19 Fangs, Fights, and Fear

Ember

Onyx drove Jasper’s fancy car into Granite Ridge territory, just the three of us. Marigold, Hazel, and Slate all wanted to come, but I can’t risk accusations of Bracken Creek manipulating the situation. Jasper is family and the former Heir, so his presence cannot be disputed.

We drive straight into the compound and park in the dirt between the Alpha’s house and the cafeteria. Dozens of people pour out of the buildings and surround us.

While the small gathering that we met in Bracken Creek was friendly and curious, the group that circles us in Granite Ridge is decidedly hostile .

Onyx and Jasper climb out of the car, boldly meeting their accusatory gazes. I wait until Onyx comes around to open my door. It’s another calculated move and a way to show respect.

A few of the wolves drift closer, testing our boundaries.

“Back the fuck off,” Jasper snarls, pulling his favorite dagger out. The lazy charm is gone, replaced with the promise of violence our parents modeled for us from our births. It’s oddly validating to see him revert back, even if it’s for show.

Onyx’s expression is stony and his hand rests on the handle of his gun tucked in his waistband.

“So nice of my little wolf to come back willingly,” a tall figure croons. The crowd parts for their new Alpha.

“Orion,” I say, raising my chin and pretending I’m not two heads shorter than he is. “I challenge you for the position of Alpha, as is my birthright as the daughter of the late Alpha Ferris.”

He lets out a booming laugh. My jaw snaps shut so hard it hurts, every muscle tensing.

“Why should I accept your challenge? You’re not strong enough to force it. I could just let my pack have their way with you.”

Onyx’s hand tightens on his weapon and Jasper turns to face away from us defensively.

“I thought you were demanding I become your mate, just a few days ago. You wanted my claim to the position then. Defeat me, and you’ll prove yourself. ”

He sneers. “Maybe I just wanted the youngest, prettiest thing in this pack. But I’m confident better options will present themselves.”

“Funny, I’d rather be claimed by a guard from another pack than let you touch me.” To make my point clear, I tug my neckline to show off my mark. Onyx smirks, not minding in the least that I downplayed his ranking.

Orion’s sneer melts into a snarl as he bares his teeth at us. “You’re nothing. I could kill him and take you if I wanted to.”

“See? You’re a fraud. An Alpha would never do that,” I declare, my voice rising. “The pack cannot trust a leader who has no respect for our laws and traditions.”

He growls, stalking back toward us. Gritting my teeth, I hold my ground, biding my time until the right moment.

“I challenge you, Orion, for the position of Alpha of Granite Ridge.”

He stops a few feet away, glaring at us. “If you need to learn this lesson a second time, I’m happy to help. When do we fight?”

“Sorry, did you need time for a pep talk? Because I’m ready now,” I drawl, my heart leaping as I hear a few snickers from pack members around us.

“Fine.” He storms away, a few wolves stumbling back in their hurry to get away from his anger.

The entire pack has gathered, and they move loosely with us. Expressions range from disgust to curiosity, but it’s the tinge of hope through the weakened pack bond that causes me to straighten as we walk toward the center of the street.

Orion stands ready, shaking out his hands like I’m not his first fight of the day. As I stop a few feet away from him, he looks up with a chilling smile.

“I can’t say I’m disappointed. This way you’ll still be begging me.”

A savage growl rolls out from my mate. With glowing eyes, he paces on one side, keeping my packmates back. Jasper stands behind me, his intelligent gaze trained on Orion.

“Ready?” I ask. Fear flashes through my mate bond, my terror mixing with Onyx’s frustration as the challenge begins. He’d give anything to stand in my place, but I’m not powerless.

Flexing my own hands, I prepare to cut this wretch down to size.

Orion moves first, like I expected. He’s fast for someone that large. He barrels toward me, reaching to grab me, and I easily slip aside.

With a wide swipe, I scratch my nails into his forearm, drawing blood. The dried wolfsbane and rowanberry powder under my fingernails won’t incapacitate him, but it should slow him down if it gets into his bloodstream and prevent him from accessing his shift. Hopefully it’s enough to give us a chance.

Jasper shouts a warning and I spin back toward my opponent. His fist flies toward my face and I duck. Shifting my weight, I land a swift kick against his knee.

Orion’s breathing quickens and he lets out a small grunt with each step. It’s working .

He comes for me again and I can’t dodge in time. The strike glances off my shoulder and pain explodes down the nerves in my arm and across my shoulders into my neck.

I stumble but regain my balance quickly. Orion faces me, his stance low and ready, but he doesn’t attack again.

“Are you going to dodge me and hope for the best? Or are you going to try and take my rank from me?”

His words make me flinch. I can’t afford to look weak, but if he gets hold of me, he could kill me in seconds.

“It’s not my fault you’re so slow,” I shoot back, darting forward and swiping at his face with my other hand. His reaction is slower than it should be, thanks to the poison in his system.

Angry red cuts streak down his cheek and across his jaw. His roar shakes my bones. Before I can retreat, he grabs my wrist.

No!

With a twist, he forces me to the ground. My knees splinter, sending pain up to my hips until my entire body is stabbing needles. Tears blur my vision.

Orion’s huge knuckles connect with my cheek, and the world turns white. I gasp for air on the ground. Dirt and rocks embed into my hip and arm, and my hair has slipped its bun, falling around me in a tangle.

Instinctively, I curl over my wrist. Crimson liquid drips onto the dirt, and I numbly realize it’s coming from my nose .

A shadow covers me and I tense, waiting for the kick.

Onyx

Blood sprays from Orion’s hit, and I cannot stand back and watch. Ember lays in the dirt, her eyes squeezed shut. The brute laughs as he stands over her petite form.

With an inhuman snarl, I leap at him. His eyes gleam as he takes me in.

My strike lands on his chin, sending him back into the edge of the crowd. He straightens, working his jaw. “Do you want to die? That would free up the girl for me.” Blood shines on his teeth as he grins at me.

“You accept my challenge.” It’s not a question, but Orion grunts in acceptance. There’s a hunger in his eyes, a desire for violence that makes my hands shake. I clench my fists to keep the tremble from showing.

He’s slowing, stopping. If she got enough into him, he won’t be able to shift. It’s unlikely I can defeat him in my human form, even in his current state, but as a wolf, I stand a chance.

The panic and turmoil drops away as I fall to four legs. My tail swishes behind me as I gather my haunches under me and prepare to leap.

Orion’s face scrunches, his eyes glowing with rage. He just figured out he can’t shift. I won’t waste this chance. All the tension in my body uncoils at once, launching me toward his chest .

Orion’s defensive pose cannot withstand a huge wolf landing on his chest. He goes down, wildly attempting to block me. My jaws close around his arm and I snap the bone down by his wrist. The scream from his throat is sweet to hear.

Sharp and sudden pain blasts through my body, overwhelming me. Jumping back, I realize there is a blade embedded low in my chest by the joint of my front left leg. Clamping my teeth over the handle, I pull the knife free and toss it aside.

Orion laughs, spitting blood on the ground beside him. He still cradles his arm, but clearly he thinks he’s won already. Blood flows through my fur and down my leg from the wound I can’t even see.

My growl warns him to stay down, but the stubborn bastard kneels, struggling to pull himself in a standing position. Crimson coats his collar and seeps across his chest.

Gathering my strength, I leap again. But this time he’s ready for me. His fist connects with the wound he already gave me, and the pain blacks out my vision for a second.

An undignified yelp escapes me, and I bite wildly as my legs give out. Orion grabs my front leg and pulls me sideways, squeezing and twisting. Memories of the beating they gave me last time I was here fill my mind, overwhelming my control. Snarling, I thrash and snap my jaws, connecting with his unbroken hand. Blood hits my tongue, but I can’t see the damage.

The pain of my leg wrenching and stretching the stab wound is too much. Fear of what is coming next overpowers my wolf, and humanity comes rushing in. My body shifts back without my permission.

Orion’s low laugh sends icy terror through me as he breaks my arm. I struggle to suck in air and stay conscious. If I don’t protect myself, I’ll be abandoning Ember.

His grip on me is too strong. My strength is fading as blood flows from my wound.

Something hits Orion, a blur of black fur, sending him sprawling. Blinking to clear my vision, I watch my beautiful little mate close her jaws over his neck and shake her head. Orion screams, yanking at her fur and trying to get a grip on her body.

With a vicious growl deep in her chest, Ember stays locked on him, her jaws clamped down with ruby liquid gushing between her fangs until Orion stills.

Ember’s shift flows over her as she turns and moves toward me, landing on her knees on the dirt as I try to push up to sit. Pain screams through my chest and arm and I land back on the dirt with a strained noise.

Red coats her face, her bare chest, her hands. We’re a matching set, bathed in blood. Her eyes shine wild, glowing like the wolf she is.

Reaching up with my uninjured hand, I brush her hair back. “You’re incredible,” I say, my mind swirling. But somehow I know it’s important to tell her how beautiful and amazing she is.

Her smile is everything. I could die in this moment, seeing her happy. Black crowds the edges of my vision and I push it away. I’ve got plans with my girl .

“Onyx!” her voice says, sounding far too worried. I try to answer, but my throat isn’t cooperating anymore.