Page 24 of Guarded By A Savage Shifter

I race around the area, unlocking everyone that I can. By the time I get to the last lady—someone old enough to be my grandmother—Ryker and Hector’s wolf are covered in blood.

Hector’s wolf bounds away, limping as he circles around Ryker, keeping some distance between them. He stops, shakes, and phases back into his human form.

He’s bleeding from several gashes and breathing heavily as he glares at me. “You’re going to pay for that with your life.”

“Hey,” Ryker roars in outrage. “Don’t talk to my mate.”

“Your mate?” Hector says with an amused grin. He looks at my neck and I shiver, feeling violated by his wolfish gaze. That spot belongs to Ryker and Ryker only. “Interesting… No mark on your neck.”

“Don’t look at her,” Ryker warns in a monstrous tone.

Hector ignores him. “If I mark her neck first,” he says with a grin. “She’ll be mine.”

I shudder at the thought. I belong to Ryker. He’s the only man I want. The only man I’ve ever wanted.

I scream as Hector sprints toward me, running faster than any human can, but Ryker gets to him before he arrives. He collides into Hector and the two men crash to the ground. They wrestle and fight, but Ryker is stronger and he’s fighting for his mate, which gives him the edge.

Ryker picks up Hector by the throat and launches him into the barrels of gasoline used to soak the coca leaves. He smashes into them, sending gasoline flying everywhere. When he gets up, he’s drenched and cursing in Spanish.

He looks like he’s ready to murder the entire village as he stalks through the processing plant, gasoline dripping from his body.

Ryker steps forward to finish him off, but the little old lady hurries over, standing between them. She raises her hand to Ryker, holding him back.

She pulls a matchbox out of her pocket and grins as she takes out a match.

Fear flashes in Hector’s eyes as she strikes the match and tosses it into the puddle of gasoline.

The next thing I feel is Ryker’s big protective arms wrapping around me as the processing plant bursts into flames. He grabs the little old lady and shields us both from the heat with his massive body while he carries us away.

I don’t watch as the flames consume Hector, but the horrible howls won’t soon be forgotten.

I must say though, he had that coming.

Word quickly travels through the village and the surviving wolf shifters quickly feel the villagers’ wrath. Swarms of angry men and women who’ve lived too long under the wolves’ reign of terror rise up and attack Los Lobos de la Muerte members, finishing them off.

“It’s time to go,” Ryker says as they set fire to the palace.

“Alright,” I say as I get a quick video of the mansion going up in flames. “Now, I’m ready.”

We find a dirt bike in a garage and I climb on behind Ryker. I wrap my arms around his big body, gripping his hard abs with my hands as he starts the engine and we take off into the jungle.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Gracie

I’m typing so fast my hands are cramping up. My fingers are flying across my keyboard as I write down all of the thoughts racing through my head. This is going to be an epic story. It’s going to make my career. I can already see the outline in my mind, but I want to learn more. I need to dive in deeper to really make this story come to life.

I really want to go back to the village tomorrow and speak with some of the villagers about their experiences living under Los Lobos de la Muerte. I want to have an interview with that little girl, with the older woman, with everyone really. I wonder if the hotel reception can help me find a translator to help out.

Maybe my story can help bring some attention and resources to the area. Maybe it can bring some investment and new companies who are looking for dedicated workers to set up shop nearby.

I wonder if Ryker is up for prolonging the trip…

He’s taking a shower in my bathroom, and I’m trying to keep my mind on the story and not on his naked body that’s only a few feet away from me.

He flat-out refused to go back to his hotel room.

“We’re staying together from now on,” he said like it wasn’t up for discussion as he carried his suitcase into my room. “I’m not leaving my mate.”

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