I turn and bolt, the sound of Zenith's command ringing in my ears. 'Get her, boys!' He shouts. Without hesitation, John and James shift into their wolf forms, their powerful forms, chasing after me.
I sprint through the dense forest, heart pounding in my chest, branches and underbrush scraping against my skin. A misstep sends me tumbling down a steep hill, rolling and crashing until I come to an abrupt stop. Gasping for breath, I scramble to my feet, now covered in more scrapes, dirt, and bruises. Leaves and twigs cling to my messy hair.
'Ryker!' I scream at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing through the woods. Before I can react, I'm tackled to the ground, and I fight back with every ounce of strength, kicking and punching desperately.
James, now in his human form and completely naked, covers my mouth with his hand, his body pinning me down. 'Shh... shh,' he whispers, his fingers gently stroking my face to help quiet and calm me down. I continue to struggle, but his hold is too strong.
'Stop trying to fight me,' James demands, his voice strained.
Tears stream down my cheeks as I refuse to yield.
'Consummating already?' John taunts as he approaches, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
'Piss off, John,' James snaps at his brother before returning his attention to me. 'Why did you scream out for Ryker?' He demands.
I spit in his face defiantly, earning a cruel laugh from John. 'You better put her in her place before Dad does, James! You know he won't tolerate her treating you like that!' John warns.
James glares at me, his grip tightening on my face as he wipes away the spit with his other hand.
'Look, if you're going to be too soft about it, then I'll put her in her place for you,' John offers.
'Tell me now, Astrid, why did you call out for Ryker?' James asks impatiently. I attempt to spit in his face again, but this time, he slaps his hand over my mouth to stop me. John laughs mockingly.
'You better answer him, Astrid,' John taunts. 'He's not in the mood for games.'
James slowly removes his hand from my mouth, and I avert my gaze, tears streaming down my face. He grabs my face firmly, forcing me to look into his eyes. 'Answer me, Astrid. This is your last warning.'
I meet James's gaze defiantly. 'Alpha Ryker is my mate!' I announce, my voice trembling with anger and fear. 'And I am the future Luna of Shadow Crest! So, I suggest you take your hands off me before Ryker finds out where I am and rips you apart limb by limb!'
James's face contorts in shock and anger, his growl echoing loudly through the forest. 'You are my mate! Not his!' He snarls, his voice filled with anger and jealousy. 'Why doesn't the Moon Goddess bless me with a mate like you but bless Alpha Ryker with you?' He demands, his eyes blazing.
'Maybe because you're a jerk,' I retort, delivering a swift knee to his groin.
James grimaces in pain, and I seize the opportunity to wriggle out from under him and scramble to my feet, resuming my frantic escape.
'You can save the feistiness for the bedroom!' James calls after me, his voice dripping with desire, while John, now in his wolf form, resumes the chase.
My heart pounding, I sprint through the forest, but my foot catches on a hidden root, sending me sprawling face-first into the ground. Before I can regain my footing, John pins me down, his massive wolf paw on my back. He roughly moves my hair aside, inhaling my scent, and a lustful growl rumbles in his throat. 'Why does James get all the fun?' He mutters, rolling me onto my back and locking his intense gaze with mine.
'Get away from me! You have your mate! You have Amelia!' I shout in desperation.
'Yeah, but you are much more beautiful and seem much more fun, that I can't help myself. I need to have a bite!' John leers, his teeth elongating as he approaches my neck, a menacing glint in his eyes.
I scream as he's about to mark me, but suddenly, a flash of movement catches my eye.
James lunges at John, forcefully ripping him away from me. 'Are you crazy?' he shouts at his brother. 'Not only did you almost mark my mate, but you would have killed Amelia for marking another she-wolf!' James shouts furiously.