The Feral Alpha(10)

As the griffin stood straighter, it folded its wings neatly against its back. It eyed Kristi with sharp, golden eyes, tilting its head this way and that. Blood glittered on its beak as the liquid caught the silvery moonlight. Kristi hunched up, ignoring the pain as she growled and snarled. Her fur rose up on end, making her appear larger.



Griffins lived in craggy mountain areas, high up into the atmosphere. What was one doing this far down? Had it straggled from the nearby conservation area? Had any human seen this creature in flight? Faintly, Kristi wondered if the elk she had been tracking had already become dinner.



The griffin's feathers ruffled and its claws extended from its massive feet. Its chest swelled just before it spat out a horrifying compilation of a raptor shriek and lion's roar. Kristi braced herself as it raised its claws to slash her to ribbons.



A loud, guttural howl erupted from the underbrush. Both Kristi and the griffin turned their gaze to the large, half-hunched creature that burst through the leaves.



Relief flooded through her. Her mind had been so gripped with fear and pain and silver poisoning, she had completely forgotten about her pack and, more importantly, her Mate!



Midway between wolf and human, Jay straightened up, muscles coiled beneath a short pelt of golden-brown fur. He towered over Kristi, a good seven foot of pure strength and teeth and claws. He didn't loom over the griffin, though. The hawk-lion hybrid flapped its wings once, biting a terse shriek off in Jay's direction.



Utter fury overtook Jay's wolf-consumed mind. He staggered forward a couple steps, unleashing a roar from the bottom of his stomach. Spittle and blood flew from his mouth, coating the griffin's beak in slime.



The griffin shirked back, its posturing momentarily lapsing. It was enough of an opening for Jay. He charged, claws extended and canines bared. A swipe of talons, a hint of blood in the air, and Jay skidded backward, gritting his teeth together. Three long slash marks bled down his chest. Iron and salt and heat tainted the air as Kristi watched.



Jay wasted no time. He charged back at the griffin. They both became a flurry of beak and talons, claws and teeth. Fur and feathers drifted in the air around them as spittle and blood rained from their battle.



Frustration dotted her thoughts, but there was little she could accomplish. The silver kept her locked in wolf form and the contraption wouldn't loosen enough for her escape. She was stuck, watching her Mate battle the hybrid.



Rustling in the brush caught Kristi's attention. Her head snapped in the direction of the sound, presuming more griffins lurking under the foliage. Gavin – followed by other members of the hunting pack – crashed into the little glade.



The battling behemoths didn't seem to notice the newcomers. Gavin's eyes surveyed the field, before his gaze snapped to Kristi. As he approached, she couldn't help but scent a smugness emanating from him.



What happened? Gavin immediately went to the bear trap, attempting to force it open. He jolted bag just as the silver sizzled across the pads of his paws.



Tracked prey here, set this trap off, then the griffin arrived. Kristi's gaze turned back to where her Mate and the griffin warred. She could feel watered down pain from the gashes Jay received on his chest, but nothing else. Kristi hoped that was a good sign.



Another painful howl ripped through the air as the griffin suddenly snagged Jay with his talons. Flapping its immense wings once, the griffin slammed Jay into a nearby tree. The air rushed from his lungs, leaving behind burning to accompany the throbbing pain that seared across his back. Darkness crept into the corners of his vision as his mind swam amid aches. He had to keep Kristi safe. This was his only prerogative.



The griffin turned toward the assembled pack, its golden-red eyes narrowed. It let out a shriek, before pumping its wings. It began to rise in the air, a dark silhouette against the star specked sky, but didn't turn to flee. Just as it reached the tops of the trees, it arched down and extended its talons, diving toward the group. The wolves scattered, yipping in surprise and terror, save for Gavin and Kristi.



Jay scrabbled up the tree he had just been slammed into, his claws leaving gouges deep in the bark in his haste. Keep Kristi safe, keep Kristi safe—this echoed in his head, melted into his every synapse and guided his every movement. When he was halfway up the tree, Jay turned and pounced. His large, furry body careened through the air, haphazardly timed to intercept the griffin.



Jay's aim was slightly off. The griffin's body passed by, but Jay managed to grasp a bony, powerful wing in one clawed hand. Using all his force, he wrenched the wing downward. A crack echoed through the air, the griffin let out a tormented scream as it inevitably shifted course. Jay landed on the ground in a crouch and turned to watch his work.