Chapter Six

Vanessa 

Roughly two days in a den with three Carnage Wolf Alphas has turned everything I know about their kind upside down.

Jake has a reputation for cruelty because of how he killed his mate. Yet he’s treated me respectfully, allowing me to sleep in his room on my pile of sheets in the corner, and ensuring I not only eat, but know how to eat. He keeps dropping little hints about how to connect to my wolf, too.It’s… confusing.

I can sense his feral aura and his need to dominate. His Alpha energy is a thick presence against my skin that demands I submit.But he’s been almost gentle with me since I arrived.Even the bath punishment was rather kind.

However, there’s an air about him this morning that has me wondering if everything is about to change. I can feel it coming from upstairs, his

dominance a suffocating wave that surrounds my very spirit.He’s coming for me.

I don’t know how I know that, but I do. It’s a warning in the air. A caution my wolf picks up on just as well as I do. Am I overreacting? I wonder.

All three males have been kind, a claim I really can’t make about any of the Alphas from the Blood moon Pack.

Kev , Jordan , and Jake , are different. They’re Alphas, yet caring.Dominant, yet tender.

I slept well my first night in their den, then Jake and I spent yesterday talking about how shifters control their wolves. He attempted to show me

how to shift by demonstrating himself, but I was too enthralled by the majestic display to truly follow his advice.

The moment his pants came off, I was captivated.

Something that confused me because I grew up around naked men who frequently shifted into wolves. But Jake is a whole new breed of male. He’s tall, lean, and sleek. Yet with white fur instead of black a trait that only makes him more beautiful.

Kev tried to help as well by changing into his wolf. He also maintained that magnetic air of dominance, edged with a hint of lethality that had my animal sitting up and taking notice.

Jordan didn’t participate. Instead, he focused on making food for us all. Mine came cut up in pieces, making it easier to eat something that endeared me to these Alphas even more.

I couldn’t understand why my pack feared them so much.

But the energy wafting off of Jake now gives me somewhat of an idea. I can’t tell if he’s angry or tired or perhaps annoyed that I spent another

night in his room while he took the guest bed.

I shouldn’t have agreed to these sleeping arrangements. I only did that because my wolf felt more comfortable in the “nest” she made. And Jake keeps saying how important it is for me to be one with my wolf, not separate ourselves. So I thought it was the right decision.

However, as he prowls into the room this morning, I can’t help but feel it was a very bad choice. He goes straight to the shower without looking at me. I stand up and tiptoe from the room, trying to avoid his mood.

Jordan meets me in the hallway, his expression giving nothing away.

“How’d you sleep, gorgeous?”

I can’t actually answer him, so I just rub against his leg in response because he seems to like that style of greeting. It’s a sign of affection between wolves, something I really have no right to give, but these males welcomed me into their home. I have no idea why they’re being so nice to me. However, I’m thankful for it. They’ve turned my nightmare into something akin to a dream.

My anger hasn’t abated. My sadness is still there, too.

But they’ve somehow introduced a lightness to my heart that I long to embrace. It may all be a trick or some cruel way to lull me into a state of

comfort. However, my wolf seems to trust them, which makes me want to trust them, too.

Jordan runs his fingers through my fur, telling me how soft and pretty I am. It’s the same thing he said yesterday.

And just like yesterday, he squats before me and asks if I’m hungry. I pant in response my equivalent of a “yes” that he seems to translate

with ease. He winks one silver eye at me and stands again. “Follow me.”

I don’t really have a choice since his direction is the only way to go. But I would probably follow him regardless. He possesses an air of happiness

about him that I find alluring.

Jordan is definitely the playful one of the trio. Kev is the protector, his lethal aura one that makes my wolf want to roll over on her back in

immediate submission. And Jake is the leader.

Which is why I can’t shake this sensation of unease against my fur.

Jake ’s displeasure can’t be good. The fact he didn’t even acknowledge me says I’m the cause of that displeasure, or something about me has him on edge.

Maybe I’ll take the guest room tonight.

Assuming they let me continue staying here.

It’s not escaped my notice that this experience is a gift, not a natural occurrence.

Kev meets us in the kitchen, a bowl in his hand. “Morning, sweetling,”

he coos, setting the bowl on the ground. “Better eat. Jake has plans for you today.”

My stomach flips over at his words. Plans? What kind of plans?

I’m not sure I want to spend time with him in his current mood. I can still feel his dominance wrapping around my neck like a noose.

He’s either been holding it back, to help make me feel at ease, or it’s particularly strong today.

Given the last two days of treatment, I suspect it’s the former. And for whatever reason, he’s done hiding his Alpha persona from me today.

Is he going to make me leave? It’s something I should want freedom.

But these Alphas haven’t given me cause to want to run. If anything, they’ve given me very good reasons to stay I’ve never been one to rely on others for my survival. My mother trained me well for a reason. However, this island is nothing like the home I grew up in. I’ve not been given a proper tour of the lands, but I can sense

the dangers lurking here. The dangerous wolves.

Their Alpha spirits.

The violent undertones of their need to survive.

I shiver and Jordan strokes his fingers through my mane again. “You’re safe, Vanessa ,” he whispers. “We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Words I long to believe, but how can I trust three men I’ve just met?

Because they’ve literally proven through actions that they won’t hurt you, some part of me says. Maybe the words are driven by my wolf. Or perhaps it’s my intelligent side trying to slap some sense into me.

I focus on the bowl and the fresh fruit mingled with oats. It’s not something I would have anticipated eating on Carnage Island, but so far

nothing about this place is what I could have ever anticipated. In addition to me actually being here.

As a Carnage Wolf.

I lap up the meal while Jordan and Kev sit on the floor with me. They’ve not eaten at the table for any of our meals, and I find the gesture

heartwarming. Another direct conflict to everything I thought I knew about Carnage Wolves.

Jake joins us several minutes later, his hair still damp from his shower, and a pair of jeans slung low on his hips.

He doesn’t look at me, instead focusing on breakfast and taking a chair at the table instead of sitting on the ground.

I consider trying to slip from the kitchen unnoticed, but the way he’s seated puts me in the center of his vision.

“Do you want to try shifting again, Vanessa ?” Kev asks as he takes my empty bowl and places it in the sink. I almost grumble. I’ve been trying to shift since being carted off to Wolfe Island. It’s not

like I want to be in this form. I would love to be able to walk on two legs and use my voice.

But even with me being able to control my movements now, I can’t seem to shift at all. I’ve tried searching for the pain I felt when Alpha Marcus made me change during the ceremony. I’ve tried telling my wolf to heel. I’ve tried fantasizing about being human again. I’ve tried calling on my mortal half. I’ve done everything Jake and Kev suggested and nothing.

“She can’t,” Jake replies, that hint of anger touching his tone. “That fucking Alpha has a hold on her spirit. I’m going to have to break it.”

I shiver at the dark promise in those words.

Jordan and Kev both glance at each other, then at Jake . “Where?” Kev asks.

“I’m still debating,” Jake mutters. “Her cries are going to call the wolves to her regardless of where I do it. But we need a place where we can

properly protect her.”

My cries? I repeat. He expects me to cry? Does he think I’m weak because I can’t shift? Because Marcus has a hold on my spirit? How is that even my fault?

My pack never taught me how to fight, and the whole ceremony is about letting his wolf bond with mine. How was I supposed to know this

would happen? I went through with the ceremony because I was the strongest eligible female of my pack. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t scream, did I?

I honestly can’t remember much beyond the pain.

And the agony of losing my mother right after.

My heart aches just thinking about it.

Her screams will haunt me for the rest of my days.

“She’s strong,” Kev says, interrupting my thoughts. “She’ll take it.”

“I’m more concerned about how she’ll react afterward and what she might do to any of the wolves that come to investigate.” Jake sets down

his fork, his tone flat.

Jordan stands to join Kev at the sink, his gaze on Jake . “It’s their own hide if they come up uninvited. Let them pay the price for disobeying

your directive.”

“I mean, watching her attack them would be fun,” Kev puts in. “A total fucking turn on, actually.”

“I’m not worried about her attacking or killing anyone,” Jake bites back. “Her mother was easy prey. I’m more concerned about the others

scaring her, or doing something worse.”

My mother… I trail off, blinking at him. My mother was easy prey?

Did he really just say that?

Their conversation continues, but I can’t hear it over the thumping in my ears.

What does he know about my mother?

Why does he consider her easy prey?

Does he know who raped her? Who… who sired me?

Or is this about how she died?

A palm lands on my scruff, the fingers digging in as Jake suddenly squats before me. “Do not growl at us, little one. You will not like the

consequences.”

I blink. Growl? When did I growl?

“Better,” he says, his gaze hard. “I don’t have a choice. I either force your change, or you remain a wolf. And the latter isn’t acceptable.”

He thinks I’m growling because he wants to help me back into my human state? I snort.

Which causes his eyes to narrow, the irises suddenly resembling ice.

Oh, moon, that is not the response he wanted to hear… But it wasn’t in response to his statement. Well, it was, but not for the reasons he probably

thought.

If I were human, I would explain. But as a wolf, all I can do is grumble which I do and that just

worsens the situation entirely.

“All right.” He releases me and stands abruptly. “I guess we’re doing this here.”

“Uh, T, maybe”

“No, Jordan . I’m done with the disobedient act. I want a person to scold, not a wolf.”

What the hell? I want to snap. I’m not being disobedient! Which of course comes out as another grumble.

And earns me an icy glower from the Alpha.

Okay, yeah, and I’m a dead wolf again. Awesome.