The Challenge (The Pack 2)

“Yeah, let’s not.” I held up my hand and he stepped into it, his chest pressed directly against my palm. Heat radiated from him, and where my hand was placed I could feel his heart thundering. “Caleb, I’m not interested. I suggest you stop before you cross a line you can’t go back from.”

“I’m Alpha now,” he enunciated, his hands coming up to cup my shoulders. “You don’t need Dominic’s protection anymore.” I’d had enough, my hands snapping out to break his hold as I attempted to rein in my temper.

“I don’t need your protection either, Caleb,” I stated. “And I don’t want your attention.”

“We could rule the Pack.”

“You could also not be a jackass but clearly we’re past that point.” I jammed my finger against his chest. “You’re better than this. You know better than this. I’m with Dom. Your best friend? Remember him? The guy who has your back?”

Caleb stumbled back a step, his expression confused as I continued to ream him out. “Your dad died. You’re Alpha now. Big whoop. So far, I’m not impressed. It takes more than a title to make a man.”

“Cut me some slack,” he grumbled, crossing his arms defensively, his lower lip pushing out and reminding me forcefully of Monster.

“Oh, cut you some slack? How about I have a motel full of women and children on the run from a rival pack, I just found out my brother is a shifter, and now my boyfriend’s best friend is hitting on me? Sorry. I have no slack to give right now.” I shoved his arms again and he stumbled back another step. “How about you not be a shitty friend? How about you quit pouting about how unfair it all is and get your shit together? How about you talk to the people that care about you before you wind up like the Hanley Alpha? Hmmm? How about that?”

“I wouldn’t,” he stuttered, his expression shattered. “I didn’t mean – ” he broke off, not seeming to know what to say.

“Consider this your only warning, Caleb,” I continued, keeping my voice hard. “You pull a stunt like this again and I will tell Dom. And not only will I tell him, I’ll pop popcorn while I watch him tear you limb from limb.”

Caleb nodded dumbly, stumbling away from me, and finally breaking into a long lope as he headed for the trees. Part of me hoped he’d run right into Anna and she gave him a piece of her mind too.

Once he was out of sight, I slumped against the wall of the field house, drained. I hated the fact that I’d put that look on his face. That I’d essentially kicked a puppy right in the nuts, but I knew he needed to hear it. No one else was willing to do it and I was all about nipping that shit in the bud. My head fell back against the wall with a thump. Knowing I was right didn’t help at all.

“Pop popcorn?”

Chapter Seven

My head jerked up as Dom leaned against the wall next to me. I hadn’t heard or felt him nearby, which really shouldn’t surprise me since most prey didn’t sense the predator about to pounce.

“I…didn’t see you there,” I stammered, struggling to interpret his expression.

“I figured as much.” He ran his finger along my cheek and my eyes closed involuntarily. “You handled that well.”

“You don’t sound surprised.”

“The Alpha call kickstarts maturity in a young shifter. His mating instincts would be high and you are exceptional.”

“I’m with you,” I retorted, my eyes snapping open.

“Not fully,” Dom replied. “Which means any other wolf has a chance.” He shrugged ruefully. “Most wouldn’t be dumb enough to try and take it.”

I glanced over my shoulder at where Caleb had entered the woods. “He’s struggling.” I shook my head. “I didn’t realize how badly until today.”

“Neither did I,” Dom answered quietly, pulling me into his arms. “I don’t know how I missed it.”

“You wanted it to be okay. We all did.” I burrowed my head against his chest, taking what comfort I could in the brief moment. It was unusual for Dom to show any type of affection while on school grounds but today was clearly an exceptional day. I inhaled deeply, relaxing at his familiar scent, my eyes closing as evergreen and man mingled. He rubbed my arms gently before setting me away from him.

“I also didn’t realize how bloodthirsty you were,” he commented, tilting his head to indicate I should follow him. “Rip him from limb to limb? A little excessive.”

I shrugged, tucking my hands into my pockets so I wouldn’t be tempted to touch him. “It seemed appropriate at the time.” I smiled slyly. “Are you saying you wouldn’t rip him limb from limb?’

“Absolutely not, they’d find his body scattered over three counties.”