Page 132 of Brutal Reign
River frowns like she’s not too fond of that idea, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she draws a deep breath and closes her eyes, the air shimmering as she calls her wolf forward for a second time.
Once again, nothing exciting happens. She just stands there in her animal form, looking between me and Ace and whining low in her throat before shifting back.
“Well?” I ask hopefully.
River shakes her head, her espresso hair swishing around her face. “Still didn’t work. For once, it seems like she has no interest in taking full control.”
“One more time,” Ace urges.
She frowns, snapping her head in his direction like she’s going to tell him to shove it, but when their eyes lock, herexpression softens. Her throat bobs with a hard swallow as she nods, rolling her neck on her shoulders and calling her wolf forward yet again.
This time, as soon as she shifts, I turn to Ace and punch him in the face. My knuckles meet the flesh of his cheek with a resounding smack, causing him to stumble back a step in stunned surprise.
“The fuck was that for?” he scowls, rubbing at his jaw.
“Trying to rile up her wolf,” I shrug.
Ace glowers at me while he stretches his jaw, his eyes darkening. “Fine,” he huffs, retaking the distance between us and winding up. Before I can dodge him, he punches me right back, blood spurting from my nostrils on impact.
“Fuckingasshole,” I growl, clutching my nose to stem the bleed. It doesn’t feel broken, but it still hurts like a bitch, my eyes watering.
River’s wolf snarls at us, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
“Well look at that,” Ace muses, gesturing toward River. “Guess it worked.”
I cut him a glare before turning to face Riv again, locking eyes with her ferocious wolf. “Shift back.”
Instantly, she complies, popping up on two legs and sweeping her long dark hair out of her face. For a long moment she just stands there staring at us, chest heaving with her ragged breaths. Then she abruptly bends down to swipe a sharp rock up off the ground, dragging it across her palm with enough force to draw blood.
“Hey, what the hell are you doing?” I shout, both Ace and I rushing toward her.
“Look!” River exclaims as she holds up her hand, the skin on her palm knitting itself together right before our eyes.
I stop in my tracks, heart stuttering in my chest.
Did she just…?
A giddy laugh spills from River’s throat as she lowers her healed hand and slices her palm with the rock again, watching in awe as her body quickly heals itself.
“Stop that,” Ace grumbles, grabbing for her arm and snatching the rock out of her grasp before she can hurt herself again.
“I’ve never healed this fast,” River marvels, her wide-eyed gaze pinging from Ace to me. “You guys, I think sealing our bond did something else. I think…”
“Your wolf integrated,” Ace finishes for her, as if he already knew. I mean, I also suspected it, but if this isn’t proof, I don’t know what is.
Riv’s head bobs up and down with her nod, a wide grin stretching her lips. “Yeah, I think so. Every time I tried to let her take over, she didn’t. Shecouldn’t.”
“Fuck yeah!” I cheer, lunging for River and scooping her naked body up into my arms. I spin her around with a laugh, setting her back on her feet just in time for Ace to swoop in and tackle her with a hug of his own.
“Do you guys realize what this means?!” River shrieks, practically vibrating with excitement. “If I’m actually in control, then there’s nothing holding me back from this challenge. I don’t have to be afraid of hurting someone, I can actually go full out and win.”
“Damn right you can,” Ace agrees, grinning right along with her. “From now on, no more morning runs. Instead, we’re gonna come out here and wolf spar every morning to get you ready for the challenge this weekend.”
“Psh, I’m ready,” she replies, waving him off with a proud lift of her chin.
“Don’t be cocky,” I murmur, scooping an arm around her waist to pull her in close. “You don’t just need to beat Jake, youneed tocrushhim. Show everyone in your pack exactly what you can do so that if anyone else is considering challenging you, they’ll think twice about it.” I cup her face as I lean in closer, staring into her hazel eyes. “Show them all how strong you are, Riv. Why you’re the best and only choice to lead your pack.”
She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, nodding. “I will.”