Page 40 of Taming of a Wolf

Arlo says, “Yes. Of course. We have your history with humans on your file.”

They’ve been spying on me. How else can they possibly know about the humans who attacked my childhood village?

Arlo continues. “Exposing yourself to humans without the express permission of the Travelers Council is forbidden. And three—”

“And who are you to tell me what to do?” I counter, cutting him off.

“You are not just ulfhednar, Anders. You are of an Alpha bloodline, mateless, and at risk of going berserk.”

My fingers curl. “You have no way of knowing—”

“I do, in fact. Wulfric gave us all the information on you when we approved your exile to this time.”

Fury simmers low in my gut. They’d approved Wulfric banishing me. I’m here because of these spineless cravens! “You did this to me.” The words escape me in a snarl.

“The Travelers Council allowed you to come here after Wulfric assured them you would adjust. We are here to ensure that you do just that. You cannot expose our world to the humans. It would bring ruin to us all, not to mention a headache of a PR mess for the Council to clean up,” Arlo says.

My fingers twitch, and if I had my furs, I’d be sprouting claws. “And how will you ensure my cooperation, hmm?”

“We will observe you to make sure you are following the rules of the Council and that you are making efforts to claim a mate, either chosen or fated. At your earliest convenience, you should visit our New York branch of the TTA for documentation.

Sounds like a waste of time to me, especially since I won’t be staying in this time much longer. “I have found my mate,” I snap.

Arlo’s shoulders relax, and he smiles. “You have? That’s excellent!”

“But we’re taking things slow. I will not rush him to accept our bond.”

Arlo frowns. “I understand and appreciate that you are taking the well-being of your mate into consideration, truly. However, time is of the essence, and if the Council deems you are a threat to either yourself or others, then we have the authority to strip you of your furs and your inner wolf so you can never shift again.”

His threat makes me bare my blunt teeth. “Try it, bastard!” A red haze falls over my eyes, and I charge. I’m not taking shit from him.

“Anders, wait! I just want to help!” Arlo says, holding up his hands, but he’s shoved back by one of the other witches and into a portal that suddenly bursts into existence. “Do not harm him—” His voice cuts out as the portal closes.

Hands glowing with magic, the remaining witches assume a battle-ready stance as I rush at them.

I throw the first punch, my knuckles bouncing off bone that cracks under my fist. My opponent stumbles back, and I grin. I may not be able to shift, but I can still fight well even in this weakened form.

“Mr. Eriksson, stop!” A bearded caster thrusts out his hands, and a blast of wind slams into my ribs. The world spins around me as I tumble, lungs heaving for air. Before I can stand, the thugs surround me. Snarling, I yank on someone’s ankle and force them to the ground. I straddle them, fist ready to crack the craven’s nose. A foot plows into my face, and blood bursts across my tongue when I chomp down on it. Another kick bruises my ribs, making pain spasm through my body.

Gods be damned. I can’t do anything right in this world.

“Hey, assholes!”

The barrage of kicks and hits abruptly ceases, and my attackers yell out in pain and shock. My fury fades as surprise ripples through me. Through watery eyes, I stare between my attackers’ parted ankles. Jess has wrestled one of the men away from me, and Bailey has managed to get a big, burly guy on his knees with his arm twisted behind his back.

The coven likely went down easily on purpose. I’d imagine harming humans goes against their code.

“I’d leave while you can still walk if I were you,” Bailey says, smiling confidently as they grind their heel between theiropponent’s shoulder blades. “Jess, sweetums, can you call for one, two, three ambulances? Thank you!”

Jess whips out her phone.

The bearded caster stumbles to his feet and holds up his hands “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience!” He hurries off toward the main road. Bailey and Jess let his friends go, and they run off after him. Silence rings in my ears as I slump, cheek to the cold pavement.

“Come on up, tough guy.” Jess holds out a hand and offers a smile.

I blink at her hand, a fresh wave of humiliation crashing over me.

“I’m fine.” I rise without her help and straighten my shoulders. “I had everything under control.”

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