Resisting My Wolf's Desire

I looked at the check engine light flashing on my dash. “Come on. Just a little further.” I was trying not to panic. I was a rogue, and in this territory, I was an outcast. I was allowed to work in town in my human form, but if I shifted within their territory, there would be major consequences. I was only two miles from the magical barrier. Once I crossed it, I could find somewhere secluded to shift, somewhere I would hopefully be left alone. I looked up at the sky. It was almost time. I could already feel the vibrations beginning deep inside my body.

“Damn it.” I pressed the gas as hard as I could. The engine struggled, and then I smelled smoke. A second later, every light on the dash flashed off. “No. No, no, no.” The car lost power and coasted to a stop. I just stared stupidly at the dark dashboard. I had spent almost every dollar I had on this car because I needed something reliable, and this was where it had gotten me.

Two miles from the barrier.

I shook myself out of my reverie. I still had to move. Maybe I could make it. Maybe I could get far enough away from the road that no one would see me. I grabbed the stretchy pack from the passenger seat. I kept a change of clothes inside and could strap it around my ankle before I shifted. I fastened it quickly, but as I tightened the strap, another vibration tore through my body. No. Not now. “FUCK!”

I threw open the door and shoved myself outside. I barely made it two steps before I fell to the ground. My shift had always been painful. I’d never had anyone to compare it to, so I didn’t know if everyone felt like their body was being ripped apart from the inside. I knew I was screaming.

Then I didn’t know anything at all.

I smelled the air. Food. Danger? Food. I sprinted to the left, following the scent of a rabbit. It ran from me. Yes. Yes. Yes. I pounced, my jaws catching the rabbit around its neck. I didn’t close them right away, enjoying the cries and wriggles of my prey. Then I sank my teeth in.

Sweet blood.

I stopped and enjoyed my kill. As I ate, more of my awareness slowly came back to me. I knew I wasn’t just a wolf. Jessie was in there too, and she seemed to really want me to do something. I pushed her aside. I wanted more food.

Then I smelled something even more enticing. Wolf. I loved running with my kind. They didn’t care that I was human most of the time. They couldn’t tell. To them, I was simply another wolf. But this wolf... This wolf smelled so good. In the back of my mind, Jessie was trying to warn me about something. I didn’t like being controlled.

I slowly followed the scent, deciding to at least be a little cautious since Jessie seemed so determined that I should be. But the scent was so good. I felt him. Definitely male. Yes. I needed to mate. Come here, my dangerous wolf. It had been too long. Jessie seemed to be trying to tear my brain apart. Forget her. She controlled me every day. Today, I was going to get what I craved. The scent was more masculine than anything I had ever smelled before. Powerful. Tempting. Maybe he would be strong enough that I would even submit to him.

Yes...

The wolf’s scent grew stronger. Fast. He was getting closer. He must have smelled me too. I looked for a vantage point and spotted a fallen tree. I jumped onto it, hoping to catch him by surprise. Then I saw the wolf. He was the most beautiful male I had ever seen, almost twice my size. He seemed to sense me immediately, stopping and looking straight up at me. He growled. The dominance in that sound rushed through me, making every instinct inside me scream the same thing. Submit. Now!

I knew I should submit. But that wasn’t me. Instead, I leaped from the tree and landed on top of him, pulling in my claws so he would know I was playing. Play with me, big man. He rolled with me, easily ending up on top. He looked down at me, growling. Okay, okay. I’ll submit now. I went still beneath him and lowered my eyes.

But he kept growling. If anything, he seemed to be getting angrier. What was with this guy? I knew my scent was amazing. Why couldn’t he see that?

Then I heard him inside my head. You are on my territory. Who gave you the right?!

Oh, shit. He had a human too.

Jessie grabbed the reins so fast I barely had time to protest.

Please. Please, listen. I was heading out of your territory when my car broke down. I tried to control my wolf, Clara, and get out of here, but she was just too tempted by your scent. Please forgive us. I’ll leave right now.

You came here to tempt me into breeding with you. You rogues are all the same. With that, he lowered his head and closed his mouth around my throat.

I went completely still. Please... I’ve been working in town for months. My good-for-nothing car broke down a little over two miles from the border, and I just couldn’t make it out in time. Please understand. I’m not trying to seduce you.

Do you know the laws—

Yes. Yes, I know. You can kill me. It’s your right. I understand. Please, I’m right on the border. Just let me move through.

For a moment, he remained completely still above me. Then his jaws loosened around my throat. He pulled back, but stayed over me, keeping me pinned beneath his weight.

You don’t smell like a rogue. Where are you from?

I don’t know. I promise, I’ve just always been a rogue. I was abandoned. Human parents adopted me, but once it became obvious what I was, I had to leave. I’ve been on my own ever since. Please... I don’t want to be here.

His wolf eyes studied me more closely. He lowered his nose and smelled me again, and I stayed perfectly still beneath him.

There aren’t enough female wolves in our territory. It would be a waste to kill you. However, there will still be consequences. You will come with me back to the pack quarters.

I nodded quickly. Okay. Okay. I could feel Clara trying to take over again. She was pissed. This man was such a beast.

He finally got off me and started moving forward. Keep Clara under control. There is no mating outside of packs here.

I tried to respond, but Clara was pissed. She took control and stalked toward him.

Please don’t attack him, I pleaded. He will kill us.