The Darkest Wolves - A.K. Koonce Page 0,2

finally gave up the constant dread and let my mind rest, but it seems to have happened. Sleep and a bit of calm found me.

It just didn’t last long enough.

Dim lighting dances across the smooth white walls, and the sound of the mating chanting sways in rhythm with the flickering light of the flames that are awaiting me outside.

It’s almost time.

In just under an hour, I’ll walk out to the highest ground beneath our Goddess Moon, and mate with the one man I’ll look to for guidance for the rest of my miserable fucking life.

Sounds real fucking romantic, doesn’t it?

At the simple thought of living a long empty life of lies, my heart pounds harder against my chest. The air caught in my throat fights to fill my lungs.

You’ll be safe though… He’ll keep you safe…

I should leave.

I should…

I—

A slamming of rattling glass shakes through my anxiety.

I’m on my feet, and the beast inside me is baring its teeth against my lips before I can bite back its snarl. My canines are on full display when I lock gazes with the palest green eyes.

They’re like sea glass shimmering in the sunlight. Electric and calming all at the same time.

And yet, the dark wolf peering through the bedroom window is a threat to me.

Stranger, my beast hisses.

A beautiful, beautiful stranger, my mind argues.

The way my molars grind at the sight of the threat sends a painful stabbing straight through my jaw. Every muscle in my body tenses tightly, and as fight or flight soars through my body, my feet are storming toward the asshole before the adrenaline can fully settle in.

The window flings up with the force of my palms, and I’m face-to-face with the smoky wolf, who simply stares me down. I’m less than an inch away from his smooth snout. The heat of his even breath fans against my cheek, and I wait for his move.

Until I’m tired of waiting.

I’m so damn tired of waiting for things to happen in my life.

And this fucker is no different.

“What do you want, Hell Cunt?”

Those pretty shining eyes appraise me in a mocking way that makes my blood boil despite the cool breeze that wafts through my sheer gown.

Two big paws press into the white window frame Boards creak beneath his massive weight.

And then charred black smoke bursts around the creature. His image shatters with explosive sparking magic. It happens so fast I barely catch the scent of ash against his fur.

Then a stunning green-eyed man is sitting lazily in the window frame where a once terrifying beast loomed. The bend of his knee is where he languidly rests one of his arms while he judges me with a sharp gaze. His attention never does dip down to the curves of my body that the moon highlights for anyone who might look my way.

The tight dress is to emphasize the Mating Moon. Tonight, Mika and I are to join as one beneath the light of our Goddess. And by morning, my sheer gown will be tight against a blooming belly. By dawn, I’ll be an expecting mother of beautiful pups.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But it’s wrong for me.

It isn’t my path, and I know it.

It’s so damn distracting that anxious thoughts of marriage are clawing at the back of my mind. Even now in this bizarre moment with this naked man suddenly taking an inventory of my appearance.

And seemingly finding me lacking. Which is just… It’s fucking insulting is what it is.

“You’re her, huh?” he asks with as much enthusiasm as a dog being offered a plate of lettuce.

I don’t like him. I don’t like his fuck you demeanor. That’s my demeanor, and there’s only enough room for one bitch in this conversation.

And that’s going to have to be me. I’ve earned it. Just ask Lazy-Nosed Lisah.

My lips part to tell him off, but apparently my hands are quicker.

With one swift shove, my palms collide with smooth rigid shoulders, and the cockiness is pushed right out of him as he goes tumbling down from his high pedestal.

He lands with a thud and a stream of curses that make a real smile almost touch my lips.

Almost.

“What the fuck!?” He’s back up in no time with a bit of leaf stuck in his short black hair. Dude might be a total fuck face, but his recovery time is impressive. “The Night Witch said there exists a woman more beautiful than heaven and more pained than hell.”

Oh.

That…that does sound like me, doesn’t it?

I hide