Page 98 of Oath of Revenge

“Be that as it may, they’re not going to just help us recover our families,” Duskkeepers said. “They’ll want something in return.”

Wulfric took a piece of steak from Nomani as he replied. “My new mate is a fount of information, as her brother is the dragon king to the north.”

The other alphas all paused, every eye turning to him as he tore into the hunk of steak. He waited them out, maintaining the upper hand.

Battlefangs eyes glowed softly. “I’ve heard that she’s not a true Growler. What is she?”

Silentclaws snorted and took his own piece of meat. “It doesn’t matter. If she’s not a Growler, she can’t be his mate.”

Surprisingly it was Barley who came to her defense. “I can attest to the mate bond. I saw it snap into place when they completed it, and it was the same as every other fated mate I’ve ever seen. It was definitely not the regular chosen mate ritual.”

Nomani nodded as she brought a tray of drinks. “I saw it too. The Elders were all outside the tent near our communal fire.”

The door burst open, and Elva raced inside. “Alpha, quick.”

All five of them jumped up, two spilling their cups in the process. Elva glanced between them, finding Wulfric. Her brow was wrinkled as she said, “The Luna. She’s—she’s shifted.”

He strode around the fire. “What’s the problem? She shifted into a Growler last night. It’s early to shift back, but not unheard of.”

Elva shook her head, clutching her side as shouts and howls echoed outside. “No, she’s a rabbit.”

Wulfric sucked in a breath then raced through the door. A small streak of red shot through camp toward the central bonfire pit, followed by a dozen Growlers. They raced straight for him, and he could smell the paralyzing fear wafting off her.

Behind him, Silentclaws said, “Is that your mate? I told you it won’t work.”

“Gods, she’s not one of us at all,” Duskkeepers whispered in awe. Scarlet heard the comments and turned to dart around the giant firepit.

In her wolf form, she resembled a large jackrabbit with powerful legs and tall ears that helped her swiftly navigate through the terrain. Of course his mate would not be a simple cottontail rabbit—she was much more than that.

Wulfric watched in admiration as she used her long legs and tall ears to speed through the camp, evading their pursuers. She was unlike any creature he had ever seen before. She looked back at him with wide eyes before tripping over her own feet and letting out an angry rabbit’s scream.

Wulfric leaped after the group, shifting and tearing through his clothes as he barked. “Enough. Leave her alone.”

He could feel the power of his alpha position coursing through him, but it seemed to have little effect on the Growlers who continued their relentless pursuit. Wulfric refused to give up. With all his might, he leaped over the remaining Growlers and landed in front of Scarlet, crouched low and ready to defend her.

She looked up at him with wide eyes, her small body trembling beneath him. She was a stark contrast to his own massive and muscular wolf form. But they were mates, destined to protect and care for each other no matter their differences.

As Scarlet stumbled on her big feet, Wulfric spun around to keep her protected between his legs. He felt the grazing of her soft fur against his stomach and knew that he would do everything in his power to shield her from harm, even if it meant fighting every single one of his fellow Growlers.

“I said, stand aside,” he snarled at the remaining Growlers, daring them to come any closer and harm his mate.

The pack skidded to a halt, flinging snow into their faces. “It’s a rabbit. You can’t expect us to not eat it,” someone in the back of the pack yelled.

The alphas followed, forming a silent group of four behind them. Silentclaws crossed his arms and frowned.

“It’s not an it at all. This is the Luna,” Wulfric panted.

There were barks of denial and growls, but Wulfric yelled. “I said enough. She is protected and to be kept safe as my fated mate. She’s a fierce warrior who can shift into a Growler and a rabbit. This is amazing. It’s never been done before. There’s never been anyone like her.”

Someone snorted. “Who are you trying to convince, us or yourself?”

“She was pretty cool as a Growler, but all this other?”

“I don’t care,” Wulfric said, his lip bared. “You will respect her as you respect me. If you keep pushing, I’ll ban all rabbit and deer meat in the entire camp. Now go about your business until dinner.”

“This is why we sided with Brody. He rules with an iron fist,” someone grumbled as the crowd dispersed back to tents. When they were gone, it was only the four alphas and the three Elders.

“This is highly unprecedented,” Nightstalkers said, stroking his thick jaw.

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