Page 98 of Savage Hunt

“Camus told me you aren’t actually a member of the Mohan pack.” He sipped his rum and coke. “Actually, you don’t belong to any pack.”

I shook my head. “Not really my thing.”

“Maybe you’ll change your mind if you visit Blackwater Falls.” His teeth flashed as he offered up another sexy smile. “You might find that my pack suits you. And maybe you might find that I?—”

“She doesn’t need a pack.” Fane appeared out of nowhere, tension rippling through his body as his side pressed against mine.

The alpha didn’t seem intimidated by the demon shifter or his prickly attitude. “Hi, Fane. It’s been a while.” He placed his glass on the table and extended his hand. “Glad to see you’re back with your family.”

Fane looked like he’d rather bite Saint’s hand off than shake it, but he acted like a civilized person and returned the handshake. “I’m here for now.”

“Camus mentioned you had a mate. Is it Tate?” Saint pulled out of Fane’s tight grip and motioned between the two of us. “I smell your scent on her, but you don’t exactly seem—together.”

A vein in Fane’s neck throbbed. “Why do you care?”

Saint scoffed. “I’m sure you can work that out, Maverick.” His gray eyes flicked to me again, the heat in them making me blush. “I can tell you haven’t officially claimed her yet so?—”

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say.

Fane pushed between Saint and me, releasing a low, threatening snarl. The air shimmered around him as ebony fur sprouted from his flesh and spikes tore through his spine, ripping his shirt.

Saint’s face blanched, and he stepped back. “Holy shit. I shouldn’t have asked.” He lifted his hands in surrender. “I get it. She’s taken.”

Fane was on the verge of shifting into his beast and tearing Saint’s throat out.

Conversation halted in the room, and everyone’s attention landed on us.

“Fane just challenged an alpha,” Torrance whisper-yelled to Julia. “He wants to take his pack.”

Saint gave a nervous laugh. “There was no challenge. Not like that.” He put more distance between him and Fane. “I crossed a line with his mate, and Fane just put me in my place. No one’s fighting.”

Camus arched his brow at me as if to say I told you so while a few murmurs circled the room. Fane would have every right to flip out on another male shifter if he tried to steal his mate.

We weren’t mates, though.

Marissa’s deep scowl brought a smile to my lips. Dorian probably never acted that possessive over her. Fane nearly ripped an alpha’s throat out even when he wanted to end my life.

The demon shifter easily shook off the transformation, earning a few envious looks for his ability to shift into either form so quickly, and then he marched out of the back door. Now that I was in the spotlight alone, I set my glass on the closest table, gave Saint an awkward wave, and darted out the back door.

The humid summer air engulfed me and already had my tank top and jeans sticking to my skin. I wandered through the dark yard and into the patch of forest. Fane clearly wanted to be alone, so I didn’t tap into the bond to find him. Plus, I’d rather not be around him when he was this angry in case he couldn’t resist that killing urge.

“Well, that was exciting.”

I groaned and turned as Dominic slithered out of the shadows. “What do you want?”

A cocky smirk curved his mouth as lust pooled in his green eyes. “Maybe I want to see what all the fuss is about.” He stalked closer, zeroing in on his prey. “You’ve got Fane Maverick by the balls and even piqued Saint’s interests. There must be something special, and I want to experience that.”

My teeth mashed as the shifter invaded my personal space, barely more than a few inches away. “You wouldn’t like what I have to offer, Dominic. In fact, you’d choke on me. I’d make sure of it.”

His laugh spilled frost over my nape. “Still, I’d like a sample. I’ll take it if I have to.”

I shoved my hand into his chest as he tried to extinguish the gap between us. “Back off before you can’t.” He had no idea how dangerous I could be. If I let the Infernal Sol out, he’d be on the ground in seconds, bawling over his worst fear.

“Fane’s not here to protect you.”

This guy couldn’t be that dense. “Haven’t you learned by now that I don’t need anyone’s protection? I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. Your bestie Dorian saw me in action the night those agrigons attacked. I’m sure he told you.”

Dominic licked his lips. “I’m not a sub-demon. I’m a male shifter who’s locked in on a female. I can be very persuasive when necessary.” He reached up and brushed a lock of hair from my face. “I can make this easy or hard on you, whichever you’d like.”

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