The Feral Alpha(22)

As one, Kristi and Jay turned just as Gavin climbed over a boulder at the edge of the forest. His slit pupils narrowed even farther as he flexed his claws. His muscles rippled in giddy anticipation of a battle. “The Sentinel only cares about his precious town.”



A jolt of pure rage infiltrated the dank funk of Jay's mind. “Fuck off, Gavin! This doesn't concern you!”



“Oh? And whose horse did you steal?” Gavin's head listed to the side. He continued to close the distance between himself and the other two. “And whose supplies did you nick?”



“I set the horse lose, so feel free to regain ownership!” Jay stepped forward, shoulders tense and muscles taut. From the grin Gavin wore, Jay had no doubt the alpha knew this would happen. He wanted Jay to see the silver; he wanted Jay to go running off to Goldbridge. Frustration curled through Jay's mind as he jabbed a finger toward the bag that sat behind him, “This shit is stolen from Goldbridge.”



“Everything Goldbridge has is thanks to our land,” spat Gavin, posturing violently. His glare swung from Jay to the town behind him, “Everything in that town belongs to us.”



Jay glanced over his shoulder. The sun sank farther down the horizon and a blue chill edged toward the town. Lights were flickering on in homes and along the street. Jay's mind pulled out memories of the town, of the lycans and their pups. His fists tightened. He would not allow Gavin to hurt them, to make unneeded orphans, or – worse--kill pups.



“That happened two hundred years ago.” Jay whipped his gaze back to the feral alpha. Gavin watched him with that gloating grin and smug glint in his eyes. Jay could barely resist the urge to charge at him. He glared lividly as a sneer puckered at his lips. “Get over it. Talk to the current council, make your case. Violence has gotten you nowhere; why not try reason?”



Kristi bristled as she listened to Jay. He didn't understand their plight – how their land was stolen from under their noses thanks to wolves with deep pockets and hunters. Her fingers clenched into fists, remembering the stories her parents would tell her, of lives lost, of blood, of shameless laughter.



Hatred churned in her guts as Goldbridge emblazoned through her thoughts. If Jay didn't understand by now, after dual experience as a Sentinel and an ancillary pack member, then he'd never get it. The thought brought a cold, sweeping sadness to her head. Kristi clamped her lips shut, watching the two posture and circle one another.



“Be sweet-talked by silver tongued devils?” Gavin let out a sharp bark of laughter before the smile melted from his face. A scowl etched deeply over his lips. “I think not.”



“Bloodshed will solve nothing!” Jay roared, his nerves on the edge. Violent pressure weighted the air, making the pleasant cool of the breeze a frigid knife. His skin crawled as his heart pounded. Flares of anger burst from Kristi's direction, but he didn't have time to worry about it.



“It'll get rid of you!” Gavin yelled as he charged toward Jay.



He was ready for the alpha's charge. Jay's muscles tensed and his arms rose up, blocking the punch aimed for his jaw. He diverted the direction of Gavin's arms, swinging them away from him with force. Gavin's knee came up, connecting with Jay's side with a satisfying crunch.



Pain razed up Jay's torso, the air in his lungs taking flight. He danced backwards, gasping for air as his hand shielded his ribs from any more attack. They weren't broken, but perhaps fractured. The resonance of the full moon still clung to Gavin's body. At least, this time, Jay wasn't moon deprived. Already, he could feel the heat of his rib healing under his flesh.



Gavin didn't give him more than half a beat. The alpha came charging at Jay, swiping his claws and snapping with his jaws. Jay's moon-infused body easily evaded the alpha's blows. He couldn't allow his inner beast to take over. Letting his savage self take over, while attempting to sway a feral to non-violence, would be the height of hypocrisy. Even if he couldn't convince Gavin, perhaps the rest of the pack would arrive. They would see and hear his message. Or even Kristi would change her mind. It was a naïve hope, Jay knew.



In a quick jab, Jay managed to snatch a chunk of Gavin's hair, bringing the alpha's head slamming into his knee. Gavin howled in pain, yanking his head out of Jay's grasp. A ripping sound and blood lit through the air.



“You don't have the guards to help you this time, Gavin.” Jay growled, shaking the locks of hair from his hand. Faintly, he realized how shoddy of a fighter the alpha was. Or was Jay simply more attuned to fighting for his life than Gavin was?



Streaks of red oozed down Gavin's head from his pristine white-blond hair. A brilliant purple bruise formed on his forehead. The heat behind his glare doubled at Jay's taunts. Behind him, twilight had sunken further. Dark cold crept closer to the battlefield.