Page 47

“Theo?”

“Yeah?”

“What if Knox’s plan could work? What if he could buy the land…”

Theo laughed low and disbelieving.

“Don’t bother getting your hopes up about that, Fee. It’s an impossible plan. My brother doesn’t have any money, and thinking the Highlanders will help us out?” He laughed again but there was nothing joyful in the sound. “There’s no fucking way.”

“Yeah but⁠—”

“There’s no way, Fee. I’m telling you.”

She fumed quietly at his back as he walked. This was why she had to keep up the lies. This was why she had to stall him. He wouldn’t even listen to the possibilities!

Stupid, stubborn werewolf.

There was a low growl behind her as though she’d summoned the creature just by thinking about it. But this werewolf wasn’t her friend.

Fee did a double take. The wolf was a sleek black beast with golden eyes. Eyes that were currently trained on her face.

Time slowed down. The wind in the trees went silent, the snow falling quietly to the ground. She didn’t react. Didn’t scream or cry out or try to scramble to safety. She just stood, rooted to the spot.

But somehow he knew.

Theo, as a beautiful, white and copper wolf, appeared at her side.

Rafe was obviously a savage. Or so Theo had thought when he’d found out his brother had murdered three wolves, but now that he was staring down the wolf threatening his … Phoebe … his brother’s actions seemed perfectly justified. Inevitable, in fact.

Theo knew without a shadow of a doubt that if this wolf touched a hair on Fee’s beautiful head, he would tear him apart. It was as simple as that. And it was nice for something to be simple for once. Life or death. Kill or be killed. It was easier than weeding through his feelings for Fee and hers for him. This he remembered how to do. He growled low in his throat. A warning.

Fee held tight to the scruff behind his neck as though she could hold him back. Nothing could hold him back.

The creature in front of them was huge, bigger than Theo, with long fangs protruding from his jaw. An ugly son of a bitch. No one Theo knew. Highlander. He flicked his gaze between Fee and Theo like he was confused. Like he hadn’t expected to find Theo here. This wolf had thought he’d found a woman alone in the woods and that she would be the perfect next victim. But now he hesitated.

Theo growled again, baring his fangs, and the other wolf snarled in return. But he didn’t move any closer.

“Theo…” Fee’s voice was a low warning. She didn’t want him to fight. She’d never wanted him to fight. But this bastard was threatening her.

And she was his.

He pounced, knocking the surprised wolf off-balance.

“Theo! Don’t!”

Phoebe’s voice sounded like it was miles away. Distant. Scared. Angry. He ignored it.

The wolf regained his footing and charged at Theo. It had been a long time since he’d been in the ring with his brothers, or anyone for that matter. He was slow. Soft. He tried to dodge the wolf’s leap, but he didn’t make it in time. He fell to the dirt.

Somewhere Fee was screaming.

The wolf snarled in his face, and for a second, Theo really wished they were humans. He wished he could just ask this asshole what the fuck was going on. But a growl was the best he could do.

A growl and a headbutt that sent the bigger wolf staggering off Theo’s body. Theo’s own head was ringing but he got up and faced him again. The other wolf seemed to be losing the motivation to fight. He’d thought Phoebe was an easy target. He hadn’t expected Theo.

The wolf backed off with a low growl and this time Theo let him go. He watched the wolf disappear into the woods before he finally shifted back into his human form. He turned to find Fee watching him.

“Are you alright?” he asked, walking toward her, still panting from the fight. He tugged on his jeans and his coat.