1 Kissing the Enemy

Ember

String lights hang low, illuminating a sea of bobbing heads as the crowd of wolf shifters sways to the music. The barn wood is cold against my back as I watch, bitterness souring my stomach as I sip a stolen drink. Young adults from all five local wolf packs dance and drink.

Of all the “pack relations” schemes my brother has devised, this might be the only tolerable one. But as I’m newly single, my mood is too morose to allow for any sort of fun.

What would Hawk be doing if he was still here? I’m not naive enough to believe he would be dancing with me. He was loyal, but not really romantic. As my Intended , he should have claimed me as his mate on my eighteenth birthday. Instead, he returned to his family’s pack several hours north of us .

Not that I blame him. The arrangement between our parents didn’t account for sudden upheaval. Why would he want to join a pack where one Alpha murdered the other?

The blame lies with Slate, the Alpha of our rival pack and my half-brother. My father was fighting him and my mother took drastic action to protect her child. It’s his fault I lost both a parent and later my future mate.

My eyes search the crowd for his dark head. Slate lifts a glass bottle and takes a long drink. His other arm wraps across the chest of his mate who leans against him while she laughs. They look ridiculously happy and it makes me want to claw out my eyes. Hawk never looked at me the way Hazel gazes up at him.

“You should come join us,” Jasper says. His lean frame is clothed in black, making his pale hair and eyes stand out. He might be my full-blooded brother, but we are opposites in every way.

“Fuck off,” I say, grateful for the darkness that hides the embarrassed flush crawling up my neck. I’d rather he didn’t see me watching his friends like a despondent stalker.

“Some day, you’ll get tired of being pissy all the time.” Jasper’s tone is resigned and it makes my skin prickle with irritation. Without a glance back, he crosses the clearing and rejoins his friends. His beautiful mate, Marigold, greets him with a sloppy kiss as he wraps his arms around her waist. She is sunshine, strawberry-blonde curls, and everything I could never be .

I can’t fault Jasper for defecting from our pack and joining theirs. He seems happy against all odds. If I had someone looking at me the way Marigold stares at him, maybe I would be happy too. But since childhood, I was pitted against my brother, told I was second best. Being four years younger, I never stood a chance when we sparred.

Watching them only worsens my mood, but because I am full of self-loathing, I follow his path until I’m hovering awkwardly a few feet away from that golden circle of friends.

Another of Jasper and Slate’s friends, the twin with dirty blonde hair named Onyx, observes me with narrowed eyes. I glare back. He’s always watching me at these events, like he’s hungry for revenge. His hand moves to his ribs and the scar I gave him the last time our packs went to war.

His navy eyes are heavy across my shoulders, so I straighten and raise my chin. The slightest curl to his lip gives away his disdain. Well, fuck him too.

“Ember!” Marigold cries, pulling free from Jasper and seizing my arm. She tugs me forward into their group.

“I swear, I saw Vale sneak off behind the gym with that girl from the Raven Pack,” Hazel says, her words slightly slurred. Damn, how many drinks has she had? I suppose it doesn’t matter. With a protective mate at her back, she’s safe to indulge. I wouldn’t dare to let my guard down by getting noticeably drunk like that. There’s no one watching over me.

“Good for him!” Marigold giggles .

“Marigold,” Jasper says, his brows furrowing.

“This is exactly what you wanted when you set these parties up,” Hazel argues.

Slate’s face is buried in her neck, his lips tracing lower over the circle of pale scars that mark her as claimed. His loose t-shirt neckline reveals the edge of his matching set.

The sight makes me squirm. It reminds me of everything I don’t have. No mate. No true guarantee of my future ranking. Everything feels like it’s teetering on the edge of a blade and if I slip, it’ll be the end.

“I don’t think he had random hookups in mind,” Slate says, lifting his head to smile indulgently at her. Hazel scowls back at him.

“You don’t know it’s just a hookup. Maybe we will gain a lovely new packmate. Remember all the shit you guys gave us?” Marigold says, patronizingly.

“Yeah, well, you guys could have just jumped right to dating,” Hazel says, crossing her arms and bumping the glass bottle in her hand against Slate’s with a jarring clink.

My weight shifts from one foot to another. I shouldn’t have come over here.

“Ember, where is your beau?” Marigold asks.

“Not here.” I clear my throat. “Hawk went back to his family.”

Hazel and Marigold let out sympathetic noises of understanding. Unfortunately, the boys are slower.

“So did you break up?” Jasper asks .

At the same moment, Onyx tilts his head and says, “When’s he coming back? Shouldn’t you be mates already?”

“Uh, yeah. It wasn’t working as an alliance anymore,” I say, embarrassment heating my cheeks again.

Onyx lets out a harsh laugh. “He finally realized what a raging bitch you are?”

I’m grateful for the anger that rises in my blood. It’s better than the uncomfortable feeling of not belonging. I’d rather be pissed than lonely.

“Onyx, shut up,” Jasper growls.

“Don’t use that word,” Marigold says at the same moment, glaring at Onyx.

A smirk flashes across his face. Those dark eyes, like starless skies, bore into mine as I bare my teeth at him.

“Maybe I’m the one who dumped him.” I want to get in his face, draw a weapon to threaten him, do anything to retaliate. But I’m unarmed except for my hidden dagger and this hardly counts as a true emergency. So instead I give him a one-fingered salute and walk away before I make things worse.

His laughter taunts me, followed by a verbal lashing from Marigold.

Seething, I seek out the coolers of alcohol I know I shouldn’t have. Grabbing two bottles between my fingers, I stride away to a dark corner where even Jasper won’t bother me.

It’d be best if I went home. My mother’s new Beta, Orion, is waiting to drive me back to our territory. But he’s an asshole too, so he can wait.

I drink just past tipsy, still sober enough to fight, but perhaps not very well. It’s stupid, but despite my rage, I remind myself to stay cautious. I can’t trust allies to not take advantage of me. My pack was the enemy and I am no favorite.

A simpering girl from the Valley Pack pulls someone from the Ironcrest Pack past me and into the deepest shadows. I can hear a soft whine from one of them. If Hawk had wanted me like that, he would still be here. But if I’m honest, I didn’t feel that way about him either.

“Look who’s here lurking in the shadows,” a low voice cuts through my reflective bitterness. Onyx moves through the darkness like he belongs here. Bathed in dim reflections, his hair is ashen and his skin bronze as he steps closer.

“Maybe I’m trying to be less of a bitch.”

“What a noble cause,” Onyx says, his eyes scanning me. “Look, I’m sorry. Marigold says I have to apologize.

“I don’t want your apology.”

“Alright, but I’m trying to do the right thing.” His forearms rest against the wall as he leans into my personal space.

“I doubt that. Back off.”

I try to ignore him, but his inhale is audible. “You smell good.”

“Too bad you don't,” I snap, even though it’s a lie. I can smell his citrus soap mingling with sweat and something that reminds me of a bakery, like fresh baked bread .

The asshole smiles down at me. I hate that he’s a head taller than me. I hate that he’s pretty.

“Why are you still here?” My arms cross over my chest.

“Maybe I’m drunk and horny and I like it when women are mean to me,” he purrs.

“You’re pathetic. Find someone else to annoy.” His eyes light up at my insult. I guess he was telling the truth about liking mean women. Then he’s going to love me.

“Are you lonely since Hawk left you?”

He’s cruel, cold and mocking, and I should not be attracted to him, but all the hairs stand up on my arms at his nearness.

“Like you always feel, since no one wants you?” My whisper is ragged, holding none of the malice I should feel. He should fear being this close to me. The last time we clashed, I made him bleed.

He’s near enough I can feel the heat rolling off his skin. My hand presses to his chest, and I mean to push him away, but my intoxicated body reacts without my permission, brushing down the faded fabric and across his torso. Damn, he’s a wall of stacked muscle.

“Ah, seems someone does want me.” The bastard is delighted at my moment of weakness.

“Fuck off,” I grumble.

His hand grabs my wrist, his thumb over my pulse. The contact of his skin scorches me. “Your heart is beating like a hummingbird.”

“I’m considering all the ways I’d like to kill you,” I bluff. “It’s a very appealing idea. ”

He cocks his head, his eyes glittering with intelligence and mocking humor. “I don’t think you are.” His gaze drops down, to where my body has leaned into him. Shit .

He lowers his head toward mine and my lungs tighten. “I think you’re thinking of other things you’d like to do to me.”

“I’d settle for strangling, disemboweling, or a simple guillotine.” I’m aiming to wipe the smile off his face, but instead it widens, pleased at my threats.

“We both know that isn’t what you want.”

His warmth is too tempting and it makes me dumb. He dips his head, lips near my ear. “I’m going to kiss you and you aren’t going to stab me. Understood?” The touch of his breath triggers a shiver I try to hide.

I should shove him away. I should punch his handsome face. Unfortunately, my willpower is in tatters. A low moan of agreement escapes my throat. I mean it as a growl, but I’m too lost in the feel of him.

“Answer me,” his command pulls a gasp out of me and my mouth opens. He reaches up and runs his thumb over my bottom lip.

“I won’t stab you right now,” I say, though it comes out as more of a whimper. My hands tighten against the fabric of his shirt and pull him against me, and at the same moment, he grabs my ribs possessively, pushing me against the wall hard enough my body jolts.

My vision glazes over. It’s perhaps one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done, but damn if his mouth doesn’t feel good against my neck. His tongue licks against my skin and his teeth graze, sending electricity zinging through me.

Something in the back of my mind yells to stop. He’s the enemy, and he’s made his opinion of me clear. Just because he’s sexy as hell doesn’t mean I should let him use me like this. But the way his hands run up my side and skims the underside of my breasts has me melting. My anger slips through my fingers, evaporating in the heat of him.

Sighing, I arch my neck as he presses forward. The shadow of a beard along his jaw scuffs my throat and my hands come up to reach for him, wanting more. Like lightning, one hand grabs both my wrists and pins them above my head.

“I still don’t trust you,” he says, his lips still against my skin.

Good. He shouldn’t.

Onyx

Years ago, my brother, cousin, and I went cliff jumping at a river a few hours away. Over and over, we plunged off the rocks, aiming for deeper water, knowing that one slip could mean death. The rush was addictive.

That’s what kissing Ember is like.

It’s the last thing I should be doing, but I can’t resist.

I can’t keep my gaze away from the way her dark green hair highlights the emerald in her hazel eyes. Her heart-shaped face glows in the low lights.

My first mistake is getting too close, maybe because I feel guilty or maybe to feel the thrill of irritating someone who clearly would like to murder me.

But when her scent reaches me, all of those thoughts evaporate, and all I can think of is touching her. She’s soft wildflowers and the sharp, metallic scent of lightning, so alluring I’m leaning in too close.

She wants me too. The glow of her eyes is a thin halo around her blown-out pupils.

My hand tightens around her wrists, stretching her out for me to taste. She’s so pliant, melting against me - the opposite of her prickly personality. It’s heady, the way she obeys my silent commands, opening her mouth for me. She kisses back fiercely. Her teeth nip at my tongue, sending a jolt straight to my hard cock pressing against her supple body.

I sweep my mouth to her jaw, wanting to taste more of her. A hushed noise from her throat sends my head spinning. It’s walking the edge of a blade and getting away with it, and she feels so good.

“You kiss better than you fight,” I whisper against her skin.

Her chest heaves as she struggles to get enough air to say, “Unfortunately, you don’t.”

Huffing a laugh at her insult, I use my free hand to tip her chin up so she’s forced to look me in the eyes. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve been enjoying this too much for that to be true.”

“You’re pathetic,” she growls.

It’s ice hitting my overheated skin. What the fuck am I doing?

My fingers are stiff as I release her and take a forcible step back. The cool air washes over me.

“Better pathetic than a psycho,” I mutter defensively. Those startling eyes narrow and then she’s moving, stalking off into the dwindling crowd.

Snarling, I adjust myself, gulping down the night air to try and calm the inferno raging through me.

That shouldn’t have happened. I try to picture her months ago as she viciously slashed a knife against my side and cut into my skin. That’s the woman I just kissed - someone who would gladly gut me.

But now all I can recall from that moment is the way her curves felt in my arms, still naked from shifting. Even then, it had been wildly distracting. That’s how she managed to hurt me, or at least that’s what I tell myself.

What’s wrong with me? That was a fight, not a flirtation. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s exactly my type - feisty, strong-willed, unpredictable.

Acidic disappointment eats away at me. If I had kept my mouth shut, it could still be on her body. I can feel the ghost of her up against me.

Shaking my head, I return to the dregs of the party to find Vale, the last member of our pack at the gathering. Pink lip gloss smudges his chin and I’m too irritated to tease him about it.

I’m not close with the younger wolf, but he’s nice enough. Usually I’d stick with my friends or my twin, Cedar, but he had no interest in attending a party. The two couples headed home when they could no longer keep their PDA to a reasonable level, leaving me unsupervised to make poor decisions in the shadows.

“Have a good time?” Vale asks.

I grunt a non-answer, stalking toward the truck. “You good to drive, man?”

“Yeah, I was too busy to drink.” His grin is irritating.

Normally, I wouldn’t be angry with a packmate for finding happiness. But after I held a beautiful girl in my arms and then she insulted me and stormed off, I’m not in the mood to celebrate new relationships.

My foot kicks a discarded cup. With a scoff, I pause. The clearing is a mess, with bottles and cups piled by a nearby bin and a few scattered elsewhere.

“Do you know if they have a dumpster or something?” I ask.

Vale shrugs. “I can find out.”

With jerky movements, I gather up the trash liner from the bin and shake it, making room for more cups. It only takes a few minutes to gather up the nearby trash. Vale returns to show me the small dumpster behind a nearby storage building.

It feels good to do something for our allied pack, though it does little to ebb my frustration with Ember.

The door to the truck slams shut behind me with a dull thud. My mood only worsens as Vale chatters about the girl from Raven pack.

As soon as the truck is parked, I leave him behind and head north. My family’s cabin is one of the largest in the compound, rising two stories high with a wide porch. And right now, it’s silent .

Laying in my bed and listening to my brother mumble in his sleep sounds like torture. My thoughts won’t let me rest. I tug my shirt over my head and strip off my sweats, tossing them on the bench beside the front door.

Moonlight streams over my naked body for a split second before I sink into the wolf instincts and charcoal fur sweeps over my skin. Everything falls away, replaced with the animal urges to run, hunt, and protect. With a graceful leap, I land on the pine needles with all four paws.

The night is bright to my canine eyesight. The colors are faded, but every little movement catches my attention. Habit takes over as I lope in a lazy circle around the pack’s collection of buildings and homes. Two of my packmates are on guard duty, but they’re used to my midnight runs.

The wind ruffles my thick coat. Ember’s voice echoes in my mind, breaking through my calm. Pulling back my lips to bare my teeth, I put on a burst of speed and break through the trees into the meadow. Moonlight highlights clumps of swaying wildflowers, with well-worn pathways between them. My paws glide between the newly rebuilt diner and my brother’s garden to the north.

The air leaves my lungs in a defeated sigh. Maybe tomorrow will be better, or at least less dissatisfying. Returning to my human shape, I slip into my home and yank on loose shorts before flopping face down in my bed on the far side of the room from my brother. Cedar grunts and turns his head to blink at me, but he knows me too well to ask questions when I’m in a dark mood. Rolling onto my side facing away from him, I listen as he sighs and nestles back into his pillow.

Eyes squeezed shut, I beg my mind to rest. Memories of her warm skin and that floral scent force their way into my thoughts. As if punishing me, my brain replays her words and the way she glared at me.

I shouldn’t have liked it so much. There were plenty of nice young women at the party. But none of them made my pulse race like Ember. It was like staring down a beautiful but lethal predator.

Unless I can get my head on straight, it would be best to avoid her. Maybe I’ll stay home with Cedar during the next inter-pack gathering. The idea grates on me.

Despite my angst, sleep finally finds me.