Page 44 of Howl For Me
She popped her head up and searched the opposite bank of the creek. She turned and found Jaynie and Solon both looking around. A growl sounded, and her eyes flew in the direction of the threatening noise.
Solon moved to stand beside her, focusing on the area of the woods. The thick brush parted, revealing a large black wolf.
Dreven.
Two other wolves appeared behind him. Her wolf shrank back, feeling his alpha waves float across the air. Panic filled her chest, and she took another step back, preparing to run. She locked her eyes on his wolf and knew what he wanted.
Her.
The air around him shimmered. She watched him shift, and his human form knelt on the ground, his eyes focused on her. He stood, his power still floating to her. Her wolf whined. This had been their alpha for the past five years.
“Brianna. Shift.” His commanding words hit her.
Her wolf growled, but she was no match for the alpha. She tried to resist the shift, but her wolf submitted, pulling back. Damara fell to the earth in human form, her breaths coming fast.
“Dreven,” she whispered. She let loose a curse as tears filled her eyes. She was stronger than this, but she didn’t know if it was from anger or fear that the tears appeared. She blinked, lowering her gaze to the dirt.
“It is time for you to come back with me,” Dreven announced.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Solon growled, having shifted.
Damara’s eyes flew up, and she turned, finding Solon and Jaynie standing. Both of them glared at Dreven, not hiding the hostility in their eyes.
“She is a member of my pack, and I’m her alpha—”
“I think not. My brother Gavin is her true alpha,” Jaynie snapped, moving to stand before Damara.
She slowly pulled herself to her feet while Solon and Jaynie stood together facing Dreven.
“This is none of your business,” Dreven snapped.
Damara swallowed hard, never before seeing this side of Dreven. His eyes dismissed Jaynie and Solon. “Brianna—”
“My name is Damara,” she announced. No longer was she Brianna. She was Damara Jackson. She pushed forth and moved to stand in front of Jaynie and Solon. She was a strong wolf, slowly discovering who she was, and if she knew herself like she did, she could stand up for herself, too. “I can’t come back to California with you, Dreven. I belong here.”
“How do you know? They’ve probably fed you lies.” He took a step forward.
The wolves behind him remained in their animal form.
“I’m not going back with you. I’ve made up my mind.” She shook her head and took a step backwards. There was no way she was returning to California. Her place was here with Gavin and her family.
“You made me a promise, Brianna. You’re going to keep it, too,” he snarled.
“You are on our pack grounds, and I’m warning you now. My alpha won’t appreciate you trespassing.” Solon clenched his hands into tight fists. The enforcer wasn’t backing down from the alpha and his wolves.
“I don’t give a shit what your alpha appreciates. Brianna is coming with me,” Dreven barked. His eyes flashed feral, his beast coming forward. “Get her!”
“Run, Damara!” Solon shouted as his beast burst forward along with Jaynie.
Damara turned and took off into the woods. She released a curse, her feet taking the brunt of the woods. Her wolf broke free and took over. She shifted, landing on all fours. Her wolf sped off, running into the woods, maneuvering the area. A crash sounded behind her, and she ran faster.
A howl echoed through the air.
Dreven.
Her wolf sensed a presence gaining on her, and she knew he was coming for her.
“Gavin!”she cried out, wishing she had a telepathic link to him. If ever she needed one, now would be the time.
