Page 109 of The Secret Mate Society

Jake Harrison.

"See what you make me do?"Jake said, letting go of Ethan’s neck and stroking his hair."I don't want to hurt you, baby.I just need you to understand.We're meant to be together.The mate bond doesn't lie."

"The mate bond is with Calder," Ethan wheezed, his voice hoarse."Not you.It was never you."

Jake's expression twisted with fury.Then he took another breath before pressing his lips against Ethan’s neck, his hands sliding lower on Ethan’s body.“Then I guess it’s time we wipe that alpha from your mind forever."

The rage that exploded through me was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.My wolf howled for blood, for vengeance, for the death of the creature daring to touch what was mine.I felt my bones begin to crack and reform, my control slipping as the beast inside me demanded freedom.

Jake's head snapped toward the door, those yellow eyes finding mine even through the narrow opening.He smiled, slow and predatory.

"There you are," he said calmly, his voice carrying easily across the barn."I was wondering how long it would take you to figure it out.You’re just in time to watch me replace you."

I shoved the door open, stepping inside.Every muscle in my body was coiled tight, ready to spring."Get your fucking hands off of him, Jake."

“Now why would I do that?”His fingers drifted down, caressing Ethan’s chest.“He’s just so…soft.”

A single claw pricked Ethan’s flesh and I heard him gasp.Blood welled up around Jake’s finger before he brought it to his lips, making a show of licking it clean.

“Don’tfuckingtouch him!”I cried, surging forward a few steps.Already my body was growing, the Alpha wolf inside me straining against my clothes.

“If it’s a fight you want,” Jake said, turning to face me, his body growing in response to mine.His voice deepened as his eyes went yellow.“Then it’s a fight you’ll get.”

I barely had time to process Jake's transformation before my own body exploded into motion.My clothes shredded as bones cracked and reformed, muscle and sinew stretching as fur erupted across my skin.The change to my Alpha form had never been faster, fueled by pure rage and the desperate need to protect my mate.

Jake's shift mirrored mine, his human form giving way to the massive beast I'd seen in the alley.His fur was matted and dark, patches missing where old wounds had scarred.He washuge—larger than any werewolf I'd encountered—but I didn't care.He'd touched what wasmine.

I launched myself at him, claws extended, a roar tearing from my throat that shook the barn's rafters.Jake met my charge head-on, and we collided with enough force to splinter the wooden floor beneath us.His jaws snapped inches from my throat as I twisted away, raking my claws across his shoulder.

Blood sprayed, black in the dim light.Jake howled and threw me off, sending me crashing into a stack of hay bales.I scrambled to my feet, shaking off the impact, my eyes never leaving him.

"Calder!"Ethan's voice cut through the haze of violence.I could hear the terror in it, the desperation.

I wanted to go to him, to free him from those ropes and get him to safety.But Jake was already circling back around, positioning himself between me and my mate.His lips pulled back in a grotesque approximation of a smile, revealing blood-stained fangs.

He lunged again, faster this time.I barely managed to sidestep, feeling his claws graze my ribs.Pain flared hot and sharp, but I channeled it into fury.I spun and caught his hind leg in my jaws, biting down hard until I felt bone crack.

Jake's shriek was inhuman, echoing off the barn walls.He twisted with a snarl, his teeth finding purchase in my shoulder.I felt them sink deep, tearing through muscle, and had to fight not to let go of his leg.

We were locked together, a tangle of fur and fangs and blood.The space heater toppled in our struggle, its orange glow snuffed momentarily by the straw.However, it was only a matter of seconds before flames began to lick up the sides of the heater and spread.I knew I should let go of Jake and put the fire out before it got out of control.But that wasn’t an option.Through growls, blood, and fury I watched the orange glow get brighter and brighter.

The barn was on fire and the clock to save my mate was ticking.

I released Jake's leg and lunged backward, my eyes darting between him and Ethan.The flames were spreading fast, feeding on the dry straw scattered across the floor.Smoke was already beginning to fill the upper reaches of the barn, and I could see Ethan straining against his bonds, coughing as the acrid air reached him.

Jake limped on his injured leg but didn't seem deterred by either the wound or the fire.If anything, the flames reflected in his yellow eyes made him look even more demented.He circled me slowly, favoring his good leg, blood dripping from where I'd crushed bone.

"You think you can save him?"Jake snarled, his voice distorted by his wolf form."He'll burn before you can reach him.And you'll burn once I’m done with you."

I couldn't let that happen.I wouldn't.

I feinted left, then dove right, using my superior speed to slip past Jake's guard.My claws found purchase on the support beam where Ethan was tied, and I began tearing at the ropes with desperate efficiency.The hemp was thick, designed to hold livestock, but my claws were sharper.

Jake crashed into me from the side before I could finish, his full weight bearing us both to the ground.We rolled through burning straw, the flames singeing my fur, the pain barely registering through my adrenaline.His jaws snapped at my throat again, and I had to use both hands to shove his head away, claws digging into his muzzle.

"Calder!"Ethan screamed, and I heard real panic in his voice now.The fire was climbing the walls, spreading across the ancient ceiling beams.

I couldn't waste any more time on Jake.I brought my hind legs up and kicked with all my strength, sending him flying backward into a burning hay bale.He howled as the flames caught on his matted fur, rolling frantically to extinguish them.