Page 33 of Howl You Doin'

"Worried about utilities at a time like this?" Fiona created another floating light. "Your priorities are fascinating."

His stronger pack members gathered near the entrance and windows, shifting their weight from foot to foot, ready for battle. The howls grew louder and louder, but Caleb noticed his people moving with purpose rather than panic. Fiona's lights and Wade's organization had prevented mass chaos.

"You know," Caleb said, watching the last party-goers file into the safe room, "this is still better than my cousin's wedding. At least no one's done the chicken dance."

"Yet," Fiona said. "Night's still young."

A growl rumbled just outside, closer still. Caleb's wolf stirred beneath his skin, eager for the fight. But watching Fiona direct people with her flames, seeing Wade protect their pack, he felt a surge of pride. Whatever Victor had planned, they were ready.

Glass shattered as wolves burst through the windows. Caleb's bones cracked and shifted, his formal attire shredding as his body transformed into his massive black wolf form. The scents of his attackers filled his nose - Nightfang, but not Victor or Rachelle. This was possibly just the first wave.

Wade's grey form appeared beside him, hackles raised. Through the darkness, illuminated only by Fiona's floating flames, Caleb counted at least ten Nightfang wolves circling them.

"You know," Wade's thoughts reached him through their pack bond, "I was just thinking this party needed more excitement."

"Next timewe'll just hire a DJ," Caleb projected back, lunging at a russet-colored wolf that got too close. His teeth sank into fur and muscle. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as he threw the attacker aside.

Two more Nightfang members charged him. Caleb ducked under snapping jaws, using his larger size to his advantage. He slammed his shoulder into one, sending them sprawling into a table of carefully arranged desserts. Frosting and cake splattered everywhere.

"Those were expensive," he growled, batting away the second wolf with his paw. "And Fiona spent hours on the decorations."

The sound of fighting filled the community center. His pack members held their own, protecting their territory with fierce determination. Pride swelled in his chest even as he dodged another attack.

A white wolf tried sneaking up behind Wade. Caleb pounced, pinning them to the ground. "That's not very sporting of you."

The wolf beneath him squirmed. "Victor sends his regards."

"Funny, he couldn't deliver them himself?" Caleb tossed the wolf into a group of their packmates. They tumbled together in a heap of fur and limbs.

Through the chaos, he caught glimpses of Fiona's residual flames providing just enough light to fight by. The orange glow reflected off fur and bared teeth, creating an almost beautiful display of violence. Though he had to admit, he preferred how it had looked on her face moments ago when they'd almost kissed.

"Focus on the fight, lover boy," Wade teased, taking down another attacker.

"I am focused." Caleb snapped his jaws at an approaching enemy. "I can multitask."

The Nightfang wolves pressed in, trying to overwhelm them with numbers. But Caleb's pack fought smart, using the darkness and familiar territory to their advantage.

A massive greywolf lunged at Caleb's throat, but he barely registered the threat. His attention had just locked onto Fiona as she stepped into the fray, her hands wreathed in dancing flames. She moved with fluid grace, sending ribbons of fire between two attacking Nightfang wolves. The heat of her magic warmed his fur even from across the room.

Something primal stirred in his chest, different from his usual protective alpha instincts. This felt ancient. Every cell in his body screamed to keep her safe, to fight by her side. His wolf form vibrated with an energy he'd never experienced before.

"Careful with the fire, sweetheart," he projected through their newfound mental link, surprising himself that she could hear him. "These floors are hardwood."

Fiona's laughter rang out as she created a wall of flames, herding three Nightfang members away from Wade. "Really? Property damage is what you're worried about right now?"

"I'm excellent at multitasking." Caleb knocked aside the grey wolf with his shoulder, keeping one eye on Fiona. "Besides, do you know how much these floors cost?"

She spun, her hair a copper streak in the firelight, and sent another attacker scrambling back with singed fur. "Send me the bill."

The sight of her fighting alongside his pack, defending their territory with such fierce determination, made his heart stutter. His wolf recognized something in her, something thattranscended pack politics or supernatural species. She belonged here, belonged with him.

"You know," Wade's thoughts reached him as they tag-teamed another wolf, "I've never seen you this distracted during a fight before. It's adorable."

Caleb snapped his jaws at a retreating Nightfang member. "I'm not distracted. I'm strategically aware of all combatants."

"Right. And the fact that you haven't taken your eyes off our resident fire witch for more than two seconds has nothing to do with it?"

"Shut up and fight,"Caleb growled, but there was no heat in it. He watched as Fiona created another floating flame, illuminating her fierce grin. That primal connection hummed stronger, making his fur stand on end. Whatever this feeling was, he knew one thing for certain - he'd tear apart anyone who tried to harm her.

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