Page 6 of The Werewolf Who Gave A Shift
“You pick him over your own kind?”Griffin spat, his face twisted in disgust as his voice cracked through the stillness like a whip.
“If you are making me choose, then yes,” The words came out of her mouth, shocking everyone, even her.“And when has my ownkindever cared for me, Griffin.When my parents died, no one cared if I had food or wood to keep warm.No one from the Murder checked on me.Only one person did that, and it was Davey, who hasn’t really been part of the Murder for a long time.”
“You just sealed your fate, Macy.”He jabbed a finger toward her, his tone dripping venom.“You defend a Werewolf.You stand with him.That means you no longer stand with us.You’re no Crow.Not anymore.”
The words hit harder than a blow.Her breath hitched as the truth slammed into her—banishment.Only Jack Crow, their Alpha, could banish her from the Murder...their ‘pack’, and knowing his rules and ways, he would do it without second thought.She had gone against her own.Her family, her bloodline, and the last ties to her parents would be gone in an instant.Even though she hadn’t felt a part of the Murder, banishment truly meant she was absolutely without anyone.It was final.
Her knees wobbled, but before she could falter, the man behind her moved closer.Heat radiated off him, his presence steady and unyielding, like he was offering her something solid to hold on to.The brush of his arm against hers was electric, grounding her when her world was crumbling.
Her throat burned, but she forced herself to meet Griffin’s hateful glare.“Then so be it.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs.She knew what she’d lost tonight.It was everything she had left of her family and her place among the Crows.But when her eyes locked with this man’s storm-dark gaze, a shiver of certainty threaded through the grief.
She hadn’t lost everything.She’d chosen.
And Macy knew nothing would ever be the same again.
CHAPTER4
Kaelen stood in stunned silence, every muscle locked tight as this small woman, this Crow Shifter who hadn’t even known his name, chose him over her Murder.She faced her own kind, unflinching, while he said nothing.No one had ever done that for him...ever.How could he even digest something like this?
All his life, he had been a weapon, a curse, and a monster whispered about in the dark.Something to be chained, to be feared, or destroyed.Never a man.Never someone worth saving, but that was exactly what this beautiful woman was doing.She was saving him.
She was defying her Murder for him with her chin held high and her voice steady.She had no reason, no promise from him, or bond to bind her to his side… except the wild, reckless courage in her heart.
It broke something inside him.Worse...it lit something inside him, something he had to ignore.He refused to let this woman ruin her life because of him.He was not worth the risk she was taking.
“What are you doing in Assjacket?”Mac’s voice was cool, but his eyes were sharp, narrowing on Kaelen.
“Looking for the Witch they call the Shifter Whisper,” Kaelen replied without a pause, his tone flat, steady.His golden eyes didn’t waver.“She is married to the King of Shifters, which I assume is you.”
“She prefers Shifter Wanker,” Bruce tossed out, gaining a glare from Mac.“Just sayin.”
The air shifted as Mac’s jaw tightened.He stepped forward, the low growl in his chest vibrating through the room.“What business do you have with my Mate?”
Kaelen’s expression didn’t change.He stood still, shoulders squared, gaze locked on Mac with an edge that was neither challenge nor submission, just a calm certainty.
“To break the curse,” he said, each word clipped and final, as if nothing else needed to be explained.
The room dropped into a heavy, ringing silence.Kaelen’s golden eyes were unreadable.
“He was on Crow land,” Griffin barked, jabbing a finger toward Kaelen, his voice sharp enough to cut.A few people who were outside listening in muttered in agreement, and it was enough to rile Griffin up even more.Macy rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible.
“Which is part of Assjacket,” she shot back, scowling.“What’s your point?”
“My point is I’m getting tired of your mouth, Macy.”Griffin took a threatening step forward, all swagger and hot tempered, until Kaelen moved the same fraction of a pace in his direction.The air went thick with something dangerous.
“Watch yourself,” Griffin snarled, glaring at Macy, his chest heaving with rage.“I’m in control until Jack comes back.I can—and will—put you in lockup until he returns.”
Kaelen didn’t blink.He closed the space between himself and Griffin with slow, deliberate steps, each one echoing with intent.The Crow stiffened, but Kaelen didn’t stop until his presence pressed down like a storm breaking over the room.His voice came out sharp, cutting the air.
“You’ll have to go through me to do that, Crow.I don’t think you’re ready for that mistake.”Kaelen spoke with an unsettling calm, his words steady, his tone almost casual, and yet underneath it thrummed with the certainty of a man who knew he would win.
“Holy cat shit,” Bruce whispered just loud enough for the room to hear.“And here I thought Mac was the scariest guy in the room.”
“Griffin, take your group and go home,” Mac ordered, his eyes locked on Kaelen as if gauging every twitch of muscle.“I’ve got it from here.”
“But—” Griffin’s face flushed, his voice rising with defiance.
