Anger and frustration had her eyes narrowing, some unknown part of her awakening. Her smile was calculating as she took in the room.
"Next time, maybe someone should hang a sign around their neck if a man is off-limits," she announced firmly.
Eva turned on her heel and marched out, passing her laughing brother and shocked father. She had no idea what she was doing; John was revealing parts of her she'd never known existed. And truthfully, she quite liked it.
Being good was overrated. Her brother had had his time; it was her turn to have what she wanted. Be damned the consequences.
Chapter 14
John
There was too much laughing and joking going on when John arrived at the training grounds and one too many glances his way. He was about to ask what was going on when Bass’s presence prickled down his spine, and he turned to see what his alpha wanted.
“Bass, Kat…” There was a brightness to their gazes. John had a sinking feeling he wasn’t going to like what was said next. “Come to join in with our training session?”
“I have,” Katalina answered. “But Bass is just here to gossip. He’s an old lady when it comes to that.” Giggling, she danced to the side out of Bass’s reach and over to the group she’d train with.
“Gossip?” John questioned. “Isn’t that best saved for after this war?” The only gossip he could think of was taking Eva to Logan and Mia’s party as his date. He hadn’t kissed her in front of anyone, but he’d also made it clear she was his. John didn’t want to keep Eva a secret, but it would also be nice to court a woman without his pack losing their minds over it.
“Depends how you view it. Maybe the pack needs something good to focus on. Plus, Eva is making it rather entertaining for them,” Bass explained.
“Entertaining?” he asked cautiously.
“You don’t know?”
Quiet laughter erupted behind him. John snarled. “Start warming up. This isn’t a social gathering.”
Bass’s lips twitched, his gaze amused.
“I swear, Bass, you might be alpha, but I’m not above hitting you.”
“Eva declared her claim on you this morning at breakfast. She’s impressed most but annoyed those who pine after you.”
John rolled his eyes. “No one pines after me, Bass. What do you mean declared?” That seemed awfully like a wolf move, not a human one. Whatever she did, his wolf was pricking its ears, pleased.
“Erm… I might have videoed it… if you want to see?”
John turned toward the nervous voice, eyeing Cody sternly. “You videoed Eva?”
He dipped his head, voice trembling. “Yeah… it was funny.”
“Delete it now!” John snapped.
Cody stepped back. “I will. I will…. But don’t you want to see it first?”
“I do,” Bass answered, stepping beside John. “Though in future, maybe not video fellow packmates, Cody.”
“Okay.” Cody handed over his phone, anxiously flickering his gaze from Bass to John.
Taking the phone from Bass, John pressed Play and watched. The second it was over, he played it again. That was not the Eva he knew. Did she even realize what her words meant to a pack of wolves?
“Hang a sign.” Bass sniggered. “Not a bad idea. Might help with the juveniles and their endless squabbles over females. River Run wolves off-limits.”
“You are enjoying this way too much, Bass,” John grumbled.
“You should be pleased. She clearly likes you, and she is your destined mate, right?”
Katalina came across, smiling. “Let me see it.” Others began to crowd around too.
John glared at them all. “Anyone not in pairs and sparring in two seconds will be doing laps of the border all afternoon.” Groans and tuts followed, satisfying John into a smile.
“Cody,” Katalina called as he began to run off. “What was Eva doing before she did this?”
He grimaced. “Arguing with her father and brother. She seemed kinda agitated when she walked in.”
Katalina nodded. “Thanks.” Cody ran off to begin training. “Thought so,” Katalina continued.
“What?” John and Bass answered together.
“You’re all reading way too much into this.”
John had to agree, as much as the wolf in him stirred.
“I bet her dad was questioning her about you, and she walked off annoyed to find an entire pack full of nosy pack wolves staring at her, half wondering if she’s good enough for you and half jealous you’ve picked a human over a fellow wolf… and then she lost it.”
“Whatever it was, it’s boosted morale, so keep it up, John,” Bass slapped him on the back.
“So glad to be of use,” John muttered. “Do you think I should go find her, Kat?”
“Nah, she’s a big girl and clearly can hold her own. To be honest, Eva’s probably not seen the significance in her words. Humans don’t think like wolves, John.”
“What do you think—”
Zackary ran into the clearing, his steps faltering when he took them in. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Where’s your sister?” John asked.
Zackary glanced between them all. “With my dad. That’s why I was late.”
“Is she all right?” John continued.
He shrugged. “She can handle my dad.” Zackary seemed to look John up and down, a silent argument in his gaze. “Hurt her, John, and I’ll have to kill you.”
John growled. Bass laughed. Zackary paled but stood his ground.
“I’m three times the size of you,” John pointed out.
Zackary gulped. “Doesn’t matter. She’s my sister, and you’d not be the first guy I’ve kicked to the curb.”
“I think you should go join the others, Zac,” Katalina wisely suggested.
“Are you going to let him get away with that?” John asked Bass as Zackary ran off. John was too shocked to react. Kid had guts, and he had to respect his desire to protect Eva. Not that she needed protecting from him.
“No.” Bass shook his head. “She’s his sister. Besides, he’d have had to fight the natural instincts of his wolf to say that. Means the kids gaining control.”
Internally groaning, John ran a hand through his hair. “I’m deleting this video, and I’d really appreciate it if this pack would stay out of my business. It’s not going to help Eva want to stay here.”
“She’ll have to get used to it eventually, John. I did, well kinda. Drives me crazy every now and then,” Katalina replied.
“And I already told you, it’s good for morale,” Bass added.
“Ugh.” John glared. “Now, I need to find someone to fight.” Rolling his shoulders, John clicked his neck, frustration riding him hard. “Feel like volunteering, Bass? I promise not to hurt you too much.”
Bass’s smile was deadly as he took John in. “Challenge accepted, and don’t expect me to hold back.”
“Likewise.”
A different kind of excitement filled the air as a circle was formed, John and Bass at the center. Wolves rose to the surface of the people around him, eager to witness John take on his alpha. Only a select few who could really challenge Bass, and John hadn’t trained with him in a while, but just like the rest of the pack, the toughest of them needed to keep themselves in top condition.
“Ready?” Bass murmured, expression as cool as ever.
John flexed his fingers, yellowy-gold eyes assessing his alpha. “Ready.”
They clashed, the freshly fallen snow billowing around them. John used his bulkier size to his advantage, putting all his weight into his first punch, Bass staggered back but quickly recovered, his light, nimble feet dancing out of the way as the crowd cheered.
Smiling, they circled each other, eyes those of the predators at their cores. Bass leaped, his fist colliding with John’s face, the blow might have taken down someone smaller, but John was built wide and solid and absorbed the impact with nothing but a shake of his head.
The ground was becoming
slippery beneath their feet, snow compacting down and mixing to make a sludgy mess. Colliding together, they each planted their feet, shoving against one another, growls rumbling in their chests. Bass punched him in the side, John retaliated in return, their breathing becoming labored as finally John won the battle and sent Bass hurtling backward. But he was alpha for a reason, and within seconds, Bass regained his footing, despite the snow, and was flying with another attack.
Gritting his teeth, John barreled into Bass, a yell on his lips sending them both tumbling to the earth. They rolled around the sludgy ground, heaving and snarling before leaping apart and facing each other again.
“Again?” John asked, a smirk on his face.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
Adrenaline and amusement flowed through John’s veins. His muscles strained to maximum, his mind on high alert as he played a deadly game with his alpha. It wasn’t about fighting to incapacitate. It was about pushing their primal side to the extreme, balancing the line between control and outright blood. They weren’t human. They were wolves, and sometimes the animal loved nothing more than a good fight. And with all the tension of the impending war, there was never a better time to let loose and throw a few punches.
Chapter 15
Eva
After finally convincing her father she didn’t need locking up for her own protection and that John had been nothing but a gentleman, Eva set out for a steady jog. Her muscles were finally healed from the strain of the attack.
Entering the trees, she kept to a well-worn track, careful with her footing so as not to trip over the rough terrain. When the track seemed to disappear and become nothing other than wilderness, she veered right, not wanting to stray too far from the main housing and get lost again. After a few minutes of infuriating half walking, half running over tangled bush and patches of snow, Eva heard a commotion up ahead and veered off to follow the sound. It didn’t seem threatening; instead, excited cheers could be heard, the occasional growl too, but nothing too aggressive. She was slowly beginning to understand that not all growls and barks meant a wolf wanted to eat you. It was simply how they communicated.
Slowing to a walk, Eva stepped just out of the trees into a clearing covered with inches of snow. A large crowd stood at its center, the group’s shouts of excitement vibrating through her chest. Keeping to the edge of the trees, she studied the mixed group, her breath catching as she found John.
He and Bass fought in the center of the crowd, the grins on their faces telling her this was for fun and not aggression, yet the speed they moved had her heart leaping into her throat. They collided, fists and kicks, seemingly holding nothing back. John was taller by a couple of inches and much wider than Bass, though it didn’t seem to give him an advantage. Bass moved faster than her human eyes could track, his body a graceful weapon as he cut through the air.
John’s punches echoed around them as they hit home, Bass’s only reaction a slight grimace. Snarling, John twisted away, kicking as he did and getting Bass square in the chest. The air whooshed out of Bass as he staggered back, to then recover and leap for John.
“That one hurt,” Bass jeered.
“It was meant to.” John laughed.
Eva watched with equal amounts of horror and admiration. Every time she’d convinced herself she could belong here, she’d find yet another reason why she would never fit. A primal kind of hunger lingered in the air, an excitement she could never truly understand. This was a scene out of fantasy, not real life, yet it was. Shifters existed; her brother was one, and he would always bind her to this world, but she wasn’t sure she could be connected in another way. She wasn’t sure she was brave enough to watch John in all his dangerous glory and then allow that lethal predator into her bed later that day.
“Men and their testosterone.” Eva jumped, unaware Katalina had approached. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”
She shook her head. “It’s all right. I was distracted.”
“Quite a sight, aren’t they?”
Eva glanced at Katalina, watching her study Bass proudly. It was easy to forget Katalina was one of them when she so often seemed the most human of the lot. “Something like that.”
“Are you ready to run yet?” Laughter danced in Katalina’s gaze.
“I was contemplating it.”
“He’ll only hunt you down. Besides, you’ve more spine than that, Eva.”
Why the idea of John hunting her down excited Eva she wasn’t sure; she was clearly losing her mind. “Have I?”
“You did this morning.”
“Oh God.” She groaned. “Why did I do that? Were you there?”
“No, but the pack likes to gossip. It’s keeping their minds off other, not so nice things.”
“I was annoyed at my dad for treating me like a kid, and then they all stared at me…. I just snapped.”
“We appreciate a woman who can stand her ground,” Katalina replied. “It’s a must when we are surrounded by this.” She waved at the fighting.
Eva laughed softly. “I guess, but all this… I’m not sure I’m cut out for this life.”
“We aren’t all fighters, Eva. A pack needs balance and the strong need people to protect. May I suggest hanging out with Olivia for a day. She’ll show you the more refined—”
A howl cut through the air, phones vibrating, and pinging a second later. The fighting stopped, everyone in the area seemingly holding their breaths as even the world seemed to take pause. Fear sliced through Eva’s mind. She didn’t understand the wolf’s call, but her instincts picked up on the sudden shift in emotions.
All at once, everyone hit fast-forward, the crowd dispersed within seconds, orders were yelled across the clearing, the laughter, and excitement that had once filled every pack member replaced with vengeance.
“What’s happened?” Eva gasped as Katalina took her hand and began to run, pulling her along.
“We’re under attack.”
Air ceased filling her lungs, her feet stumbling under her. “Wait, what?” For weeks, they’d been telling her a war was coming. She’d witnessed the aftermath of an attack involving her brother, been nearly kidnapped herself, yet as the words left Katalina’s throat, Eva couldn’t comprehend them.
Wars didn’t happen without the army or government being involved. Wars where for foreign countries in far-flung places she would never visit.
“I’ve got her,” John said, taking her hand as Katalina let go.
“How many?” Katalina asked as Bass fell into step beside her.
“Five on the border nearest us. No report yet from Jackson,” he answered.
“I won’t stand back while our pack fights,” Katalina replied.
Bass smiled sadly. “I know. Second line of defense. Never leave John’s side.”
“I’ll protect her with my life,” John answered solemnly.
Eva’s mind spun. Lines of defense, sacrificing lives, none of it made sense. The ground was crumbling beneath her feet, the line between the impossible and possible becoming blurred. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t hear past the deafening beat of her heart. They’d come here to help her brother and found themselves caught in a war.
“Wait, where’s Zac?” Eva gasped as her heart banged dizzyingly in her chest. Thump. Thump. She needed to find him and her father, make sure they were safe.
“The novices are the last line of defense if the worst should happen,” John answered. “Come on. We need to get you somewhere safe.”
Thump. Thump. “Are you serious? My brother can’t fight. He’s fifteen!” Thump. Thump. They’d arrived back at the pack center, and John was leading her toward the kitchen, which seemed to be bursting at the seams with people.
“Your brother is stronger than you think and a part of this pack. He’s fighting alongside his peers as he should be, and you’ll stay in this building until you’re told it’s safe to leave,” John ordered.
“Eva!” her father called, racing out of the pack kitchen.
“Thank God, I thought you’d gone for a run. I was so worried.”
Thump. Thump.
“John,” Eva gasped as he let her go. “Be careful.” Thump. Thump.
The chaos stilled as his gaze met hers, the frantic beat of her heart calming. Closing the distance between them, John took her into his arms, pulling her flush against him and pressed a rough kiss to her lips.
“Stay safe,” he whispered as he released her.
As he strode away, Eva stared stunned, swaying on her feet. John had brought her back into the living. The same grief hovered overhead, the same impossible things filled her days, yet for the first time in a long time, Eva was alive. Her eyes were wide open, and she was looking forward, even if it terrified her more than anything ever had before.
She was at a crossroads. At a point in time where one path would lead her to a life very much like the one she’d always imagine, and the other would lead her into wonder and danger and a love that could potentially reach her soul.
Whichever direction she took, Eva’s time was running out. Fate was coming, and no one would be allowed to avoid its grasp.
Chapter 16
Anna
Walking from the bedroom, Anna yawned before speaking, “Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked Cage.
Turning from the stove with the kettle in his hand, Cage poured hot water while smiling. “Because you didn’t sleep well last night, so I figured you deserved to sleep in. I was going to bring you breakfast in bed.”
“You worry too much,” Anna replied, but it was nice to have someone worrying. It was a feeling she didn’t want to be without. “I’ll have my breakfast here instead.” She smiled, tapping the table.
Pulling out a chair, Anna took a seat at the dining table, her fingers automatically running over her father’s carvings.
“What are your plans for today?” Cage asked as he placed a cup of tea in front of her.
“I’m meeting Kat for lunch at Dark Shadow. Then we are going to watch a movie with Olivia, Eva, and I think Regan, but nothing much beforehand. You’re on the late patrol, right?”
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