Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
“Aw now, you don’t mean that,” the shifter replied, poking out his bottom lip.
“Like hell I don’t.” My mate jerked his head to the side. “Keep moving.”
A flash of anger crossed the shifter’s face just as I reached the pair. “Look here, you little-”
“He said move along,” I cut in sharply.
The hyena shifter’s gaze moved onto me, and I puffed up my chest in a show of dominance. I wasn’t of the same pack or even the same species, but a shifter always recognized an Alpha. For a moment, it appeared as if he was going to argue, but instead, he huffed loudly and made the wise choice to walk away.
With the distraction gone, I turned all of my attention to my mate, who was giving me an unimpressed look.
“I was fine on my own,” he grumbled, and I blinked in surprise. I didn’t expect thanks, but I was taken aback…until I realized that I was another big, muscular man in his space. I had to show him that I was different.
“You were very brave,” I complimented, but my mate just rolled his eyes before sticking his hand into his pocket. He retrieved a cigarette, which he lit and took a long draw from. I was instinctively worried about his health and well-being, so I told him, “Those are bad for you.”
Smoke rolled from his lips when he snapped, “Why the hell do you care? For that matter, why are you even still here?”
How could I explain our Fate-driven bond without scaring him away? How did I describe my need to protect him, be near him, and care for him for all time?
Before I could figure it out, my mate nodded slowly. “Oh, I get it; you told Jock McSteroids to take a hike so that you could slide into his spot.”
My stomach sank at my mate’s description of the other man’s physique; I was greedy and wanted all of his attention. And though he was technically correct about my intentions, I wanted much more with him than what the other shifter was seeking.
“Well, forget it,” he commanded before taking another long draw of his cigarette. He stood upright and my breath quickened when he stepped toe to toe with me. He tipped his head back to look up at me and pursed his lips. My fantasies of kissing those plush pink pillows faded away when he blew a cloud of smoke into my face. “I’m not interested, so fuck off.”
My nose scrunched in response to the pungent vapor attacking my keen sense of smell. I turned my head to cough into my elbow, and when I looked back, I watched in shock as my mate marched towards the exit.
I can’t let him get away.
Chapter Three
Trey
After hustling across the parking lot (while trying to not appear to be hustling), I climbed into my car and locked the door behind me. “Dammit,” I grumbled when I noticed the way my hands trembled.
All I wanted was to relax and have a drink. I thought I was ready, but my body told a different story. Nothing bad even really happened, yet I was shaking like a leaf. It was disappointing, but at least I held it together until I was alone.
I took a deep breath to clear my mind before starting the engine of my aging, yet reliable, car. I backed out of my parking spot and movement in my rearview mirror caught my attention.
When I focused, I realized that it was the second large man who approached me in the club. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, but I took another deep breath. Easy, Trey; it has to be a coincidence. He’s probably just leaving for the night too.
But then our eyes locked in the reflection. The man appeared determined as he began walking towards me quickly, and my pulse raced with fear. He’s pissed that I turned him down. He’s coming to take what he wants.
I jerked the gear shift into drive and stomped on the gas pedal, causing my tires to squeal and peel out, throwing dust and tiny gravel behind my car. I jerked the vehicle onto the main road and looked in the mirror again to find the man chasing me at a speed that shouldn’t have - couldn’t have - been possible.
When I turned my gaze onto the asphalt again, I gasped when I saw a baby deer standing in the middle of my lane, staring at me with wide, pleading eyes.
“Shit!” I slammed on the brake and cut the steering wheel hard. I missed the animal, but I lost control of my vehicle. It swerved and rolled, the crunching sound of its metal frame piercing my ears.
It stopped with a thud in a roadside ditch, and a burning pain exploded in my right side when it slammed against the console. My breathing became erratic and my fingertips went numb. The outer rim of my vision turned to static until it faded to black.