Finding Shadow BOOK ONE
Tibarns choice

A monstrous black wolf was prowling just inside the entrance to the hidden springs. He was the stuff of legends, or what parents would conjure up to keep their young pups in bed at night. Battle scars proudly adorned his massive shoulders, rippling muscles flexing and relaxing with every movement as he growled at a small russet wolf, cowering behind the outcrop of rocks, “COLETTE!”

Mikhail attempted to go to her rescue, but Narelleś wolf grabbed him by his scruff, pulling him back out into the forest, where she swiftly phased into her human skin.

¨SHIFT!¨

She commanded, using her Alpha voice, uncaring that she was butt naked in front of him, and Mikhail had no choice but to obey her.

¨Have you lost your damn mind!?! She whisper yelled at the teenager scowling at her, ¨Do you have any idea who that is?¨

¨I don't care,¨ Mikhail replied stubbornly, ¨Heś threatening my girlfriend on my packs land, if she doesn't want him, he can't force her to accept him, besides technically, the hidden springs are outside the Howling boundaries, so she's managed to walk out alone, ergo not mated.¨

Narelle could tell he was pretty proud of himself for working that one out and was almost sorry that she was about to burst his happy bubble-almost.

¨I know that wolf Mikhail, itś Wrath, the Royal Enforcer- Prince Tibarnś beast. Your girlfriend is fated to the Royal family now, there is nothing you or anyone else can do to stop it.¨

A brief look of fear crossed Mikhailś features before immature pride took over, ¨The hell I will!¨

He declared, and before Narelle could grab him, he phased back into his wolf and bolted through the entrance to confront Wrath. Narelle had no other choice but to follow in human form, hoping that seeing one of them posing no threat would be enough to stop the warmonger from killing that stupid boy.

The hidden Springs were really quite beautiful, and if it wasn't the current stage to a certain young wolfś demise, Narelle could picture herself bringing her girlfriend here. But, right now, Mikhailś wolf had declared a challenge, rushing past Wrath and stepping in front of Coletteś hiding place growling at the royal Prince, fully prepared to try and prevent this pairing.

Wrath grew to twice his size, answering this challenge with one of his own, his giant maw open, lips pulled back, snarling at the young whip daring to keep him from what was his.

The Royal Prince radiated a lethal strength, his Alpha power reaching out, strangling Mikhail with itś dominance as Wrathś hackles rose, a dangerous line of savagery along his spine, and it was clear that he intended to eliminate this threat quickly.

"Oh, shit!” Narelle didn't know what to do. Self-preservation was high on her list of essential things, and she knew she was no match for a Lycan prince, but the choice was taken out of her hands as Wrath released a thunderous roar causing the ground to tremble, and then he launched himself straight at the foolish wolf.

¨NO!¨ Colette screamed, returning to her human skin at Mikhailś appearance, but it wasn't enough, and the sound of the two wolves connecting in a bone-crunching clash of teeth and fur was heard echoing in the confined space.

Wrath twisted his massive head aiming for the pup's throat, but Mikhailś reactions were faster, and sacrificing several tufts of fur, he managed to wriggle out of the bigger wolf's clinch.

Both males circled each other warily, taking the measure of any weak spot, searching for an opening to turn the fight to their advantage, but Narelle felt that Wrath was more toying with Mikhail than seeing him as a bonafide threat.

Using the distraction, Narelle stealthily made her way over to where the older woman was still crouched, sobbing uncontrollably; Colette looked up as Narelle crouched beside her, still aware of the two wolves snapping and snarling mere meters away from them.

¨What have I done?¨ The flame-haired female whispered brokenly, unable to watch the grisly scene unfolding, and Narelle felt strangely sorry for the frightened woman. As Alpha blood, Narelle could sense that Colette was a healer, not a warrior, and this would be causing her unbearable pain.

A savage growl caused both heads to snap around as Mikhail managed to swipe Wrath on the snout, drawing blood. Then, using the older wolfś minor lapse in concentration, he latched onto Wrathś chest sinking his canines in as far as he could, but it wasn't deep enough, and the Royal Prince shook him off like a bug.

Mikhail's wolf was much smaller, and it was clear he was no match for the older, battle-hardened enforcer. Wrathś eyes glowed bright red with rage as he bit deeply into the younger wolf's flank, tearing a gaping hole out of Mikhail's leg and hobbling him, instantly causing his wolf to transform back into his human skin so he could heal.

Mikhail's right leg was hanging by tendons, blood spewing from the wound, chunks of muscle exposed, and spasming close to the bone. It was a vomit-inducing sight, and Narelle felt her lunch start to make itś way back up her throat. It took a conscious effort to push it back down again.

But Mikhail was fighting for his honor as well as his girlfriend, and he forced himself to his feet, naked, bleeding, and suffering greatly. He looked at the wolf about to end his life and bit out ¨Is that all you've got, Prince Tibarn, huh? One rabid bite? Shift and let's end this, man to man!¨

Narelleś lunch finally emerged victorious as she vomited onto the grass in shock; what the hell was that moron doing? Heś clearly taken leave of his senses, or maybe Wrath had charged them out of him when they clashed? Either way, Mikhail would need a miracle to survive this.

And then the miracle spoke up.

¨Please, my Prince, if you let my friend live, I will come with you willingly, I will accept you as my mate, and I will never stray from your side again.¨

Colette was standing, all womanly curves and big eyes, baring herself to her fated mate, risking his wrath, and Narelle conceded that she had misjudged this gentle lady, knowing the sacrifice she was making for Mikhail and how frightened she must be.

Instantly his wolf phased, and Tibarn stood in his place fully clothed, as was the perk of being a Royal, ¨Cover yourself, woman!¨ He growled loudly, followed by a guttural ¨MINE!¨

He must have realized that there were two naked women in front of him. He took off his jacket without preamble, throwing it to Narelle, refusing to look in her direction. Then off came to his shirt and Tibarn quickly put it on a shivering Colette, buttoning it up with rough fingers.

¨I can smell him on you, mate.¨ He growled disgustedly.

¨Forgive me, my Prince.¨ Colette murmured ashamed, and Tibarn bristled silently, aware that they were not alone.

The only indications that the Royal had been in a fight for his mate seconds earlier were a few faint bite marks on his muscled chest that were already healing and a long scratch on his face.

Mikhail had collapsed in defeat, and likely from blood loss, completely unaware of what was going on around him anymore.

¨I will deal with your disobedience when we get back to the kingdom, mate, as for you,” Tibarn muttered, looking sideways at Narelle now that she was covered.

¨Explain yourself so I can pass my judgment.¨

Narelle could only tell the truth as she felt the weight of his authority baring down on her, so she took a deep breath and recounted the events leading up to the present.

¨Beta Mikhail received a cry for help through the pack link, he was at the infirmary having thorns removed from his face after a freak weather event, and he phased and left the hospital. I followed in case he needed backup, although I had no knowledge of why we were heading out, and Beta Mikhail led me straight to this place; your Highness, when I saw your wolf and realized what we were about to interrupt, I pulled him back out and explained who you are; however, he felt that it was in his pack member’s best interests if he engaged you, and came back in on his own.¨

Colette gasped, accepting that this was all her doing, and taking her courage in both hands, she risked laying her hands on her angry mate's arm.

Tingles exploded through her system at the contact, and she heard Tibarn gasp at the sensation, but he didn't push her away.

Colette hesitantly lifted his arm, placing it around her waist, baring her neck. Tibarn pulled her into his embrace, dipping his head into the crook of her neck and breathing in her scent deeply, thankfully it seemed to calm him down a little, and the new mates stayed this way for several minutes, silently giving and taking comfort in each other.

A low groan bought them back to the present as Mikhail slowly regained consciousness, and after a brief nod from the Prince, Narelle moved over to where the young man lay, examining him quickly.

She noticed that Tibarn retained his tight grip on Colette and knew that the chances of saying goodbye were slim for the two ex-lovers. Tibarn was still extremely angry.

¨He needs to go to the pack hospital, your Highness, his leg wound is profound, and his wolf is too weak to heal it. Without medical attention, Beta Mikhail will die.¨

Fierce blue eyes turned to the redhead in his arms, and Tibarn nodded once more, ¨As a sign of goodwill and a gift to my mate, I will let the pup live on one condition, and it is one that she must decide for her...friend.¨

Coletteś eyes flew to Tibarns face, confused by his words and the ruthless expression he sported, then she recoiled in horror for the second time that evening as the royal Prince made his judgment.

¨My mate will choose Beta Mikhailś punishment for attacking a Royal, he will either be given a quick death here, by my wolf as she bares witness, whereupon the female Alpha will be allowed to return his body to his parents or, she can choose to let her lover live stripped of his Beta title and reduced to an Omega, where he will spend the rest of his days serving the very wolves who used to serve him.¨

It was a brutal punishment, and despite her training, Narelle felt her lips quiver. She sat with Mikhail's head, resting on her lap, his eyes open waiting for Coletteś decision, as he whispered, ¨Just let me die..¨

And Colette couldn't prevent the tears from falling as she shook her head, turning away from the boy who came to her rescue, hiding her face in her mate's chest as she made her decision.

¨Let him live.¨

And Mikhail screamed.

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