Ares's POV

　　"Damien was right! Wolves are fucking annoying!" I admitted, wondering if he could hear and see what was going on, I couldn't sense him anywhere, yet I was in his human form, not that I would know what my form looked like. This was the closest I had ever gotten to freedom from the cage inside his mind. 

　　Damien was always the good soldier, never one to question his Daddy! Only recently had he decided to grow a pair of balls and stand up to his demented family... This sassy female before me had unknowingly freed me from a life of isolation simply by crossing Damien's path and melting his cold heart. 

　　Meeting her gave him the strength to find his voice and question all he knew, letting me have some independence, even trusting my judgement. I would be forever grateful for that alone, owing her more than I can ever repay! But I would start with my protection and loyalty! Although I couldn't deny that I wanted her! Something about her called to the darkness within me; it desperately wanted to push her out of the comfort zone she hid within and ruffle those angelic feathers of hers! 

　　But it was more than that; with her fingers exploring my junk, teasing and provoking me with those sultry kisses and open taunts, I wanted to devour her and relish in each and every one of her glorious curves. However, I wanted her to see ME and want me like she did Damien. He and I were a team; I knew she had accepted the cocky alpha's son and his wolf; why would I be any different? 

　　I knew, though, that this had to go at Damiens's pace, or I would end up back in my cage. So despite being freed by whatever devilry lurked in this forest, I refused to give in to the corruption and temptation I felt invading the shadows! I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to look at this gorgeous seductress and gave in to the impulses that ran havoc inside me.

　　I opened my eyes, expecting her to wince, seeing me, not Damien staring back out at her; my heart soared, catching her smile at me, running those silken fingers across my cheek. As quick as the moment came, it went, with her face quickly twisting into panic; sensing the creature beside me, I grinned confidently; I knew it was no threat; I could feel its power was no more than that of a pesky omega, who would be as easy to take out as a bug under my foot.

　　"Stay", I warned Abbi firmly, knowing instantly a child-sized tantrum was about to follow, so unbothered by the 'danger' beside me, I turned my attention back to her, ready to chastise her. Growling viciously as the wolf seemed to gain some confidence, thinking he could take me down while my back was turned. How wrong he was!

　　"Coward!" I roared as we rolled in the dirt and animal shit, finally getting a solid footing and overpowering the worm. I let my claws elongate as they punctured the skin around his ear, pinning him in place; the other tightened around his thick throat, forcing him to the ground. His sharp teeth tore through any part of skin they touched; he was a fighter, that was for sure, I mused as he thrashed in my grip, still determined to dominate me! 

　　"ME! Does he have a death wish!" I growled in my head, hearing the faint chuckle of Damien somewhere far away. I sighed, relief spreading through me, momentarily feeling a sting on my shoulder. I turned just in time to see my girl come to my defence, not that we needed her! But the fact she was powerless right now and had endangered her own safety for me touched me deeply! Even if I agreed with the faint whisper of Damien, who wanted to punish her most deliciously for risking herself!

　　"What happened?" I heard Damien clearly in my head, his panic intensifying as the wolf approached her. "Give me control, Ares!" He was back! And as bossy as ever apparently, narrowing my eyes on the wolf, I tried to consider my options quickly, but the wolf under me kept trying to break loose, landing a hard blow on his head; I felt him go limp, surrendering to unconsciousness.

　　"For fuck sake, Ares! Help her!" Damien screamed at me, his anger vibrating as the wolf launched at Abbi. Narrowing my eyes again, I did what came naturally and sent a command to the advancing wolf.

　　"Submit! Or... Die!" I warned, using an alpha aura I wasn't sure would work given how long I had spent caged by my demonic counterpart. Relief spread through me, watching it lower to Abbi; noticing its slight tremble, I grinned, content she was safe.

　　"How did you do that?" Damien assessed; I could hear the bafflement in his voice and the pride he tried so hard to disguise. 

　　"You're not the only one with abilities, D! If you let me out more, maybe you would know that!" I complained, turning my attention back to the wolf kneeling before Abbi. 

　　"Keep her safe!" I ordered, turning my attention back to the stirring wolf. Tilting my head to the side and observing it like a monster would eye its prey! 

　　"This one... pissed me off!" I admitted to Damien but left out that the reason I wanted to taste its blood was that it had interrupted Abbi and me from connecting, not as Damien and Red but as Ares and Abbi! It had interrupted her potentially accepting me like she had Archer! It stole the one thing I craved more than anything right now! Her love! 

　　Overwhelmed by the prospect of not getting another chance with her,  I let the anger I felt brewing run rampant, grinning, seeing the mist surrounding us go from purple to red with each punch I landed on the fuckers already mangled face. Unwilling to stop until I beat him to an unrecognisable bloody pulp. 

　　Finally, surrendering to the madness of the shadows.

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