shift now!
Knock it off its feet, Corrigan I sent back calmly.
I sensed, rather than saw, the panther pause for a heartbeat then pull back with all the shifters to the dunes. It seemed as if there was a moment of absolute stillness and quiet before, almost immediately, as one group of fur-balled killing machines, they rushed the monster’s legs. The force of their attack flipped it off its feet for just a split second, allowing me to drive the point of my blade into its carotid artery and feel warm blood spilling out over my hands. The creature staggered again, this time falling onto its knees as I sprang back out of the way. With a heavy groan it keeled slowly down to the ground, hands flailing towards its neck in vain. Then, finally, it was silent.
Chapter Eleven
I wiped my hands of the creature’s blood on the damp grass and surveyed the damage. My bloodfire was gradually subsiding into a pit of devastation as a part of me realised that this was definitely not what had killed John – its tracks were labored in sharp definition across the sand and heavier ground. And yet, it seemed that it was just too much coincidence that it had taken this moment, a scant two days after his death, to appear in the very same spot where he’d drawn his last breath. There had to be some kind of connection.
I stood up and noted a very naked and very annoyed Corrigan right in front of me. He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook.
“What the hell did you think you were doing?” he growled.
I tried to pull away but his grip was too tight. “I thought that it might have been what killed John. I wanted to kill it back.” I managed at least to sound calm, even if I didn’t feel it.
“That part I understand,” he snapped, “but what fool part of you thought that you could take it on by yourself?”
“Is your pride dented, my lord? Who’s the kitten now then?” I said, unable to prevent myself from taunting him softly. Hah, who was frightened of the big scary Lord Alpha? Not me, no sirree.
“I compelled you.” His liquid green gold eyes bored intensely into mine.
I shrugged complacently. “So in the heat of the moment it didn’t take. You’re not my alpha, remember.”
His grip tightened even more and I winced in pain. “I am the Lord Alpha. I am everyone’s alpha.”
“Hey, you’re new at this game, remember? It’s not my fault if you’ve not fully come into all your lordly power yet.”
The answering glare was absolutely terrifying. I rather belatedly considered that I should not be antagonising this shifter in any way after all. In fact, I had the sudden unshakeable belief that he was about to literally tear my head off. My temper would get me killed long before any of the Brethren ever realised the truth about me. And I had to remember that it was more than just my life on the line. There was the rest of my pack to consider too. Bugger.
I cast my eyes down submissively but I didn’t tremble. Well, not much, at least anyway. I still wasn’t scared of him, I was just pretending to be scared. Honest to goodness. “I’m sorry, my Lord. My disappointment at realising this was not my alpha’s murderer along with the adrenaline from the fight has caused me to speak out of turn. I bow to your ultimate authority, in accordance with the Way.” Way Directive 73: Any shifter who challenges their alpha’s authority is bound to accept whatever punishment is deemed necessary. I could take it.
I hadn’t thought it was possible, but his grip tightened even further for just a brief second before he abruptly released me and turned away. “Your punishment shall be meted out in due course, shifter. Your role in taking down the beast is noted in your favour.”
I peeked a glance up. He was stalking off towards the monster’s body and I was apparently dismissed - for the time being at least. I raised my head and saw that all of the shifters around me, in various states of nudity, were looking aghast at my foolish bravado. I guiltily noted that Tom’s eyes were the most horrorstruck, whilst Anton’s proclaimed that he’d always known I’d do or say something stupid like this before long. Lucy looked like she’d swallowed a small furry creature of her own.
Shit, I was such an idiot sometimes.