Page 5 of Beta Hybrid

I try to yank my arm back, but only manage to set her claws dragging down my skin.

Sarah grasps my shoulders, standing firmly behind me. ‘Please unhand her.’

Savannah looses another growl.

‘Sav,’ Lexie warns. ‘She’s our guest from our cousin pack. Release her.’

For a moment, the claws in my arm flex, digging in slightly deeper, before they’re roughly ripped out. I gasp, clutching my arm as thin trails of blood drip down my skin.

Cai shifts and leaps in front of me with a growl, ready to rip Savannah apart.

Noah shifts in the blink of an eye, but Lexie is already between them, still in human form. ‘Hey! Enough!’ She grabs her husband by the scruff of his neck, hauling him backward. ‘You’re more gracious than that, my love, even if you won’t admit it. And Mordecai, I apologise for my sister, but back up. You’re a guest here. No more blood will be spilled. Understood?’

Are you okay? Cai asks me.

Only Sarah’s grip on my shoulders keeps me upright. Just stop. I don’t want you to get hurt.

Cai’s silver eyes bore into Noah’s. The wolves are almost perfectly matched in size. Cai’s fur softer-looking, slicker, Noah’s rougher with a few scars.

At the same time, the wolves shift back, now naked.

‘Let me make something clear,’ Cai growls. ‘Zenna is my mate. I’ve accepted her.’ Come, please show them where I marked you.

I hesitate. Bite for bite, I’m not sure who would win between the alphas, but Noah’s whole pack are wolves. His are stronger than Cai’s witches, though Divina could be a wild card.

I’ll protect you, Zen, he soothes. Don’t be afraid. Come here.

Reluctantly, I move out of Sarah’s grasp, toward the centre of the conflict.

Cai gently turns me, hooking my shorts aside to reveal his bite mark on my ass. If I weren’t in danger, I can almost hear Jana’s whooping laugh. But all is quiet for a moment, and I feel like a harlot-idiot, baring my ass to these strangers. Cool, cool. Take your time, I think, my cheeks heating.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cai nod, then nearly jump out of my skin as a strange hand rests on my back, looking at my butt. Easy, Lexie’s looking at you.

‘Lovely,’ the beta says. ‘Noah, they’re together. Leave her alone. You too, Savvy.’ Lexie turns me gently, then loosely grasps my injured arm. ‘I’m really sorry about that.’ Tentatively, she holds my hand, and I let her, curling my own fingers around the calming woman. ‘We are old friends, our packs, but we’re only used to wolves. But you seem so lovely and brave. I promise our pack will do our best to show you the kindness you deserve.’ Lexie glowers at her husband, then turns a smile to Cai. ‘Why don’t you boys catch up? I’ll show our new friends around.’

My eyes meet Cai’s, but he nods, his mouth quirked in a smile. Lexie wraps an arm around Sarah’s waist, too, her hand still in mine. ‘Come on, ladies, let’s get a breath of fresh air away from these hot-heads.’

Sarah smiles, clearly relieved. ‘I meant to congratulate you on Reagan’s first shift. I got your letter.’

I turn to Lexie as our packs break apart, Noah’s heading back to the camp, ours dispersing in the other direction. ‘Noah and I have three boys,’ the beta tells me. ‘Reagan is our oldest. He just shifted for the first time.’

‘Oh. Is… is he okay?’

Lexie smiles. ‘Of course. He ran with his father under the moonlight. I’m so proud.’ The beta leads us out of the encampment, and I stay quiet, my hand still in hers, as she leads us down the little mountain, to the left instead of the right, away from the stream.

‘This is what my husband ridiculously calls the Women’s Quarters, but it is where we go to chat and get away from the men when they’re being too stubborn or aggressive.’ Lexie gestures to the beautiful waterfall set into the cliffy side of the mountain. The water falls, a peaceful sound in my ears, gushing down to a pool, around which are set a few cabins and a large picnic-like area.

Many of my witches have followed, and Lexie spreads her arms, welcoming everyone.

‘This is lovely,’ Sarah says. ‘How old are the boys now?’

We settle on a large table near the waterfall and I’m happy enough to sit with the two women, listening without having to talk much. Without having to gather information or hope for escape.

‘Reagan is twelve, Peter is eight, and Angus, my little monster, is five and will not stop climbing things even though he doesn’t have his wolf yet!’ Lexie sighs. ‘Thank goddess he has the healing, though!’

‘Where are they now?’ Sarah asks.

‘Oh, I’m sure they’re somewhere.’ Lexie waves a hand about. ‘They’re always hunting for game, trying to make their father proud. Reagan’s a little quieter than this brothers, but he tries, too.’

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