“Yeah,” I replied absently, my mouth dry with anticipation. Yet instead of coming toward me, Savy made a beeline toward the ghost wolf alpha. I recognized the expression on her face all too well—trouble.
Godsdammit.
When she was angry, she had no fear, not of gods or monsters or the dead.
I moved to intercept, but before I could, she shouted at the alpha. “You want to talk to my wolf? Here she is!”
One step, she was human, and the next, she was a gorgeous, red-tinged wolf—a shift so fluid and fast, it was like cracking a whip.
My breath caught, and I stumbled to a halt. She’d never transformed so effortlessly before. Always, it had been pain and contortion and a struggle.
My momentary hesitation was all Savannah needed to close the distance to the alpha. She wasn’t much taller than his knee, barely a mouthful.
She rammed her paws into the dirt, as he had done before her, and snarled. You will lead me to my shard. Now.
For a second, the massive white wolf paused, and then he snapped his jaws at her. You dare make demands of me?
My mate deftly spun out of the way, faster than I’d ever seen her move—a blur, almost a shadow. She was behind him before the giant wolf could spin around.
Then she bit him.
Oh, fuck.
In a heartbeat, fur erupted from my arms and claws from my hands, and I was sprinting to get between them.
Savannah snarled and flashed through his legs, leaving a streak of blood on white fur. You made my human grovel. Beg. And yet, you didn’t listen. You called her a monster.
I tried to shield Savy. “Stop this!”
The alpha swung around, and his jaws nearly grazed her, but she was gone, almost like smoke.
Wasshe smoke?
She was not worthy of a wolf,the ghost wolf alpha roared.
Savannah flipped around to face him. She’s the only one worthy of me. Release the shard of my soul. We may be part of your pack one day, but she is mine for now.
The alpha lunged at her, but she was already gone. He snarled. I could make you part of my pack with one bite, little red wolf.
Now to his left, Savy’s eyes went bright blue, and magic crackled like lightning around her. I think not. We begged before, and you rebuked us. Now we’re demanding. Release my shard. Take me to her.
I swung to the massive white wolf’s flank. “We had a deal, Alpha. A city is at stake. Lead us into your lands.”
My sister appeared at my side, in wolf form now as well. Please, great alpha, honor our bargain!
The white wolf looked at all three of us, then back at Savannah, and gave an amused huff. How did your human ever chain a creature as fierce as you?
Savannah’s wolf eased her posture slightly, and the crackling magic around her faded to smoke. In the end, I let her. It was the right thing to do.
The ghost wolf studied Savannah for a long time, his aggression naked. But finally, he nodded and looked off into the trees. A path through the mist began to form. I will take you to your shard, but be warned: I do not think she will agree to leave. She is with her mother.