The Russian's Defiant Wolf

Anna

On weak legs, I managed to walk the rest of the distance to stand by my grandfather’s side, the farthest I could respectfully be away from the two men who were making my wolf frantic.

Now within a foot from them, I understood exactly why my wolf was acting out. The combined scents that had my stomach knotting and clit throbbing in desperate need to be touched were coming from Viktor and Erik.

“Grandfather,” I opted for a formal greeting toward him, not feeling entirely comfortable in the situation enough to embrace him in a warm hug.

The gesture would be entirely inappropriate in front of another alpha.

Not being able to resist now, my gaze left my grandfather’s to meet the other alpha’s and his beta’s. I instantly regretted it.

Upon seeing their wolves’ eyes shining through, my wolf instantly jumped forward. It took everything inside me not to shift.

Thankfully, my grandfather’s voice sounded, breaking through the awkward staring and silence among the three of us.

“Anna, I’d like to introduce you to the alpha of the Oborot pack, Viktor Belinsky.” The dark-haired handsome alpha held out his hand in greeting. Reluctantly, I placed my hand into his awaiting one.

Viktor’s hand was rough and large as he enclosed mine in a steel grip. The action wasn’t painful, but I was more than aware I wouldn’t be able to pull away if I tried.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anna.” A small sigh of pleasure escaped my lips at the sound of his deep, raspy accented voice speaking my name.

My stomach muscles clenched tight as a spasm of pure need traveled through my hand and landed right on my already throbbing bundle of nerves.

As if reluctant, Viktor released my hand when my grandfather introduced the other man I now knew as Erik.

“And Erik is Viktor’s beta.”

Taking Erik’s extended hand next, I couldn’t help but whimper when my gaze met his powerful one. If I’d been in wolf form, I’d be lying on my back with my stomach showing.

My usually dominant wolf was being completely submissive toward these two males. Alpha or not, I never cowered. That fact seemed to cool my raging libido. What the hell was happening to me?

Erik had obviously heard the pathetic whimper because the corners of his kissable lips turned up into a knowing smile. A dimple appeared in the side of his right cheek, making him look oddly boyish under all that man—and what a man he was.

“Don’t worry, my sweet. My wolf is making similar noises.” Flushing at his words, I pulled—almost yanked—my hand out of his and clutched it to my chest as if his touch burned.

My grandfather continued talking, thankfully unaware of the strange happenings between me and the two men.

“Although Nina is my beta, Anna is to be the alpha of my pack when I step down from the position,” Grandpa said, a warning clear in his tone.

I was surprised. Obviously, he was aware of the effect the men had on me, and his warning strangely enough angered me. I couldn’t stop the unexpected growl my wolf sent out to my grandfather.

The growl wasn’t in challenge, thankfully, just anger. Suppressing my wolf deep inside me, I composed myself as best I could.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. She’s a little grouchy today. She needs a run, but I haven’t had the time.”

“Come.” He gripped my arm above the elbow; rage was seeping out of him like sweat. If I didn’t know any better, I’d believe he was taking me away to punish me.

“We need to talk,” he turned toward the men my wolf so desperately wanted to stay with. “Erik, Viktor.” He nodded his head in respect.

The men returned the movement, and with that, I was turned by my grandfather and led toward the exit.

Turning my head, I couldn’t help but look back one more time at the men who seemed deep in conversation now, their faces pictures of anger. What was going on?

The cold night air drew my attention back toward my grandpa, who had opened the bar door and was now stepping onto the path that led toward the houses.

There was hardly anyone out; most of the pack were either in the bar or in their homes, settling in the visiting pack members.

Having had enough of practically being dragged behind my grandfather like a rag doll, I pulled my arm free from his grip and crossed my arms over my chest.

Immediately, I realized my coat was still in the bar and I was no longer heated from my run.

“What is wrong with you, Grandfather?” My own anger was thick in the air, mixing with his.

He looked at me as if I should know the reason for him dragging me outside and causing an unnecessary scene in front of another alpha.

“Did you not feel it, Anna? Was your wolf not telling you that you are their mate and they are yours?”

I gasped. “Their mate? Both of theirs? No way. You’re mistaken.”

He scoffed, which only fueled my anger. “They scented you on Nina; they mistook her for you because the scent was so strong; and they were about to brawl before I intercepted them.

“They both feel you are their mate, though they don’t seem happy to share.”

“Share?!” I screeched, but my wolf practically drooled at the thought. Sometimes I wished we were separate.

“Grandfather, I am not their mate. They’re wrong. And even when I do decide to mate, it will be with one man, not two. I have never heard of women having two mates.”

“It happens.” He ground his teeth.

“Why are you so angry? You’re just as bad as Casey for trying to find me a mate. Shouldn’t you be thrilled two men are trying to claim me?”

“They are alpha and beta of another pack. You are to be alpha of this pack when I pass or step down. You are my granddaughter.

“I will not have you running from forest to forest with their pack, hiding from hunters. You wouldn’t last five minutes. They are not suitable mates for you, Anna.”

Pure unadulturated rage racked my body. My wolf refused to stay away and was growling and fighting to be set free.

Instead of acting with violence, I said the only thing I knew would hurt him the most, even though it was true.

“Is that the speech you gave my father before he ran off to Russia to be with my mother?

“Don’t make the same mistake with me, Grandpa.” My eyes filled with tears at seeing the pained look that crossed his features. He flinched, as if the words had been a physical blow.

I regretted the words as soon as I spoke them. Tonight should have gone so differently. But instead, my grandfather and I were now further apart than before.

“Anna.” He breathed the word, his voice catching.

“I’m staying with Casey, so if you or Aunt Nina need me, just call. Good night.” I turned my back on him and took off down the path that led toward Casey’s house.

He didn’t attempt to follow me, and suddenly I no longer felt the chill in the air. I was numb.