Page 38 of Hunter

Julian wrapped his arms around her, and she fell into his embrace. Home. Tears rolled from her eyes, the comfort of family. He’d been everything growing up, and her separation from Julian had broken her heart.

“Goddess, I can’t let you go again even if I wanted to. This has to end. We’ll find a way,” he assured her.

“No more running for us. No more hiding.”

Julian was back in her life under the most unexpected circumstances. Willa reined in her emotions, swallowing a gentle sob. As she clung to him, she never heard the creak of the door.

“What in the hell? Step away from the female or you die,” she heard Hunter growl. Waves of his anger rolled through her as if they were her own. She startled, breaking free of the embrace. She threw herself in front of Julian, shielding him from the feral Alpha.

“He’s not hurting me,” she told Hunter, defiantly glaring at him.

“I don’t care what he’s doing. No male should be touching my…”

Willa’s stomach flipped as his words lingered. No, don’t say it , she inwardly willed. Her pulse raced. This is not happening….not in front of Julian.

“Your what?” Julian asked, his voice equally terse. “You just met her. She’s nothing to you.”

“She’s my responsibility. Whoever you are…”

“A friend,” she lied. “He’s a friend.”

Hunter’s heated stare painted over both of them, his face tensed in anger. “I don’t care what he is. You’re mine and I want him away from you.” He cocked his head, studying Julian. “Lying doesn’t become you, doctor. This wolf is more than a friend. Who he is I don’t know yet, but I don’t care. He’s not staying here. I should have never made the mistake of leaving you alone with him.”

“I told you I know him. That’s reason enough. Besides, you can’t tell me what to do.” Willa released a pensive sigh. “Look, I appreciate you saving me, but you can’t start telling me who I can and can’t see.”

“I don’t have time to play games. Over a dozen vampires were killed and we’ve got significant human casualties. The one wolf who knows where his buddies are is dead by my own hands. And now this. You in his arms. I won’t have it.”

“What is wrong with you? Just because we had sex, that doesn’t give you the right to…” Her voice trailed to silence, inwardly cringing at her choice of words.

“Did you just say you had sex with this asshole?” Julian asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“I…it was just. Julian, don’t…” Willa stammered.

“You fucking touched her!” Julian lunged for the Alpha.

Willa’s heart pounded as he charged forward, ramming Hunter against a wall. The Alpha shoved him away, flipping him around and strangling an arm around his neck.

“No,” she screamed. “Don’t hurt him. Please.”

“You wanna challenge me? Do you? I’ve already killed one wolf today.” Hunter tightened his hold as the wolf flailed, attempting to break free.

Willa rushed to the Alpha from behind. She gripped his arms, but they wouldn’t budge. “Please. I’m begging you to stop. Don’t do this,” she pleaded. If Julian released his power, he could kill Hunter.

“Who is he to you? Your friend? Your lover?” The Alpha tightened his hold.

“He’s not my…”

“Your what?”

“Julian.” Willa sucked back a sob, releasing her grip. As she shoved away, her reddened eyes locked on Hunter’s. “You can’t kill him.” He could kill you first.

The Alpha refused to release him as Julian continued to struggle. “Why is this wolf so important? If he’s not your lover…”

“He’s my brother,” she confessed.

“What did you just say?” The Alpha loosened his grip, and Julian sucked an audible breath of air.

“My brother,” Willa repeated, her voice shaking. “Irmão.”