Kendall waited for Juliette to shift, wanting to savor the sight of his mate changing into her beautiful wolf. Russet fur sprouted, replacing her tan skin as it covered her body hovering in between forms. An alpha transformation usually took place in a matter of seconds, but Juliette’s went from human to wolf in the blink of an eye, making it look like an easy endeavor.

The she-wolf radiated nervous energy. With her head slightly tilted, she urged his wolf to change as she paced in front of him, raising red dust and depositing it on his still naked feet. He nodded before letting his wolf take the lead.

His bones cracked, elongated, and rearranged inside his shifting body. Furry hide and fangs replaced skin and teeth, and a moment later, his vision changed into the spectrum of grays and blue and green that was a predator’s trademark.

Seen through his wolf eyes, the she-wolf was breathtaking, and clearly pissed. Her paws stomped at the ground, sending more dust into the air that tickled Kendall’s wolf nose into a fit of sneezes. With a disdainful stare, she gave him her rump and sprinted away. He followed, leaping over boulders and creeks, enjoying the run with the same enthusiasm he had experienced the first time he shifted. Everything he did with her felt as if it were one of a kind.

A few minutes into the sprint, the she-wolf sped her pace until her slender body blurred ahead of him. His wolf let her outrun him. It didn’t matter he was faster or physically stronger. With any other she-wolf, he would have wanted to show off and prove he was a superior male specimen in every aspect. The alpha in Juliette didn’t need to be dazzled by his excellence, though. Both woman and wolf looked for a mate, and he and his wolf would be that for them.

He missed the mental communication they could have had if already mated, but everything in good time.

Loping through the tropical rainforest, Kendall’s wolf never lost sight or scent of his mate, who hiked higher and higher up the treacherous walls of moss and rocks leading to a ridge. Better suited for wild goats than humans, a narrow track hugged the steep terrain and disappeared at times, only to reappear a while later further up.

Reaching toward the top of the ridge, a crevasse opened unexpectedly after a bend in the path. The she-wolf didn’t hesitate but leaped to the other side of the jagged edge. She looked over her shoulder once before resuming her breakneck run. He was at her side but a moment later.

Several minutes passed. Juliette’s wolf increased her speed and he shadowed her, feeling his heart madly racing against his ribcage. The euphoria from the run came to an abrupt halt when they crested the ridge and a shack appeared.

The fur on the she-wolf’s back rose, and she growled low, warm breath hissing from her flared nostrils. She showed her fangs and barreled through the clearing, reaching the shack’s entrance in no time. At the wooden door, she shifted back and with her human hand pushed the panel open, striding in.

When Kendall burst inside the cabin, Juliette was facing a humongous werewolf. Two big wolves stood by the side, sitting on their haunches and surveying the scene, but Kendall couldn’t find any other shifter scent in the moldy space.

“Where are Nicky and Devon?” Juliette demanded.

“What’s he doing here?” The large werewolf asked, his double chin dancing with her every word.

“Shark, answer my question.” Juliette stepped forward, pausing in front of the man.

Danger bells went off in Kendall’s mind, but he trusted her judgment and didn’t rush to shove her behind him. Instead, he walked closer to her, standing by her side.

“Who is he?” Shark asked again, refusing to address Kendall.

“I am Juliette’s mate,” Kendall answered at the same time Juliette said, “He’s my mate.”

At their united front, the man’s face contorted, pure hatred marring his childish traits. “You are mine!” White foam formed at the seam of his mouth.

“Never was.” Juliette’s angry energy filled the air. “Tell me where my kids are.”

Shark’s eyes went to her throat, then moved to check Kendall’s. He laughed, bringing a chubby hand to his voluminous belly. “You are still untouched.”

Once again, Kendall inwardly cursed. “We are soulmates.”

“He’s telling the truth. And even if he weren’t, it wouldn’t matter because I’d rather die than mate with you,” Juliette said, stepping forward, encroaching in the man’s private space.

Shark looked at her with narrow eyes. “You were promised to me.”

“I was twelve and an orphan when you attacked me.” Juliette bristled, her hands fisted as her voice became a snarl.

“I offered to do the right thing by you—”

“After I wouldn’t let you rape me and almost cut your dick off.”

“I’d already asked my father to spare you for me.”

“That’s why he went after all the other girls, but never bothered me?” Juliette’s voice held an incredulous tone.

Shark shrugged. “I didn’t want him to claim you and he always gave me what I wanted.”

“What do you expect me to do? Thank you?”

“I expect some fucking gratitude, yes.”

“Consider yourself thanked if I don’t kill you tonight.” Juliette’s body shook in anger. “Now, for the last time, where are Nicky and Devon?”

Kendall tensed, ready to attack the two wolves standing guard but also to defend Juliette if Shark overpowered her. He had been in plenty of fights, fought and won a challenge to the death, but never had to stay put and wait, giving his mate the consideration she deserved. He wouldn’t diminish her in front of her enemy by jumping to her rescue if she didn’t need it, but he would never let harm come her way. It was an unsettling balance he would have to accomplish because they were both alpha, but he gritted his teeth and waited for the situation to unfold.