Page 28 of Ruin

“Hey, princess.” A hip nudged me to the side, away from my path to the soldier. I inhaled sharply and Prime growled, but not as aggressively. He recognised that scent.

Mea pulled on Prime, helping me force him back. He still rode me high and I panted, my heart racing as I paced and forced my attention to the sky and the great fir trees that towered above our heads. I inhaled; the scent of the forest grounded me, and I just focused on taking back control as Mea snapped and growled at Prime.

“It’s perhaps best if you don’t challenge the soldiers with guns, Ember.”

I stopped pacing and lowered my eyes from the grey sky to Kawan. A grin curled his beautiful mouth, making him stunning to look at. But that smile, gorgeous though it was, didn't reach his eyes. His expression was dark and intense. He knew I was fighting with Prime. I paced again, aware the two soldiers were watching me intently, almost as closely as Kawan and Alex.

Kawan didn’t say anything more, merely watched silently. Slowly, Prime’s aggression ebbed completely. I stopped pacing and inhaled a deep, pine filled breath, then exhaled, allowing the cold air to take my tension. When I stopped, Kawan cocked his head and gave me a small smile, his chocolate brown eyes a little lighter. “Hey, princess, you seem a little more...feisty, than usual. You okay?”

His eyes locked with mine. I swallowed hard. Prime loved his brother, but he wouldn’t stand any challenge, to me, or his own authority.

“Hey man, why don’t you just look at me for a moment?” Alex gently encouraged Kawan.

Grey flashed across Kawan’s eyes, his wolf pushing into the mix, and Prime started to push against my control again.

“Please,” I whispered, desperately trying to control this situation. Kawan’s brow furrowed, and I knew Prime was visible in my eyes.

Kawan’s nostrils flared and his fists curled. “Ah, shit, sorry, Ember. I saw you shift into Prime in the forest; I’m not trying to challenge him but my wolf’s a little riled himself with these new males being around.” He dragged his attention to the ground, his jaw muscles tense as he forced his wolf to obey.

Prime’s push lessened again and I leaned over my knees. Breathing deeply helped, the forest’s energy calming both Prime and me. “I get it, really I do, but please, just keep your eyes down from mine, and get me in that cabin. We can talk more then.” No way was I telling him about my suspicions in front of two hard-faced males who I didn’t know or trust.

Kawan’s face was grim. “Just walk behind me and stare at my back. Don’t make eye contact with anyone, not until we get you inside. The pain from the acoustic pulse is a bitch the first few times you go through it, but it will get less once you get used to it.”

“Yeah, Alex warned me.”

Alex stepped closer and gave me an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry, Em, I’ll watch your back. Just don’t let Prime out to play and turn and bite my head off.”

Fixing my gaze on Kawan’s black jacket, I followed behind him, ignoring the soldiers, and deliberately holding my breath so that their scent didn’t rile Prime up further. Mea huffed then snarled at Prime who was pushing to get past her.

We approached the cabin and at first there was just a prickle against my senses, one that quickly became an assault of vibration in my ears. Mea howled and Prime snarled.

“Ah!” I stumbled forward into Kawan. Prime leapt forward and fur broke through my skin, claws pushing from my fingernails. My head was going to explode!

“Keep moving, Ember!” Alex hissed. “Dammit, man, get her inside.”

The urgency in his voice did nothing to calm Prime. I felt myself propelled through a door and skidded to my knees. I forced my head to turn.

Owen’s eyes were wide, as were those of the three other males at the table. “What the fuck!?”

At that moment I lost the fight for control. Prime burst through my skin, landing on his paws, his hackles raised and his teeth bared. He snarled. I could feel him searching for the bond with his pack, and his confusion when only a whisper of it was there. I tried my best to reassure him. Even though he was the Prime, it was Connor’s blood that had bound him to his brothers.

“Lower your eyes and heads. Now.” Owen’s words were controlled and calm, but an order, nonetheless.

Mea whined, trying to help me reach Prime, but he refused to let me take control back yet.

Stone’s eyes glinted a beautiful amber, ringed with purple before he dropped his gaze. Myles, Kawan, Drake and Owen all kept their eyes down. Prime growled, long and low. He wanted submission from his brothers—to keep me safe. My heart squeezed. He’d pushed through to make sure his brother’s were not a threat to me.

“More,” said Owen. “On your knees—slowly, and do not look at him.”

The others complied, even Alex.

Prime padded up to Owen, towering above him. Owen tilted his head allowing Prime access to his neck. I saw his clenched fists and realised how hard it must be for an alpha like him to be this submissive. Prime knew it, too. It was the ultimate sign of loyalty and trust to expose your throat to another alpha wolf. Prime huffed and moved on to Stone, then Myles, sniffing at Drake, and finally Kawan. Slowly, he walked back across the room and, satisfied that his current vessel wouldn’t be challenged, allowed me to shift.

My bones cracked as I dragged my human self back.

Damn it! Don't do that again!

Prime merely huffed and plonked himself down near Mea, who studied him steadily before turning her back, clearly pissed at him for ignoring both of our pleas. I panted and thrust them both from my thoughts before I pushed myself onto my knees. I was more than aware I was now naked in front of the males that had become my family. My clothes were in a ragged mess on the floor, and I hadn’t had the control to disband the molecules and bring them back to me, not with that forced shift.

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