Page 21 of Carnage Island

Caius sighs, dragging his fingers through his thick brown hair. It’s longer than usual, the ends touching his ears and falling into his face when he releases the strands. “I can’t believe she’s part Nantahala Wolf. She looks all Carnage to me.”

He’s not wrong. That white fur is flawless on her. “She doesn’t smell like a Carnage Wolf.”

Well, that’s not fully true.

She does smell like a Carnage Wolf to an extent. But there’s something underlying her fragrance that’s distinctlyotherand it’s throwing off my wolf’s ability to understand her.

“Hmm,” Caius hums as we reach the crest of the hill that leads down to the main docks. “They’re not going to be pleased by this development.”

“They’ll live,” I reply, leading the way.

It’s become a tradition to play a game with the female newcomers. But as there are only three on the island, I think the males will give us a little flexibility for this round.

Particularly as she’s in no condition to indulge us right now.

Her wolf is in control, not the human inside. Consent is a touchy subject among our kind. Alphas tend to take what they want to an extent. We’re stronger and faster. But our women are always willing.

And while her animal may want to play, the human inside is clearly hurting. I could see it in her eyes, the struggle deep within.

“We’ll have to help her shift later,” I tell Caius as we near the docks. “I suspect her mate never released her from his hold.”

“An odd thing to do since he clearly rejected her.”

“It’s a power trip. He’s not relinquished his control because he wants her to suffer.” Which means her former intended is an absolute ass. Not surprising given his ties to the Santeetlah Pack. “Or it’s a result of her not knowing how to manage her wolf.”

Equally as likely given her upbringing.

“Or the wolf is protecting her,” Caius says, echoing my earlier comment.

I nod. “We won’t know until we spend more time with her.”

“Something that will obviously be a hardship for all of us,” my best friend drawls. “That scent alone is going to drive me wild in the best way.”

He’s not wrong. That delicious aroma clings to my skin even now, causing my wolf to want to run back to the den to greet her. To welcome her home.

An insane urge.

But my animal has always guided my actions.

I won’t fault him for declaring his desire without even knowing the female’s name. He has the ability not to overthink things. If he wants something, he states it flatly.

And right now, he wants her.

Not long term. Just a taste.

Something I may indulge him in, assuming I can pull the female back into human form.

However, there are more pressing issues to address first, such as the cluster of male wolves waiting on the docks. They’re all standing around, grinning in anticipation, their eyes gleaming with intrigue.

Most of them are Alphas.

Some are Betas.

No Omegas. Because we don’t allow Omegas on this island. Not that they would ever be sent here. Omegas are prized among my kind. They would never be rejected. They would be revered and worshiped instead.

And most of the wolves here weren’t rejected at all.

Just artificially rejected for the purpose of falsifying records and allowing more Carnage Wolves to come here.