If I had been wearing shoes, maybe I would’ve done more damage. Still, my heel connects with the bridge of his nose.
Maybe the bone cracks, but I can’t hear it. Not over the roar of the motorcycles.
Bikes circle us, and I’m about to sob in relief at the sight of familiar faces.
But when my mind connects names to the riders, my hope melts into despair.
The Bear Valley pack has come.
55
RODERICK
Even over theroar of engines, I hear her scream.
I’m already pushing my bike as fast as it’ll go, but I lean low over the front bars, hoping to somehow urge the machine to a higher speed.
Up ahead, I spot a collection of bikes stopped on the road. Normally, the sight would comfort me. But these aren’t Dark Moon Riders. And from their circle, I hear Juliet scream again.
My wolf writhes in my chest, enraged at the sound of our love in distress.
Heads turn as we draw closer. They don’t move to leave. I don’t know why they’re here.
All I know is that they are in between me and the woman I love.
Once close enough, I don’t bother to stop my bike or turn off the engine. I simply launch myself from it, charging the line of bikers. Multiple faces go slack with shock, but make no move to attack. Yet.
I vault over the line, landing in the middle of the circle. The center of the space holds Juliet, who is grappling with a bloody, naked man.
Cory.
Dead.
Digging my fingers into the back of his neck, I wrench him off her, then toss him away, sending the wolf flying a good ten feet.
Juliet gasps in surprise, staring up at me with wild eyes.
“I’m here.” My voice is low with growls as I crouch over her, my wolf just under the surface.
Protect her. Kill them all.
My urge is to gather Juliet in my arms, hold her close, and breathe her in. But she just finished grappling with one man. I’m not sure she’s ready to be touched.
Then Juliet’s hand juts forward, wrapping in the material of my T-shirt.
“I’m sorry,” she says.
I cup her face, frantically scanning her body for injuries. “For what?”
“This.” She glances around at the gathered wolves. “It’s my fault. I should have told you.”
If she didn’t tell me, it’s because she didn’t trust me.
But I don’t hold that against her, not when I now face the horrific evidence of her past.
“Jameson.” The deep voice speaking my name pulls my attention away from Juliet. The leader of the Bear Valley pack dismounts from his bike.
“Mick,” I snarl back, the menace clear in my voice. Just the way I want it to be.
