Page 7

The night air smelled of salt, and the scent of dozens of wolves all in the same place, and it made my nose itch. I had zero reason to want to be at the red moon ceremony tonight, but Samson wasn't taking no for an answer regarding my attendance. Hoping to go unnoticed, I pulled my cardigan tighter around me and hung towards the back of the crowd.

Everyone was centered around the bonfire, mingling and eating as they prepared for their moonlight run.

This was always one of the biggest pack traditions, but it wasn't one I cared much for. When the moon turned red, the shift would be stronger, but since I was an Omega and weak in my shift, there wasn't any bonus for me. All the moon did was emphasize the fact that I was different from everyone else and that my place in the pack was right down at the very bottom.

Bonfire notwithstanding, I'd almost been convinced that maybe, just maybe, the arrangement I'd been forced into would be bearable. Samson seemed both drawn to me and repelled all at the same time, but he always made time to have breakfast with Kit and me before leaving for pack business. He hadn't said a single word to me about the job that I'd picked up, and I liked it better that way. I enjoyed work, even if it was mundane. It helped me feel like I had a purpose.

Of course, Kit adored having his father around. The two of them almost always played outside before Samson left for the day and seemed to have found their rhythm together. I enjoyed watching them, but at the same time, it made me feel hollow. I still didn’t want Kit in the pack, but Samson treated him kindly at least.

On the other hand, I saw a million reasons every day to make me want to leave again. The misogynistic, heavy-handed way the men of the pack treated the women was just as bad as ever. And Samson might not have been outright cruel to me, but he hadn't shown any warmth since our mating. It was almost worse. It made me wish that things could have been different. It made me think of that night I'd spent in his arms all the more often.

If Samson were different, I could imagine enjoying living with him. But he was the way he was, and that wouldn't change. And that made it impossible to forget why I'd run from the pack in the first place.

Samson and I weren't going to fall in love or get along. The only thing that would make him happy would be me bearing his children to increase his status within the pack as a whole. I refused to give him that power over me. I would never let myself be used. I'd already given him that once before, and while I’d gotten my wonderful Kit out of the deal, Samson hadn’t proven to be a good partner in any way, shape, or form.

It was easier not to think of Samson that way, no matter how much my body seemed to think I was denying it the prize of the delicious Alpha.

The pack continued to gather as the red moon rose above the trees, keeping together with the friends and family groups, which meant I was ignored, as usual. Tonight, that was just fine for me. The less attention I drew, the quicker I could leave. I hated ceremonies like this, and I also hated doing nothing. If I were back at Samson's home, at least there would be tasks to keep me occupied.

It was beautiful, if nothing else. All the dark silhouettes of the pack roamed around the fire while the towering pines swayed in the cool night air. The bonfire had reached gigantic proportions, crackling while sparks shot up into the air like tiny stars. Meat was being cooked over the flames, smelling of rendered fat and smoke, but I ignored my growling stomach. There was no way in hell I was wading into the group to get a bite to eat.

The energy in the air was changing, becoming charged with a feeling as primal and ancient as the world itself. Change was near.

I didn't belong here. I never did.

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, the warmth of the high-rising fire unable to penetrate the cold that was building in my stomach. The memories of what these ceremonies used to be like for me fought their way to the surface of my thoughts. Taunts from my peers, looks of pity from the older wolves, and disdain from the highest members of the pack. I was sure that everyone was only being more cautious with me because of the claim that Samson had put on me, but I still imagined I could feel their eyes on me as they thought. What is she even doing here?

Actually....yeah, what the hell was I doing here? I hadn't seen Samson all night, and not a single other person had made an effort to talk to me. I didn't have to stand around and feel like shit. I could leave if I wanted.

I turned on my heel to leave. I didn't need to stand there and let the past dig its claws into me. I couldn't shift like the rest of them, even if my wolf felt closer than ever being back around the pack, and because of that, I couldn't run wild under the blood moon with the rest of the Saltfangs. What was the point of pretending?

I took one step, and then another, slipping away from the warm glow of the fire and into the darkness. I didn't have far to go before the darkness would swallow me entirely, and I'd be free, just a few more feet...

Two heavy hands landed on my shoulders, pulling me backward against a hard, muscled frame. My eyes flew wide. I didn't have to wonder who it was. I would know his touch anywhere, especially with the way my entire body went hot in an instant.

Samson's lips grazed my ear. "Leaving without your mate?" he rumbled in that voice that seemed to be all growl and all heat.

My core tightened with a desire that I wanted nothing to do with. The mating bond between us, even dormant, wanted him. "You aren't my mate."

Samson's hands slid from my shoulders to my waist, and it was all I could do to keep breathing. I spun in his grasp, not quite shaking off his hands, but at least I could see him. No more surprises.

"We both know that's not true," Samson was in good humor tonight, the red moon bringing out something new in him, "And I need my mate here for the ceremony. Your place is at my side."

I raised my chin, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "For the sake of appearances. Of course, you'd want to parade me around your little pack so everyone knows I belong to you."

"You have a smart mouth," he snapped, his grin tight. "I didn't expect it out of you, Omega. Don't worry. I like a little fight in my women."

What the hell had gotten into him? It had to be the red moon, the pack magic almost glowing with how powerful it was tonight. "Whatever. Can I go now? You can't force me to enjoy this."

His grip on my waist tightened, fingers flexing before they fell away. Samson crossed his arms and looked down at me. "No, but I can make you stay."

"I managed to forget a lot about you over the years, Samson Jones," I took my chance, stepping back a foot, "But I never forgot how bossy you were. You still think ordering people around is going to make them listen all the time?"

His lips twitched. "It worked on you."

"Only because you kidnapped me!" The audacity of this Alpha was going to drive me up the wall.

"I like to call it a strategic acquisition."

"Of course you do," I groaned, rubbing the heels of my hands over my eyes, "Fucking Alphas."

"Believe it or not, my making you stay isn't about my ego. It's about tradition."

I stared up at Samson's stupid, handsome face and scowled. I was starting to wonder if there was anything he looked bad at doing, including smirking. He was still acting weird, his tone more playful and the tension between us lighter.

I made an exasperated noise in the back of my throat, "A tradition where everyone but me gets to go feral under a creepy red moon and eat a bunch of forest creatures, right?"

He shrugged his massive shoulders, and the action rippled under his tight t-shirt, making my mouth go dry. "If you want to make the attempt to shift, I won't stop you."

"Yeah, that's never gonna happen. My wolf is basically non-existent. Besides, if I tried that now, I'd end up on my ass. My powers are barely functional." I sighed and glanced up at the sky.

The full moon was blood red, tinting the clouds around it and bathing the sky in its warm, rusty light. It hadn't hit its peak in the sky, but there wasn't much time left. As much as I wanted to deny it, the odd light favored Samson. It made him look so strong and so intimidating. The contrast of his powerful frame against the delicate trees behind him made the space feel smaller, as if it was only big enough for him, and like everything else was just here for his amusement.

Samson cocked his head, "When was the last time you even tried?"

"Years," I admitted. "Sometimes I feel the shifter part of me pacing inside, but it's never powerful or demanding enough to really bother me. I figured that I could ignore it until..."

I trailed off, but Samson seemed to be able to read my mind. "Until Kit started showing signs of the shift. It's good that I brought you home. It's much safer for him to go through that here instead of being separated from his pack with a shifter that can't shift."

I didn't argue or tell him I still had no plans to stay in Crystal Creek. With each passing day, it seemed like I was more and more stuck. Hell, we planned for Kit to start normal school with the rest of the pack kids, which he'd wanted to do forever. I didn't want to be here, but little by little, this was becoming Kit's home. "Yeah, I guess..."

"You know I'm right." I didn't see him move, but suddenly Samson was all I could see, all I could feel. All I would have to do was raise my hand, and I'd be touching him. "You and Kit belong here, with the pack, with me."

"Are we talking about my favorite new little cousin?" A feminine voice came from behind Samson, and when he turned to look, I could see Nayeli heading towards us. She looked more put together than usual in a pair of dark jeans and a crop top, but she still wore the same smile she had every time I'd seen her. She was one of the few people that I had a good time talking to since coming home to Crystal Creek, but we hadn't spoken for more than a few minutes. I tried to keep it at the forefront of my mind that she was in Samson's corner, but she was so friendly, and I was so starved for friendship that it was hard.

"We are," Samson confirmed, stepping to the side and allowing me a view of his cousin. Having some space from him made me feel like I could breathe again. "But I don't remember inviting you to the conversation."

"I have an open invitation," Nayeli quipped, coming to stand beside us. To my surprise, she linked her arm with mine. "Plus, it seemed like you were harassing my new friend Kiera here. I thought she might want some company."

My fondness for Nayeli grew tenfold in an instant. I had never thought that she and I would ever be friends. The most I'd expected was an ally, but this felt so much more real.

Samson didn't look angry or upset about our closeness, but the expression on his face did darken, "I'm not harassing her. She's my mate."

Nayeli's perfectly manicured brows arched up, "No? You sure?" When Samson didn't answer, only scowled, she started to pull me away. "Come on, Kiera. Let's go get some snacks before everyone turns into a wild beast."

I almost laughed when Samson let us go, not bothering to follow as Nayeli led me towards the fire. "I can't believe that worked."

"I don't buy into the men-rule-all bullshit the rest of the pack seems to love, and Sam knows better than to try and force it on me. Besides, I wanted to ask how you and Kit are doing without listening ears."

"Oh," I bit my lip and shrugged. "It's not horrible? Samson has been busy, which I like, so Kit and I get to just...be. He's kind of an asshole, but something tells me that's normal for him."

"That sounds about right, yeah. I wouldn't expect Sam to change his whole personality for you. At least he's giving you some space to adjust."

That was about as much as I was willing to hope for from the Alpha.

We joined the rest of the crowd that had formed near the fire. They all stood in small groups; some were dancing, but most were chatting with drinks in their hands. Nayeli asked about Kit, wanting to know if he was excited about his first day at school. Kit was with my coworker and Nayeli's friend, Gwen, a part-time waitress at the cafe that I got along with well. Knowing that Nayeli trusted her helped convince me to leave my boy behind, even if I didn't want to be at the cookout anyway.

Samson's cousin introduced me to a few members of the pack, and while they respected her for being Samson's cousin, it was clear a number of them found the quirky, non-submissive she-wolf strange. To Nayeli's credit, she didn't seem to mind anyone's opinion, and I found myself having a good time with her despite myself. She was a nice change from my normal social interactions in the pack, and being around her made it way easier to snag a few chicken kabobs, which were delicious.

As the evening grew darker and the moon higher, people began to drift away. Some of the pack left, going somewhere private to shift and celebrate in their own way, while others moved toward the edge of the trees. Nayeli had left to get us drinks a few moments ago, but she was taking longer than usual to return, and I was getting antsy. Samson was nowhere in sight; if I wanted to disappear, it would be the best time to do so.

Before I could make a move, the moon overhead hit its peak, and the shift began.

A pulse of something hit me, almost making me fall over from the impact of it. I gasped, bracing myself on the back of one of the empty chairs nearby to steady myself as a ripple of energy went through the pack. I didn't need to have a connection to the pack like they did to feel the change. All I needed to do was open my eyes, and I would see it for myself.

One by one, the Saltfang pack began to shift into their wolf forms. Some changed immediately while others waited, enjoying the wild moment in the human form as long as they could. There was an ache in my stomach, my weak, rarely-heard-from wolf whining and pacing as if I could possibly join in with the rest of them. It was a lie. I'd never managed a full shift in my entire life, and I knew deep down that tonight would be no different.

As the energy of the night became more chaotic, more barbaric, I wanted to slip away and go home. I'd made my appearance, and I should be free to go now, since I couldn't participate anyway. Slowly, I edged towards the back of the gathering, hoping to make my escape without being noticed. I was sure Samson was too busy enjoying himself with the pack or maybe even preparing himself for a night of hunting in the woods to bother with me. No one would care that I left.

Or so I thought.

Before I could escape, someone grabbed my hand and spun me around. My body went cold, like ice had been poured into my bloodstream. The touch was not the warm, familiar sensation of Samson's hand. Instead, the grasp was tight and cruel.

I looked up, and was thrown back in time when I saw who it was. Pete, Curt, and Curt's long-time girlfriend, Francine. Three of the shifters that had made my life a living hell when I was part of the pack so many years ago. They'd always enjoyed harassing me, pushing me around, and mocking me when I couldn't even change forms like them.

"Where are you going in such a rush, human?" Curt drawled. He still had a shaved head and was even more muscle-bound than I remembered. His girlfriend stood behind him with her hands on her hips. Her eyes glittered with amusement, and it wasn't because of anything funny. She was getting a sick pleasure out of watching me suffer, the way she always had.

I forced my expression to stay even and blank, "None of your business. Just let me leave."

Pete laughed, a cold, barking sound that grated on my ears. He had been Curt's partner in crime during their youth, and he'd been even crueler than the rest of the pack when I was the center of their torment. "No one's letting you do anything." His smile was like a shark. "You think you're special because you gave the Alpha a pup? No way. You're still a pathetic human who is doing nothing but taking up space. It's no wonder your parents stopped participating in the pack after they had you—they were embarrassed."

A laugh slipped from my lips. I wasn't surprised at their words. I'd known that this part of the Saltfang pack had been waiting for an opportunity to strike back at me, and while they wouldn't try anything while Samson was around, that didn't mean they would tolerate my presence any longer. They hated the idea of a weak, non-shifting shifter among their numbers. If the Alpha wasn't watching, then there was nothing stopping them from being themselves.

But I also wasn't the cowardly Kiera they had known before.

"I don't know why you're bothering. You have better things to do, I'm sure. Shoplifting, huffing paint in a cornfield, maybe?"

Pete and Curt shared a glance, then they laughed. It wasn't a friendly sound. They were cruel, mocking laughs that made the back of my neck prickle with heat. The sound made a tremor of unease slip through me, and for a moment, I felt like that stupid, naive girl I’d once been. But then I remembered what I had survived, and it burned away the fear. I had every reason to be scared of Samson, but them? Not a chance in hell.

Pete tried to pull me forward by the wrist again, but I jerked my hand away. Overtaking any feeling from the shifter part of me, my witch magic was rising like a storm, crackling like lightning, and electrifying every atom of my being. I held it back, knowing that if I made a scene, Samson would know my secret, that I was more than just a weak shifter, but I wanted to strike my old bullies down so badly it almost hurt.

"Listen, I don't care if you believe me or not, but Samson is protective of me. You're saving yourself a lot of grief if you just go."

Francine snorted. "Yeah, right. Everyone knows he only brought you here because he wanted his kid back. You're just extra baggage."

"Yeah, sure," I didn't even know what I was saying at this point. My body was starting to ache, the shift in magic and energy around the pack starting to drive me insane. My skin felt like it was crawling, like ants were trying to crawl inside of it and nest there. I wanted to get as far away from these jerks as I could, and soon. I'd had a good day so far. I'd even enjoyed myself at the bonfire a little, but it was getting hard to concentrate on anything but my growing agitation. "Look, I've gotta go. You've all given me enough of a headache tonight. You really think the Alpha of this pack is going to appreciate you bothering me?”

I took a step forward, hoping I could get around them without an issue. Curt, however, shoved his large frame in my face and shook his head. "Nope. We want you to go back to wherever the fuck you came from, and we're not gonna stop until we get our way."

I could feel Pete at my back and Francine at my side, and it was making it hard to breathe. Panic was filtering in, and my leash on my magic started slipping. All around me, I could hear the grunts and howls of the rest of the pack finishing their shifts, and it was making me unsettled. Impulsive. "Please just let me go."

Curt smirked, the expression cold. "Make me."

I lost my hold. I snapped. The world was turning red, and my hands were on fire, heat scorching me from the inside out as I shoved as hard as I could, the energy inside me begging to be released. Curt didn't get the chance to do anything. He flew back like he weighed nothing, slamming into Pete and Francine, the three of them hitting the ground so hard they nearly bounced. The whole crowd around me had frozen, and the pack was silent. Dozens of pairs of eyes, both wolf and human, stared back at me, my fingers sparking with scarlet fire.

And then the crowd parted, and a tall figure pushed through, his blue eyes fixed directly on me.

Oh, shit. Samson had found me.