Page 35 of Hunter

“Stop,” Willa cried. She should have been calm. Played it cool. But as her feet carried her to him, her heart raced.

“Willamina?” he asked, blood dripping from his lip.

“Irmão,” she cried. Tears spilled down her face. It had been years since she’d seen him in person.

“What are you doing?” Hunter rushed toward Willa. He reached for her and attempted to lift her onto her feet, but she batted him off, caressing her palm over the cheek of the rogue wolf. “What are you doing? This man killed a wolf tonight.”

“No, no…” she repeated. Willa had known him her entire life. “If he hurt anyone, it would be for good reason.”

Her gaze drifted to the other man who leered at her.

“I see the bitch got her some Alpha dick. Hope you enjoyed it because you’re goin’ back to Hell soon,” he spat at her.

“Fuck you,” Willa screamed. With her heart pounding, she jumped to her feet and swung her fist at him, landing it square on his jaw. Blood sprayed in the air, his head thrashing to the side. As she went to punch him a second time, firm hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her away.

“We need to question him first, Willa,” the Alpha told her.

“No, he’s mine. None of the rest of you will touch him.”

“They don’t know about you, Princess.” A diabolical, bloodstained grin flashed across the rogue’s face.

“I’m going to kill you,” Willa threatened as she attempted to break free. “Let me go this instant. I have every right to kill him.”

“Nah, bitch. None of youse is going to have the pleasure. I’m goin’ to Hell and none of you gonna stop me.”

“You’re going to die,” Willa screamed, lunging toward him. But she was no match for the Alpha as he tightened his grip.

The wolf broke free of the others, shifting before they had a chance to grab him. Hunter immediately released Willa and transformed, his dominant black wolf snatching the enemy by its neck.

Viktor flashed behind her, instantly restraining her from going after the rogue. “No!!!”

Without hesitation, the Alpha clamped his jaw upon the wolf’s neck and violently shook it, tearing away a chunk of its flesh. Blood sprayed into the air as he thrashed its dead body from side to side.

The Alpha spat the corpse from his mouth and circled around to face the pack of men who had gathered. He gave a victorious howl into the crisp morning air, a warning to any rogues that their death would come next.

Willa’s heart pounded in her chest, both grateful he’d killed her attacker but angry he’d deprived her of justice, wanting to kill him herself. The sight of his spectacular strength, the dead wolf at his feet, called to her beast. Alpha. The word resonated through her as if he’d spoken it out loud.

Her focus shifted to the man on his knees. She wrenched away from Viktor and fell to the ground at his side.

“Julian.”

“Willamina. We’ve got to get out of here. What are you doing here with this pack?”

“She’s mine.” The Alpha transformed, towering over them.

The dominant tone of his voice sent shivers through Willa, but she concealed her reaction. “Let him go. I know this wolf. He’s not capable of whatever you are accusing him of doing.”

“I’m plenty capable,” Julian challenged. “I restrained this asshole who just had his throat rearranged. I was on my way to bring him to the Alpha when meat head over here,” he glanced at Remus, “and his goons decided to attack me. What are you doing with this guy, anyway?”

“Julian. Give me a minute.” Willa lifted her gaze to meet Hunter’s hard stare. “Trust me. Hunter. Alpha.” She lowered her eyes. “I swear to you on my life. I know him. He’s a good man. Please release him. I need to talk to him now.” She turned her head and glared at Remus. “Alone.”

“What are you doing here? Oh Goddess…look at your face.” Willa reached for Julian, gently touching the red welt on his lip.

“It’s nothing. I’ll shift and I’ll be fine.” He winced and batted her fingers away.

“But you’re hurt.”

Julian sniffed and went still, his eyes trained on hers. “You’re different.”