Page 76 of X-Clan The Origin

“Shift,” the Alpha before me demanded. “Or I will make you shift.”

Very coherent words,I noted, sniffing the air subtly. I hadn’t scented this Alpha at all, the one behind me clouding my senses.

But as they both cornered me now, I could tell they were much less feral, suggesting they might have been using the other shifter.

Clever, I admitted, even while shivering.

Some supernaturals had opted to take advantage of this new world. We no longer had to hide. Humans knew we existed and were too busy hiding from zombies to care about much else.

Which left the wolves and other paranormal beings to govern themselves.

And some of those beings did not take kindly to rules.

These two Alphas seemed to fall into that category.

I stopped about three meters away from the male with the knife and bowed my head lower.

Then I engaged my shift, just like he’d ordered me to. Because I had no doubt he would carry out his threat to force me with a growl, and while it might not work as effectively as Jonas’s would, I didn’t want to tempt him into trying.

Besides, this provided me with an opportunity.

I slowed my shift, not only to give Jonas more time to catch up but also to appear weak.

The Alphas didn’t rush me, their eyes too busy studying my form as I revealed it.

Another item to use to my advantage,I thought.Alphas are always taken by Omegas. Even the feral ones.

After several excruciating seconds—which felt like minutes—I finally stood upright on two feet. But I didn’t lift my head. Instead, I studied the clothed Alpha’s shoes.

Boots,I thought.And jeans.Does he have more weapons tucked away somewhere? Another blade? Something I can use?

“Your pretty fur matches your hair,” he mused. “How beautiful.”

I nearly snorted. I actually preferred to dye my hair. But the Infection had made that a bit difficult to maintain, as I couldn’t just pop into a hairdresser for a spa treatment.

“Come here,” the Alpha continued. “You and I will get better acquainted while Henrick handles your Alpha.”

My jaw threatened to clench at both the insinuation in his tone and the hint of triumph in his words.

Handle my Alpha,I repeated.Right.

But I wanted him to think this would be easy, to lull him into a false state of comfort.

I forced my feet to move toward the Alpha, his scent telling me he wasn’t an X-Clan wolf.

He wasn’t a V-Clan wolf, either.

Or a Viking Alpha.

What are you?I wondered, inhaling deeply.Not an Ash Wolf.

Actually, he didn’t smell very wolfish at all.

But definitely not human.

The answer came to me as he reached for my throat, his palm easily encircling my neck as he yanked me into his chest.

Vampire, I realized, my breath stilling as his nose went to my pulse. No wonder I didn’t scent him.Fuck.