Channeling his rage, he jumped at the remaining large wolf. They rolled to the ground, churning up the dirt as they growled and snapped and clawed at one another. Sensing that his opponent was weak, Joshua heaved himself on top of the wolf, clamping down hard on his neck.
This time he didn't let go.
The wolf dug his claws into the earth, gouging deep as he tried to get enough leverage to push Joshua away. Dirt and leaves flew around them. The animal’s growls got further apart. A few minutes later, Joshua dropped the deadweight from his jaws, flinging it away in disgust. He stood there, his lungs heaving, as blood dripped down his flanks.
Alex faced him bravely, hunting knife in hand. He'd known that she'd find it. Her face was stark white, but her hand was steady. As he trotted toward her, she began to tremble. "Oh, God," she muttered as she sank to the ground, dropped the knife, and buried her face in her hands.
Worried, he hurried over to her and licked the side of her face. They didn't have time to waste. He had no way of knowing how close reinforcements were. There could be dozens more hunters and werewolves searching for them.
He wanted to change back into his human form, but he knew he couldn't expend that much energy. Not until they were safe. Right now, he was more powerful in his animal form, his senses keener and sharper. And at the moment, that was more important than appearing human for her. Alex had to accept him for what he was.
Opening his muzzle, he carefully took one of her hands into his mouth, barely nipping her flesh with his sharp teeth, and tugged gently. She raised her head, swiping at the sweat on her brow and the tears the clouded her eyes. He tugged again.
"What?" she questioned. He backed up, pulling at her. "All right. All right," she groused. "Hold your horses." Clambering to her feet, she picked up his hunting knife and stuffed it into one of the empty sheaths that were still strapped to her chest.
He dropped her hand and padded to the side of the tree and pawed at his clothing. "I suppose you want me to take that." He nodded and she groaned. "I'm talking to a wolf. Do you have any idea how weird this is for me?" She didn't wait for an answer, but kept on muttering to herself as she picked up his belongings.
Bitterness filled him. If they had completed the mating ritual, if he had claimed her for his own, as his wolf was demanding, she'd have been able to communicate with him mentally. That would have been a huge advantage when he'd been fighting the others.
Sometimes, honor was a bitch.
