Page 47 of The Kill

With a huff, I drop my eyes to the ground and let my shoulders sag. Turning back to the window, I sigh loudly, defeated, and Lucian pats my shoulder sympathetically.

“I know you’re worried, we all are, but this is his plan. He wants you s–” Lucian doesn’t get to finish that thought. Spinning, I shove him hard and he stumbles to the ground, tripping over Seth who’s behind his legs, and the two of them get tangled up on the ground. He’s fast but I’m pretty quick myself. Before he can get to his feet and chase me, I’ve yanked open the front door.

Taking a deep breath, I scan the pitch-black forest for any other signs of movement, but I don’t see a thing.

“Tyson?!” I yell, fear clogging my voice. What if he can’t answer me back? I look at the ground, just the far side of the threshold. Logic tells me abandoning the protection of the wards is stupid, but I don’t think I can stay indoors waiting any longer.

“I think we should go back inside.” Despite my antics, Lucian's voice is patient.

“No,” I reply stubbornly, waiting to catch another glimpse of the wolf. Was it my imagination? The breeze is blowing the wrong direction and I can’t get a scent. But if I went outside, a little closer…

Lucian and Seth close ranks, moving in tight on either side of me. Seth on four paws as always, grows low and threatening at the darkness. The hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Something’s not right.

The moment I realise I’ve made a mistake, the wind shifts. As I step back, tugging the boys with me, the whiff of expensive aftershave hits my nose and I can’t distinguish whose scent is buried underneath. It’s not Blake, or Tyson, that’s for certain. The black shadow suddenly appears from below the porch and vaults over the railing. With lightning speed, it launches itself at me but the ward does its job, blocking the entrance, and repels the animal which snarls viciously as it lands in a heap on the decking.

Startled, I stagger backwards as the wolf morphs into a large man who slowly stands and straightens.

“So, you must be the infamous Mandy?” That voice, I recognise it.

Seth growls, so I place my hand on his back, keen to avoid him drawing the wolf’s ire. Heart pounding, I stare up into the smarmy smile of a man who’s sure he’s got the upper hand. He’s the only other person who knows where I am.

Alpha Weston.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now leave, please. You can already see you’re not getting in here.”

Westons beady eyes drop to the wolf stuck to my leg and he laughs darkly, dragging his gaze up my body and back to my face.

“Wilson was right. You were carrying a pup.”

29

MANDY

“You need to go, right now.” Trying to sound braver than I feel as Weston steps back, scanning the front of the house.

Seth barks but Weston just sneers at him. “Protective of your Mum, are you? Cute, but I’d keep my mouth shut if you don’t want to see what I do to insubordinate wolves.”

Pushing Seth behind my leg, willing him to stop antagonising this man, I try to pull his attention back to me. Shifting position, I block Seth from Weston’s view.

“Don’t talk to him. He’s got nothing to do with this,” I snap. This guy makes my skin crawl. I don’t want him anywhere near the boys.

“Looks like you’re not the only protective one. Although that’s hardly surprising since your Mama had her mate murdered just so she could keep you all to herself.” He gives me a scathing look. “That’s not going to last much longer.”

That’s an interesting take on what happened. I don’t rise to the bait, instead lifting my chin to meet Weston’s eye. I don’t have to explain myself to this man. There’s no point anyway.

“Lee deserved everything he got, and nobody is going to touch my son as long as there is still breath in my body.” That I really mean.

Weston grinds his teeth, biting back the words he clearly wants to speak. “Why don’t you come outside and we can have an adult conversation.”

Said the wolf to the little pig. Hell no.

“She’s not going anywhere. Not with you.” Lucian sounds stronger and older, like he’s channelling his inner Tyson to get us through this. Weston’s arm shoots out, going to grab me by the front of my shirt but his hand slams into the invisible barrier and bounces back.

“What the fuck is this bullshit?” Growling in frustration, he narrows his eyes at the door and curses the invisible forcefield keeping him out.

Allowing myself a brief moment of victory, I smile. Thank you, Tyson. And thank you to whomever put up these wards.

“Like she said, you need to leave,” Lucian repeats, and I reach out to take his hand, glad to have the vampire here with me as Weston uses his alpha power to make me uncomfortable. It’s almost impossible to maintain eye contact, but I won’t let him intimidate me. Now mated to Tyson, I’m feeling stronger, better able to stand up to the dominant wolf at my door.

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