9. Jasinda

9

JASINDA

I can't watch, not when my mate shifts, not when I feel the air electrically charged, or the rush of emotion and aggression fill the air. Two waging packs, standing on either side of the males, ready to see who becomes the victor.

Although this won't be a death match, I still can't watch, still can't see if Colt gets hurt, which undoubtedly, he will since I know Stark is a fierce fighter.

I have my hands covering my mouth and I'm shaking my head, wanting to go to them, to tell Colt this isn't how it has to be. I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions, decide who I mate with.

Kendra has her hand wrapped tightly around mine, gently pulling me away. It's probably for the best. I don't think I could've controlled myself if and when it started.

We're walking through the woods now, the sound of the fight loud, intense. I look up at her with wide eyes, shaking my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. She gives me a small, sympathetic smile.

"It'll be okay," she says and a part of me knows that that's true. But another part of me screams for me to go back, to make sure things end the way they should.

Because even if Stark comes out the victor, I know Colt won't let me go. He won't stop until he's dead.

"Stark won't win," Kendra says and I realize I've said that out loud. "Is this your first time seeing a dominance fight?"

I'm nodding but my focus is where we've just left, where the fight is going strong, where the growls are echoing off trees.

"I feel so out of it."

"It'll be okay. Colt is strong. I can see that in him, smell it in the air. It's why Stark wanted to fight. He wants that strength, wants everyone to know that he can best the best."

I let go of her hand and take a step toward the fight when I hear a loud roar rip through the air. I'm shaking my head, my heart racing.

No, I will not be weak. I will not be pulled away and hope for the best.

I'm running through the woods, back to my mate. I see the wolves fighting for dominance, their big bodies going after one another, the iron tang of blood coating the air. I can't control myself, can't control my emotions. They're too strong.

I feel the shift coming over me. I feel my bones breaking and realigning, my hands turning into paws, my nails into claws. My face elongates, my snout forming, my teeth popping out, fangs emerging.

I drop onto all fours and tip my head back, howling out in anguish, in anger. I'm not going to let anyone take this from me. I'm not going to let anyone, least of all my father, take my mate from me.

Without thinking, I jump into the fight, my teeth digging into the back of Stark's neck, my claws defending myself and my mate. Colt snaps at Stark, a warning for me to go, his voice in my head urging me to leave, that if I got hurt he couldn't live with himself.

Stop!

Enough!

The sound of the two Alphas rang through all of our heads, stopping us, causing the fight to cease.

My father steps into the clearing, the three of us shifting back to our human form. Kendra is by my side instantly, giving me her jacket to cover up.

Colt is right beside me, his hand on my waist, keeping me close, trying to pull me back behind him, to protect me even now.

The silence stretches.

"You'd risk your life for him?" my father asks in a hard voice.

I look at Colt, smiling, crying. "I'd die for my mate." I look back at my father. "Surely you know the feeling? Didn't you feel that way with Mother, before she died?" I see this pain flash over my father's face, know that bringing up my mother was hard on him.

But I need him to know, to remember, that a mate is worth everything.

A shifter who found their mate, but then had them taken away, is not something most survive. But my father did. He had to be strong, had to rule the pack and take care of his child.

I see the memories flash across his face, know that this was painful for him, but that he knows I am right.

"Remember how you felt for Mom. That's the love I have for Colt, the connection. A mated shifter is unbreakable. You know this."

He closes his eyes and nods. "And I tried to take you from that." He opens his eyes. "I'm sorry," my father says and cups my cheek. "I'm so sorry for forcing you. That wasn't right of me, and seeing what you'd go through for your mate reminds me of that unbreakable bond." He lets go of me. For a moment he says nothing, just stares at me, but then he looks around. "My daughter has found her mate and we have no right to change that." He looks at Stark. "Let's go."

Stark looks at Colt, the intensity of his expression speaking volumes. He doesn't want to leave, but the Alpha of his pack has spoken, and when that happens you listen.

They turn and leave, but I know my father won't be gone for long. We're family. I love him and he loves me. No matter what has happened, family is family.

Colt pulls me into an embrace immediately and I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heart beating, smelling the blood drying on his skin. His wounds will heal by tomorrow, and for that I'm thankful.

"Don't ever do that again, mate," he says softly. "I can't lose you. I've only just found you."

"I couldn't let you get hurt. I can't lose you either."

He cups my face and leans down to kiss me. "Let's go, mate."

And those words are exactly what I need to hear.