yanked back their hands and dropped to the ground.
Lajon leapt away from the two of them.
“What the—” Luka felt the swipe of claws over his skin before a huge, furry body flew past him and pinned another wolf to the ground.
Jaws snapping, Michele the wolf was thrown from the creature she’d landed on top of.
Luka didn’t like where this was going. Dropping his human form, he became a wolf instantly. Bones snapped and reformed with renewed strength while his senses heightened even more than from the power surge earlier. Snarling, Luka turned towards the other wolf.
The glint in the attacker’s eyes spelled a murderous rage. His grey fur was matted but still held a regal appearance. Lime green eyes glowed while blood dripped from his incisors. You dare sully this moment with a common whore?
Luka didn’t respond. His mate lay beside him, bleeding. He couldn’t spread his energy too thin by trying to heal her while fighting off Jared. They weren’t evenly matched. Luka was still the stronger wolf—but not by much.
Keeping an eye on Jared, Luka backed up. Where had Lajon disappeared to? Why hadn’t he interfered?
You must figure this one out. The rich voice boomed inside his head.
Luka scoffed. I will not kill my own brother.
Jared growled and righted himself. Pawing the ground, he charged forward, leaping into the air with jaws open.
Dodging the attack, Luka spun around to face his opponent.
Jared landed and growled louder.
Some of the crowd moved to secure the area. Others moved for what Luka could only guess were nefarious reasons.
They’re waiting for me to take you down, dear brother.
Luka padded towards Michele. You called my mate a whore. You disrespected the elder.
Jared snickered. And got away with both. These pathetic humans you strive to protect are so weak, they’ve made you lose your judgement on what is right and wrong. Now you die. He charged again towards Luka.
Luka sidestepped him and kicked out at his brother with a hind foot, catching him in the flank and knocking him to the ground. Seeing his chance, Luka pounced on top of Jared.
If wolves could sneer, that would have been the expression Jared held right then.
Luka let the power in him build up until it was a swirling mass of blackness that was hell bent on satisfying the blood lust.
Jared’s muzzle opened, his tongue lolling out. The human in him awoke with fear.
The wolf panicked.
Luka set a paw on Jared’s chest. I should kill you.
Michele stood and made her way towards Luka and Jared. You sicken me, Jared.
Jared lost the ability to maintain his wolf form, and a human materialised beneath Luka’s powerful paw. His expression remained the same, wide-eyed, mouth hanging open and quivering. “That power…that awesome power to kill…where did it come from?”
A noise drew their attention away from the conflict at hand. All three of them stared at Lajon in wolf shape, in awe of the power glowing around him.
“You two are a mated pair, I can tell. Her leaping to save your life is not something she would have done had she not been your mate.”
Michele snorted and snuffled.
“Jared, you are a disgrace and shall be removed from your position in the Rogues. I will find a suitable replacement.”
Jared’s trembling didn’t stop.
Luka knew the blood lust was riding high in his mind and in his body, but he still couldn’t kill his own brother.
Lajon stepped closer. “Luka, do you accept her as your mate?”
Luka nodded.
“Kiss her.” It was a command.
Michele and Luka returned to human form, both naked. Luka took one last glance at Jared before climbing off the other man.
The terror never left Jared’s eyes.
Luka walked towards Michele and gasped at the sight of blood covering her skin. He readied a hand with healing energy while still diverting a part of his attention to Jared in case his brother had one of those crazy moments where he decided to get the last word.
It never came. What met Luka
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