Page 39 of What a Wolf Demands

He shushed her again.

Anger flashed across her features. “What are you—”

In one move, he rushed to her, swung her against him, and clapped a hand over her mouth. She tensed, then started to struggle.

He put his lips against her ear and spoke in a low voice. “There are wolves in the hall. Males. Cajuns.”

She went still, then turned her head toward the door. Her heart rate sped up.

“Don’t talk, okay?” His breath stirred the fine hairs at her temple. “We can’t risk them hearing you.”

She nodded.

He dropped his hand from her mouth and spoke again in her ear, his voice as low as he could make it. “Listen to me. I want you to go in the bedroom and get in the closet. Don’t come out, no matter what you hear. Understand?”

Another nod.

He released her.

She spun, fear making her eyes stark. Her heart was like a galloping horse in the quiet room. Outside, muffled voices were loud enough now for anyone to hear. Whoever was out there, they weren’t trying to be quiet now. That could be good or bad.

Dom put a finger over his lips and pointed to the bedroom. Trust me, he mouthed. Go.

Lily hesitated. She darted another glance at the door. Then she gave him a jerky nod, hefted the robe, and hurried into the bedroom. At the threshold, she turned and gave him a final worried look. The bedroom’s double doors framed her, making her a tall ribbon of white terrycloth between the wooden panels.

He made a shooing motion. Dammit, why couldn’t she just follow orders? If she’d been a Telepath, he could have blasted a command directly into her brain. It was a damned inconvenience that so few wolves shared his Gift.

A loud knock sounded on the hotel door.

Lily jumped, then whirled and disappeared from view.

He stared at the spot she’d occupied, her fearful expression still lingering in the air. He could only hope she did what he said and stayed in the closet where there was less chance of the Bon Rêve wolves catching her scent.

Because there was no question in his mind that the Cajun voices he heard hailed from the bayou.

And now they’d come calling.

The knock sounded again, an edge of impatience in the sound.

He wanted the gun, but there was no time to get it. He was outnumbered, and he could be easily overpowered—especially if the Cajuns decided to bust down the door.

Max often said a Beta’s job was half enforcer, half diplomat. Dom might be more comfortable in the enforcer role, but right now he had to rely on diplomacy.

Because most likely, the wolves on the other side of that door hadn’t come to inquire after his health.

No, they’d come to track down Lily. And he was the only thing standing in their way. No matter what she thought, he wasn’t going to let them take her.

He’d given his word to keep her safe and ensure she got a fair trial.

And when he said he’d do something, he meant it.

Protect, the wolf urged as he started for the door.

As he crossed the room, he shot the beast the mental equivalent of a warning glare.

“You get your way,” he told it. “This time.”

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