Page 45 of Possessive Mate

“Get yourselves under control!” Hanson snarled back at him, and he turned on the others, seeing red.

Elena’s fighting snarls had turned to whimpers of pain. The sound caused Hanson to see red. His strength returning swifter and swifter with his anger, Hanson shifted.

He could barely see past the red mist that overwhelmed him, but he didn't need his eyes to take down his enemies. He could hear them well enough, their amused laughter turning to fearful, pounding heartbeats as he turned on them.

Quick as a flash, he took down one, and then another. Neither of them had a chance to shift or defend themselves. He would not give them that luxury.

He snapped their necks like twigs, the metallic taste of blood coating his tongue.

“End him!” the leader yelled, still not joining the attack.

Coward! Hanson snarled, whipping around on him.

There were still two more men at his back, but they weren’t his main concern right now. Any wolf who ordered his men into battle without joining the fight himself wasn't worthy of the breath he breathed.

Hanson lunged at the leader, prepared to take him out just as he had the others, but before he could do so, a wolf landed on his back. At least one of them had the good sense to shift.

Hanson rolled, carrying the wolf with him. The air was knocked right out of his opponent, and Hanson carried on rolling, leaving the man in the dust.

I'll kill every last one of you if I have to! Hanson thought, realizing Elena had grown silent. This was bad, horrendously bad.

He lunged on the wolf he had floored and wasted no time in sinking his teeth into the back of his neck, breaking his spinal cord with a swift jerking motion of his head.

When he turned on the leader once more, blood dripped from his maw. He bared his teeth, already able to imagine what it would be like to sink his fangs into him.

Usually, he didn't condone killing. But under these circumstances, it was necessary.

Just as he imagined, the leader was a coward. If Christopher's men were all like him, it was no wonder he felt the need to make so many new wolves.

The leader turned and ran. Hanson considered giving chase. Then he thought better of it. He had killed enough today. Besides, the few remaining wolves were clearly regretting their decision to attack.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hanson saw them backing away from Elena, ready to bolt. With a deep warning growl, Hanson let them go.

He was more concerned with Elena and the way she lay naked as the day she was born but still as death.

No! I can't lose you! Hanson howled mourningly as he rushed to her side and nuzzled her cheek with his large, wet nose.

Only the fluttering he felt again his cheek told him she was breathing.

She was battered and bloody. Clearly, she had put up one hell of a fight.

I won’t lose you! Hanson declared, nudging her over his head and onto his back. I won't lose either of you!

In that moment, nothing else mattered. All he could think about was getting Elena to safety, back to Nightstar.

There were healers there, and by the sounds of her ragged breathing, she needed one. The scent of blood made Hanson feel sick, not because it revolted him, but because of what it meant.

Elena's words revolved in his mind. She had miscarried once. He had promised her that wouldn't happen again.

Hold on, Elena, he thought, praying she felt his strength, wishing he could lend it to her now. I've got you!

He raced harder than he ever had before, not caring for a second who might see him as he charged through the woods in wolf form, a naked woman on his back, heading for the main square of town.

Ordinarily, werewolves stayed well clear of witches, but today Hanson would make an exception. A witch might well be her only hope now.

Luckily for him, the humans in Nightstar didn't much seem to like staying out late at night, and the few he did meet along the way were stinking of alcohol. By the time morning came around, they'd likely blame the wolf and naked woman they had seen on being drunk or high. And if worst came to the worst, the pack would find a way to handle it.

What mattered now was Elena. And as he made it to the steps of the local healer's shop, the door opened up. A woman dressed in deep purple, a pentagram necklace hanging low in her cleavage, stepped out of the doorway and gestured him inside. “Bring her in, wolf.”

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