Scarlet

Planting his palm on the rocky shore, Ran pushed himself to standing and brushed the dirt from his hands. “I’ve been sent to retrieve my brother,” he said, as casually as if he’d been sent to the store for milk and bread. “Perhaps he did not tell you that he and I are part of an elite pack given a special assignment. That assignment has been canceled, and Master Jael wants us to return. All of us.”
    Scarlet’s stomach tightened at Ran’s meaningful look, but Wolf’s expression was filled with more distrust and shadows than it had ever been.
    “I’m not coming back,” he said. “Jael no longer controls me.”
    Ran sniffed. “I doubt that. And you know as well as anyone that we don’t allow our brothers to leave us.” He rolled his sleeve down over the tattoo. “Though I confess, I haven’t missed having one less alpha around.”
    The wind shifted, sending sparks from the fire into Scarlet’s face and she stumbled back, blinking them away.
    “Did you really think it wise to come here, without Jael to protect you?” said Wolf.
    “I don’t need Jael’s protection.”
    “That would be a first.”
    With a snarl, Ran leaped forward, but Wolf danced out of his reach and retaliated with a fist aimed at Ran’s jaw. Ran blocked, grasping Wolf’s fist and using the momentum to spin Wolf around and lock his elbow around Wolf’s neck. Wolf reached back, grasped Ran’s shoulder, and flipped Ran over his head. Ran landed with a solid grunt, his feet smacking the water.
    He was up again in a blink.
    Scarlet’s hand trembled, the gun dancing between the two, her pulse galloping. Ran was shaking with smothered rage, while Wolf was carved from rock, shrewd and calculating.
    “I really do think it’s time for you to return, brother,” Ran said through clenched teeth.
    Wolf shook his head, damp spikes of hair flopping onto his forehead. “You never were a match for me.”
    “I think you’ll find me somewhat improved, Alpha .”
    Wolf snorted and Scarlet sensed he didn’t believe Ran could ever be a genuine opponent. “Is this why you followed us? You saw your chance to improve your rank—to defeat me away from the pack?”
    “I told you why I’m here. Jael sent for you. The assignment is canceled. When he finds out about this rebellion of yours—”
    Wolf launched at Ran, knocking him onto his back. Ran’s head landed in the water and Scarlet heard a sickening crunch as it collided with the hard stones beneath the surface. She screamed and ran toward them, digging her nails into Wolf’s arm.
    “No, stop! He might be able to tell us something!”
    Wolf’s sharp canines were bared as he pulled a fist back and landed a punch to Ran’s face.
    “WOLF! Stop it! My grandmother! He knows about— Wolf, let him go! ”
    When he didn’t relent, Scarlet fired a warning shot into the air. The echo filled the clearing—but Wolf was unfazed. Ran’s arms stopped flailing, slipped weakly down Wolf’s forearms, and dropped into the water.
    “You’re going to kill him!” she shrieked. “Wolf! WOLF!”
    As a last burst of bubbles rose up from Ran’s mouth, Scarlet stepped back, let out a breath, and pulled the trigger again.
    Wolf hissed and fell onto his side. He clasped his hand over his left arm, where blood was already seeping into the cloth of his sleeve. But it wasn’t a deep wound. The bullet had barely grazed him.
    He blinked up at Scarlet. “Did you just shoot me?”
    “You didn’t leave me much choice.” With ringing ears, Scarlet fell to her knees and heaved Ran up by his shoulders, laying him back down at an awkward angle on the shore. He rolled onto his side, left eye already swelling shut and watered-down blood dripping down his nose and jaw. With a rattling cough, more blood and water spilled out of his mouth, puddling onto the sand.
    Releasing a strangled breath, Scarlet glanced back up at Wolf. He hadn’t moved, but his expression had shed the maniacal anger for something akin to admiration.
    “When you greeted me with a gun on your doorstep,” he said, “it’s nice to know you meant it.”
    Scarlet scowled at him. “Honestly, Wolf. What are you thinking ? He could tell us something. He could help get my grandma back!”
    His half smile softened, and for a moment he looked sorry. For her. “He won’t talk.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I know.”
    “That’s not a good enough answer!”
    “Watch your gun.”
    “Wha—” She dropped her gaze to the shore beside