Chapter Twenty–Six
DOMONIC
Are you kidding me?” Rainier hisses, his body going completely still with the news I just laid on him aout Draven’s stepfather being a
shifter.
All twelve of us are sitting around my living room while Draven sleeps upstairs. It is half past three a.m. and I am beginning to think I might never sleep again.
“So that feral scent that she carries when she first got here – it was him Grant aknowledges. “Smelled the same around the condo yesterday after the incident – but I didn’t mention it because I thought it was hers.”
I nod, my eyes going to the dark of the second story landing every couple of minutes. The last thing I want is for Draven to catch us discussing her again. I would have taken this conversation elsewhere if thought that she would be safe here alone, but the fact was – she wouldn’t be.
“Well, it’s not hers. It’s his,” I’state in a whisper.
Quinn steps toward the front windows – which I unshaded when they first arrived – and glares out at the darkness beyond. “You know what that means, right Domonic? Her carrying his scent?”
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“Yes, I growl, anger surging through me with the thought of what had been done to Draven. I grip the body of the beer bottle in my bands and attempt to contain my fury.
‘Christ, all those bruises she had,” Bartlett comments, shaking his head as if to scatter the images of his little bartender being assaulted. “I can’t unsee them. No matter how hard I try.”
I nod. “Me neither.” Glancing up from my beer, I survey each of my brothers. “I want the bastard found. Now that we know his scent, we
need to follow it.”
Logan sighs, “It’s not going to be as strong as it was yesterday unless he’s been around. What are the chances he knows what we are?”
I scratch my chin. “Slim. Gryffin said his den was breached last night. He’s not even sure it was a panther. I haven’t had a chance to do any research on it yet, but Timmons, I want you to go home and research all jungle cats that can be found in the U.S. Pay particular attention to the ones that can be found in Florida.”
He nods, getting up to leave. “Done. I’ll get back to you in the morning.
“When we do find him, what then?” Andrew says, standing near the door to follow Timmons. “I mean I KNOW what – but what I’m trying
to ask is-”
I scowl, “What Andrew?”
“What happens with Draven after it’s done?” Lief finishes for him. His lang blond hair falling forward as he lowers his head. “When she’s
safe…”
“All of you,” i snap, getting up. “Every one of you already knows the answer to that question. Please don’t make me repeat muyself. It’s hard enough for me to accept as it is.”
Bartlett sighs and stands, sensing that our little meeting is coming to an end. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
My eyes lock on his. “Out. Everyone out. Logan and Rainier will start the scouting tonight, then tomorrow morning you two will switch with James and Koda.
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Chapter Twenty–Six
Koda grins in the way that he does when he’s been given permission to get violent. His dark blue eyes go feral, “If I and him. Feant promise there will be much left by the time you all get word.
I glare at him, knowing he means what he says. Of all of us – Koda is the least contained and the most troublesome. His temper borders on dangerous which is part of the reason we made him join law enforcement. He sometimes needs more rules than the rest of us do
Much like his father did.
“You will leave the kill for me and that is an order,” I demand.
He smirks, nodding. He would heed my words, I knew that, but in Koda’s mind all he needed to do for me was leave the fucker breathing. That didn’t mean the bastard would have all his parts when I showed up. Koda is ruthless that way. A fearless killer with near psychotic tendancies. It is part of why he is always so quiet… so reserved. Because when he does lose it? Nothing short of a miracle can stop him. My mother and his father had been best friends. Even after she mated my dad.
“Now get out,” I order again, and all with the exception of Quinn – leave without a backwards glance.
“I’ll take first watch,” Quinn says when everything is locked up tight. “Go get some sleep Dom. You’re too snappy.”
“Right,” I agree, more than thrilled to be sliding into bed next to Draven for the first time.
Last night I only lay next to her until she fell asleep. After she did, I had gone on a run through the woods only to come back to the house and scare the fuck out of her in wolf form.
She was scared of me.
I hated the fear in her eyes as she gawked at me through the window. I wanted so badly for her to see that I presented no danger for her, but then, I’d realized Quinn was in the kitchen too. At that point all I could see was red. I didn’t want him alone with her in those tiny shorts she was wearing. Even though I knew he would never do anything as stupid as touch my mate, I was still furious. The animal in me had taken over and nearly sent Draven into a full blown panic attack.
If she knew the truth about what I am – she would probably run screaming. And that is something I never want to endure. She might call
a freak. That would be enough right there to shatter me. I might never recover from it. me a monster – or worse
–
By the time I am done showering, it is already close to four in the morning. Another night’s rest having been completely hijacked. When I pull down the covers to get into bed, Draven lay still as a rock, not shifting in the slightest.
Her long black hair is fanned out across the pillows and she is curled toward my side of the bed with a hand out as if waiting for me. My chest tumbles and burns with the thought.
Maybe I should take the couch.
I probably should have, but I didn’t. Instead, I slide into bed and pull her body into mine. Passing out cold with her head on my naked
chest.
