Page 64 of A Wolf's Heart

Kage turned the ball over in his hand a couple of times before raising his arm and throwing it into the woods. I gave the order, and Max took off after it. “Will he find it?” Kage asked.

“Oh yeah, that’s nothing for him.” Unsure whether it was the oncoming wave, or if I just wanted to mess with him, but I threaded my arm through Kage’s. I could obviously see how muscular and thick Kage’s arms were, but holding on to them was something completely different. My arm looked like a child’s in comparison. His skin was cold and hard, but I couldn’t resist running my hand up the thick coils. I could feel Kage going still next to me, tensing up.

“This benefits him?” he asked, his eyes focused on where Max ran into the woods.

“Yep. Not just physically or mentally, but play also helps them socially. It helps strengthen the bond between dog and handler.” He was beyond tense, practically ignoring my touch, but I knew he was forcing himself to ignore it. I could tell by the twitching of the muscles, the goose bumps along his skin.

Letting go of Kage, I took a step to the side. I thought I caught a glimpse of disappointment in his eyes when he glanced down at me, but he was quick to cover it up.

I kept my eyes on his as I began undressing, and he watched my every move, not once telling me to stop. I pulled the tank top up and over, holding it out for him. Kage took my shirt without hesitation. The leggings were next, which he caught as I tossed them up.

I caught the slight tilt of a smile from him, and it did something terrible to my heart. I moved to shift and was taken by surprise at the ease in which I changed to wolf form. It still took longer than it did for the guys, but it was the quickest shift I had ever done.

As my first order of business, I pushed my nose into Kage’s palm, rubbing my head into his hand before arching my wolf’s back and allowing his fingers to brush through my fur. I gauged his interest; he didn’t pull away.

So, I nipped at him.

“Fuck,” he breathed, snatching his hand away. A noise escaped me while I shook my head. “Did you just laugh?” he asked, watching me with the curiosity of a child. He’d never seen a grown wolf act like this. It was a shame. Playtime was the best part of being a wolf, and now it was my mission to show him that.

I gave a pup-like growl and jumped away from him, as if to run. Kage took a quick step forward, and I thought he was about to chase me, but he stopped himself. I ran a little way ahead, stopping and facing him, my front legs splayed out, giving the invitation for him to play.

Kage raised an eyebrow before looking back to the house.

Ugh, was he so clueless?

I ran at him, smacking into the backs of his legs, taking him out. The big boy fell like a tree, though he caught himself. I quickly rolled under him and began slathering his face with the sloppiest, messiest of kisses.

Kage laughed. It was low and short-lived, but it lit me up inside. I nipped his shoulder, and before he moved to grab me, I scrambled out of his reach.

Max came running into the yard, ball proudly in his mouth. When he saw that I had shifted, he dropped the ball before me, tail wagging, and began to bark as he pawed me. Max was used to playing this way with me. Kage was not.

Kage’s shift occurred within a blink, and in the next, he had Max pinned to the ground. The large black wolf was a thing of nightmares, lurking in the shadows, poised and ready to attack its targets. I thoughttargetsand notenemiesbecause a wolf like Kage had many enemies but none worth a moment of his time. Their threat was miniscule. And at this moment, he had my dog, my best friend, pinned under him. There was nothing playful in his snarl, but more gut-wrenching was the yelp and whimpering from Max.

I reacted before I had time to think about what I should do. I threw my body at the wolf before me and tackled him, snarling and snapping. Kage was so tense with the prospect of attacking that he spun on me, grabbing my neck between his teeth. I wouldn’t let him have this, though.

Stand down. Kage’s voice echoed in my mind.

No.I stood my ground, our bodies rolling until I was the one standing over him, teeth bared in his face.You are on my land. This is my pack. You have no power over us. Here,Iam alpha.

I stared into his eyes, saliva dripping down my teeth, ears pinned. He had to know—I had to show him—it was not okay to treat Max like that. I refused to allow it. The idea to bite him raced in my mind. To take him by the neck and bite hard, to shake him. Shake him. Shake him.Shake him.

Kage’s lips relaxed, his ears perked up, and he tilted his head before leaning forward, licking my teeth.Yes, alpha. My apologies.

I stepped back, completely caught off guard. I was afraid, not by Kage, but by my own reaction. Shake him? Why? I began slowly backing away, watching Kage get up to all four paws and shake himself. His thick fur puffed out, and the white along his muzzle and chest made him seem wise, older.

I don’t understand, I said.I wanted to show you it wasn’t okay to go after Max. Instead, I…almost hurt you.

You did not hurt me, mate. You set a boundary, which I respect. You have the heart of an alpha. Maybe you needed a challenge, so it could come out.

No.I didn’t like it. I didn’t want it. I didn’t want to harm anyone.

Kage walked up to me slowly, dipping his head below my chin and bumping it high.

Don’t.I turned away and walked over to Max, sniffing him and ensuring he was okay. He got up, tail wagging.

Kage walked back up to me, sideswiping me with his massive body, and I stumbled to the side.Enough! I almost hurt you.

He stared at me.So serious.

---