Chapter 202

"I might surprise you," Paul said.

"Your only importance lies in your usefulness, Alpha. If you do not wish to be useful, then you and your wolves will cease to exist."

"The Neratomay does not control the Wolves," Paul said. "You don't give me orders. But if you make a request … then I might honor it."

The Ran-thing seemed to be at a loss for words. It regarded Paul, no doubt taking in his fearless stance. In the blink of an eye, the Ran-thing transformed into something formed of smoke and fire, and it gripped Paul by the throat. It didn't look like Ran any longer, yet it still had a recognizable human quality. Its teeth were real enough and so were the eyes that resembled red hot coals. I reached out to push it away from my husband, but my hands went through it.

Where was Ran's body?

"You think yourself stronger than us, werewolf?"

"Smarter," Paul growled, his face turning red with the strain of having his neck gripped by a demon fist. "Because now you just lost your allies."