[Ace's POV]
Across from me, the blue-furred alpha flexed his claws around the black magic chain. He was massive—a mountain of muscle and malice, his pelt the color of a deep bruise. His grin was a slash of ivory in the moonlight.
I planted my paws. Felt the earth beneath my pads, cool and solid. Grounding.
A low growl built in my throat—a deep vibration I felt in my fangs before it ever left my muzzle. "You really think that toy's gonna stop me?" Every muscle fiber in my body coiled. The memory of Ray's calm, assessing gaze flashed in my mind. He was watching, I knew. They all were.
The alpha's laughter was a harsh, grating sound, ugly enough to shake the leaves on the lower branches. "You're just a whelp playing at being alpha." Spittle flew from his maw, catching the moonlight on his fangs. "I'll snap your spine and hang your pelt from my lodge before moonhigh."
