Page 8 of Enemies By Fate

A peculiar sensation overcomes me as I near her, but the din and bodies between us prove distracting, especially as members of my pack and other visitors reach out to get my attention in passing, vying for a fleeting second of my time. No one is bold enough to stop me full on, but they make subtle overtures, stepping in my path, offering demure smiles, and otherwise slowing me down on my chase after the redhead, who I now want more than anything.

My wolf senses sharpen as more figures fill the space between us, and I lose sight of her again as someone calls out my name.

Dammit!

Straining, I whip my head around, looking for the woman again, her reddish-blonde hair easily detectable, even in a crowd like this one.

But I can’t see her now.

“What’s wrong, Alpha?” A pack mate hands me a bottle of my favorite beer, but I don’t want it. My head has to stay clear until I get my hands on this elusive shifter, who’s clearly playing with me now. She’s good, but she’s not Apex Alpha good.

I’m coming to get you.

“Nothing,” I reply truthfully.

Even if she is a stranger, she’s still a shifter, and by all accounts, welcome at the full moon event—assuming she’s not stupid enough to bring trouble with her. My interest in her has less to do with her unfamiliarity and more to do with the fact that she’s alluring and a fresh challenge.

I want to know who she is.

The atmosphere around the lake charges as the moon rises higher, a film of red overtaking the haze of clouds surrounding the outer halo.

“Stay vigilant for outsiders tonight,” I tell my packmate, still scanning the area.

My gaze eventually rests back on the bonfire where my brothers have risen to wander restlessly, as if the girl's arrival has unsettled them, too.

A flash of light red streaks past my peripheral vision, and I’m off running before I can stop myself. Overhead, three shooting stars fire off in tandem with the popping of fireworks, released by a shifter from one of the ordinary packs. Brilliant colors illuminate the sky, making it easier for me to take in the surrounding mob, and I immediately see her again, her vivid blue eyes locking on mine.

Unexpectedly, my heart leaps into my throat, starting me as I come to a dead stop, dozens of others between us. Even from the distance, I see her pupils dilate, then constrict, her plump lips parting in shock. Her delicate hand lifts to brush behind herleft ear, the curve of her neck tightening to emphasize the steady pulse of her heartbeat—a rhythm perfectly aligned with my own.

Who are you? What are you?

Another firecracker shoots off over Watts Bar Lake, and the shifters howl and screech, the official transformation commencing. The moon peaks at her fullness, the noise and mild chaos tampering with the mounting energy bubbling between me and the redhead. It feels as if something deigns to break free between us, but a distinct wall holds me back. An internal struggle starts in my mind as I try to make sense of what’s happening, of who she is or what she wants.

“Did you speak to her? Who is she?” Malachi demands from beside me.

Annoyed, I glance at him, but before I can respond, she’s on the move again, and I don’t waste a second chasing after her now. I won’t let her out of my sight this time.

Stealthily, I sidestep my brother, ducking around a group of giggling older teenagers, already half-tipsy on hunt blood. As they lay eyes on me and Malachi, they immediately stop chattering, and bowed their heads respectfully, muttering, “Alpha Warrick, Alpha Malachi,” as they stepped aside to let us pass.

Through my sidelong vision, I catch Malachi’s gaze, his silent message and half-smirk reaching me.

You take her front. I’ll take the back.

Rolling my eyes, I head off the interloper, still trying to understand who she is and why she’s toying with me. She’s taunting us for a reason.

Tempted to shift and pounce on her, I keep to the shadows, avoiding the fairy lights draped along the beachfront trees as Malachi darts through the throng behind her. A panic unfolds in her brilliant azure eyes, the two of us closing in around her.Her eyes grow wider as they rest on my face, the expression of a trapped animal falling over her striking features.

What is she?

As I draw closer, I’m no longer sure she is a shifter, even though I can smell her propensity to transform coursing through her body. The trouble is, I don’t know what she can shift into. I extend my hand, a slow smile touching my lips.

“Come here,” I urge her as Malachi advances from behind.

All hell breaks loose as she sees him, her hand again reaching up to touch her ear—a nervous tic, I realize.

“Warrick, don’t!” Asher suddenly calls out from nowhere.

I didn’t even realize our other brother had joined in the chase. I freeze in my place, heeding Asher’s alarmed tone.

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