Page 37 of Tangled Fates

Before I watched her drop to the ground and whimper in pain.

What the fuck, Hudson?

I walked over to her, straddled her bleeding body, and stared down at her. As Alpha, you’ll have to be prepared to be challenged at all times if you ever stand a chance at being our Alpha. So, heal yourself and get up.

How do I heal myself?

I backed away from her and readied myself for round two. You’re the one who thinks she knows everything. You figure it out.

As I turned around, I slinked my way back into position. However, before I got a chance to turn back toward her, I collapsed to the ground. A sudden force slammed into my ribcage, and the resounding crack made me sick to my stomach as I slid across the cold, hard ground littered with rocks. A tree battered into my back, stopping my body full force before I had a chance to look up.

And when I found Raven standing over me, the smallest glimmer of hope slithered through my veins.

That’s more like it.

I rolled over and got up, standing on all fours. I turned toward Raven, who gazed upon me with a ferocity that would suit her well if she could actually get her shit together.

You going to let me get to the pack now? Or are you still going to be a shithead about things and refuse to take responsibility for your part on keeping me in the dark?

Man, she really knew how to get beneath someone’s skin.

The only person you have to blame right now is yourself. All we’ve done is follow your orders. So, if you don’t like where you stand? Maybe you should think back onto all of the things you asked of us before you start pointing fingers… Alpha.

That time, she moved like lightning. She kept her feet connected with the ground and tackled me back to the dirt. We rolled around, taking pot-shot slashes with our talons at each other’s faces while mud puddles splashed around us.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, forecasting the rain I had smelled the second I took off for the woods.

But I wasn’t done with her yet.

Rule number one for being an Alpha, it’s always your responsibility. No matter who actually is to blame.

She sank her teeth into my stomach, and I howled toward the sky. That isn’t how it works in my world. Those who are to blame shoulder the blame. They don’t rely on someone else to cover their ass.

I rolled her over, pinning her to the ground as my stomach healed. You aren’t in your world. You’re in ours. And if you want to stand at the head of the pack, you play by our rules. Not human ones.

She wiggled around beneath me. You want me as your Alpha? Then, the two worlds are no longer separate.

I backed away once I knew I was healed. Who said we wanted you for anything? Your father placed you into this role. Not us.

So, does that mean you don’t want me around?

I shook my head. Not if it means the well-being of my family, no.

I expected to see sadness in her eyes. Or possibly even relief. I could absolve her from everything. We could take over Colin’s investigation and she could go back to the human world she loved so fucking much. But instead, determination washed over her features. Something glowed behind her gaze. She moved herself side to side, rocking on her haunches as she lifted her front paws into the air.

Then, I’ll guess you’ll have to kill me, Hudson. Because one way or another, I’m getting back to that pack.

I let out a bombastic howl. Suit yourself, then.

Just as I leveled my head, something slammed into my body once more. We tumbled around, rolling down the hill and knocking into rocks as trees bent to our very will. They caved for us, tumbling us faster every time we hit a log and rolled further down the expanse of the mountainside.

And when we finally tumbled into a fresh wildflower meadow, I found Raven on top of me.

Pinning down with all of the strength she could muster.

Gotcha.

She snarled, and I watched as the spit from her long, sharp fangs dripped onto my forehead. I wiggled around, doing my best to get up. Trying to throw her off or wrap my legs around her. Anything to give me leverage so I could flip her onto her backside and sink my teeth into her god damn jugular.

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