Page 27 of UNAwere

Don’t, he says again. Obey me.

What is this? I almost Turn back, panicking, but he steps forward.

I’m from a different pack, he tells me. Your instinct is to fight me. To protect your territory.

A part of me believes him. Another part of me wars with what he says. I don’t know what to lean into, so I just listen to him, trying to relax the frantic beat of my heart.

You can fight me, Red, Briggs says. If you really want to… But you’ll lose.

That pleasurable shiver returns, and I moan.

Briggs circles me, huffing. This is why you Turn often. This is why you accept your wolf self and understand your body.

I get it. You don’t have to scold me for it.

Run with me, he says. And ignore the urges you’re feeling. Not unless you want to get hurt.

You wouldn’t hurt me. You’ve been paid to protect me.

I’ll still put you in your place.

A side of me is excited at the prospect, and I tread closer to him, tempted.

He grunts, baring his teeth. You want to test me, Red?

Maybe…

Fight me, then.

I take another step towards him. He snarls. He’s so much bigger than me, but it’s like my body doesn’t seem to care. It’s like it wants to see him unleash on me. It wants him to tear me to pieces. That it’ll somehow feel good.

I take in a deep breath, catching his scent.

Jeepers. He smells incredible. I never noticed, not used to using my sense of smell out of my wolf form. The scent of him fills my senses, and I hum. It’s like a drug. I can’t seem to get enough.

I step forward once more.

Briggs is watching me, growling. But he doesn’t move. It’s like a part of him wants me to attack him, too. And I want to know why.

So I lunge.

I don’t know why I do it. It’s like my wolf self is different to my human self. It’s like she has more guts than I do. It’s like she’s less awkward, less fumbly. She certainly wouldn’t shoot double finger guns at someone, that’s for sure.

Briggs meets me in the middle, and the impact our bodies make causes birds to scatter from the canopy, squawking. I latch my muzzle around Briggs’s throat, hearing him groan, and the sound only makes me hold tighter, fangs puncturing skin. The taste of his blood fills my mouth, and my eyes roll back.

I see white. The smell and taste of him are the most intoxicating things I’ve ever experienced. I’m moaning, licking his throat, drinking him down. He tastes so good. He smells so good. I can feel heat flooding my entire nervous system, and I’ve never felt more alive. I’ve never felt more turned on.

Jeepers, what is wrong with me?

It only takes me loosening my hold on him slightly to have him snatch me up and pin me to the forest floor. His muzzle enters the coat at the nape of my neck, and I whimper. But he doesn’t bite me. He doesn’t open his mouth. He just breathes me in, panting, his heart thudding close to mine.

Good to know you at least still have a connection to your primal instincts, he says gruffly. All hope’s not lost.

I’m gasping, my mind still foggy from the taste and smell of him.

Why didn’t you fight back?

I’m not going to hurt you, Red. Not ever.