Panting, my claws become hands. Blood covered my clothes and dripped from my hair and chin. Scanning the area, I take in the damage. Lycans zero, wolves twenty. Good. Everyone was alive at least.

My heart jumps. Why should I care? I should've let them all die.

A little voice in my head giggled. Telling me that it's not in my nature. It was right. The fucker.

Tilting my head curiously, I glance at Knox. Bloody and panting, he stood with his pack. Making a speech about "great effort" or whatver.

Licking my lips, I turn for the van but hault as I hear a certain commanding tone being thrown my way.

"Stop!"

I turn to face Knox and his friends. Finding them staring at me as I wipe the blood from my face with my forearm.

"What?" I growl.

Knox seems to become bigger all of a sudden. Taking his Alpha stance. Chin up, back straight. Eyes fixed on mine as they turn golden. I couldn't help myself; I began to laugh. The voice in my head was mortified. Practically screaming at me to shut the hell up!

Wiping the tears from my eyes I clear my throat, trying to calm my giggles. "Oh god, I needed that."

Growling deeply Knox strolled over like an elegant panther. Only stopping when we were nose to nose.

He didn't say a word, just stared his golden eyes into mine. His hands relaxed at his sides. He towered over me, using his aura to intimidate me.

"Only one that works for is my alpha." I grin. "And you are definately not my alpha, sweetheart."

His lips twitch. Sighing, he pulls out a cigar from his trouser pocket and places it between his lips as he lights it with a silver Zippo.

"I am now." He says around his cigar.

——————————— ❤️ ———————————

We were moving again. One by one they entered the washroom to clean up then sat back down. Endlessly talking about policies and war and regulations...yadda, yadda.

Closing my eyes I fake sleep. Secretly listening as Knox explains his next move. Which, to the disappointment of his friends, was to go home and eat.

I smelt his presense. He was sat before me at the opposite side of the table. I could feel the gaze of his eyes on my skin. The heat of his flesh. Flowing like mist across the table.

Slowly, I open my eyes. His blue eyes locked with mine. His body relaxed back in his seat as he sharpens a hunting knife. I watch the strokes he makes with his large hand. Finding it tender and elegant. Which was surprising.

"So" He sighs as I watch his fingers.

"So." I mimick quietly.

"Why don't you tell me what you are, darlin." It was a request. His body was relaxed but his voice was eager and dominating. Rugged but yet smooth. His southern drawl rolling like melted toffee off his tongue. Making me shiver.

"Just a woman serving a man." I shrug. "Not much to tell."

Quicker than I could see, he raised the blade and thrust it down. It landed between my fingers as I had been reaching for my cup of water. My green eyes flicked from the knife to Knox. My lips stretched into a mischievous smile. I couldn't help it. I had always loved a feisty man. One who could handle all my crazy. I'd never found one. Till now. With just one act I felt my soul lighten a little. My darkness suddenly not looking so dark.

Growling furiously, he leaned over the table. Grasping my long pink hair in his fist and yanking my head to the side. "You will talk, girl. Sooner or later. We can talk now. In comfort." His eyes roamed my face as his voice drops to a husky whisper. "Or back at camp. With a tone of pain."

Grinning, I slide my tongue over his whiskered chin and laugh hysterically. My free hand grasping hold of his that stays put in my hair. "You can try."