“We’re good.”I scan him, and my stomach sinks.“You’re not.”
Blood is leaking from a bullet hole in his shoulder.“I’m fine.It’s a scratch.”
“Can you stay with my mate?Keep her safe?”
“Of course.”Russo nods.“Where are you going?”
“I promised her I would always protect her.I need to finish this.”I look down, smoothing Landry’s hair away from her face.“Stay here.I’ll be right back.”
“Wait!Where are you going?”
“I’m going to keep my promise to you,” I say firmly.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m going to kill every single person who had anything to do with kidnapping you,” I growl.
I see the fear flash in her eyes and wonder if I should stay to comfort her, but my wolf is screaming at me to help my pack.
“Stay put, mate.I’ll be back.”
I kiss her forehead and head back to fight with my friends.
Kill them all,my wolf roars.
I grin darkly.
I will.Now they learn what happens when monsters find out they aren’t the most dangerous thing in the woods.
10
Landry
The screams carrythrough the trees.
I flinch every time.
They’re distant, but not distant enough.Not enough to pretend I don’t know what’s happening down there.Not enough to pretend Cooper isn’t in the middle of it.
My Cooper, my wolf.The man who kissed me like I was precious, then left with murder in his eyes because someone hurt me.
I wrap my arms tighter around myself, trying not to shake.
Russo stands a few feet away, his massive body turned toward the sounds of fighting.He’s in human form again, blood streaking his side and one arm, but he doesn’t seem bothered by it.He keeps glancing between me and the trees like he’s trying to watch the battle and guard me at the same time.
“You should sit,” he says gently.
I shake my head.If I sit, I might fall apart.If I fall apart, I might not stop.
Another scream echoes in the distance.This one cuts off abruptly.
My stomach rolls.
I’ve never been someone who wished for death.Not really.Even after everything with the cult, even after the van and the fear and the dirty hands grabbing me, I don’t think I ever imagined actual murder and felt good about it.But now?Now I think about Cooper tearing through the men who took me, and something inside me feels horrifyingly calm.
Not happy, exactly, but safe.Loved.
That might be worse.
