Page 106 of Awakened
He spit out a mouth full of blood. “Fuck you. We just started.” His face shook as his nose elongated. A guttural, barely human voice sounded from between sharp teeth. “I wanted to be gentle with you, but I can see that isn’t what you need.”
In less than a minute, he was a wolf. I was too stunned by his speed to start shifting myself. As fur sprouted from my skin, he sunk his canines into my thigh. One good shake, and he had me on my ass. I jerked my leg while focusing on the shift. My bonessnapped and rearranged, all while his sharp teeth rubbed against my flesh.
He had drawn blood but gone no deeper. He was pulling his punches.
I’m going to make him regret that.
After one of the fastest and probably most awkward shifts of my life, I was able to roll and kick his mouth hard enough to release its hold. We circled one another, sizing each other up and searching for any obvious weaknesses.
Matthew took a step toward me, and my chest rumbled with a warning growl. I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to stop myself from killing him in wolf form, but this was his choice.
I lunged first, my teeth locking around the side of his neck just as his sunk into my shoulder. We both shook, neither getting the upper hand. He used his weight to push me to the ground.
I bit down harder, relishing the iron taste of his blood as it filled my mouth. His low whine let me know I was getting somewhere. Matthew made one final push and nudged me onto my side under him, breaking my hold.
Teeth that had once been deep in my shoulder were now around my neck. I needed to escape his hold before it was too late. There was no way I would submit to this bastard.
Summoning all the strength I had left, I used my legs to push up against Matthew. His upper body left the ground, giving me an out to escape through. Remembering Zach’s annoyingly helpful notes, I swiped Matthew’s belly as I rolled from under him. Blood spurted from the wound, painting the snow red.
He slumped to the ground with a yelp. Pushing up as far as my abused shoulder would allow, I staggered toward him. I needed to pin the asshole and end this. Executing a less-than-graceful jump, I landed on his back and clamped down on his neck. I took no chances, biting down until blood was running from my muzzle.
Matthew whined as he attempted to stand under me, but he eventually stopped moving.
I wasn’t letting go until someone called it.
“Get her off my son! They were fighting to submission, and he’s unconscious!”
“Say she’s free from his claim, and I’ll pull her off.” Seth’s voice was smug as fuck.
“Fine. Celeste Spencer is free from Matthew Stewart’s claim. Now get her off him before he dies.”
“Maybe he shouldn’t make false claims and challenge Amazons.” Seth sounded like he was having fun.
I, on the other hand, was bleeding profusely and about to faint.
Releasing Matthew’s neck, my jaw popped. Every muscle in my body protested as I edged away from the unconscious wolf. Focusing harder than ever before, my body snapped and moved back into my human shape. It hurt like a bitch, and I knew it would be days before I was back to normal.
Seth and Zach crowded around me, blocking me from the oddly silent crowd.
“Sunshine?”
And then, like a little bitch, I passed out.
TWENTY-ONE
The smell of fresh linen, cigarettes, citrus, and whiskey surrounded me, but everything was still black. My mind was alert, but I remained motionless. Every hole made by that asshole’s teeth pulsed and burned as my body tried to repair itself. I struggled to open my eyes with no success.
Where the hell am I?
“When will you be back to the pack house? Whitney and Aiden got here, and your dad wants us to spend some time with them.”
“I don’t know. Zach needed to check on something and asked me to watch over her. I can’t just leave her here unconscious and alone.”
“You’ve been here all day. Are you not coming to dinner? How will that look?”
“Damn it, Becca, there are more important things. You know, like my friend being wounded and needing someone to keep her safe?”
“You promised me.”
