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We’re in public. People can see. He can’t hurt me.
I pushed him back and snapped at him again.
Suddenly, Ridge appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Zander by the neck, and shoved him away from me. He did it with such force that Zander slammed into the side of the Moonlight Café. Ridge moved in front of me, his hand at my waist. His thumb stroked me back and forth soothingly, but he never took his eyes off Zander.
His touch and scent calmed me down enough that I could bring my wolf under control. She still wanted Zander’s blood, but we both wanted Ridge’s comfort.
Then anger bubbled up at the surface of my mind. What the fuck was wrong with me? I was more than capable of handling situations like this on my own. I’d done it for years. I didn’t need a man to swoop in and save the day.
And yet, I couldn’t ignore the part of me that acknowledged that now I’d tasted what could be, I’d be a liar if I denied I wanted more.
Chapter20
Ridge
I couldn’t hold back the shit-eating grin gracing my face as I left the town hall. I had just finished talking to an important investor who could really make a difference to my business, and I was elated. The money would bring in the necessary cash flow to hire more employees. I’d be able to delegate and take a step back, meaning less work for me in the long run.
On top of that, flashes of Tori and the most incredible night crept into my thoughts throughout the day. I couldn’t help but play them over and over. At times, I was so engrossed in my thoughts that several people had to call my name more than once to get my attention, but I didn’t care. Today was turning out to be a wonderful day, and I hoped I’d be lucky enough for a repeat performance or two tonight.
Heading down the steps of the front hall, I caught Tori’s scent and it stopped me in my tracks. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, taking in her fragrance. She was so tempting, a siren in my midst, and I wrestled with the call. She was down the street, and it was a struggle to not go to her, but she was so adamant about needing her space. I didn’t want to push her too hard, especially when she’d made it clear that she had one foot out of town and was just biding her time.
I needed that to change. I wanted her to want me close to her, and not because I’d barged in and started making demands that would only drive her away.
As I reached my car, her scent teased me again. I tried not to look over at her and fought with my wolf to leave her be, but I caved. Smiling, I glanced over my shoulder in the direction her scent had drifted from.
The world stopped and my vision turned red. My claws slowly descended, and I launched myself toward Tori. She was angry and appeared to be pushing at Zander fucking Elkins, who was practically drooling over her as he wound his arm around her waist—the same waist I was positive still had markings from my teeth. She should only have my scent on her skin, and now this disgusting wolf was overpowering my temporary claim.
I didn’t remember ever moving so fast in my life. Typically, my wolf and I were perfectly in sync. He allowed me control in human form just as I let him have control in our wolf form. We had a balance, a kinship. But now, anger was raging inside me, and I didn’t know what I was doing until it was too late.
As soon as Tori and Zander were within my reach, I shoved the arrogant troublemaker away and pulled my little wolf behind me.
Once Zander was away from Tori, I began to calm down and felt I could breathe again. I never took my eyes off the drunk, but Tori wasn’t impressed with my presence. I could sense her death glare on me, but I didn’t care. Nobody was to touch her, ever. She was under my protection, and that wasn’t an oath I made lightly.
Several people were muttering around us as I kept one eye on Zander and skimmed the area as best I could. Townsfolk were openly staring in shock. The humans were, at least.
There were no shifters around. They’d understand my display and would probably try to get Zander away from me since this was a delicate issue, and we wouldn’t want our shifter actions to be made aware. Even in the shifter community, nobody messed with another’s mate. Tori and I may not be mated according to shifter standards, but we were still engaged, and living among humans made that stand for something.
At least, they allbelievedwe were engaged.
Zander scowled and staggered from the wall before falling back against it.
“We should try that fight again, Ridge, now that I have both of my legs working.” His words were slurred, and he smelled like a liquor store.
God, this fucker disgusted me. He’d been getting this drunk way more often lately. I craved the fight, especially with him for touching Tori, but it wouldn’t be fair. The drunk could hardly stand up or form a coherent sentence.
My alpha instincts took over, and I issued a warning that if there were a next time, I wouldn’t worry about what was fair or who was watching. “If you touch or even look at Tori again, I’ll make sure your legs are the least of your worries. Back off and go dry yourself out. You’re too drunk to be out in public.”
Zander tried to clap back at me, but he couldn’t balance well, and since I didn’t want to deal with him anymore, I wrapped my arm around Tori and started to lead her away as she scowled at me.
“What’re you doing?” Her muttered question was laced with ire. She didn’t understand my wolf’s reaction to Zander. I didn’t really understand it myself. I always looked after the shifters in my care, but how I was caring for Tori was beyond just looking after. My aggression and possessiveness were out of character for me, as were my wolf’s heated reactions before I could rein it in.
Guiding her behind the diner seemed a reasonable option. In her current frame of mind, there was no way she’d get in the car with me, but I needed to speak to her and make sure she hadn’t been hurt.
Convincing my wolf his assistance wasn’t necessary was no easy feat. He was freaking out that another male had touched her. I had to admit that I wasn’t fond of it, either. She smelled wrong now, and it needed to be remedied.
Unable to fully control myself, I studied her angered face, reached out, and rubbed off the makeup covering the now-faded love bites I’d left on her skin. My wolf and I both needed to reaffirm that they were still there. If they weren’t, we would give her new ones.
Since they appeared darker and more robust without makeup, my wolf and I settled down, and I stepped closer to her. I wanted to wrap her up tight and get my scent all over her. I didn’t want Zander’s scent lingering on her skin or her clothes.
