He never abused that power, using it only when the situation required it. This was one of those times. Rafe harnessed every ounce of his supremacy as he barreled into his opponent, knocking him flying through the air to land with a dull thud. His Wolf sprang high into the air, pouncing on top of the dazed rogue, opening his huge jaws and sinking his teeth around its vulnerable neck.
Rafe applied pressure, fangs puncturing skin and sinew as blood spurted to cover his fur with its crimson stain. The metallic scent filling his nostrils as he shook his head from side to side, ripping and tearing until he felt the throat tear away in his jaws. Spitting out the filthy remnants, he moved slightly to encompass the side of the rogue’s neck, shredding viciously until he felt bone.
His Wolf savagely continued until the sound of bone breaking rang in its ears. The rogue collapsed beneath him as he released his death-grip, his beast’s head rearing up to howl its victory for all to hear.
Bloodlust running rampant through his Wolf, Rafe allowed it for a few moments before taking control. His heart beating wildly in his chest as he transformed, head bowed, drenched in his enemy’s blood.
He’d had his fair share of fights, both human and beast, but this was the first time he’d reveled in the death of another. He wasn’t sure what to think of that fact, but he didn’t have the luxury of time to ponder on it. There was far too much to do to ensure the safety of his people, so he shoved it away into the recesses of his mind to revisit at a later date.
Possibly. He might never think of this bastard again, or how good he felt at ending him. Whatever. He’d done what any good Alpha would do: take out the trash and protect his Pack.
“Are you all right?” Jacy asked, keeping his distance and eyeing him warily.
“I’ll feel better when we find who’s behind this so I can tear his damn head off.”
“Okaaaaaaaaaay,” Jacy said slowly. “But for now, are you injured?”
“I’m fine,” Rafe said, pausing to take note of his body. Aches and pains, nothing major apart from that and a few scratches.
Now all he wanted to do was get back to his mate and check on her. His insides churning as he wondered whether she’d managed to heal her broken ankle. Rafe had experienced more than his fair share of broken bones, knowing they hurt like a bitch, so he hoped Tasha was feeling better. The thought of his mate in pain caused a visceral reaction deep inside him. One that reinforced his vow to do whatever it took to keep her safe and destroy anything that threatened her.
Rafe took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly to calm himself as his friend spoke, breaking his inner musings.
“I’ll get rid of the trash,” Jacy sneered as Rafe went to the cabin to grab his clothes.
“Thanks.” Rafe nodded, throwing his jeans and boots on quickly. He left his top off, carrying it instead of putting it on and covering it with blood.
“If you need me just holler,” Jacy said, his eyes still wary as he watched his Alpha. “Maybe you should go for a run or something. You look a little wired, you might scare your mom and Tasha if you go home looking like that.”
Rafe ignored that. “I’ll see you in the morning. Before dawn so we can go to Tasha’s place and see if Myrtle can come up with anything. If magic is behind this then we’ll need her help and possibly her mother’s. I know her mom isn’t Pack, but she’s a good woman and a strong Witch. She’ll help if we need her.”
“Yeah,” Jacy confirmed. “Her mom is high up in the Witch Council now, she got some kind of promotion last month. She’ll be the one to ask if we need them on our side.”
“Another damn Council.” Rafe shook his head at the thought. “But if we need to then we will.”
“You can ask Myrtle to get in touch with her mom if needed. That way you don’t have to deal with all the BS.”
Rafe smirked, liking that solution very much. “Good thinking. We’ll see what happens tomorrow and then decide.”
“I freaking hate all that magical mojo.” Jacy shivered dramatically, his face screwing up. “I much prefer facing a threat head on and dealing with it, not having to worry about some spell or other.”
“You and me both, my friend. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He didn’t hear his Beta’s reply as he took off, jogging back toward camp, to his future, his mate. His Tasha.
Rafe felt the adrenaline still pumping through him so he sped up, trying to burn it off before he reached home. His thick thighs pumping hard as he flew through the forest, leaping over fallen trees and darting around blackberry bushes. The further he got from where he’d fought he realized he could sense, hear, and also see the critters of the forest again. Soothing his soul, both man and beast, with the familiar sights and sounds.
Once again he knew he couldn’t allow anyone, anything, to take this from him and his people.
His resolve hardened as his steps slowed to a walk, the last mile or so calming him in ways only his land could. By the time he reached the camp he felt much better, not relaxed entirely, but not ready to bite someone’s head off either.
Skirting the outskirts he could smell a tantalizing aroma wafting toward him, causing him to inhale deeply. He’d know his mother’s cooking anywhere and by the smell he was certain it was his
