Page 37 of A Love Bite
Jake
The fight intensifies,and I feel the primal rage bubbling inside me, urging me to end this threat once and for all. The other wolf lunges at me again, but I manage to sidestep and deliver a powerful swipe with my claws, raking across his side. Blood sprays through the air, and he howls in pain, stumbling back.
I press the advantage, slamming him into the ground and pinning him with my jaws around his neck. The urge to kill him is overwhelming, but I force myself to hold back. We need answers. We need to know who sent him and why.
I growl menacingly, my teeth pressing into his fur but not breaking the skin. His eyes are wide with fear and pain, and he struggles weakly beneath me. I can see the fight leaving him, but I don’t let my guard down.
“Stay down,” I snarl, my voice a low rumble even in wolf form.
Just then, I catch the scent of other Steel Falls werewolves approaching. Within moments, three of them arrive, shifting from their wolf forms back to human. They quickly assess the situation, their eyes locking onto the wounded intruder.
“Jake,” one of them says, his voice steady and authoritative. “We’ll take him from here.”
I nod and release my grip, stepping back but keeping my eyes on the intruder. The other werewolves move in, securing him and ensuring he can’t escape. He’s too injured to put up much of a fight, and they handle him with practiced efficiency.
“We need to question him,” I say, shifting back to human form. “Find out who sent him and what they’re planning.”
“We will,” the same werewolf assures me. “We’ll take him to a secure location and get the answers we need.”
As they drag the wounded intruder away, I turn back to Alex. She’s standing a few feet away, her face pale and her eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. My heart aches at the sight of her, knowing how terrifying this must be.
“Alex,” I say softly, taking a step toward her. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head slowly, her voice trembling. “Jake… you’re a werewolf.”
I nod, feeling the weight of the truth finally settling between us. “Yes, I am. And I’m so sorry you had to find out this way.”
She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There’s so much you don’t know about this world,” I explain, my voice filled with regret. “I wanted to protect you, but I see now that keeping secrets was the wrong way to do it.”
She looks at me, her eyes searching mine for answers. “What’s going on, Jake? Who are these people, and why are they attacking us?”
“It’s a long story,” I say, reaching out to gently take her hand. “But I promise I’ll explain everything. Right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.”
She nods, her grip on my hand tightening. “Okay, but I need answers, Jake. I can’t be left in the dark anymore.”
“I understand,” I say, leading her out of the alley. “And I’ll tell you everything, but first, let’s get out of here.”
Seeing the fear and confusion in Alex’s eyes breaks my heart. I gently lead her back to Luna’s Moon, the familiar setting hopefully providing some comfort amidst the chaos. She follows, her grip on my hand tight, her eyes darting around as if expecting another attack at any moment.
I guide her through the back door and grab a large towel so I can cover myself.
Yes, I’m naked. I’m a werewolf, but that doesn’t mean I possess magic. I can’t magick myself clothes after I shift.
Alex’s breathing is rapid, and she looks like she’s on the verge of breaking down.
“Alex, you’re safe now,” I say, trying to calm her. “No one can hurt you here.”
She takes a few deep breaths, her eyes wide with lingering fear. “Jake… what did I just see? You… you turned into a wolf. And so did that guy. How is that even possible?”
I pull up a chair and motion for her to sit down. She does, her hands still trembling. I sit across from her, trying to find the right words.
“Alex, there’s so much I need to tell you,” I begin, my voice gentle but serious. “I’m a werewolf. And so was the guy who attacked us. There’s a whole world out there that most people don’t know about—supernatural beings, rival packs, and power struggles.”
She stares at me, trying to process what I’m saying. “So everything… the attacks, the tension… it’s all because of these… werewolf packs?”
I nod. “Yes. The southside normally isn’t a contested territory, but the recent spike in violence is because of a rival pack trying to take control. They’re ruthless, and they don’t care who gets hurt in the process.”