“That was awesome!”the young wolf exclaimed.“Can you show us that last move again?”
For the next hour, Malcolm and Larissa worked together to instruct the younger pack members, demonstrating techniques and offering advice.
Despite the lingering tension between them, Malcolm enjoyed the impromptu training session.They made a good teaching team, he realized—his strength and combat experience complemented her attention to detail.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the clearing, the young wolves began to disperse.
This is what being alpha is really about, Malcolm thought as he watched them go.Nurturing the next generation, building a strong pack.
“They’re a good group,” Larissa said, coming to stand beside him.“Lot of potential there.”
“Yeah.They’ve been through a lot, but they’re resilient.”
A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the whisper of wind and the distant calls of birds settling in for the night.
Finally, Larissa spoke.“I should go.Got more preparations to make.”She hesitated, then added, “Don’t stay up all night studying, Malcolm.A tired alpha is no good to anyone.”
With that, she turned and walked away.Malcolm watched her go, conflict roiling in his chest.She was his rival, the greatest threat to his bid for alpha.But she was also…something more.
As her figure disappeared into the gathering twilight, Malcolm shook himself.You’ve got work to do,he thought.The library waited, its books full of knowledge he needed to absorb.
But as he headed back to the Old Packhouse, Malcolm found his mind drifting back to the touch of Larissa’s hand brushing his, the feel of her body beneath him during their sparring match.
He groaned, scrubbing his hands over his face.
This alpha competition was getting to be more complicated than he’d ever imagined it would.
CHAPTER 6
LARISSA ARRIVED THE NEXTmorning at the clearing in the Lincoln National Forest.The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scents of earth, resin, and wild things.
She inhaled deeply, her heightened senses cataloging every nuance of her surroundings.
The designated starting point for the hunt was a natural clearing at the edge of pack territory, ringed by pinyon pines and hardy junipers.
Larissa immediately began assessing the terrain, plotting potential routes and strategies.
Around her, other pack members gathered.The air thrummed with excitement.Larissa caught sight of the twins, Conall and Quinton, chatting with Anders, who stood off to one side.
And then there was Malcolm.
He stood across the clearing, his tall frame unmistakable even at a distance.A tiny flutter twisted in her stomach—and she immediately tried to quash it.
Nick’s voice cut through the murmur of conversation, drawing everyone’s attention.“Let’s go over the rules for this challenge.”
Larissa listened intently as Nick explained the parameters of the hunt.They were to track and capture a specific prey—one of the red foxes common to the area.Points would be awarded for speed, strategy, and minimal disruption to the forest ecosystem.
“Remember,” Nick said, “this isn’t just about raw strength or speed.It’s about leadership, about using your skills and your strengths effectively.The rest of the pack will be out—hunting but watching to see how you two do as well.”
As Nick spoke, Larissa’s gaze met Malcolm’s across the clearing.A spark passed between them, and Malcolm’s lips quirked in a small, confident smile that sent an unexpected warmth through Larissa’s chest.
Get it together, she thought fiercely.He’s your rival, not your…
She didn’t want to finish the thought, but the final word flickered through her brain anyway:mate.
“Prepare to shift,” Nick concluded.“The hunt begins in five minutes.”
A ripple of movement went through the group as the wolf shifters began to prepare for the shift.
