Page 34 of To Be Claimed


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I keep mulling over the words whispered by my pup’s predators: rightful pack. The wretched creatures were planning on stealing the Alpha’s new mate. Devin’s mate. My crimson lips that match my nails kick up into a smirk once again. Their plan went to shit when their cars wouldn’t start and they ended up stuck in this boring-ass town. Reaching into my studded black leather clutch, I pull out two spark plugs and toss them into a dingy trash can on the deserted sidewalk. The clunk ricochets down the alley, almost in rhythm with the sound of their steps coming closer and closer.

Initially I thought about cutting their brake lines, but they were planning on following my pup’s pack and I wasn’t sure how that would turn out. I wanted to play with him, after all, and I wasn’t about to let some rent-a-pack pricks wreck my night.

Wiping a touch of engine grease down the side of the brick wall, I walk slowly, not stalking, simply waiting. Control is divine. And tonight, every bit of control is mine. My heels click against the broken asphalt beneath me as I wait, my pace turning slower and slower.

I perk up as I hear the sound of the “rightful pack” to my right. A sarcastic huff leaves me as they say it again. “Rightful pack.” My long lashes flutter shut as I listen close. My pup’s shuffling somewhere behind me, maybe a mile back on my left, no doubt following my scent. It seems his enemies have a new target. My smirk morphs into an all-out grin. All their muttering makes it sound like they’ve set their sights on me this time.

“He must be following his mate.”

“Get her first.”

“We’ll use her to get to him. And then him to get to the pack.”

Oh, those sweet foolish men. My fangs peek out ever so slightly as I bite down on my bottom lip, grateful they’ve finally put two and two together. How adorable that it only took them hours and not days. I can only hope Vince’s pack, the one Devin has sovereignty over, isn’t full of idiots like this one is.

Humming, I tap absently at the railing before piercing my nail through the metal and gouging a long scratch into it as I walk to the end of the bar. The odds are low they know I’m a vampire. Their hastily arranged plan is careless. With the element of surprise on my side, it’ll be easy for me to take each one of them on my own. It’s been too damn long since I’ve been able to release this pent-up energy. And so much longer since I’ve been able to drink my fill. My tongue grazes the sharp fang slightly puncturing my bottom lip.

To my right is a dark alley. The pack waits there, the ones who are determined to get revenge by scooping up their enemies’ mates. My eyes roll at their pathetic plan.

To my left is a winding dirt road sheltered in a dense forest. My panting pup chose to take that route so I wouldn’t see him following me around, the silly little thing. Well … not so little.

When these werewolves meet up, I’m sure blood will be shed. Four on one isn’t the best odds for my pup, although I’m interested in seeing how he’d fare. We’re in human territory, though. My lips purse at the thought; the coven will be pissed if I allow it. Not to mention the Authority.

I’ve never been much for the outdoors and seeing as how I’m in heels, I think I’ll head to my right. I wanted to have a little fun tonight anyway.

The only thing I’m not quite sure of is how much fun I’ll get to have before my pup catches up to me.

* * *

Vince

The alley is narrow and my clothing snags on the rough brick as I rush through to the other end. Hastily emerging from the shadows, my hoodie’s torn to shreds so I rip it off and leave it. The white Henley stretched tight across my chest has a small tear running across my abs and is stained with blood. That’s what I get from running recklessly through the wooded trails. I’ve already healed, though, and I don’t give a fuck. The scowl on my face, clenched fists, and white-hot anger pouring off me in waves complete the image of a pissed-the-fuck-off werewolf. If I could contain my anger to avoid scaring my mate I would, but I can’t. Four large frames are arranged in a loose semicircle at the end of the alley.

They have her surrounded.

I’ve never felt fear like I do now. Even more so, I’ve never felt rage as I do now.

My fists clench so hard that the skin on my knuckles tears and blood seeps from the self-induced wounds. A low growl of warning rips through my chest, reverberating in the air. All four of them lift their heads immediately, their eyes widening and mouths parting in either shock or an attempt to speak.

I don’t give the fuckers a chance to say a damn thing.

As I hurl my body toward them, I release my wolf, morphing into a beast of violence. Bones contort; fur emerges. The burning sensation and cracking in my ears fuel my desire to destroy. I’m fully wolf before all four paws land on the cold, hard ground. Snarling, I’m only vaguely aware of how this may frighten my mate. This isn’t how I’d planned on meeting her, on telling her who I am and what she means to me.

Regret doesn’t have a moment to linger. For now, I allow the fury to consume every thought and action, consequences be dammed. One of the four assholes attempts to shift, but he’s too slow as I immediately go for his throat. His claws dig into my shoulders, slicing through the tender flesh and scraping at the bone as my jaws sink into his throat, piercing his jugular and causing hot gushes of dirty blood to fill my mouth. I barely feel a damn thing. A low snarl leaves me as his body goes limp and I turn to the other three.

My eyes flicker with shock and then pride as I take in the scene. My sexy mate’s knees are crossed with her thighs wrapped around the neck of a man who must be human, judging by his inability to shift. I don’t have time to question what a human is doing with these werewolves as she flings her body toward the ground, silently and effortlessly. Tossing his large frame in the air, he lands hard on his back with her sitting on his chest. The crack of his bones echoes in the alley as she peeks up at me.

Holy fuck.

My gaze is locked on her as she lashes at his throat, slicing it with a small knife nestled between her knuckles. Her expression is that of a ruthless predator. Her perfectly pinned bun has fallen, leaving her black curls to cascade gently down her back. Confidence and power radiate from her small frame as she turns, still crouched on his chest. Her dark red, plump lips part as she lifts her head and hisses at the remaining shifters, revealing long white fangs that reflect the light of the moon.

The shifters stumble back, mouths gaped, but before they’re able to turn and run she quickly flings her hand outward, sending two blades flying. The first lands in one man’s back, effectively paralyzing him and his limp body instantly sinks to the ground, crashing against the cement. With nothing to break his fall, blood flows freely from his broken nose, pooling around his face. The other blade is lodged in the last shifter’s neck. As his hands fly up to his neck, my mate, my vampire mate, sends more blades darting through the air in a rhythmic dance, pinning his hands to the base of his throat. Blood spurts from his jugular. The sight is violent and bloody, brutal and efficient. As the shifter struggles to breathe, landing hard on his knees and coughing up blood, my mate saunters over casually and twists the knives while ripping them out. His dead eyes stare at nothing as blood forms a puddle around him and his face flattens against the brick.

Noticeably catching her breath, her chest rises and falls and I’m given a moment to admire her. A vampire. My mate is paranormal, not human. There will be so much less to explain.

With dark red blood splattered on her blouse, her heels click as she strides to the other shifter, who’s limp yet conscious. With my hackles settling, I prowl closer, but give her the room she obviously desires. Squatting, my gaze is captured by her leather skirt sliding up her leg, revealing a black lacy garter belt holding up her thigh highs. She is the sight of deadly beauty. Still in wolf form, I groan with lust and desire. I move to shift, but her dark eyes find mine and her lips part as she says,

“Stay. I want to feel you … like this. I want to see you up close.”

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