Page 73 of Wild Games

My wolf is disgusted. She barks to put him in his place.

I may be smaller, but in enforcer training, our fights were always evenly matched. And right now, I have rage burning through my veins that would surely give me the upper hand.

But under the full moon, with instincts running high, he’s harder to handle and stubborn. Other pack members are watching, some amused, some concerned. They know our history. And Jax’s penchant for unpredictable behaviour.

They’re waiting to see what happens.

Jax’s control is fraying. He’s already put up with more than any wolf should have to, all to prove that he’s not wild. But I can feel him losing the struggle in the way he charges, no longer fluid, but angry and coiled to strike. His eyes track Raven’s every move, and there’s murder in that yellow gaze as he draws near.

When Raven cuts in front of me again, tail raised as if he’s protecting me from Jax, I’ve had enough.

I shift mid-stride, human form hitting the ground hard. It’s dramatic and painful but needs to be done. I roll to my feet, fury driving me forward.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Raven shifts too, that infuriatingly innocent smile already in place.

Other wolves slow down, curious about the confrontation. I’m vaguely aware of Jax still in wolf form with hackles raised, but my focus is on the man in front of me.

“Running.” Raven spreads his hands, like he has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Cut the bullshit,” I shout, stepping closer, not caring that half the region, let alone half a pack, is watching. “Your wolf was propositioning me. In front of everyone.”

There are gasps. Raven’s mating mark is clear to see. Wolves are supposed to treasure their fated mates. Finding one isn’t guaranteed. Both the ones who wish they had theirs and those of us who understand how precious the bond is from experience despise anyone who doesn’t treat it with respect.

He chuckles. “You know how it is during the full moon. Instinct takes over.”

I scoff. Now that I’ve felt the real thing, what we had pales in comparison.

Raven was the handsome alpha’s son. I was young and foolish. It wasn’t love then, and it’s not instincts that are drivinghis actions now; it’s nothing more than petty jealousy. I’m about to tell him that when from the shadows, a tall, willowy brunette steps from the treeline, staying back, watching and waiting.

Jane.

I slam my lips shut, not wanting to say anything else that could make this horrific situation worse.

“Then you wouldn’t be stuck with this as the future father to your pups.” He waves a hand toward Jax’s dark wolf, whose eyes are glowing brightly in the dim shadows of the forest. “Can’t you see I just want what’s best for you?”

The growl that rips through the clearing is pure rage.

Jax has had enough, but Raven, too het up to focus on the recent addition to the multitude of scents around him, is on a roll.

“Wolves like him don’t get better. They get worse.”

I turn to see Jax stalking forward, still in wolf form, death in his eyes. His teeth are bared, muscles bunched to attack.

“Raven, shut up,” I beg.

This is it. This is the moment I’ve been dreading. If he attacks Raven now, in front of everyone, there’s no coming back from it.

“But we…” Raven gestures between us. “We could be happy again.”

My eyes lock with Jane’s across the clearing as she listens to her man explaining why his ex should reject her fated mate. For him.

“Jax.” I put myself between them, hands out. “Don’t. It’s never going to happen. I’m yours.”

But his focus is locked on Raven, and I know with terrifying certainty that Raven has pushed him too far, and that he’s about to cross a line he can’t come back from.

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