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He’d sensed her approaching, her and one of her brothers, as he stood before Brandon and the child, but he hadn’t let himself look at her. Even now, he couldn’t do that, because if he did, his mind would replay what she’d told him just minutes ago.
“The girl,” he said in a tight voice. A cool wind, rich and earthy with the promise of fall, slid over his naked body, reminding him he’d shifted in public. As a rule, Therians tried to avoid such things when possible. He didn’t give a shit if he’d terrified humans the world over when they saw him shift forms. Nor did he care that he was utterly naked as he walked over to the man now huddled on the pavement and clutching his knees to his chest.
“She’s fine.” A man’s voice—the human part of his brain that could still function on a logical level told him it was Saint.
When Niko dragged in a breath of air, he could scent the girl, behind him now and likely in her mother’s arms. Saint was also there and Niko could scent the magic in his blood that had let the Therian male do what he’d done earlier. Fae magic, prickling over Niko’s skin.
“Get up,” he said in a low voice.
Brandon’s limbs seemed to fight him as he went to obey, making his movements awkward and ungainly.
Somebody unceremoniously threw a duffel down in front of Niko. Etan, another one of Zee’s brothers stepped forward to place himself in Niko’s line of sight, close to Brandon. “I’ll stand over him while you pull some clothes on, Prime.”
Niko gave a sharp nod and grabbed the duffel. His inner animals didn’t give a damn about his naked ass being on view for the world to see—the beasts wanted blood and pain from the man who’d betrayed his pack by attempting to harm a child—the man who had dared to harm Zee.
Yet the instincts that made him Prime rose to the fore and reminded him of who he was, who the world needed to see when they saw him.
It took only seconds to find a shirt and loose athletic pants in the bag. The scent marked them as Etan’s and his wolf curled his lip in irritation, but it faded as he dragged on the garments, giving him the needed veneer of civility.
Never looking away from the still-cowering traitor on the ground, he forced his rigid muscles to unclench, forced the raging beasts in him to remain calm.
Zee had her back to him and he walked over to her, covering the back of her neck with his hand. Her hair was in the way and he shoved it back impatiently, needing the feel of her skin against his, even if only for a few seconds.
A subtle tremor went through her but she didn’t look away from Brandon.
“Th—thank you.”
The broken voice, thick with tears, forced him to face the human woman.
“Don’t thank me,” he said, throttling his rage and tempering his voice. “It was one of mine who threatened your child. That puts this on me.”
The woman blinked big brown eyes and clutched her daughter close. “You protected her. Thank you.”
There was no point in arguing with her. Humans didn’t understand Therian ways. He gave a short nod. “Take your child and go. I must... deal with this. He won’t ever be a threat to her again or another child again.”
With that, he dismissed her and focused on Brandon.
Saint, still standing close to the human woman and her child, led them away, speaking softly.
Alone now, save for Zee and Etan, and the coward quivering before him, he stepped closer to Brandon. Rage twisted and tore at his guts. Under it though, there was a crushing sense of betrayal—his father had told him it would be like this if and when one of his own betrayed the bonds between them.
Once more, he put his hand on Zee’s neck, feeling her warmth and strength, letting it temper some of his rage.
Brandon hung his head, shoulders rounded and slumped forward in defeat. He shuddered from head to toe. With every move Niko made, Brandon flinched.
The smell of his fear made the great cat inside Niko purr in satisfaction. He fisted his hand against the press of claws that demanded release.
“Zee.”
She moved closer, one hand coming up to rest on his back. He breathed easier when she slid her hand under the hem of his shirt and placed her palm flat against his skin, her thumb moving in slow, calming circles.
“Where is your car?” he asked.
If the question surprised her, she didn’t show. “A few lanes up and over.”
“Get it, please. Bring it here.”
She hesitated. It seemed almost... natural for him to sense her in the back of his mind. They’d shared a bond like that once—before he’d broken it. Feeling her again soothed the raging monsters inside him that demanded blood. Looking away from Brandon to meet her gaze, he said softly, “I’m not going to kill him while you’re gone.”
