Page 12 of Broken Trust

His heart beat a little faster as he quickened his pace toward the building. He tried to shake off the feeling of being watched, but it only intensified with each step he took.

A breeze whispered through the trees and caused the leaves to rustle. The lights that were working did little to pierce through the cloak of darkness settling around the edge of the building.

Just as he was about to call out for the person to show themself, a nearby cat screeched loudly. He told himself he was just overtired. His exhausted brain was hearing footsteps that weren’t there.

He was almost at the back of the building when something grazed his nape. The container in his hand dropped, spilling the contents as he spun around.

A stranger stood there, staring right at Atlas, his irises so dark they looked as if they blended with his pupils. He was tall, lean, and his stylish black hair touched the collar of his silky red dress shirt. When he spoke, his voice was seductive. “You smell just like that wolf. His scent is all over you.”

“You h-have me mistaken for someone else.” It didn’t make sense what the stranger was saying, and Atlas was too frightened to try and figure it out.

“The nose never lies.” The guy walked in a slow circle around Atlas, his hands tucked behind his back. “I just want to know where he is.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Atlas tried to ease away from the guy, but every time he took a step back, the stranger moved behind him and used his body to herd him away from the building.

Then the man gripped Atlas’s chin in a bruising hold, forcing Atlas to stare right at him. “Just tell me where the wolf is.”

“If you lost your pet, I’d suggest asking the sheriff or checking the local vet.” Atlas didn’t know what advice to give since he’d never owned an animal.

The guy stared into Atlas’s eyes then frowned. “You’re one of those rare humans that beguiling doesn’t work on.”

Atlas spun and ran, but he’d only made it ten or so steps before the stranger gripped his arm and yanked him back.

“You have the wrong person! I’ve never seen a real-life wolf!”

The stranger curled his hand around Atlas’s throat and lifted him until his feet were dangling in the air. He gripped the stranger’s arms, trying to stop his neck from being snapped or his throat being crushed.

“You have one last chance to tell me before I start draining you of your blood.” He bared…fangs?

Atlas would think the man was delusional, but his strength wasn’t. It was getting harder and harder to breathe.

Something shot past Atlas, slamming into the stranger and making him lose his grip. Atlas hit the ground then clawed at his neck. Every inhalation felt like scorching flames were being sucked down his airway, causing his eyes to water. Atlas rolled to his side and tried to get up, only to collapse back down.

Hearing deadly snarling and loud hissing, Atlas looked up. He quickly scooted backward on the ground, his eyes glued to the intense fight between the stranger and a giant wolf, both determined to destroy one another.

Atlas rubbed his eyes in disbelief, trying to make sense of this. His mind was struggling, but failing, to process the fight that was unfolding in front of him. His arms trembled and refused to support him when he tried once more to get off the ground.

The stranger effortlessly lifted the massive wolf above his head, and then swung downward, but the animal twisted free and leapt sideways. With a fierce snarl, it lunged for the stranger’s throat, sinking its teeth into his flesh.

Atlas’s eyes widened in horror as he saw blood gushing from the man’s neck. The guy dropped to his knees, clutching his throat. Atlas opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out as the wolf transformed into a naked male, revealing a sculpted physique.

With his back to Atlas, the guy drove his fist into the stranger’s chest and ripped out his heart, letting it drop to the ground. Atlas rolled to his hands and knees and vomited. He had never witnessed such a violent act before.

The wolf…man…whatever the hell he was, turned, and Atlas’s brows shot up as he quickly scooted backward.

It was Kellen!

“It’s not safe out here, Atlas.” Kellen walked toward him, his honed, naked body on full display.

“Don’t come near me,” Atlas croaked, his throat too sore to shout.

Kellen reached for him, but Atlas slapped his hand away.

“We can’t stay here,” Kellen snarled. “There are more of them.”

“Don’t touch me with that bloody hand.” Talking was only hurting his throat more.

With one arm, Kellen pulled Atlas off the ground and crushed him to his chest. “We’ll take my car. It’s close.”

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