When we emerge, we are in a meadow. It’s cold and the moonlight shines down on us. It’s creepy out here and I can feel strange eyes on me, watching us from the trees.
A single howl pierces the air and then another.
A large grey wolf trots out of the trees and stops in front of me, shifting easily into a man.
“Welcome, Miss Meryn, we’ve been expecting you. I am Fintan, Alpha of the Coastal Pack.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: RONNIE
AS FAR AS MEN GO, FINTAN is probably one of the hottest ones I have ever spoken to in person. He is all muscles and hard edges. High cheekbones and a strong jaw—the love child of an underwear model and a lumberjack. He’s too rugged to be pretty and there’s no question that he exudes a sense of power that even I can feel. He stands before me, naked, and without shame. I scan him quickly but keep my eyes alert and on his face. His sharp grey eyes are studying me far more intently than I appreciate.
He holds out his hand and I hesitate, remembering what happened when I first touched the guys. My guys. Glenda nudges me and I begrudgingly offer my hand in return. I don’t feel anything and I could cry with relief.
He’s hot to the touch, more so than any of my guys are. Yet, somehow I feel cold in his presence.
“We can take it from here,” Fintan looks at my escorts and waves them off, dismissing them from service while he prowls around me. They don’t move.
“They’ve certainly been feeding you well,” he remarks, reaching out to pinch my ass, “I guess I didn’t know humans hibernated for winter.” Cruel laughter rings out and my face floods red. Fuck. This. Asshole. With. A. Cactus.
When he turns to run a finger down my arm, I slap his hand away. Immediately, twin growls sound from the grass around us. Fintan’s eyes turn a steely gray but he holds up his hand and the growls stop.
“The little biker boys you’ve been staying with may have allowed you... liberties, but we do not tolerate disrespect here. Raising your hand to the Alpha of this Pack carries a swift penalty. You would do well to learn your place quickly.” Yeah, no.
I dig into the front of my dress and pull out my Matestone.
“I have fulfilled the duties of the Matestone,” I call out clearly, “In accordance with your traditions, I have been presented to the Alpha of the Coastal Wolf Pack, currently without a mate. Alas, he has been found wanting. I’m not interested. I wish to return to the Sea Lion Clubhouse now.”
His hand moves so fast I don’t even see it coming and a sharp slap rings across my cheek. My eyes water in pain but my temper reacts immediately.
A bright orange energy ball sails over to Fintan and explodes over his arm. He jerks it back with a snarl and rubs the angry red welt that appears. Fintan’s eyes shift to Asha and Glenda who have not left and are now looking at him with murder in their eyes.
“You’ll pay for that, witch!” He stalks towards her but she just looks bored and throws another energy ball up in the air. She’s tiny but she’s a badass. I’m impressed.
The growling intensifies and grows closer to us. It makes me nervous and I take a step back.
As soon as the grey ears pop up, I screech and Asha throws one of her little fire balls at wolf #1, striking him directly in the ear. The wolf yelps and runs off. One down, two to go.
The second wolf takes a flying leap at us but Asha mutters something into the wind that forces him to shift. As soon as he’s naked, she drops one of the energy balls on him. It’s the asshole who attacked us in the bar. Without missing a beat, I kick him in the balls. Glenda swipes at him with her claws for good measure. All the growling and snarling from the surrounding woods stops immediately and there is a deadly, deadly, silence.
Fintan prowls towards me with a sinister grin on his face. “You’re dead, girl. You. The Witch. And The Old Cat too.”
I raise my voice so I can be heard in the meadow and pray that I have enough charisma to bullshit my way through this.
“Oh, Fintan? Living way out here in the woods, you probably don’t get to know the news. Silly me. I forgot to make introductions. Meet Asha, my representative from the covens. You may know her mates from the Council. Have you met Glenda? She’s the shifter Elder. Surely you aren’t making threats against the Council? I must have misunderstood you.”
If looks could kill, I would be six feet under by now. Fintan has already partially shifted and his steely grey eyes have a vicious yellow shine. I should be pissing myself in terror, but an evil and probably sadistic part of me is jumping up and down with glee.
I continue, gesturing down to the wolf at my feet.
“This disgusting excuse for a wolf attacked me, unprovoked, while I was enjoying the rights afforded to me by Fate and this Matestone. Furthermore, he threatened to force me into compliance, bringing shame upon the noble Coastal Pack. His derogatory language and poor manners give all of you a bad name. I am calling upon the right of retribution for wrongs and thus declare this to be fitting and just punishment. I came to you in good faith, as instructed by the Council. Is this how you treat a guest and a potential Mate?”
Glenda steps up to guard my right side and Asha steps up to guard my left. Fintan stares at me with loathing in his eyes. He eyes his lieutenant shrewdly before jerking his head up and letting out a howl. It is answered by six distinct howls and Asha, Glenda and I tense.
He grabs
