Gabe nodded. I knew he saw the bloodlust in my gaze. My wolf wouldn’t calm for anything less. My mate was in danger, and I wouldn’t be satisfied until I tasted the blood of my enemy, until it dripped from my lips while I tore out his throat.
“Madison?” Gabe asked.
“If she tries to run, stop her. If she tries to interfere, stop her. If she tries to hurt my mate in any way…kill her.”
Gabe nodded again.
“Follow me.”
We made our way to the back door, and I had the key in place and ready to turn when I heard Cain and Leslie making their way to the front of the house. They were loud, laughing and talking as if they had no idea what awaited them inside. I turned the key and eased the door open, leaving it ajar as Gabe and I made our way inside.
“Who the fuck is that?” Jarrod Makers demanded.
“My dad and his new wife.”
The tone of my mate’s voice made it seem that she didn’t like her father’s new wife. I knew better. I tried to figure out what she was thinking. Was Cecilia trying to make Leslie seem less important, thinking that would keep her safe?
“She’s a wolf.” Madison’s voice and it took all I had to hold back my growl. I honestly wasn’t sure if I could let her walk away. I didn’t make a habit of attacking women, but there was a special place in hell for those like Madison. Those who sought to use and abuse others because they could. Because humans were so far beneath her.
“Wrong,” Cecilia said.
“I can smell a wolf.” The sound of smacking flesh was followed closely by Cecilia’s cry of pain.
Gabe grabbed my arm, and I almost attacked him but managed enough control to focus on what he was trying to get me to pay attention to. I heard another smack, followed by a yelp from Madison.
“She’s not a wolf, you fucking moron,” Cecilia snapped. She sounded vicious. I wanted to see her. To taste the fire on her tongue. To let it burn through us both. “My dad is.”
“It doesn’t work that way,” Jarrod said. “Wolves sire wolves.”
“Not when they mate humans,” my mate challenged. “Then it’s fifty-fifty what you get. And with me, my parents got human. My mother was so disgusted she left when I was younger. My father kept me anyway.”
I could add cunning to my mate’s list of attributes. She’d managed to make it so they’d concentrate on her father and not pay as much attention to Leslie. Cecilia had just painted the other woman as a weak human, playing on their beliefs. Fuck, there was nothing weak about Leslie or Cecilia. Now, instead of them realizing Leslie’s scent covered her mate, they’d think Cain’s scent was covering Leslie. Oh, my mate was a genius.
A knock fell heavy on the door.
“Cici, you home?” A few more knocks sounded against the door. “Cici!”
“If I don’t answer, he’ll use his key to come in. He knows I came back last night and that I’m mated to a wolf. He doesn’t know which one.”
“Nice try,” Jarrod scoffed. “He’ll smell your mate on you and know my scent doesn’t match.”
“Then figure out what to say!” Cecilia snapped. “It was your brilliant idea to come here and take me. Surely, you planned what to do if someone or something interfered.”
“Watch your smart mouth, you little bitch, or I’ll shut it for you. Won’t be able to do much with a broken jaw.”
“I hear your son liked to knock around women, too,” Cecilia fired back. She was glorious and utterly insane. What the hell was she thinking riling him up? Makers could kill her.
“You fucking whore!” Madison swore.
“I’m coming in,” Cain bellowed at the same time, and I heard the lock on the front door click just as I heard my mate yell like a banshee.
Gabe and I flew around the corner and jumped into the chaos. Gabe followed Madison and Cecilia as they rolled across the floor, a flash of wild arms and legs as they each fought to get the upper hand. Makers had his back turned, facing the front door where Cain was already pushing inside. I jumped the couch with a snarl and landed right behind him. He turned with a growl, and I watched as claws sprouted from his fingertips. I was going to enjoy this. Immensely. At least, I’d get the pleasure of killing one of the Makers.
“I’m going to kill you,” Makers swore. “I’m going to rip out your throat then rip out your heart. I’m going to send it to your alpha in a box so he’ll know what’s coming for him.”
I laughed and had the pleasure of watching his face flush a darker red with anger. “You really want to die for that two-bit loser of a son of yours?”
“My son is twice the man you are. He could have been alpha. He should have been. They should have come to us instead of going to a bastard like Bastion James. Him and that freak of a sister of his. Someone should have snapped her neck at birth. But I’ll appreciate the pleasure anyway when the time comes.”
“Bee would rip you to shreds,” I informed him. “You wouldn’t stand any more of a chance against her than you did my mate.”
“Your mate’s about to die.” Jarrod nodded to something behind my back. I didn’t take the bait. He wanted to distract me, but my focus was on him. I knew Cecilia could take care of herself, and if she needed help, then Gabe was there.
“My mate can handle herself.” My words might have been directed toward Jarrod, but they were meant for Cecilia. I wanted her to know I didn’t see her as weak. Something told me she needed to hear that from me.
