Page 25 of Alien Huntsman

He launched himself toward the treeline, his body already shifting mid-leap. Bones cracked and reformed, muscles stretched and bulged as fur erupted across his skin. The transformation was painful but quick—he’d learned long ago to embrace the pain rather than fight it.

His claws dug into the forest floor as he landed on all fours, now fully in his beast form. His senses sharpened further, the world around him becoming a vivid tapestry of scents and sounds. Thestranger’s trail was clear now—circling the clearing, watching, assessing.

He let loose a warning growl that rumbled through the forest.Mine.This territory, this woman, these pups—all under his protection.

He stalked forward, following the scent. Whoever this intruder was, they were about to learn a painful lesson about trespassing. His hackles rose as he detected a shift in the stranger’s movement—no longer circling but approaching.

His vision turned red as he charged deeper into the forest, determined to meet the threat head-on before it could reach his mate. He burst through a thick patch of underbrush, snarling as he locked eyes with the intruder. The stranger stood in a small clearing, already fully shifted into beast form—and he was massive. Easily a head taller than him, with shoulders twice as broad and limbs corded with muscle beneath dark silver fur. Battle scars criss crossed his muzzle and chest, telling stories of fights won against formidable opponents.

The stranger didn’t attack immediately. Instead, he watched him with calculating yellow eyes, his posture neither submissive nor overtly aggressive. He tilted his head, nostrils flaring as he took in Korrin’s scent.

It didn’t matter. This beast was too close to the cabin. Too close to Tessa.

His rational mind recognized the stranger wasn’t actively threatening, but his beast didn’t care. Someone had invaded his territory, endangered what was his. Blood roared in his ears, drowning out everything but the primal need to protect.

He launched himself at the larger Vultor, claws extended and jaws open in a savage roar. The stranger barely had time to brace himself before he slammed into him, driving him backward into a tree trunk that cracked under the impact.

The larger beast recovered quickly, swinging a massive paw that caught him across the shoulder. Pain exploded through his body as claws raked deep, but he twisted away before the stranger could get a grip on him. The wound would heal, but not if he gave his opponent time to press his advantage.

He darted in again, faster than the bulkier Vultor could counter. His jaws clamped down on the stranger’s foreleg, teeth sinking through fur and muscle. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as he tore away, dancing back from the retaliatory swipe.

They circled each other, both bleeding now. The stranger growled, a sound that might have been meant to communicate, but he was beyond listening. His beast had taken control, driven by something more powerful than territorial instinct.

He was fighting for her. For Tessa.

The thought of her—her scent, her smile, the way she’d kissed his cheek—fueled him with renewed strength. He feinted left, then ducked under the stranger’s guard to rake his claws across the beast’s underbelly. The larger Vultor howled in pain and fury, but Korrin was already moving again, too quick to catch despite his opponent’s superior size and strength.

His claws dug into the stranger’s chest, pinning the larger Vultor against the forest floor. Blood matted both their fur, but he barely felt his wounds through the haze of battle fury. The stranger thrashed beneath him, powerful but tiring. Victorysurged through his veins as he lowered his head, jaws opening wide to clamp around the exposed throat.

One bite. One decisive move to end this threat.

A sudden cascade of icy water crashed over them both.

He reared back, sputtering and shaking his head as the cold shock yanked him from his battle trance.

“STOP IT! Both of you, stop right now!”

Tessa’s voice cut through the fog of his rage. She stood a few feet away, empty bucket in hand, her face flushed with exertion and her eyes blazing. The pups clustered behind her legs, whimpering.

“I said STOP!”

The larger Vultor had gone still beneath him, making no move to capitalize on his distraction. Instead, those yellow eyes flicked between the two of them with what looked almost like… amusement?

Shame crashed through him as his rational mind reasserted control. He eased off the stranger and shifted back to human form, the transformation rippling painfully through his injured body. He crouched naked on the forest floor, chest heaving, water dripping from his hair.

“What were you thinking?” Tessa demanded, her voice trembling. “You could have killed each other!”

He couldn’t meet her eyes. She’d seen him. Seen the beast in all its savage glory, teeth bared for the kill. Not the controlled predator he’d shown her before, but the monster—the part of himself he’d tried to keep hidden.

“I…” His voice came out rough. “He was too close. I thought…”

He’d thought what? That she was in danger? The stranger hadn’t even been moving toward the cabin. He’s simply reacted, his beast taking over at the first hint of another male near what it considered theirs.

The realization sickened him. He wasn’t protecting her. He was possessing her.

The larger Vultor remained in beast form, watching him.

His muscles remained coiled tight as the stranger lowered his massive head. The Vultor’s eyes—intelligent even in beast form—darted between him and Tessa.

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