Page 33 of Ember's Claim

My stomach and chest burn uncomfortably as I try to maneuver into it.

I can’t raise my hands all the way over my head, but the guy pulls my arms forward a bit, dropping the material over my frame.

“I didn’t mean to. How was I supposed to know you were gonna change back?” the kid asks indignantly.

A smile crosses my face, despite the agony. He’s a cute kid with just the right kind of spunk.

“You stood there for twenty minutes, snarling at anyone who tried to get close enough to check on you. Good job! I’m pretty sure the alpha is dead.” His face scrunches. “Um, sorry, luna.” He bows his head.

“I’m not your luna,” I mutter, spinning around until I spot the gray wolf. He’s in a bloody, crumpled heap, and his chestisn’t rising or falling. I hike a thumb in his direction and instantly regret the movement. “Is… Did I do that?”

“You did,” the man says. “You’re officially the Prime Alpha of the North American Pack.”

“Oh,shit,” I whisper, staggering a few steps.

“Take a knee for your alpha or declare your intent to challenge,” the guy at my side snarls. His eyes glow a yellowy-amber color as he spins in a semicircle, making sure to address all the loitering wolves.

My wolf perks up.

She likes the color and the dominance that rolls through his words. It’s not the same pure amber color I would expect from a wolf.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I stagger back several steps.

My wolf isn’t interested in anyone except Veryn, but she’s a little too focused on the way his tattoos move as he slowly turns, appraising the crowd.

The sound of knees hitting the ground sends me in a similar motion as I twirl to see what’s happening.

I’m not in the best shape, but I’d fight again if I had to.

An alpha doesn’t back down from an alpha challenge. It’s like I can hear my Uncle Ridge’s voice in my head.

“You did it,” the boy says, wrapping his hand around mine. His warm skin is soft, and I fight the urge to yank my hand away.

“I need to call my brothers,” I say, glancing back toward where I parked my car.

Or Veryn, but I’m a little afraid he’ll be upset with me.

Not that my brothers won’t be, but they have to love me—we’re related. I’ve also helped them cover up some pretty serious shit in their lives. It’s about time they return some of those favors.

“You need to dismiss your wolves if they’re free to go,” the guy whose name Istilldon’t know says helpfully.

My eyes fly back to the fifteen or twenty kneeling men. My eyes dart around, looking for the female faces.

There’s none.

Not a single woman in the bunch.

Where the hell did they go?

I’m not a threat to them.

“Alpha?” the man says softly. “Are your wolves dismissed?”

“Get back to whatever you were doing before this fiasco started,” I call out.

The chorus of, “Yes, Alpha,” definitely sends a shiver down my spine.

I can’t decipher if it’s a good or a bad feeling.

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