Page 14 of The Wolf's Mate

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to run in the woods at night, Red?” Amusement laces his tone.

“It’s technically morning. So, not night,” I reply lamely, making the scary man laugh.

“Cheeky. I like you, Red.” The stranger steps closer, and I think Grass is going to attack. But when the man looks down, Grass whimpers and moves to hide behind me.

So much for protection.

“So, the rumors are true. You’re the new human mate,” he says. “My name is Michael. I’ve been dying to meet you.” The man—Michael—looks me over. Not in a way that men at parties look at me when I’m drunk and they’re looking for an easy lay.

No, there’s something far more sinister in the way he focuses his attention on me.

“I really need to get back. Someone is expecting me, and he’ll come looking if I don’t show up.” It’s a lie. No one is waiting for me because no one saw me leave. Great fucking job, Hettie, I scold myself. I’m not in Grym Hollow any longer. These aren’t people. They’re wolves. I’ve never felt smaller in my life.

“Strange how they let the new Luna walk around with no guards, especially knowing you’re human. But then again, Rip has never been the smartest of alphas.” Michael’s face contorts into a snarl. But just as quickly as his anger comes, a mask of indifference soon takes over.

I have no idea what a damn Luna is, but I don’t get the opportunity to ask because Michael says, “Fortunately for you, he won’t be your problem for much longer.”

Faster than my eyes can follow, Michael snatches my wrist in a punishing grasp. I cry out in pain and try to pull away, but his grip on me tightens.

“Let go of me!” I try to kick, scratch, and twist my way out of his grip, but it’s like battling a brick wall. He doesn’t budge, and I doubt he even feels my weak attempt at escaping.

Michael just laughs. His eyes, soulless black orbs just moments ago, now shine golden in the moonlight. Terror holds my body captive, and I tense.

“Now why would I give up a human? Don’t you know how powerful your kind can be to an alpha?”

Power? Who the fuck has power here? Because it’s sure the fuck not me. “I don’t know who you think I am, but you have the wrong girl.” Maybe this bastard can be reasoned with, since I can’t overpower him.

“No, I know exactly who you are, Hettie.” The color drains from my face. “You’re the pretty human who will help me take back what is mine, and if you’re lucky, I might just keep you around to enjoy it.”

In the distance, a wolf howls, sounding loud and forlorn. Michael’s grip eases on me, but only just. He stops, tilting his head as if he’s trying to hear something. Another howl fills the night air.

Are those Rip’s people? Do they know I’m gone?

Michael curses under his breath and turns his attention back to me. “I’ll see you soon, Little Red. Remember, don’t walk in the woods at night. You don’t know what monsters walk through here.”

Michael lets me go, and I shuffle backward to put distance between us. He winks at me before a loud cracking sound startles me, followed by clothes ripping. Like it’s happening in slow motion, Michael’s body morphs from that of a man into a monstrous dark gray wolf.

Holy fuck, he just shifted in front of me. Before I can wrap my head around it, Michael—now a wolf—runs back into the woods, disappearing in the shadows.

My body shakes, pure terror and adrenaline working its way through my system. I feel on the verge of a panic attack, and I think Grass senses as much. He’s no longer cowering in fear, but he whimpers and licks me to assure us we are okay.

But are we? Or did I just trade one fucked-up situation for another?

“We’re okay. We’re fine,” I say, though I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince.

Just as I say that, a low growl comes from behind us. I whirl around, half expecting to see Michael again, deciding he wants me dead. Golden eyes stare back at me, but unlike Michael, this wolf’s fur is midnight-black.

I barely make it two steps away before I hear bones crack and shift. It sounds painful, and I flinch. Seconds later, a very naked—and very pissed—Rip stands in front of me.

I drag my eyes down his body. He’s tense, and his muscles are flexed as if expecting a fight. My eyes wander even lower until I see the fucking steel rod between his legs. He’s not even hard, but the man is already indecently long and thick.

Has anyone ever been on that thing? And did they receive financial compensation for their broken pussy?

These thoughts are completely inappropriate, and I snap my eyes back to his gaze. His deadly and pissed-off gaze.

I’m so fucking screwed.

Chapter 7

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