare you, let me know and I will take care of it.”
“Thanks,” she smiled. “I’m normally good at hiding from them.”
“Violet was here for me. Not you.”
She nodded, then bent to pick up the pouch with the Valerian plants. I glanced at her arm and noticed the cut had already begun to heal.
“Let’s go back to the house,” I said.
When we made it back, I said my goodbyes and searched out Luca. Entering his office, I found him sitting at his desk, shuffling through some papers. He lifted his eyes and smiled at me, and I could tell he was genuinely happy. I returned his smile and suddenly felt shy and out of place. He must have noticed because he was out of the chair and wrapping me in his arms a second later.
I hesitated, then wrapped my arms around his waist. His body relaxed, the tension drained away, and I wondered if it was indeed painful, and this hug was comforting. And then I realized itwascomforting for me too.
“I have missed you,” he said. I wanted to say it back but couldn’t find the words. If my silence bothered him, he never mentioned it. Instead, he stepped back and smiled as he brushed some stray hairs behind my ear. “How about we get an early start on dinner?” I nodded. He took my hand and together, we made our way to the dining room.
Sitting at the table, we both talked about our day. He told me about a business deal his company had landed, which left him to look over and finalize the details before signing off.
I told him about my training, running into Lori and our outing to gather the Valarian plant. I left out the part where Violet and her friends ambushed us. It didn’t matter if we were mates; I would never expect nor allow Luca to run to my rescue when some she-wolf threatened me. My wolf wouldn’t allow it either.
Luca pushed up from the table and dipped his hand for me to take. I think my heart skipped a beat and I hesitated for only a second. And then, I placed my hand in his and walked with him to the living room. He pulled me onto the couch. There was no space between us as he draped his arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head against his chest and reveled at how different, how comfortable it felt to have him near me as he clicked on the TV.
