He sighed and stood as they approached. Although about six feet tall and visibly strong, there was nothing much that distinguished the brothers. They had short cropped brown hair and eyes the color of clay, just a little too close together. Their noses stuck out prominently from their faces and made a great punching target.
“Evening, boys.” He tipped his head and crossed his flexed arms. “How can I help you?”
“This bar is for Fang members only,” Reggie growled, rubbing a hand over the dark stubble on his chin.
“And you’re not welcome,” Colt added. He pushed a toothpick around his mouth and grinned.
They mimicked his stance with a display of their own muscles, flexing in their flannel shirts.
Billy sighed and dropped his arms, turning back toward the bar. “Let’s not do this tonight, okay? I’m not in the mood.”
Colt grabbed his shoulder and squeezed hard. “I don’t care what mood you’re in. You’re not welcome.”
He growled and could feel his claws beginning to appear again. “I’d suggest you remove your hand, Colt, if you want to keep it.”
Reggie laughed in his ear. “Did you hear that, brother? I believe he just threatened you.”
“Billy Finley threaten a member of the Fang pack?” Colt barked a laugh. “Seems this fellow needs a little lesson. Suppose we take him outside and teach him one?”
Billy had just about had enough. His entire body t
ensed in preparation for the fight, his muscles twitching. It was time he showed the Wilson boys who was boss after all. There was a reason he’d been chosen to take the alpha position in America and they hadn’t. He was about to teach them a lesson in manners and his body ached for the release of a fight.
“Is there a problem here?”
The close proximity of Stasia’s voice snapped him out of the change just as fast as he’d gone into it. He whipped around to see her standing behind him, inches from Colt’s face.
“Maybe there is,” Reggie said with a sneer. “But it’s none of your business. Get out of the way.”
“Actually, it is my business.” She placed her hands on her hips and scowled. “As Crown Werewolf Princess of Monstrana, any werewolf on werewolf violence is under my purview.”
The Wilson brothers gaped at her, Colt’s toothpick falling from his mouth. Billy’s face flushed red as he watched.
“She can’t be serious,” Reggie said, looking around him for help. “She’s not really the princess.”
“Oh, yes, she is.” Ashley draped herself over Stasia’s shoulder and grinned. “My friend, Princess Stasia. I see you already met Reggie and Colt Wilson.” She laughed and leaned closer to Stasia’s ear, whispering in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “They’ve always been jealous of Billy.”
“Yes, we’ve met. And they were just leaving to play a game of pool,” Stasia said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
The brothers scowled and glanced begrudgingly at Billy over her shoulder. With a noise that resembled a hiss, they shuffled away toward the pool tables and found friends waiting for them. Stasia’s smile grew wide and she clapped her hands in victory.
“Well, that was a close call,” she said, turning to Billy, who still sat dumbstruck on the bar stool. “You’re welcome.”
He snapped his mouth closed and curled his fingers into tight fists. “I didn’t need your help.”
“Of course you did.” Her eyebrows raised in disbelief as she chuckled. “If I’m not mistaken, they were about to take you to the doghouse.”
He could feel the blood rising to his cheeks again. Rage made his voice shake. “I didn’t need your help. Not now. Not ever.”
If he didn’t leave soon, he was going to lose it. And the last thing he needed was to go full wolf in a crowded bar of the Fang pack.
He turned to Garret and said in a deadpan voice, “Rain check on that pool game, buddy.”
Garret nodded silently, concern filling his eyes.
Sliding off the stool, Billy brushed past Stasia. Their shoulders touched, sending a thrill through his body. Still, he shoved on, past his waiting truck and the streets of downtown. He didn’t stop moving until he’d run miles into the thick forest, his paws thudding on the hard ground and his wolf instincts washing away the embarrassment of the werewolf princess coming to his rescue.
Chapter Five