Assertion Trials

by Melaina Rayne

  “I’m right here,” I snapped, sick of them speaking about me as if I wasn’t in the room with them.

  Wyatt threw his head back and laughed. “I do believe you have yourself a feisty one.”

  Unamused, Decker barked, “Are you finished?”

  Wyatt grinned. “I only came to check up on you both and let you know that Kene has set the fight for tomorrow morning at sunrise.”

  “Good to know. Now, leave.”

  Wyatt held Decker’s hard gaze. “You might want to calm yourself and get back out there soon. You stay in here much longer, Kene just might drag you outside himself.”

  Without another word, Wyatt left the two of us alone, and Decker turned his stare back toward me. His eyes were no longer blazing, but the intensity still hovered just beneath the surface.

  “Why did you really challenge Resno? Was it because you want to protect me from him or because you actually want me?”

  “Stupid question,” Decker grated. “I told you how you affect me.”

  True. Still, would he have challenged Resno if the guy hadn’t been such a jerk to me?

  Decker took a step toward me, his jaw ticking violently. “Just the thought of that vile male near you makes me feel murderous.”

  “While I appreciate you stepping in, you didn’t have to do it. I’m not afraid of him. I can take care of myself.”

  “I have no doubt you could defend yourself against him. I vividly recall what you did to those ferals.”

  The approval in his low voice did funny things to me. I secretly felt a little proud of myself for impressing him, but also confused as to why he’d given me such shit before. He’d even called me a child. Now he looked as if he wanted to devour me.

  “You deserve better than Resno. Hell, you deserve better than me, but I refuse to let anyone else have you.”

  I swallowed my nerves and whispered, “Why?”

  “I meant what I said. You are mine, Shala.”

  I want to deny it. I should be angry with him for staking his claim on me without even asking how I felt. “What if I don’t want you?”

  Decker stalked toward me, and though I had the urge to back away, I held my ground. He kept coming until I raised my hands between us to stop him. I didn’t know what he was doing, but if he got too close again, I might not be able to think clearly.

  He went still the second my palms met his hard chest, his eyes holding mine steadily. “Don’t even try to pretend with me, princess. I’ve seen the curiosity and hunger in those sapphire eyes every time you look at me.”

  I felt my cheeks flush. Had I really been so obvious?

  Decker lifted a hand, his eyes following the motion as his fingers stroked along my jaw.

  Breathless, I whispered, “Intimidating me won’t work.”

  He tipped my head back with a single finger beneath my chin. “Intimidation was not my intention.”

  That hunger he mentioned? I could see it reflecting in his glowing eyes as his gaze roamed over my upturned face.

  “In all the years since I returned from Raysan, a female has never had such an effect on me. I never expected to feel this way about anyone.”

  His rough admission brought back every sensation I’d felt when he’d pinned me beneath him. I knew exactly what he meant. In all my years, even with all the stories the elderwomen had told me, I never imagined feeling anything so intense. I should have been frightened, but I wasn’t. Instead, being so close to Decker, feeling the heat of his big body so close to mine felt right. I even wanted him closer.

  Decker’s eyes shifted to molten gold. “You can’t look at me that way.”

  “What way?”

  He leaned even closer, his lips so close I could almost taste him. “Like you’d let me do anything I wanted to you.”

  Searching his blazing eyes, I confessed, “I would.”

  The moment the words left my lips, Decker’s intensity gave way to tenderness. “How can you have such trust in someone you know nothing about?”

  “It’s my instincts I trust.”

  Decker tilted his head, his eyes returning to my lips. “What are those instincts telling you?”

  I hesitated, unsure of what to say. How could I tell him that every fiber of my being called to him? That everything in me said I belonged to him, and he to me?

  “Tell me,” he whispered, his voice huskier than ever.

  “You’re mine.”

  Silence hovered between us, his expression shifting from surprise to relief. Such male satisfaction lit his face and he closed the distance between us. I expected to be devoured, but his mouth brushed gently over mine. Still, my body heated from the simple caress and the breath I’d been holding left me on a shuddering sigh.

  Decker took full advantage. His tongue breached my parted lips, sweeping in like he owned me, and I welcomed it.

  His scent was intoxicating, but nothing compared to the spicy, masculine flavor his mouth offered. He tasted incredible and I knew I had to have more. So much more. I needed all of him.

  As if reading my mind, Decker shifted his weight and deepened the kiss. Just like that, I was a goner. Lost. Time ceased to exist, and the only certainty was the two of us and the myriad of sensations he elicited in me. I was drowning in all things Decker: his scent, his taste, and the way his body moved against mine.

  I gasped for air when Decker’s mouth suddenly left mine, panting as his hot tongue traced a line down the side of my throat.

  He nipped at my collarbone with his canines, the tiny pain exciting me more, waking that aching throb between my thighs. An involuntary whimper escaped me, and the sound only spurred Decker on.

  His rough hand slid up my ribcage, inching dangerously close to my breast, making my heart flutter with anticipation.

  How far would he go? Would he fully claim me right there, or would he stop before things got too out of hand?

  The thought suddenly made me aware of the gravity of our situation. Though we both knew we belonged, and everything about what we were doing felt undeniably right, I knew we must stop before the growing intensity consumed us completely.

  “Decker,” I whispered shakily.

  He didn’t stop, too lost in the moment to hear my quiet plea.

  My thoughts faltered when his mouth moved farther south, his tongue tracing along the line of my lowcut top. My hands instinctively slipped into his wild hair, and I found myself caught between wanting to draw him closer and knowing I needed to push him away.

  A growl of approval rose from his throat, his fingers tugging at my shirt as his mouth moved over the curve of my breast.

  “Decker, please,” I begged as I fisted his hair. “You have to stop.”

  The desperation in my voice must have broken through his hunger, because he stilled. Reluctantly lifting his head, he leveled his stare with mine, confused as he searched my face. “You do not want me to stop.”

  Swallowing hard, I shook my head. “No, but we’ll have to leave if we go any further. We won’t go unpunished if we let this happen.”

  Decker rose to his full height again but didn’t release me.

  I offered him a shy smile. “I’d hate to go feral simply because neither of us have any self-control.”

  Decker stepped back, his bright eyes holding my stare as he went. “You’re right. We must do this by the laws of our people if we want to stay within the packs.”

  Chapter 12

  As I watched the two males circle one another in preparation, I knew the final fight would be like none that had preceded it. With the way they moved and the intensity on their faces, neither intended to lose.

  I’d seen the brutality Resno had delivered his previous competitors, everything he’d endured from them, and I knew he wouldn’t be easy to defeat.

  Decker was an unknown. I’d yet to see him fight, but judging by the reactions he drew from others and the frightening determination glaring in his gold eyes, I suspected he would be significantly harder to take down than Resno’s
former opponents.

  Kene had vouched for Decker, given him the responsibility of guarding me throughout the trials, and I could only trust that he was every bit as unstoppable as he appeared.

  Lifting my face to the heavens, I didn’t care if anyone played witness. I sent a prayer up to the goddess, begging her to favor my guard. By the moon, grant Decker the strength and skill to be my victor. I cannot have Resno as my companion. If you have any mercy at all, please do not make me live with such an intolerable beast.

  I returned my attention to the two pacing back and forth at the circle’s center. Their intent stares locked on one another, and I could see Resno speaking to Decker with a cruel smirk curving his lips.

  Curious, I let my wolf senses dominate, allowing my focus to center on the two males. As all other voices faded into a distant roar, Resno’s words grew clearer.

  “…you think you deserve her after what you let happen to Kaari?”

  Decker bared his teeth, a vicious growl rising from his throat. “Speak her name again and I will break every bone in your body.”

  A wicked grin stretched across Resno’s face. He knew he’d hit a nerve, but I had no clue what it was. Who the hell was Kaari?

  Possibilities poured into my mind, but a swift movement shook me from my worried musing. Decker exploded into action, his shoulder slamming into Resno and driving him backward. I didn’t want to watch, but I couldn’t look away.

  They tore into one another; vicious snarls rumbled from them both. Every muscle in my body was tense as I watched them trade one powerful kick and punch after another.

  Resno swung at his opponent, but Decker spun away, narrowly dodging the blow. Resno stumbled, nearly losing his footing when his weak knee gave out. His angry roar echoed across the yard as he lunged for Decker again, and the two bodies crashed together, their muscles quivering from the impact.

  I sat, transfixed, my heart in my throat as they pulverized one another. The fight was so close I didn’t have a clue who would win. And the power abruptly shifted. Resno landed a particularly nasty blow, driving Decker to his knees.

  My heart stuttered. I leapt to my feet, a startled sound escaping my lips. No! This couldn’t happen. Resno couldn’t win. All of this would be for nothing. I would end up in the very place Decker tried saving me from. A life of misery was surely in my future if that revolting male won.

  Their chests heaved, their breaths sawing in and out of their struggling lungs.

  “Get up,” I begged Decker in a strangled whisper.

  He didn’t. In fact, he fell forward, his hands the only thing stopping him from falling on his face.

  My heart beat wildly as Resno approached Decker with staggering steps. He was in rough shape. Decker had done a number on him. Still, he remained standing.

  I could see the pain Resno had inflicted on my guard, but I pleaded quietly. “Come on. Get up.”

  As if hearing me, Decker’s head slowly lifted, and he met my terrified gaze as Resno drew closer. I didn’t know if seeing me gave him strength or if he’d intentionally been holding back until Resno was close, but Decker’s golden eyes blazed anew.

  What came next was a blur. It happened so fast, I barely registered what transpired. Resno stepped forward to deliver his finishing blow, but Decker snapped his arm out, his hand connecting with Resno’s knee. The sickening crack and a roar of agony echoed across the yard.

  Before he had time to collect himself and retaliate, Decker lunged to his feet in a stunning burst of energy, slamming his big palm into Resno’s face.

  Time stood still and silence surrounded me. The only sounds were the erratic beating of my heart and Decker’s ragged breaths.

  Resno staggered back a single step before his knees buckled and he went down hard. The second he hit the ground, cheers and chants erupted from the packs, but I ignored them all. Instead, I watched Decker slowly turn from his fallen competitor, oblivious to those surrounding him. His eyes locked on me, those golden orbs blazing like the sun.

  I couldn’t look away as he came toward me on unsteady legs. I felt as shaky as he appeared, but I managed to get down the three shallow steps and meet Decker halfway.

  Stopping before me, Decker’s big body swayed ever so slightly, but he stayed upright. We stared at each other for a long moment before a smile seeped through all the shock of the morning’s events. My guard had won. He’d defeated Resno. Decker was my companion and I’d never been so relieved, yet so terrified in all my life.

  Decker lowered himself to one knee, and I didn’t miss his grimace. Despite his pain, he looked up at me and said with absolute sincerity, “For as long as there is breath left in me and a heart still beats within my chest, you will ever be under my protection. Never shall anyone come before you. Your safety and happiness will always come first, even before my own. You are my companion—my mate—and I will do my best to be everything you need. I will be your friend, your lover, and your confidant for all the days of my existence.”

  His words left me speechless. Even had I known how to respond, the lump in my throat would have prevented the words from coming. All I could do to show my thanks was sink to my knees and wrap my arms around him.

  Chapter 13

  Pampered. That was the only word to describe the way I felt.

  I lay back in a milk bath, the soothing scents of the forest rising around me from Nailana’s famous candles. The elderwoman wasn’t only a talent with her carvings, but she saved the shavings and scraps from her projects to use elsewhere. The candles—infused with herbs and leftover bark chunks—were just another of her many artistries.

  Laying my head back against the tub’s sloped end, I drew a deep breath and watched the soft candlelight flicker across the ceiling. The herbal tea my mother had me sipping only added to the calming atmosphere. Yet, no matter how relaxed I felt, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from returning to my soon-to-be companion.

  After he’d defeated Resno, the Guard Master had insisted Decker visit the healer. My instinct had been to take care of him myself, but Kene reminded me of my need to prepare for the night’s full moon celebration.

  I thought I’d be nervous. Instead, I felt relieved to not be stuck with a disrespectful, selfish beast like Resno or his vicious friends.

  Decker was nothing like them. Fierce, maybe a bit moody, but he’d never do anything to harm me. I didn’t know much about him yet, but he was a guard. He’d taken the oath to protect all wolfkind from the perils of our world, and I knew I could trust him with my life.

  Physical attraction wasn’t something I had to worry about either. I’d learned that when we’d been alone in the cabin. The raw sexual desire that radiated between us was unlike anything I ever expected to feel.

  If anything gave me anxiety, it was our impending consummation. I’d learned all about the physical relationship between a male and female during my training at Fastness. Still, knowledge and experience were two separate things.

  The brief time I’d spent with Decker’s massive body pressed against mine had been overwhelming, but it had only been a taste. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have him completely consume me. Ready or not, I would find out before night’s end.

  “Out you get.”

  Startled, I looked up at Nailana.

  Her aged face held a hint of amusement as she leaned down to pull the plug from the drain. “We can’t have you going to sleep in the bath. Your male would kill us if we let you drown.”

  With a nervous laugh, I accepted the elderwoman’s help from the tub and dried myself.

  My mother offered me a long, thin cloth. “Wrap this around you and sit here.”

  I settled in the chair she’d indicated, and I leaned back to get comfortable.

  Humming quietly, my mother set about her self-appointed task. She thoroughly brushed my hair, the soft bristles stroking over my scalp and through the long strands, soothing me further.

  “I am happy for you, Shala.”

  I turned to
look at her over my shoulder.

  “Decker is a righteous male. He will make an excellent companion.” She smiled a little and forced me to face away from her again. “I can see the strong connection between your spirits already. I have no doubt the two of you will have a joyful, passionate life together.”

  Passion wouldn’t be a problem. I knew that much. Even so, I had a feeling our mutual stubborn natures would make for rather heated disagreements.

  My mother separated my hair, twisting the top section into an intricate braid before pinning it atop my head.

  “Your father and I were rather intense in the beginning. There were a few rocky patches in the first couple years, but our feelings for one another never wavered. We have only grown stronger and more united with every passing day.”

  I smiled to myself. “I never dreamed of my companion like the other girls did, but I always wanted the kind of closeness you have with Father.”

  Coming to stand in front of me, my mother grinned. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she crouched in front of me. “Every day of your life, I prayed the goddess would one day bless you with such a companionship. I want that for each of my children, and I hope she bestows it upon you all.”

  I sat forward and hugged my mother to me, grateful I had such a woman in my life.

  She didn’t hold me for long. She cleared her throat and pulled away. “Time for your dress.”

  Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I smiled up at her. “I can’t wait to see it.”

  I hadn’t a clue what I expected, but I never imagined something as beautiful as the dress my mother presented. I stood, my breath catching as my gaze raked over the lovely spill of fabrics.

  The floor-length skirting fell in sheer, overlapping layers reminiscent of an inverted flower’s petals. The bodice consisted of two wide pieces of soft material long enough to drape over my shoulders and still wrap around my waist to tie in back.

  “Where did you get that?” I breathed.

  My mother smiled. “You like it?”

  “Are you kidding? It’s perfect.”