Jogging back to the pack house, I turned glancing at Izzy. She looked at me a glint in her eyes, and just like that she took off into a full out run. This simple action fully awakened the animal within me. I couldn't resist the urge to chase after her. I had to give it to her, she was fast, but I was faster. As I caught up to her just feet away from the gates, I gently grabbed her shoulder, inadvertently cause her to lose balance. As she tumbled to the ground, she reached out grasping my shirt, pulling me down with her.

Without thinking, I turned myself allowing her to land on top of me. Thankfully, it wasn't as hard a landing as I had anticipated.

"I can't believe you knocked me over just to win," Izzy said. I could hear the amusement in her voice. She was so beautiful when she smiled, which never seemed to happen enough for my liking. Her smile quickly disappeared, as a look of lust took over her eyes. Our faces were so close, only a breath away. She bit her bottom lip, and that was it. My lips were on hers before I knew what I was doing. It didn't matter that we were out in the open with a few of my pack members openly gaping at us, because for me, at that moment there was only her and me.

This kiss was nothing like the first one. It was fuelled by need. I could smell just how much she wanted me, and that only made me want her more. Her hands tugged at my hair as I gripped the material of her shirt.

"So this is why I have been waiting for you for over an hour?" Griffin's booming voice brought me back to reality. I looked up at his anger filled face from where I laid on the grass. Izzy pushed herself up and began brushing off the dirt on her jeans.

"What the hell are you doing with her anyway?" He sneered, nodding his head in her direction. The resounding crack of Griffin's jaw surprised me as I stared down at my now bloody knuckles. Griffin wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand.

"Do not forget which of us is the alpha here," I growled. I wasn't sure if it was his questioning of me or the way he spoke of Izzy that provoked me to hit him. Griffin quickly got to his feet and rubbed his jaw.

"My apologies, Alpha," His words coming out in a clipped tone. "My only concern is what might become of my pack if my alpha were to get involved with this traitorous rogue."

'Back off Griffin,' I spoke through the mind link in hopes of diffusing the attention we were attracting. I didn't want to fight with him, but I couldn't allow myself to ignore his behavior.

"Who are you calling a traitor, mutt?" Izzy snapped as she stepped towards Griffin. She looked like she was moments away from shifting. Griffin looked at me before replying.

"I'm a mutt am I? At least, I am not a Bi--"

'Griffin enough!' I ordered, but it was too late. Izzy shifted, snapping her canine at him. Griffin being the cocky wolf that he was, laughed at her wolf.

"Aww, look at the little pup, trying to act like one of the big dogs. You know I like you much better like this. You would make such a cute pet." He cooed at her.

'Griffin, seriously back the hell off.' He turned giving me a cocky smirk, but the moment his eyes were on me, Izzy nipped him in the arm.

Griffin whipped his head in her direction letting out a thunderous roar. Seconds later, he was shifted into his dark brown wolf. Even with his massive size and deadly eyes, Izzy didn't back down, she let out a low, threatening growl.

'Griffin, shift back, now,' I demanded. He didn't remove his eyes from her this time only shaking his head in response.

Realizing neither of them were about to back down anytime soon, I did the only thing I could think of. I shifted. Stepping between the two, I nudged Izzy back, earning me a dirty look and a painful nip on the shoulder. Ignoring her, I turned to Griffin.

'I said shift back Beta.'

'Wait, you are defending this hussy?'

'Watch how you talk to me. We may be friends, but I am still your alpha,' I grounded out as I snapped my teeth at him.

'You may be my alpha, but I can still take you,' He responded barring his teeth at me. It was true when it came to the training room. Since Olivia's death every time we sparred he did kick my ass, but that was in my human form. Shifted he didn't stand a chance.

We slowly began circling each other. Izzy stepped back, watching intently. Eventually, she was joined by more and more pack members. All of them wanting to see what we were going to do next. Soon we were completely encircled by curious onlookers whispering among themselves. Questions of whether I had finally lost it, and if Griffin could actually take me down. Some wolves were even placing bets on who the winner would be.

Griffin made the first move lunging for my hind leg but missed by a hair. I nipped at his tail in response. This went on for some time. He would get in a few good nips or swipes of the paw, and I would, in turn, do the same. Neither of us landing a real blow on the other. Eventually, we stood facing each other, both panting from exhaustion.

"Are you two going to get it on already, or are you going to continue dragging out the foreplay a while longer?" a voice questioned. Griffin and I whirled around to see a fully dressed Izzy standing among the crowd with her arms crossed over her chest and a smirk on her face. When had she shifted back?

'You know, I may just start taking a liking to her after all. She's a real smart ass,' Griffin said, all anger gone from his voice.

'Yeah, just like you,' I replied as I walked away towards the pack house shaking my head.

~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~~

An early update this week : )

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