Page 21 of His to Claim

The stranger crowded my space and even as I dodged to get around him, he pushed me hard against the wall. “Not good enough. I think you owe me and my friends an apology and a dance.”

I glanced down at his hand, hissing. “Get your hands off of me. You won’t like it if you don’t.”

“Oh, the little lady is a tiger,” he said, his grip tightening. “Do you know what happens to little fillies who try to take control?”

I was ready to knee him when a tremor rushed down the back of my legs. Stone. I would be able to sense his presence anywhere.

“I think you better do as the little filly says and take your hands off her,” Stone commanded.

The stranger snapped his head in Stone’s direction, chortling. “Yeah? Says who?”

I hadn’t even seen Stone’s hand move until his fingers were digging into the asshole’s neck, jerking him away from me and slamming him not once but twice against the wall. The force was enough that the entire hall seemed to rumble from his fury.

“Says a man who could break your neck with one slight twist of my hand,” Stone hissed, getting in the man’s face. He snarled in a way that was more animal than man.

The stranger tried to cough, the sound he emitted nothing but a harsh wheeze.

Even in the darkness, I was able to see Stone’s grip was even more forceful, completely cutting off the guy’s air supply.

“Stone. Don’t. He’s not worth it.” I wrapped my hand around Stone’s arm, keeping my tone soft. We’d drawn enough attention that everyone who’d filtered into the hallway stood back, gawking in silence.

Stone growled before slowly turning his head in my direction. My God. His eyes were glowing. “He. Hurt. You.”

The words echoed in the dense space and I was pulled in, unable to think clearly. The flecks of gold surrounding his irises were beautiful, but they couldn’t be real.

“I’m fine. Really.” I blinked several times, trying to focus on what I was seeing.

He seemed to be debating himself, returning his attention to the choking man. When he let go, the stranger slumped down, immediately scrambling to get away. Stone followed him to the doorway, his shoulders heaving. God, the man was furious.

“You didn’t have to do that. I can take care of myself, Stone. I told you before, you don’t own me.” I knew my words were biting. I was rattled, more so than I wanted to let on. There was something about the stranger that bolstered my fear, as if the three men had been sent to watch me.

Stone didn’t bother answering but when he turned his head, I sucked in my breath. After a few seconds, he simply walked back into the bar.

I took a deep breath, hugging my arms. In those moments, I could swear that Stone Keeler wasn’t human but a beast of the night.

Canine.

And I was utterly terrified.

CHAPTER4

Stone

Fuck.

I’d repeated the word ten times since returning to the bar, pushing the whiskey away. I hadn’t planned on running into Vanessa tonight or any other night for that matter. I wasn’t her protector, although I’d sensed she was in real danger the moment I’d noticed the assholes hovering near her. I’d overheard enough of their conversation to know that they were working for someone, paid to watch and report back.

But to whom?

My skin remained on fire, my beast having shifted dangerously close to the surface. I could even feel the way my blood flowed through my veins. I’d never experienced the kind of burning rage that had overtaken me in the hallway. I’d always controlled my emotions with ease.

When you find your mate, everything will change.

Your desires.

Your tolerance.

Your hunger.

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