Page 70 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

“Lay another hand on me and you’ll regret ever meeting me.”

His snarl bounced off the hall’s narrow walls. “I already do.”

Later, she couldn’t remember what made her say her next words. Her only explanation was that a hot mix of fury and hurt made her abandon all kindness and decency, and she reached for words that would wound him as much as his wounded her.

She dropped her gaze to his bad leg, then met him square in the eye. “As if you could ever hope to catch me, crippled as you are.”

The color left his face.

She whirled and ran, her cheeks on fire and her heart pounding. Get upstairs and pack a bag. Get upstairs and pack a bag. The phrase drummed through her head, instinct urging her to go as fast as she could. Her head buzzed, the image of Bard’s shocked expression burned into her brain.

She reached the stairs and started up the treads.

Something brushed her arm.

Her wolf took over, making her spin in a blur of speed. She bared her fangs, ready to do battle.

Bard caught her elbow and jerked her against him. “How dare you call me crippled!”

They balanced two steps up, their feet tangling on the narrow tread.

“Let me go!” She tugged at his grip. The smell of juniper crashed over her.

He snarled low in his chest and tightened his grip.

They tussled on the step. She twisted sideways, trying to dislodge his grip.

“Stop it!” he yelled.

“Go to hell!” She gave her arm another yank.

Her foot slipped, throwing her off balance.

He lurched to the side.

That was all it took. They went down in a blur of tangled limbs.

Her shoulder hit the ground first. With her wolf ascendant, she felt nothing as she jumped to her feet and bared her fangs.

Then she sucked in a breath.

Bard lay sprawled at the foot of the stairs.

And his leg was missing.

She stared, her brain uncomprehending. The lower half of his leg was . . . gone.

Oh god. Terror gripped her, and she swept a gaze across the foyer, looking for blood.

Why was there no blood?

Bard sat up.

She gasped. “Are you—”

“I’m fine.”

What! “B-But your leg.” She went to her knees beside him.

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