The Dancer (Dark Side of the Moon #1)

Chapter Eight

Elias

I watch from a distance as Quinn and Linda walk through the compound. Linda leads, introducing her to other women as they progress. Maddox is with them, the only unmated male I trust enough with my mate, ensuring she is safe and that all other males keep their distance. I know the pack has heard about what happened at the council gathering and everyone is staying away from her, but I can’t guarantee that even the most innocent interaction with Quinn won’t set me off into a murderous rage. My wolf continues to test my control and I can honestly say I’m not sure how long I can keep him at bay.

This isn’t how I usually operate. I am the pack Alpha for a reason. I have always been decisive. When I see something I want, I take it. I don’t hold back, and I always get my way.

But being bullheaded and making demands isn’t going to get me a damn thing this time. It goes against everything in my nature, but I need to wait for her to come to me or I know I will lose her.

The fading sunlight glints off her blonde hair as she throws her head back in laughter. My breath stalls in my lungs, and my heart thumps against my ribs. I want to stalk over to her and kiss her senseless before I steal her away from all the eyes that are tracking her movements. I want to keep her to myself so no one can see how radiant she is and try to pilfer her from me.

My attention is drawn from her to my brother. He is currently arguing with Tyler, a younger pack member, blocking his route to Quinn. The problem is that his attention isn’t where it should be. I watch as Daryl approaches Quinn from the side and clench my fists. I am trying to keep my composure, but I can feel my tenuous grip on my control and my animal slipping.

Linda positions herself between Daryl and his intended target, but he shoulders her out of the way, pushing her to the ground. His right hand is extended toward Quinn. My mate sneers at him before checking to see if her friend is okay. Daryl touches her arm, turning her toward him, and I can’t hold myself at bay any longer.

I’m in motion before I can even consider my actions. The shift takes over, and I burst out of my clothes. I’ve been shifting for years, so the motion is fluid, I barely feel the bones cracking and reshaping, and my wolf takes over.

My mind is hyper-focused on getting to Quinn, and I will do anything to get to her. I vaguely note that people are screaming as my onyx wolf speeds through the crowd, not caring who he takes down in the process.

My jaw wraps around Daryl’s bicep and closes down hard. I hear his scream of pain, which soothes the anger my beast is living off. With my teeth embedded deep into his flesh, my beast takes the opportunity to inflict the most damage, harshly shaking his massive head. I hear the pop of his shoulder dislocating before Daryl’s legs give out, and his weight drops to the floor.

In a split-second, my wolf has Daryl pinned to the grass beneath him, the long nails on my paws digging into the soft flesh above his collarbones. A coppery tang taints my taste buds and I am sure I have bloody saliva dripping from my muzzle. I don’t care that I look feral to every person around us right now. All I can think of is ripping this asshole’s jugular out. The smell of piss hangs in the air and if I were in human form I would chuckle.

“Elias.”

Her voice reaches me, and I feel it to my soul. Her hand lands between my shoulder blades, running through my thick fur. I swear, if I were a cat I would be fucking purring. Her touch soothes my beast and calms me down before I end the life of a pack mate that has been pissing me off for years.

“Leave him,” she whispers in my ear, and my beast immediately complies, standing down.

Everyone stares at us as I stand in front of her with my blood maw ensuring no one else can get close. My teeth are bared to ensure everyone knows I won’t hesitate to repeat my performance.

Quinn continues to touch my wolf, scratching behind my ear. Maddox helps Daryl to his feet before shoving him at Tyler with a growl of his own.

“I would suggest that everyone learns from today. Your Alpha , ”— he makes sure to put particular emphasis on the wor d— “is not playing around. Any male, I repeat, any male that tries to touch Quinn will face the consequences.” He glares at Daryl before turning to Quinn. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better.”

With a bow of his head and slumped shoulders, he walks away. My carefree brother will blame himself for what happened today, even though he was clearly taken for a fool. He is much harsher on himself than his outward appearance betrays. I will be having words with Tyler later. He needs to make better decisions. He’s only eighteen and being led in the wrong direction already.

“Linda, let’s head home. I don’t want any other incidents,” Quinn says before removing her hand from my head.

My wolf prowls after her, tracking her every step until we reach the front door of the house she is currently staying in.

“I would tell you to go home, but I know you’ll be creeping outside my window later tonight. I need some time, Elias.” Quinn says nothing else before entering the building and closing the door in my face.

I want to howl at the injustice. How can I have found my fated mate after all these years of waiting, and I can’t have her? She doesn’t even feel the same pull toward me that I feel for her.

My wolf doesn’t allow me to shift back to my human form. I know he is agitated and frustrated, just like I am. Turning toward the woods, I let my frustration out, allowing my wolf to run. My paws hit the dirt, fresh air filling my lungs, and the sounds of nature filter into my ears. The last vestiges of the setting sun barely make it through the leaves of the overhead trees. I run and run for hours until my muscles ache and my wolf is tired before we turn around and head back to the pack. The sky is inky back, dotted with millions of stars.

I know I should head to my own house and give Quinn the space she so desperately craves, but my feet still carry me toward her bedroom window. Surprise hits me when I notice the window is open, the pane pushed to the top. It is hot and humid at this time of year, and I know that is the reason my mate has the window open. She is probably hoping a breeze will blow in and cool her heated skin.

But I am not going to let an opportunity go to waste. My wolf vaults through the window before landing on the carpet inside her room. Taking a moment, I orient myself. Quinn is lying on the covers in a pair of white sleep shorts and a baby-pink strappy top. I breathe in her scent before lying down beside her bed on the floor, content to simply be close to her.