Page 163 of Beneath the Blue Moon

Then come and get her.

He charges at me, growling fiercely.By the time he gets tome, Charlie arrives with the others.He stops, realizing what’s happening, butit’s too late; my men already have his surrounded, and he has nowhere to run to.

It’s just you and me, Stone.

No problem.I’ve been here before… and won.

One fundamental difference.

What’s that?

I’m not my brother.

I lunge at him, and he jumps back, rising on his hind legs.I do the same, sinking my claws into his shoulders.He reaches for my neck, butI throw him to the ground, jumping on top of him before he has a chance toreact.I swipe at his chest with my claws repeatedly, and he howls in pain.Fighting has also begun around us, but we have them outnumbered.I tell Charlieto hurry it up.I wanted to make him suffer, but I no longer have the patiencefor that.

He knocks me to the ground but by the time he rolls over,I’m on top of him again.I lie on his back, keeping him down.Casey is curledup by the tree, whimpering.

She’s crying out for me, not you.

Casey, stop!

She goes quiet, laying her head on her paws.It worked.Ican’t believe it.

How did you do that?She is not yours to command.

Take a good look at her, Stone.Die with one thought inyour head.She’s mine.

I sink my fangs into his neck, pulling until I hear the snapof bone.As I stand over his dead body, the others surround me, howling invictory.I grab his neck again, ripping his head from his lifeless body.It’sfinally over.I carry his head to where Casey is now standing and drop it ather feet.

It’s over now.

She blinks at me as if she’s just woken and is disoriented.

Ethan?She looks from me to Stone’s head at her feetand back.I wait for her reaction.Is it over?

It’s over.

She steps forward and rubs her cheek against mine.I grabthe chain with my teeth, breaking it and setting her free.

Do I do the thing now?

Yes, my love.

She falls to the ground and rolls onto her back into the passivesubmission position.Charlie takes his place next to me, my brothers crowdingbehind me in support as he steps forward and addresses her.

Casey, you have chosen to submit to our alpha in order tobe accepted into our pack.Do you swear your loyalty, respect, and obedience tohim and him alone?

I do.

Stand up, my love, and welcome to my family.

She stands and I place my forehead on hers, my paw on theback of her head.

Thank you… Sir Alpha.

I’m glad your sense of humor is back.

We turn to the men, and they all lower themselves to theground.Their lips and ears are drawn back, tails down, and muzzles pointedtowards us.