Anything to Protect Her

Liam doesn't hesitate, his body shifting, his bones cracking and reshaping. In seconds, his clothes are in tatters around him, and a large gray wolf stands in his place, his eyes fixed on me.

I follow suit, the familiar burn of the shift coursing through me. My vision sharpens, my senses heighten, and I hear the rapid thud of his heart, the subtle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

The dull hum of the packs’ thoughts suddenly intensifies. A connection I’ve ignored swells to life, and I feel the life of each wolf under my care whispering through my blood.

Liam’s right. I’ve ignored my duties.

I’ll repent later. For now, I have a position to defend.

We circle each other, our hackles raised, our growls low and menacing. I feel the adrenaline pumping through me, the primal urge to assert my dominance.

He lunges first, his teeth bared, and I dodge to the side, my claws raking across his flank. He yelps, but he doesn't back down, his eyes blazing with anger and determination.

We clash again, our bodies colliding, our teeth sinking into each other's flesh. I sense the others coming near, drawn by our heightened emotional state. They will witness the outcome of this fight. Some of them shift, howling and growling, strengthening our connection.

I’m fueled. They energize me.

But I remember why I’ve avoided shifting since finding Lyla. I can’t let them too close to my thoughts. 

I feel the sting of Liam’s bite on my shoulder, but I don't let it slow me down. I retaliate, my jaws clamping down on his neck, and he snarls in pain.

We continue to fight, our movements a blur of fur and fangs. Power courses through me, the raw strength of my wolf form. I'm faster, stronger, and I use it to my advantage.

I pin him to the ground, my teeth at his throat, and he goes still, his body trembling beneath me.

I hold him there for a moment, the pack yelping and barking around us, our breaths mingling, our eyes locked. I can see the fear in his eyes, the realization that he's lost. But I don't let go. Not yet.

His body going limp, his head tilting to the side, exposing his neck, and he whines. It's a sign of surrender, of submission.

I release him, stepping back. Liam shifts back to his human form, his chest heaving, his eyes wide.

I stay in my wolf form, my eyes fixed on him, waiting for him to speak.

His voice is strained, but he meets my gaze. "I yield, Alpha. But heed my warning. If you betray the pack, if you put them in danger, I will not hesitate to challenge you again. And next time, by Luna’s light, I will win."

I growl, my fur bristling, but I don't shift back. I don't need to. He knows I'm still in control.

He doesn't wait for my response. He turns and walks away, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed.

The remaining wolves shift back to human form and crowd around me, touching me, stroking my fur, laughing. 

They’re relieved. Relieved because I shifted, and by entering my wolf form, I strengthened the bond of the pack. I strengthened them as they strengthened me.

I keep my eyes on Liam, watching him go, my heart pounding, my mind racing. I won. 

For now.

How long can I keep this up? How long can I keep her hidden?

I don't know. But I'll do whatever it takes to protect her.

Even if it means fighting my own pack.