Page 33 of Love Bites

He knelt down on all fours and pulled on the bond between him and his wolf. Since he was Alpha, he could shift faster than any of the other wolves in his Pack. He wasn’t sure how the bond between him and Brie would affect her change, but hopefully, it would make it easier on her. That was at least one thing he could provide in this whole mess.

The shift hurt like hell, but it was a welcome pain. His wolf rejoiced in his new form, their souls melding within their new body. He was a big man, and since he was also Alpha, he was a big wolf as well. His fur was black as pitch and made it easy to hunt at night. He stood out like a beacon in the snow, but there were other ways to get around that.

He shook off the last of his change and looked down at Brie. She was still shifting, but at least almost done. He studied the color of her fur, surprised to find it pure white. He shouldn’t have been surprised though. It only made sense that fate would give him a pure white wolf as his mate to contrast his pure black coat. Opposite sides of the coin in all ways that mattered.

Once she finished shifting, she stood up, letting out a small whimper that only he could hear. He quickly licked her muzzle, showing her he was there. From the look of panic in her eyes, the shift must have come on much quicker than she was used to. He should have told her about the possibility before they’d started, but then again, he should have told her a lot of things before she’d become a Talon. There was no going back now.

He inhaled her scent, letting it flow over him. It somehow calmed and incensed his wolf at the same time, and he knew the mating urge was far from over. If he wasn’t careful, he’d have her against a tree and bury himself deep within her once they shifted back.

Of course, the idea held merit…and shewashis mate.

From the look in her eyes, she knew where his mind had gone, and he let out a strangled cough before nudging her side. When she didn’t move, he cursed himself then nuzzled her neck before gently biting down. He’d almost forgotten to claim her as his in front of the Pack in the way of their wolves. It wasn’t that it didn’t matter…it was just that he was so comfortable around her and with her by his side, as if she were meant to be there, that he almost skipped steps. Important steps.

Comfortable wasn’t the right word though, considering he was always on edge around her. His need to protect her andbewith her overrode all his good judgments. If he wasn’t careful, he just might find himself falling for his mate.

An Alpha couldn’t do that.

It would make her a liability.

He licked her muzzle then angled his head so he could study his Pack. No one had left since they would be waiting for him to make the first move. Some were still shifting, but most were done, watching him and Brie interact. Startled, he saw that the elders had come as well. They didn’t participate in such events often, but since they were the reason he’d been forced to mate in the first place, it made sense. He also noticed Iona by their side, shifted and her head held high.

This would not end well if he let Iona anywhere near Brie.

With that sobering thought, he let out a howl, the sweet melody of Brie’s howl blending with his own before the rest of the Pack joined in. He took off at a run, knowing the others would follow. He needed to burn off his energy as well as keep an eye on Brie. That meant he would not let his wolf go to the forefront of his mind. His wolf seemed to understand that, though, and made it easy for the both of them.

His paws pounded against the soil and grass at a steady rhythm. He sensed his family and Brie near him, running behind him but close. By the sounds around him, rabbits and other prey scurried away as they caught the scent of the Pack, but he ignored them. Unlike other hunts, he wasn’t chasing animals. This was about the run and keeping an eye on Brie. He slowed down then, letting Brie come up by his side.

Just as he leaned down to nip playfully at her neck, the scent of other wolves reached them. He stopped completely and pressed his body against Brie’s. She nudged back then took a step away, pushing at him with her nose. It seemed she wanted to say she had this, but he wasn’t sure he could let her go.

Shannon jumped over a fallen log near them, and he twisted so he could watch her fully. The others would be able to care for Brie in case any one in his Pack came up with the idiotic notion to attack his mate as a sign of dominance.

She pawed at the ground, ready to pounce, so he slowly walked toward her, leaving Brie in the hands of his family. They would protect her at all costs.

He had promised it.

Shannon angled her head, her eyes full of bright anger. There was nothing he could do about that. He’d never been able to make the woman happy since he wasn’t a vengeful psychopath like his father.

The woman wanted to rule like a tyrant, and he wouldn’t let her.

Forcing him to mate because of age-old customs was only a small part of her arsenal. He was afraid to see what else she could come up with. The woman was up to something—he knew it. Or, if it wasn’t her, something else was coming. The ache in his bones told him so. He wasn’t an Alpha for nothing.

Brynn let out a yip behind him, and he growled. He turned, only to find a group of dominant juveniles come to Brie’s side. Before he could growl, one of the wolves pounced on Brie, teeth bared and claws out.

Brie let out a growl as the other wolf clawed her. She moved, but not fast enough to escape another wolf latching on to her side.

The others weren’t helping her. No. Instead, they were standing back with pain in their eyes, as if they wanted to help but couldn’t.

What the ever-loving fuck.

Gideon growled then clawed at the wolves who’d dared touch his mate. He reached for another wolf but found him whimpering as Brie bit down on his neck. Surprised, he looked down at her, but she turned away, leaving the other wolf on the ground.

Hell.

He’d failed her.

He’d promised her she wouldn’t get hurt, yet that’s exactly what had happened. The scent of her blood on the ground beneath him enraged him, and he threw back his head and howled. There was no way he could complete the hunt now. Instead, he growled at every wolf nearby then went to Brie’s side, nudging her so they were near a tree he knew would hold clothes that some of them left for emergencies.

With his gaze on hers, he started to shift back, needing to feel her and check her wounds.

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