Page 30 of The Weakest Wolf

My wolf doesn’t want this, and neither do I.

As dark fur springs over my body, warming my chilled skin, I sink to a crouch and close my eyes as bones break and reform into a wolf shape. It’s only painful if I force the shift, but since I’m in no rush for this run, I let it take as long as it does.

Galen and the others can wait.

Minutes later, when I open my eyes, it’s to a world much sharper than the one from before.

And the scents…

Not all are pleasant. But when I filter out the smell of unwashed clothes belonging to my hygienically challenged packmates and focus on the sage, pine, and fallen berries from the forest, it’s incredible.

That isn’t the only scent I find incredible.

Behind me is a man I hate, and who I know hates me—but who, even after everything he’s said and done, smells better than anything I’ve ever sniffed before.

No part of me wants to turn to confront him or the rest of the pack, but I can’t stand facing this cabin forever, even if I want to.

So, I turn.

I thought he would have shifted.

Galen is still a naked man instead of a wolf. If I was still human, maybe I’d focus more on his body than the rest of the pack, but I’m a wolf.

A submissive wolf.

And I’m facing down predators.

I lower my head, already trembling before the run has even started. My fear is bleeding through my pores. I’m sure of it.

They want to hurt me.

My body trembles harder, and the acrid stench of terror grows.

“Now then, let's get this run started, shall we?” Galen’s voice is expressionless.

If he’s getting any enjoyment from my fear, I don’t hear it and I don’t dare lift my head to see it in his face. Instead, I keep my gaze fixed on the ground and wait.

Two seconds later, I’m no longer looking at his bare feet, but at paws.

A howl cuts through the quiet night.

I’ve spun around, intending to run away before I realize it was just Galen reasserting his dominance as alpha. That’s all it was. Just a howl. No reason to run.

Nothing bad is happening.

At least, not yet.

When I dart a glance toward him, my eyes connect with his. Fear spikes. I immediately lower my gaze to the ground.

I feel his approach, but I don’t look up again. No submissive can meet an alpha’s gaze for long.

His body brushes against mine, leaving a faint trace of his scent behind as he paces a tight circle around me. When he drags in a deep breath, I nearly lift my head because he’s acting as if he likes my scent. More than likes it.

Before I can wonder for too long why Galen the wolf is friendlier than Galen the man, he stalks away, leaving me behind…

Alone.

The safest place for me is going to be near the front with Galen rather than at the back with the rest of the pack, so I move to follow.

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