Page 12 of Craved By the Werewolf
The thought of seeing Vala again so soon sent another jolt of anticipation through my system. Which was exactly the problem.
"I need some air," I muttered, heading for the rear exit.
"Running away?" Raina called after me. "That's not very Alpha-like."
I didn't dignify that with a response. Mostly because she wasn't wrong.
The training facility was empty at this hour, which was exactly what I needed. I stripped off my jacket and rolled up my sleeves, then stood in front of the heavy bag I'd installed after too many frustrating council meetings had left me needing something to hit.
The first punch landed with a satisfying thud. The second followed quickly. By the third, I could feel my wolf stirring restlessly beneath my skin, responding to the violence with approval.
But it wasn't enough. Nothing was enough to erase the memory of those few seconds when Vala had gone completely still, her quick wit deserting her for the first time since I'd known of her existence. The way she'd looked at me like I'd stripped away every defense she'd ever built.
The way I'd wanted to keep stripping them away until there was nothing left between us but truth.
My fist connected with the bag hard enough to split the leather. Sand began leaking onto the concrete floor in a steady stream, but I barely noticed. The wolf was closer to the surface now, pushing against my control, demanding action that had nothing to do with property damage and everything to do with claiming what was mine.
Except she wasn't mine. Couldn't be mine. Wouldn't be mine even if I was stupid enough to want her to be.
I hit the bag again. And again. Somewhere between the seventh and eighth punch, I felt the familiar burn that meant my control was slipping. My vision sharpened, scents became more pronounced, and the careful barriers I kept between my human and wolf sides began to blur.
Claws extended from my fingertips. The next punch tore through the bag completely, sending sand cascading across the floor in a waterfall of grain and leather scraps.
I stood there breathing hard, staring at the destruction, trying to remember the last time I'd lost control like this. Trying to convince myself it was just stress from the upcoming event, just the pressure, just?—
"Well, I'll be damned."
I spun toward the voice, claws still extended, only to find Knox standing in the doorway with his arms crossed and a knowing grin on his weathered face.
"Knox." The claws retracted with an effort of will that left me feeling drained. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to watch you destroy a punching bag." He stepped into the gym, surveying the destruction with the kind of calm that came from six decades of pack life. "Haven't seen you lose your shit like this since you were a pup and that Vampire Council dismissed your territorial claims."
"This is different."
"I'll say." Knox settled onto one of the weight benches like he planned to stay awhile. "Back then you were mad. Tonight? Tonight you look like a man who just got sucker-punched by his own damn heart."
I grabbed a towel and wiped sand off my hands. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"The hell you don't." His laugh was gruff but warm. "Boy, I've been watching you prowl your way through this town for years. Everyone of those girls all lovestruck and hanging on your every word, hoping to be the one who catches the Alpha's eye permanently." Knox's eyes twinkled with mischief. "But none of them ever made you punch holes in gym equipment, did they?"
"Vala's not?—"
"Vala, is it?" Knox's eyebrows shot up. "You make a habit of not remembering their names. Impressive, even for you."
I threw the towel harder than necessary. "It's her name."
"Uh-huh. And I suppose it's just coincidence that you're down here making confetti after one evening with the radio host?" Knox leaned back, clearly enjoying himself. "Son, I've seen you handle a rogue minotaur with more composure than you showed tonight."
There was no point in denying it. Knox had been part of this pack longer than anyone, had helped train me when I was barely old enough to shift. If anyone could read me like an open book, it was him.
"She didn't back down," I said finally.
"Well, I'll be damned. Finally found one with some spine." Knox's grin was approving. "About time."
"About time?" I stared at him. "Knox, she's human. She has no idea what she's dealing with."
"Maybe she does. Maybe she looked at the big bad Alpha and thought, 'Huh, just another guy who needs taking down a peg or two.'" He chuckled. "Tell me something, son. When you leaned in close and delivered that line about baring your teeth, what did she do?"
