Page 84 of Shaken Knot Stirred

“Moxie! Run! Beg knows!” Her terror fed more energy to the alpha.

“Star. Bite Nico. Make him pack.”

“What?” Star pushed me aside to get a better hold on Lana.

I kicked him in the shin to get his attention. I grabbed a fistful of his black T-shirt and pulled him down to me. We both jerked forward as the alpha pulled on Lana’s arm.

“Beg is shredding Nico’s aura. He’ll die without an aura. Bite him. Make him your pack.”

“Will that work?” Panic coated Star’s voice, making it squeaky.

“Trust me. Auracle, remember.” I oofed out air as we were yanked forward again. “Look at him.”

Star turned his head to finally look at Nico. His aura flashed into lightning bolts of rage. “Bite him, don’t fight Beg!” I screamed as Star growled and flew across the ring.

Star

I dove, sweeping Beg’s leg out from under him as he wound up for another kick. I wrapped my body around Nico and rolled him out of the way.

I shoved my fingers into his soft curls. His eyes were glassy as they tried to focus. I shook him. He needed to focus. He needed to understand. Pack bond bites didn’t work without consent.

“Accept my bite, Nico. Accept my pack bite.” I shook him again.

His lips were stained red. He swallowed and nodded. I eased his head back to expose his neck.

I felt a punch to the throat. Cold metal wrapped around my neck and jerked me back. Black sparkles dimmed my vision as I was dragged backward, away from Nico. My fingers scrambled for a hold on the chain.

Nico

Lana’s screams cleared my head. The alpha lunged for her, tearing the shoulder of her dress. Part of the fencing gave way, collapsing into the ring.

I struggled to my feet, using all my strength to plow into the alpha, taking him to the ground.

Moxie

The fence threw me back, knocking the air out of me as my butt hit the floor. Upside down, I saw Star’s feet kicking.

I wobbled to my feet. Beg had the chain wrapped around one arm, lifting Star off the ground by the neck. His lips were blue. Beg’s face was covered in sweat, his skin was white and waxy looking. I held back my smile of satisfaction.

“Moxie,” Beg’s voice and aura coated me in ick. “My little omega. I can make this all stop. Accept my bite.”

“You dumb fucker. It took you this long to figure it out.”

“You smell so fucking good.” He yanked the chain harder as it slipped from his grasp a little. Star’s arm fell limp.

“You don’t want me as your omega, Beg.” I circled around him, wanting to keep his attention on me, not the rest of my pack.

“Oh, but I do. You’re my scent match. Mine.”

“Let Star go. You never touch him again, and you can put your teeth on me.”

He dropped Star in a heartbeat. I didn’t even see him hit the ground before Beg was on me. His teeth tore my skin. His aura, like gritty oil, wrapped around me. There was resistance as it pushed against me. Fuck. I gave in, and I felt the edges of my aura meld with his. His pine scent flooded my mouth, coating it, making it sticky.

I pushed him away. I could feel blood drip down my neck.

I closed my eyes and took it all in. Beg was creeping into my awareness. But so were Nico and Lana. I mentally pushed Beg aside and reached for my pack.

I couldn’t stop the sick, satisfied laugh that bubbled out of me.

---