Erik couldn't believe Danni's audacity. She actually knocked him to the ground and was all over him. That's when he heard it, a very low, very angry, very female growl. His wolf stood up and yipped inside his head. He threw Danni off of him and growled at her. "I am not yours." and looked around for his mate. He knew she was there. He shifted, not caring about his clothes and put his nose to the ground. He found where she was hiding, watching him, and felt ashamed that she had to see that. He could smell the pain that was radiating off of her and followed her scent back to his spot.
He stopped and looked around but he couldn't see her. He put his nose to the air and sniffed, then heard something. Cautiously he scooted back into the brush and walked around the willow tree just out of sight. Once he rounded the tree he could see his mate, curled into a ball and crying. He was mentally screaming at himself for even thinking that sleeping with Danni was a good idea when he did it. He heard Danni howling in anger back where he left her and saw his mate stiffen. He growled knowing that she thought that was a howl of ecstasy and not one of anger. Her head whipped in his direction and he cursed himself.
Slowly he stepped from the brush and into her view and looked at her. He whined and inched forward. He could see her pressing herself further into the tree and he crouched low to the ground and inched forward whimpering. He kept inching forward making small reassuring sounds. Her eyes never left him for a moment, watching his slow approach. He was almost at her feet when he heard something in the woods. He sat up swiveling his head and cocking his ears trying to find the sound.
Val had heard it too. She was watching the wolf come closer, watching him try to reassure her with his soft growls and whimpers. She knew who he was, he was her mate, the one the female had been all over moments ago. Her wolf could still smell that female on him and was snarling to be let loose. She wanted to rub her body all over him and scent him as hers. Val shook the thoughts aside and watched him turn to face the bushes he had come out of. There was some twigs snapping, and then a blonde wolf leapt into the clearing. The blonde wolf snarled and Valerie knew who it was, it was Danni, the female who had been all over her mate. She couldn't keep a reign on her wolf, and it burst forth, shifting her to stand in between her mate and the blonde wolf.
Danni stared at the beautiful red wolf as it stood between her and Erik, its lips peeled back and snarling. She knew that she should stand down, but Erik was hers. She had been with him off and on for years, and she knew she was about to go into heat soon and wanted him with her, she would fight for him if need be, and she always got what she wanted. She snarled back and barked at the red wolf telling her to stand down, but the red wolf stood there growling, hackles raised.
Erik watched the scene in amazement. He knew he had hurt his mate, and she was upset seeing him with Danni. He was floored when he saw the red wolf jump in front of him, it was her, his mate. She stood there tall and proud, growling at Danni. Even with the seriousness of the situation, Erik couldn't help but feel a small spurt of male pride. He sat back on his haunches and smiled, well a wolfish smile anyway, and his tongue lolled out of his mouth.
The blonde wolf lunged at the red wolf, hoping she'd retreat, instead the red wolf snapped viciously at the blonde one, barking out her frustration. Danni retreated a few steps and circled over to the left, watching the red wolf with hate filled eyes. Val stood her ground and watched Danni pace, waiting for the next attack. She didn't have long to wait, and this time she swatted at Danni and caught her jaw with a powerful strike, sending the smaller wolf flying to the ground. The blonde wolf was furious, as she stood and shook out her fur. She wasn't going to let this Bitch come between her and Erik.
Valerie had just about enough from this blonde bimbo. She crouched low and waited for the lunge she knew was coming. This time she propelled forward and caught the blonde in the shoulder, rolled her onto her back and stood over her growling. Her jaws clamped tight around the other wolf's throat waiting for submission. The blonde bucked and tried to throw off her opponent, snarling as much as she could. "Submit Danni, submit to my mate. She beat you." Val's heart soared at his words, he called her his mate! She knew not to let go until the other woman relented and waited until she went limp, her eyes downcast. Val released the wolf and backed up a few paces to sit beside her mate.
