Page 12 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

He gave a mocking half-bow—nearly hiding the wince when it pulled at his wound—and closed his eyes, leaning back against the chair. If he kept prattling, he was gonna give me a greaterheadache on top of the one attempting to send a spike through my brain.

A low growl echoed in the silence, sending a jolt along my spine and making my hair bristle on my neck. My knife blade was along my forearm as I readied for attack.

But it was only the pup. He was swaying on his feet, his little eyes staring between the werewolf, the human, and the unicorn in the room. The little guy’s ears were pinned back, the scruff on his neck standing on end.

I breathed out a tiny sigh and walked over to the pup.

“You’re going to get yourself bit,” the werewolf said with all the concern of a horned rabbit munching hay.

When I got close enough, the little wolf snapped his little fangs inches from my fingers. Well, poppycock.

I glared at the werewolf, whose face was blank. There was a twinkle in his dark eye that hinted at delight.

“It’s alright, little one. You’re safe,” I whispered, reaching out once more. The pup whined, and I felt his need.

A grin turned my lips.

CHAPTER 4

The Red and The Wolfie

WOLFIE & ALIA

Wolfie

The grin transformed her. She was at once enigmatic and open, a curious blend of killer instincts and probing empath.

But that grin. It took her features and made her… stunning. She was not beautiful in the typical sense of the word for werewolves. Most mates met when they were in wolven form under the light of the full moon. Fated mates—were they even a thing—only occurred under the light of the Blood Moon which occurred once every three years. In all actuality, I am aware enough to say it is not entirely that I do not believe in fated mates—my sister met hers, after all. It is a sense of anguish which drives me to unbelief, for even were it a possibility, Source would not see fit to give me such a beloved creature. I am too dark for such a bond.

I have tasted evil and bathed in blood. It would be too much for a regular mate, much less one of the priceless, fated variety.

This little sprite before me—who saw fit to first kidnap me from the first of many celebrations of the upcoming Blood Moon—brings something else by her presence. My wolf was oddly tame around her. He was not one to permit such bondage, but by her hands, he was… content?

Which set me on edge. She stabbed me, for goodness sake. I had killed for less. But with my inner demon so tame, it caused a sense of curiosity I knew I was better without. I just could not seem to curb the odd emotion.

I knew one of us would die. There was no way she would let me live, and there was no way I could let her continue to slaughter my kind.

Funny how a war can be so very bloody even when there is no battle.

With Lycus placated and serene, I could nearly relax for a moment in time. It was a heady sensation. He usually cried for the lifeblood of those who had wronged us. Even perceived slights had ended in a shift and bloodied jaws as Lycus asserted his dominance.

Not with her.

The moon was full, so he should be aching for freedom from our human form. Instead, he was content watching this little parasite. Even so, I knew that in a few hours, when the full moon would rise high in the sky, I would need to show my hand and take off the collar or else it would strangle me when my wolf was forced to shift.

The girl glanced up, her blue eyes sparkling as if with some inner joke, and she met my gaze. My wolf edged up, pricking his ears at her nearness, scenting the gentle hues of lilac and chamomile and sunshine and blood upon her. Her grin slowly faded as if she remembered where we were and what I was, and my heart gave a painful beat in my chest. I gritted my teeth.

Pull yourself together. It is not as if she were a damsel you can woo. She is a hunter of all magic, an enemy of my kind, and she has chained me to a chair as if I were common rabble.

As if you’re complaining,Lycus, my wolf, said.This is as good a vacation as we’ll get. She stitched us up when you were about to bleed out.

As if that would be enough to kill me,I replied.

Losing blood is considered an easy way to die,he said, snarky humor coating his voice.

I ignored him, my eyes followed the Red as she walked over to her unicorn—another oddity. I had never seen a Red ride a murderous grunt as that. From the unicorn, she stole a portion of meat.

The unicorn grumbled and showed her shark-like teeth, but otherwise did not protest. I rose a brow, unable to contain a hint of surprise.

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