“Beck, I don’t think this is the best place for us to take care of business.”
I stumbled when the man named Beck released me, shoving the one who’d just spoken against the wall. “Are you questioning my leadership, Raul?”
Claws erupted from Raul’s fingers. “Get the fuck off me, Beck. I’m pointing out the fact that we should just take the bitch back to the hotel and have some fun with her.”
“I agree with jackass, for once. Let’s just simmer down. We can take the chew toy and play with her for a while.”
Beck released Raul. “Kristof, go get the van and take Raul with you while Dean and I get acquainted with our toy. Call Marcus and have him get word to her brother. I want him to sweat knowing his baby sister is with us, and there’s nothing he can do.” He turned his cold gaze back to me, licking his lips. “I was just going to kill you and leave you for Xan to find, but plans have changed.”
“Over my dead fucking body, asshole,” I snarled, unsheathing my claws.
Chapter Two
The door to the bar opened and slammed shut.
“I don’t think the lady wants to go with you.”
“Be a smart man and go back inside where it’s safe. I won’t give you another chance.” Beck turned his back on me.
Seeing my opportunity, I nailed Dean in the nuts with my knee and swiped him across the throat with my claws. The wound would be deep enough to immobilize him without killing the fucker, I hoped. I wasn’t sure how long it would take for Raul and the others to return with the van, but since the parking lot wasn’t huge, I assumed it would be minutes at most.
Beck turned at the sound of Dean’s gasp. “You stupid cunt.”
The animalistic growl he let out scared me more than the thought of what my brother would say if I exposed what we were to humans.
“I’ve already called 911. I suggest you pick your buddy up and go.” The man from the hallway started walking toward us, cell phone in hand, bringing Beck’s attention back to him.
“Run,” I yelled.
The sound of an approaching vehicle had me sprinting away from the downed wolf and the open drive, putting me closer to Beck. An enraged werewolf was unpredictable, but I couldn’t allow him to hurt a human. Xan and Kellen had made sure Syn and I had trained with their best fighters, and while I knew I didn’t have the strength to take on a group of shifters, I prayed I was able to hold my own against one.
Beck had his back to me, but I could see he, too, had done a partial shift and was facing the gorgeous human. The thought of him harming the man was not something I was willing to allow. Using his distraction, I went low and took out his feet with a swift kick. Man and wolf tended to underestimate me because I was small and acted docile. Beck was no exception.
“Aw, fuck,” the human rumbled.
At the same time, I felt the air stir. Our window of opportunity had passed, and the other wolves had returned.
“Go back inside and find Syn Styles. Have the DJ call for her. Tell her what’s happened. Go. Now.” I rocked on the balls of my feet, pushing him toward the door with my back to his front.
He snorted. “Sure thing, gorgeous. Just as soon as unicorns fly by.” His big hand came around me, trying to switch our positions.
I wanted to snuggle into him. I also wanted to shove him through the door and into safety. As Beck got back to his feet and the others helped the downed wolf to the van, I thought they were going to leave. Beck sprang at us with all the speed and strength of a full-grown werewolf on a rampage. I placed myself in front of the human, knowing I could regenerate faster than he could. His hand came around me, trying again to place me behind him.
I watched in horror as Beck brought his paw up, claws extended, hitting me with the full force of his strength on the side of my head. I flew across the pavement, head slamming into the concrete wall, making stars appear before my eyes.
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but it wasn’t to see my guy ready to take on a shifter. Whoa, slow your roll. I didn’t even know his name. The hit to my head must have done something to my brain.
Seeing the other two men return to their vehicle, I picked myself up. My main goal was to help the man, and I hopewe got out alive. Surely, Syn was looking for me by now? The last thought gave me pause. My best friend would never have allowed me to be gone for so long unless something had happened to her, too.
I let more of my wolf out, hearing seams rip and not caring that I was ruining a favorite pair of jeans.
I swore when the beautiful woman was thrown against the building. Fear for her safety had sent me outside to check on her; seeing her being manhandled by the obnoxious man who needed a shower sealed the deal. I’d come to the bar to get a drink or two and get laid. Looked like I was going to get into a fight and need more than a few bottles of alcohol to erase the images of what I was seeing. Nine, maybe ten-inch nails extended out of the man’s fingers, and the last time I’d checked, humans didn’t have that much hair, let alone fur, and the guy didn’t have either on his body earlier. In all my training, the wars I’d fought, not a single foe compared to what I was facing.
“What the fuck are you?” I asked, thinking I should’ve brought my gun from my truck.
Three men advanced on me, looking more like something out of American Werewolf in London.
“You should’ve stayed inside like a good boy,” the half-man growled.
