Startled, I reacted quickly and cracked my hand across his face, sending him flying to the side. He flew over the island and hit his head on the overhanging pot rack, sending a couple pots and pans clattering to the marble countertop as he slumped onto the floor, holding his bleeding head and groaning. I wasn't even sure how I had done it, but he was running at me so fast that when I slapped him he kept his momentum going- just in the wrong direction.
Suki gaped, a drop of water falling out of her mouth.
There was a loud commotion outside, and a horde of werewolves burst in. Aster, four wolves I didn't recognize, and Elaine all showed up from different directions. Aster had blood dripping down his chin, probably from the hunt, and his hair was standing on end. He looked at me, fear in his eyes, then he saw the werewolf slumped next to the island, still moaning loudly in pain.
Elaine gave me a look that asked "did you do that?" and all I could do was nod stiffly. I didn't know whether to freak out or celebrate. I mean, for all I knew he was going to jump up at any moment and beat the crap out of me. That wouldn't be good. I grabbed Suki's hand again and started walking towards the basement door, my posture rigid and my shoulders hunched.
"Hey, wait," a girl said.
I looked over my shoulder. "Huh?"
"Did you do that? Did you just knock out Umbridge?"
I glanced at him awkwardly. "Uhm... yeah. I think so."
Aster's fists were clenched at his sides. His gaze was dark. "Why- how- did you- I mean, he's- but- how?!"
I shrugged, trying to keep my face nonchalant, but my posture was evident to the other wolves that I was either terrified or angry. They didn't need to know which one. "He was making fun of Suki. Then he jumped at us. I didn't know if he was going to attack me or her, so I kind of threw him across the island and now he's there."
The girl shook her head in awe. "Hah! How about that, alpha? The newbie's moving up in ranks. And Umbridge just went down a peg or two." She gave me a thumbs-up and a coy grin. "Nice job, newbie. The fight sounds sick."
"Abby, now is not the time," spat Aster.
She shrugged. "Whatever. I'm going to go help them bring the meat into the shed." She winked at me. "Better do the same to Aster when he tries punishing you for incapacitating one of his best men." She left, still cackling loudly as she disappeared from view. Eventually, everyone but Elaine and Aster filed out.
Aster's face was like thunder. "What did you do?"
"I don't get why you're mad. He tried to attack me, so I fought back."
Aster grit his teeth. "Why did he attack?"
I shuffled my feet. "He called Suki a brat and told her to leave the kitchen because he wanted to 'get a snack'. I told him to wait until she finished her glass of water and he got all huffy and lunged at me. So I slapped him. I don't know why you're so upset about this."
Aster pinched the bridge of his nose. "Because you provoked him. Umbridge is much higher than you in rank, do you understand that? And much, much higher than Suki. I want my wolves to treat each other with respect, but that doesn't mean you can disrupt the order. When you beat someone like that, you take whatever rung of the ladder they were on. Which means that now you're middle-class in the pack. That's not good."
"Why?"
"Because now you're going to be viewed as one of the strong wolves in the pack."
Elaine frowned. "With all due respect, Alpha, Red is one of the stronger wolves. He dragged one of those tires across the clearing with only one hand for the kids to play in. He's much tougher than he looks. Just wait until he shifts for the first ti-"
"Enough, Elaine," he growled in a cold tone. "Take Suki. I'm going to deal with Red in my quarters." He snapped his fingers, and everyone winced, including me. I bowed my head like my Wolf told me to. The fight was gone from my belly, and now the Wolf felt ashamed. I followed Aster out of the kitchen, and let him lead me to his room.