Page 110 of Campfires & Canines
He rears up, trying to get above me, and I take the opportunity to dive underneath to his throat. His fur is thick and I can't get purchase. But he stumbles as he tries to avoid my teeth and regain his footing.
I surge forward. He catches my shoulder, teeth sinking into my skin. I snarl and sacrifice more blood for the opportunity to pin him. Instead of pulling away, I push forward, and he goes down.
I twist, my skin tearing, and am able to close my jaws over his neck. My weight presses down on him. He should be able to throw me off, but he doesn't.
His struggles are weak, and I growl as I ram him into the dirt. Finally, he goes limp. He lowers his tail and head, acknowledging me as the victor.
I release him and step back. My chest heaves, heart pounding, blood from my injury wetting my fur. Everyone around me isroaring. I don't care. I need to see Hazel. I shift and pull my pants on.
Jasper lies in the dirt looking thoroughly defeated and humiliated. Blood is splattered across his chest and it’s mostly mine. It was worth it. I kick his pants to him.
Hazel runs towards me, throwing her arms around me. She barely spares a glance for Jasper. I'm not sure if it's because he's still naked or because she isn't concerned about him. I don't care. She is showing everyone she picks me and it makes my heart soar.
I lift her a few inches in a tight squeeze. She kisses me sweetly.
"He is no heir of mine." I hear Ferris snap.
Heath shouts, "Lazuli, Hawthorne, please see the Granite Ridge Pack out."
"Are you okay?" Hazel slides down me to her feet and gently touches the bloody laceration cutting across my shoulder.
“It’s nothing.” I can't feel it.
Jasper stands, wincing. "I see how it is," he grumbles.
Hazel shoots him a glare. "Shut up, Jasper. You made my mate bleed, and he was trying to help you.” I grin.
"Jasper, please visit our healer, and then let's talk," Heath says. Aven and Elm step forward to escort Jasper to Sable.
"You need medical attention too," Hazel says, eyes still on my injury.
I shake my head. It'll heal fine on its own.
I pull her closer, speaking into her ear. "I did what you said and didn't rip his throat out," I joke.
She smacks my arm, but then kisses me again. "Thank you. But seriously, you need Sable."
"I'm fine for now," I argue. "I want to go home."
She opens her mouth to protest, so I scoop her up and carry her towards our cabin. I want her all to myself. I need reassurance of our bond after what she asked of me.
Slamming the door behind me, I set her down and peel off my shirt. I reach for her clothing, but she stops me. “Slate, that looks awful. Let me help,” she says.
Taking my hand, she leads me into our bathroom and starts to wipe the blood off my chest. The wound is already healing, but I’m covered in blood. With gentle strokes, she washes away the fight and soothes my soul.
I watch her work, transfixed by the soft expression on her face and the way she moves. Her hair grew at least two inches in the last week - her dark roots are to her ears. I hope she keeps growing it out because I love the warm, rich color.
“Thank you for doing that,” she murmurs, “Thank you for trusting me.”
Figuring I’m clean enough, I gather her to me and press a hard, needy kiss to her mouth. “You’re my equal. I trust you and I want you to lead just as much as I do.”
She sighs happily. “I love you.”
“I love you,” I barely manage to say before we’re kissing again. I taste her, lost to the feeling of her tongue while her hands dip under my waistband. Breathing heavily, I tear my mouth off her skin. “What I want to do to you is going to take much longer than the few minutes we have right now.” She bites her lip, giving me a devious look. "We need to check in with our Alpha, and then I want you all to myself, for at least a few days, if not a whole week.”
For once she doesn't argue.
Hazel
