It’s okay.Don’t move.
The chain attached to the collar around her neck rattles asshe tries to stand.
You chained me to a tree?
She growls in anger.
It’s for your own good.
She stands on wobbly legs, and I move next to her, trying tohelp her up.
I can’t believe you chained me to a fuckin’ tree!
You’ll see why soon enough.
Finally on her feet, she turns to me defiantly, ready togive me a piece of her mind.I look into her eyes, and I’m lost.I don’t knowif I can hold out any longer; my wolf has been denied long enough, and he’sjust bursting at the seams.I step back, whimpering from the effort of tryingto control him.
Ethan, what’s wrong?
You have no idea how much he wants you right now.
Oh.Is it hard… holding him back?
It hurts.
I’m sorry.I—
A howl echoes from far away and she snaps her head towardthe sound.She becomes restless, shuffling around, constantly glancing in thedirection the sound came from.
It’s him, isn’t it?I ask.
When she looks at me, her eyes are vacant.I know her wolfhas taken over.She howls into the night, a cry of help, and I hear Stone’sanswering call.
Casey, you have to fight this.
She growls at me, snarling when I move close.I quickly moveout of the way when she lunges at me.This is one of the reasons I had to chainher.That and the fact that I couldn’t allow her to run off in search of Stone.The more restless and aggravated she gets, the closer I know he is.
Let me go!
You know I can’t do that.
Stone’s on his way; I have to be ready.She howls again,this one more desperate.My heart breaks to hear her crying out for him.She’spulling on her restraints, trying to get free, snarling at me the entire time.Don’tworry, Casey.This ends tonight.
I close my eyes, lifting my face toward the big red moon.He’shere.I turn around slowly, waiting for him to show himself.I count six otherswith him.I expected more.Who knows?He could have reinforcements on the way.Bring’em all.I’d love to crush the whole pack in one go.
Alone, Ethan?Not very smart.
Finally, he emerges from behind a cluster of trees.Theothers flank him, three on each side.
She’s mine.This is my fight.
That’s where you’re wrong.She is mine, and I’m here totake her.
Just try.
I crouch, ready to attack.That’s when I smell the others.At least ten more.So, he came prepared for war.Good.That’s exactly what Iwanted.I turn my face to the moon once more, howling.I look around, and I’msurrounded.Quickly, I send a thought to Charlie, apprising him of thesituation.Casey is whimpering behind me, calling out to Stone.I have to tryand ignore it.
Hear that, Ethan?She belongs to me.
