Page 43 of The Wolf in My Tavern

More cries go up around the tavern.

The man who threw the first punch lies dead on the floor, blood pooling around his body. The second one, the card shark, is twitching beside him, a vicious set of claw marks opening up his chest.

My breathing is fast and erratic, and my eyes feel unnaturally wide as Drake strides forward, drawing a dagger from his hip to slit the twitching man’s throat. He spits on the body for good measure as screaming customers surge toward the front door.

Tim and Gareth are swift to toss out any who seek to linger.

I’m shaking uncontrollably. The body behind me vibrates with tension while his chest rattles with menace. When I glance down, I find his left hand is still that of a beast, tipped by a set of lethal-looking claws that drip with blood.

Gray.

His actions should terrify me, yet I wriggle in his arms until I can turn. And then I throw my arms around his neck and try to crawl up him. He cleaves me tightly to him. And I bury my nose against his throat. A strange rattle emanates from my chest. It sounds almost like a manic purr.

“Fuck,” Gareth says, before taking a heavy sigh.

There is quiet in the tavern, but I know Tim and Gareth are standing nearby, and Betsy is over by the bar. Gray holds me tightly.

“We’ll need to call the city guardsmen,” Tim says. “Make sure it’s Anders. He will handle this quietly for us.”

A tavern lad hastens out the door, bringing a blast of icy wind.

“His wolf is imprinting,” Drake says. “He couldn’t help it.”

Issuing a rattling growl that gives me goosebumps, Gray turns his back on the discussion and strides for the corner of the room, shielding me from what happened.

“I recognize that bastard,” Gareth says. “If I’d noticed him earlier, I’d have booted him out. He is known for cheating at cards. It’s not the first fight he has caused. It’s a pity you didn’t use a sword—we might have passed it off as them killing each other. The other one was looking for trouble, too. They were all fucking looking for trouble tonight.”

I’m shaking so hard that my teeth rattle, trying to make sense of the conversation and failing. I want Callum, but I also don’t want to let go of Gray.

Hearing footsteps approach, I cling tighter.

“Let the lass go,” Drake says.

Gray’s head whips around, and he snarls at his companion, tightening his hold and nearly crushing me.

I welcome it, the sense of being safe from everything… everything but him. For the most part, I have put aside all thoughts of him having an inner wolf. Tonight, that part of him is front and center, for there are two slain bodies on the floor. While Drake made the killing blow on the second, I sensed the wound was mortal, and his act was one of compassion.

An act that is perhaps unwarranted when I consider the man in question was a card shark known for causing trouble.

“You need to let her go,” Drake says softly. “Betsy is here. She can take Ada to her room where she will be safe.”

The tavern door slams open, and I peek over Gray’s shoulder to see the tavern lad return, accompanied by two city guardsmen.

“Let her go, Gray,” Drake encourages. “The lass does not need to bear witness to more.”

Gray’s growl shifts to a lighter purr. I feel his nose against my hair as he sniffs deeply, drawing my scent in.

He releases me slowly. Distraught by the development, I cling, forcing him to pry me off before he lowers my feet to the floor.

I stare up at him, my eyes full of tears and my lips trembling. He is still a wall between me and the rest of the tavern. Had he not acted so swiftly, I could have been badly hurt. He has killed a man for me—two of them.

He gently cups the side of my face. I turn into his touch, seeking more.

I am conflicted. Confused. I have spent a lot of time around Gray confused.

Then he steps back, and the spell is broken. I notice Betsy standing to the side, her face ashen.

“Come on, lass.” She holds out her hand. “I’ll take you up to your room.”

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