Lexi C. Foss

“Let them think they’re in charge,” my mother has always said. “Our animals know the truth.”

Females bear the children. That gives us a certain amount of power that no male can take from us. Even if they try to control us in certain ways

I don’t understand the inclination or where it comes from, but I can’t deny the sensation of rightness thrumming through my veins.

I don’t belong here, I realize. I never have.

That’s why my mother always lectured me on when to display my backbone. Other girls didn’t need that lesson, but I did. Because I’ve always been stronger. I’ve always questioned our methods

“Incoming shipment?” I repeat.

“From the Elders,” he clarifies. “Fresh meat.”

“Female?” I ask hopefully.

Tieran wouldn’t waste my time on this unless the fresh meat’s female or someone from our past.

“Female,” he confirms. “That’s what I’ve been told, anyway. A feral little thing, too. She apparently killed her own mother.”

“Taking bets on who fucks her first?” I guess, grinning.

Carnage Wolves love sex. It’s a carnal part of us engraved into our animal spirit. Not just for men, but for women, too. And Carnage Island is severely lacking in the female department, giving the new wolf her pick of bedmates.

“Among other things,” Tieran replies.

his English accent coming through—a trait he picked up from his Omega mother. And maybe from her English mate as well. Being a rare Omega allows her to have multiple mates, the Alpha of her circle being Tieran’s father. But the other two males in her nest were both Alphas in their own right, they merely chose to bow to Tieran’s dad.

Similar to how Caius and I allow Tieran to lead.

The three of us are all Carnage Wolf Alphas.

But Tieran is the strategist.

I’m the brawn.

And Caius is the brains

My wolf sits down in the crate, staring at him. The complete opposite of what I want to be doing right now. She’s acting like a damn obedient dog, her ears perked, tail slightly wagging.

“I knew you would come around,” he says, crouching down. “Why don’t you shift so I can see you better?”

My wolf cocks her head like she can’t understand him.

It’s disorienting to feel so detached from her and out of control. I imagine it’s how she’s felt all these years while I suppressed her—something I’m realizing now isn’t natural.

Because I saw a few pups running around on Wolfe Island.

Female pups.

“I’m not letting you out until you shift,” he says.

Well, that’s not happening, I want to tell him

The female is still pressed up against my leg, probably because I promised to feed her

She huffs a little, but lays down to eat.

Or she tries to, anyway.

She keeps snorting, her nose hitting the lip of the plate as she attempts to daintily take a bite.

“No need to be polite or elegant here,” I tell her. “Just dig in and use your tongue.”

“Or let your wolf guide you,” Tieran suggests. “It’s all about finding balance between you and your wolf. Once you start truly working together, you’ll feel better.”

She glances up at him, then dips her snout in the water mug and sneezes.

“Tongue, beautiful,” I say again. “Use your tongue.”

She nudges me again, this time with a bit more strength.

Then lays down before I can react and curls her body like a crescent moon.

“Oh, I see.” My irritation with her perceived defiance melts away in an instance. “Your name is either Caius or begins with C. I’m guessing the latter.”

She stands up again and wags her tail

“It begins with C,” I confirm.

She gives me her version of a wolf smile. Then lays down again on her belly with her legs stretched out behind her and in front of her.

“An I?” I guess.

She doesn’t move.

“An L?” Volt says.

She stands up again with another tail wag.

“C L. What’s next?” I ask.