5 Minute Reads | Anthology

THE RED WOLF by kristianabooks

JAXON

It's the afternoon of our college graduation party—the last hoorah before I officially take the mantle of Alpha of the Zillon pack.

I watch my mate and future Luna, Ashina, strut her long, olive-brown legs before flipping her brown curls to the side and exposing her mark—my mark— on the slope of her neck. I place an adoring kiss on it. "Will you be good until I get there?" I ask.

"Only if you promise to make it before the cleanup crew arrives."

"That I can do." I snake my arm around her, pulling her close and inhaling her vanilla orchid scent.

"Ty and I are staying behind to help the coach lock the gym. It shouldn't take us more than an hour."

"In that case, get ready for an ass-whooping in beer pong."

"You know I always let you win."

"Nahhh." Ashina shakes her head, a sultry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I'm your mate because I can take you on. Any day, any time, I'm ready."

***

Something is off at the campfire site where the rest of the school has assembled.

I scent my mate's fear and panic as we clear the mist-shrouded forest near the campfire. The sky is thick with white smoke instead of the red-orange glow from burning embers.

Hurry! She summons me.

I start sprinting and shifting into my ferocious grey wolf form midair. My sharp claws scrap the earth as I became one with the wind. My heart quaks faster. My sharp fangs flash white in the moonlight as I howl to alert Ashina and scare whoever wants to harm her.

The crowds scatter like flies as I screech to a terrifying halt. My yellow eyes glow murderous red when I see Ashina's motionless wolf lying on the mossy forest floor with four arrows on her hind legs. Her breathing is shallow and labored, like a mountain climber's gasps at high altitude.

I cradled her, my paws gently caressing her buttery, soft fur. "I'm here, my love. I'll pull out the arrows so you can heal," I whisper, stilling my forearms to keep her comfortable but inside, I'm raging mad, ready to rip to shreds whoever attacked my woman.

Ashina's amber eyes are dull and glassy. It kills me to see her in pain as I carry her back to our home.
Hours later, my beta receives the information about the rival pack that planned the attack on my mate.

"It's the shadow pack," Ty grits out.

"Cowards!" I spit on the ground.

Every vein is tight with revenge, and my heel crushes the last step outside our house.

"They attack a woman because they are afraid of fighting me?" I grip the wooden handrail so tight that splinters of the brown staircase fall to the floor.

"Save your anger for your enemies," Ty reins me in. " Are you ready to pay them a visit?"

"You don't have to ask twice." I crack my knuckles. "But my queen might want in on the fun when she wakes up."

"I do." Ashina startles us.

I cock my head and see her looking majestic at the entrance. Her wounds are healed and the lethalness in her gaze takes my breath away.

"Get everyone," she commands us. "Tonight, our furs will gleam crimson red from Shadows' pack blood."

My grin reaches my eyes. I will make Ashina proud of the Zillon pack tonight.