Page 52 of Feels Like Home

If the coward would stop using Nolan as a shield.

“You failed to mention Ian owned an exotic pet!” Owen paled. His gaze crawled over Ian’s panther, and then he shrank back.

Ian vibrated with the need to kill Nolan. He just wanted to take out Jace’s threat first.

One less worry.

Nolan’s eyelids lowered to slits. His venomous gaze followed Ian’s movement. He was anticipating the panther, assessing it. Waiting for Ian to bolt around him to get to Owen.

“Not gonna happen.” Nolan’s mouth curved into a cunning grin. “I can’t let him miss out on his playtime with Jace.”

Ian’s hackles rose. A low growl rumbled through his chest.

“Jace. Jace. Jace.” Nolan’s laugh was straight-up deranged with an added twist of malicious pleasure. Like his cruelty was the ultimate high. “You don’t like me saying his name. Does it have a vile taste like I’ve licked it all over before I spit it out?”

A deadly storm crashed through Ian’s blood. Nolan was going to regret defiling Jace’s name.

“Do something about that fucking cat!” Owen’s voice turned nasally when he whined.

Nolan’s psychotic smile widened. “I plan—”

Ian lunged forward. The impact caused Nolan’s arms to jackknife into the air. He squeaked in surprise as he launched toward the ceiling like a flipped coin. As the guy came down, Ian’s panther followed, keeping his weight on the bastard to make sure he stayed down.

Ian was mass of pure muscle and brute strength, his 250-pound body honed into a lethal killing machine with only two goals.

Keep Jace safe and stop Nolan and Owen from breathing.

“Nolan!” Owen screamed from behind them.

No sooner had Nolan’s back crashed against the floor than he twisted sideways while shifting into his coyote.

“I’m freaking out! I’m freaking out!” Owen shouted in a chant while he stomped in place.

If the dumbass didn’t shut the hell up, Ian would willingly abandon his fight with Nolan to maul the prick.

The coyote went for Ian’s throat, sharp canines snapping like a sprung bear trap. Ian used his massive weight to knock Nolan backward, but the coyote flipped around at the last second and landed on his feet.

Ian yowled, his muzzle pulled back, showing his deadly teeth. They wrestled, each fighting for their life and trying to destroy the other’s. Fur flew through the air, claws desperately trying to scour flesh from bone.

With a destructive swipe, Ian ripped a gouge in the coyote’s side. Blood immediately stained the carpet, the fibers thirstily drinking it in. Ian’s cat was twice as large as Nolan’s coyote. The coyote couldn’t weigh any more than sixty pounds. The impact of the wound sent it tumbling backward until it hit the wall.

Blood smeared across the opaque glass. Ian launched his body, refusing to allow any space between them. Sharp teeth sank into Ian’s front leg, but the adrenaline fueling him prevented him from feeling the full-blown pain.

Once. Twice. Five times Ian slammed his clawed paw into the coyote’s head and neck, all in rapid succession. His sharp three-inch nails gorged flesh. The coyote released its hold on Ian’s leg, dodged left, and then sprang onto the bed and over the other side.

The coyote backed up a few steps, teeth bared as Ian stalked around the bed, both panting heavily. The blood from Nolan’s wounds matted his fur and created crimson blotches on the floor.

Behind Ian, it sounded as if shelves were crashing down.

“Ian!” Jace shouted, his voice strained with panic.

When Ian looked left, he saw that Owen was no longer standing by the door. He must have found the closet.

Instead of going after the coyote, Ian spun around and raced toward the sound of his mate screaming for him. Pain exploded in his hindquarters. Sharp teeth sank into his flesh.

Pivoting, Ian slammed the coyote into the footboard of his bed, causing the entire bed to shake. Nolan yelped and released Ian.

Playtime was over.

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