Page 42 of Possessive Mate

Eddie stiffened beside Hanson. His voice was little more than a grumble as he said, “The major gave the go-ahead for elimination.”

A sudden rush raced through Hanson. Every muscle in his body tensed and he pulled himself free of the siblings’ grip. “Then what the hell are we waiting for? Let’s get out there!”

If his pack was busy exterminating the cockroaches that had been plaguing Nightstar and Pine Valley for so long, then he wanted in.

He had taken only half a step before Elena swept in front of him and blocked his path. “There is no way in hell I am letting you out there in this condition.”

“Elena, I am not—” Hanson started to protest, but Eddie laid a hand on his shoulder. For once it wasn't violent or even aggressive. Instead, it was almost encouraging.

“Elena is right,” Eddie said, pulling him back a little from his sister. “She’ll take you out the back way again. I’ll cover you.”

“That didn’t work so well the last time,” Hanson pointed out. He cringed remembering the pain of having his tail bitten to pieces, held down while those damn wolves knocked the stuffing out of him. “Besides, it's been patched up.”

“In this old barn, there’s bound to be more than a few loose panels,” Elena pointed out, and before either of the men could speak, she hurried off to the back of the barn and started to check.

“I won’t have you watching my back,” Hanson shook his head. “I should be out there fighting with the rest of the men.”

Eddie shoved his shoulder hard, so hard that in his weakened state he almost stumbled backwards. “I’m stronger than you, swifter, and a better fighter,” Eddie said proudly, puffing out his chest. “Besides, the rest of the pack is right outside. I highly doubt anyone will be getting in here any time soon.”

“I’ve found a spot!” Elena called from the back of the barn, and before Hanson could make another protest, Eddie shoved him toward her.

“Go on. Get out of here and get her gone with you,” Eddie hissed, inclining his head in the direction of his sister.

Hanson couldn’t really argue with that. There was nothing he wanted more than to see Elena safe.

Perhaps it was his injuries, or maybe it was something else, but Hanson couldn't stop himself from pulling Eddie into a huge bear hug.

“Get the hell off me, you big lug!” Eddie protested, shoving Hanson away. “Get out of here before I change my mind!”

Chapter 20 - Elena

Werewolf strength was exceptional, but helping a six foot two powerhouse like Hanson escape a barn and head into the woods quickly wasn't easy at all. He leaned heavily on her, apologizing every so often for putting so much pressure on her.

“It's fine,” Elena assured him. “Everything will be fine.”

She told herself so as much as him, because the truth was, everything felt anything but fine. She had practically swapped the man she loved for the brother she loved. And just admitting that to herself was bad enough.

She loved this man, this great big lug of a man who was making her gasp for breath trying to practically carry him to safety.

“Okay, okay, stop,” Hanson insisted when they had gone no more than a mile into the woods.

“We can’t,” Elena protested, trying to continue on, dragging him with her. “We have to keep going. We have to get you back to pack territory and then I can go back to lend a hand.”

Hanson's strength seemed to return to him abruptly then as he stopped dead in his tracks, standing bolt upright. Only the way he clutched his still-bruised ribs gave any indication that he was weakened.

“There is no way in hell I am letting you go back there,” he insisted. “It's too dangerous.”

“Who are you to try and stop me?” Elena demanded. She had never been one for following rules or letting men tell her what to do, especially men she had a romantic inclination towards. Jason had learned that the hard way a couple of times.

But Hanson didn’t answer. Instead, he looked her deep in the eye and asked, “Is it true?”

Confused and frustrated as hell, Elena looked at him and crossed her arms over her breasts. “Is what true?”

“Is what Christopher says true?”

Elena's heart twisted in her chest. What had that sleazebag told him?

Hanson took a step toward her. His free hand reached for her, and she was so tempted to take hold of it. Just barely, she managed to stop herself. She felt far too vulnerable right now. She couldn't give in to her temptations, no matter how much she wanted to fling herself into his arms.

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