Page 49 of Winning the Wolf

"I know," he said, listening, "there's several of them. I might need to pretend to abdicate, just to keep you and your friend safe."

I scowled, my lip lifting as Jeremy entered the clearing accompanied by Dinky and another female. Neither woman looked happy to be there. Their eyes were downcast, watching where they trod as Jeremy made his way closer.

"My brother," the enemy said, waving his hand towards the second woman. "Please,come out."

The woman pointed at the hut, muttered a few words and twirled her fingers. Great, Jeremy had a fucking witch. We stood no chance of getting away now.

Killick didn't hesitate. His feet were through the door, taking him straight towards Jeremy. I jogged to keep up, sticking to his side. Now that I'd accepted the responsibility to protect the alpha, I would do everything I could to-

Pain exploded in my head, so strong, I dropped to my knees. Killick was beside me, leaning on one knee and clutching his skull.

"I guessed you wouldn't care enough about your friend here," Jeremy said, coming closer and nodding at the witch, "so I decided to give you even more incentive to give up your throne."

The witch's voice grew louder as she chanted a spell in Latin. The pain intensified as my bones broke and my shift was forced against my will. My hands dug into the earth as my claws turned into fingers. The bitch was taking away my free will, which meant she was a black witch. Good witches never forced someone's hand.

"Stop!" Dinky shouted, surging forward.

Jeremy caught her and threw her to the ground, laughing when she grunted.

"If you dare to interfere again, I'll cut your hand off." Jeremy's back was to us as he concentrated on Dinky.

Killick rose from his crouch, his lithe frame jumping through the air. Jeremy turned, almost in slow motion and stared at the alpha as he flew towards him.

"Freeze!" the witch shouted, flinging her arm to the left.

Killick flew in the same direction, crashing hard into a tree and slumping to the ground.

I yelped as his pain radiated through me. Despite being frozen to the ground in agony, I tried to stumble to my feet.

"Have you not learnt from your sister?" Jeremy taunted. "If you fight, you get hurt."

"And yet," I pushed through my clenched teeth, "she escaped you."

A snarl exploded from him as he came over and grabbed the hair on my scalp, pulling my head back until I was on my knees.

"Such pretty hair. Wouldn't it be a shame to lose it? Carry on defending your alpha, and I'll get the witch to turn you back so I can shave your fur."

A groaned sigh left me as he shoved me down and made his way over to Killick, who was stirring.

"Same goes for you," he shouted. "If you dare to try and protect your mate, I'll shave you before sending you back."

His ratty jeans had holes in and his hair was matted at the nap of his neck. He was a street rat, clearly left to fend for himself. Clearly trying to make himself something that he wasn't.

"What will it take," Killick called as he got to his feet, "to make you go away?"

They faced one another, half-brother to half-brother. Killick was taller, his frame only slightly bigger. And yet, he carried himself in confidence, his shoulders straight and his nose tilted up, looking down at the man who dared to challenge him.

"I'm never going away." Lifting his hand, Jeremy waved at the witch.

The woman descended on me, where I still knelt on the ground. Her wild black hair was braided on either side and her eyes were lined with dark makeup. She played the stereotypical witch well.

Grabbing my head, she lifted it until she was looking into my eyes. Her mouth moved with silent words and the pain intensified. I screamed and bucked, trying to wrench away from her. The agonising pulse of her magic squeezed my brain, making me cry out even more.

She was suddenly gone, replaced by cool air and Killick, who spun and crouched in front of me. His arms were raised, ready for a fight.

"Oh, good! You failed my test spectacularly." Jeremy walked to the witch and helped her to her feet. She scowled and ripped her arm out of his grip. Ah, the woman wasn't as friendly with him as I'd first assumed. Maybe we could entice her to help us.

"I'm not giving up my claim as alpha," Killick said, snarling at Jeremy as the witch raised her hand, "but I can offer a deal."

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