Page 5 of Untamed

My wolf scratches to come out. This is the one thing she and I have always agreed on. A buzz starts at the surface of my skin. It turns into a prickling, as if I’m being tattooed over every inch all at once. I breathe through my nose, trying to calm myself as fur ripples down my arms and my back arches against the chair.

Ms. Ebon’s authoritative voice rings out. “Calm yourself, pup.”

The thing is, since my first shift was mere hours ago, it’s hard for me to control her. I stand, the contents of the file spilling onto the floor, and my advisor gets to her feet with me, reaching out a steady hand.

I’m too far gone, though. I turn, running toward her office door and whipping it open so I don’t wreck her room. I’m sure I’ll already be written up if I shift within the very first hour of being here, but the punishment will probably be worse if I also destroy academy property in the process.

My ragged breaths deepen as I step beyond the threshold. I no longer hear voices in the halls, which is perfect because I don’t need to look like a freak in front of my new wolfpeers.

My back arches again, bones cracking in place. When we were told transforming into our wolf hurt, they weren’t fucking kidding. I yell, my human voice giving way to a long howl as claws slice through my fingertips. My body throws itself on all fours, and for a split second, I’m still fully human before my wolf takes over.

She shakes her head, copper fur billowing like a halo around her neck. Ms. Ebon yells, but my wolf is entranced by the most familiar scent filling her nostrils. Her head perks, ears driving up and forward. It’s as if she’s been acquainted with this aroma her whole life, could roll and play in it—

She takes off, claws digging into the slippery floor, skidding before regaining her balance. Her focus homes in on the figure rounding the corner ahead.

Mate.

Jonah’s deep brown eyes widen as she careens toward him. Her keen wolf vision glimpses the emerald greens sparking through his irises. She sniffs the air. Instead of the beautiful scent she chased after, potent fear fills the air. She put the brakes on and careens across the floor, scrambling to stop her momentum.

Recognition flashes in Jonah’s eyes and disappointment and anger teem to the surface, muddying his beautiful features. The look on his face is like getting rejected all over again.

My wolf throws her head back and howls her pain while trying to recover her balance. The hulking, disapproving figure grabs her by the nape as she slides toward him. The brief pleasure of being touched by her fated match is squashed when he spins her to her back and places a huge forearm over her throat, pinning her to the floor.

Gazes locked, her copper paws move to his shoulder, but he leans forward, cutting off her breath. She whines, the sound emanating from deep inside. From the point of all my hurt and pain. From the place where I piled every rejection, big or small. It comes alive and sours the air between us.

“Know your place,” he growls.

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Jonah’s features soften for a fraction of a second, and he eases the pressure. Even in my wolf form, he’s stronger—bleeding authority and strength. My wolf tangles her paws around his arm as if she’s giving him a giant hug, then licks his exposed bicep.

Instead of responding in kind, Jonah bares his teeth and growls. “Shift.”

His commanding words rip me back into reality. My pained wolf retreats in spectacularly fast fashion, once again rejected by the person who is supposed to love her unconditionally.

My back arches, bones re-breaking before I’ve had the chance to forget about the last shift pain. Skin and limbs take over until Jonah hovers over my human form. “Back the fuck off,” I pant, pushing at the arm that’s over my throat.

He backs away, moving to a standing position and glaring down at me with cold, brown eyes. With my human vision, I don’t notice the emerald in his irises as much. All I see is hatred and disappointment.

I get to my feet, only realizing then that I’m naked, a trail of tattered clothes in my wake. “For fuck’s sake,” he mutters, yanking his shirt off and offering it to me. He avoids my stare while I stand with hands on my hips, not backing down. “Take it, Kinsey. Christ.”

With a huff, I tug on his shirt. It falls to my thighs, dwarfing me. Cocooned in my mate’s smell, I feel at home, and I have to fight the smile that threatens to betray my inner emotions. My wolf, on the other hand, nuzzles against my chest as if she’s trying to cuddle the shirt.

That’s when I break. Surely him showing up at Greystone Academy is cruel and unusual punishment. “What are you doing here?”

Jonah’s gaze sharpens. Wolf yellow irises rise to the surface before he controls himself. His wide torso and bulging muscles that are now on display prove why the Livestrong’s were sought after to become alpha security. They’re huge. Jonah’s father is one of the biggest shifters—and subsequently humans—I’ve ever seen. Jonah has his genetics, for sure. He’s looked ages older than the rest of our wolfpeers since we were pups. He’s broader, stronger, and taller. Next to him, I feel small which makes my flight or fight kick in.

“What amIdoing here?” he hisses. “Why in the hell are you wolfing out in the middle of Greystone Academy?” The severe look on his face tells me all I need to know. He’s disgusted. He doesn’t care about my reasonings. He only cares how my actions will make him look to everyone else, and it’s clear he thinks I can’t control my wolf—or myself.

Ms. Ebon’s high heels click on the floor behind me. “I see you have a shirt arranged. I thought we’d have to call the guards to retrieve our newest student.”

“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience,” Jonah offers her with a pointed glare toward me.

My advisor hands me a pair of Greystone Academy sweats, and I pull them on right there in the middle of the hallway. I don’t mimic his apology. I’m not sorry. I’ve never understood the reasoning behind my ridicule. If the rumor behind my lineage is true, it’s not as if it’s my fault. Yet, I’m the one who takes the brunt of everyone’s hurtful comments and actions. Like being here, for instance.

“I can’t say I’ve ever had a student wolf out on me during our first meeting.”

“I wasn’t going to hurt you,” I mutter.

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