Page 18 of Hidden Pain

Using his superior strength, Hunter tossed Kingsley like a rag doll across the room. The human bounced off the wall and slid down onto the floor.

“Have you gone crazy?” Lily grabbed hold of Hunter, but he shook her off.

“Stay out of this,” Hunter warned her and grabbed Kingsley again. This time, the dazed human dared to throw a punch his way. It landed on the side of Hunter’s jaw and momentarily disoriented the wolf shifter.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Kingsley tried to free himself from Hunter’s tight grip. “Are you jealous? Is that it?”

Hunter cracked his neck to the side and growled.

“Jealous of a woman beater? I’ve seen Ebony’s face.”

Kingsley’s expression immediately dropped as guilt and realization set in.

“Hunter, I didn’t.”

“Shut-up.” Hunter wasn’t going to listen to anymore. He formed a fist again and sent it hard into Kingsley’s face. “How doyoulike it?”

Hunter and Kingsley continued to trade blows. Every time the human tried to speak, Hunter would shut him up. He wasn’t willing to listen to lies or confront his disappointment in a man he’d learned to trust.

Suddenly, a loud roar sounded out in the room, and before there was a chance to fully register what was happening, Lily in bear form was between the two men and pushing them apart. Her sharp teeth were bared, and her snarling stopped Hunter from lunging toward Kingsley again.

“Stop.” Lily’s voice entered his head.

Then she turned her head and growled toward Kingsley as he went to step forward. He swiftly stepped back.

She shifted into her human form when she was happy they were both listening to her and understood she meant them to leave each other alone. Hunter ran his hand over his head in frustration, and blood smeared on his face from his broken knuckles.

“If you have any anger, you take it out on me. That’s what I’m here for,” Lily informed them, and when Hunter looked at Kingsley, he saw Kingsley’s mouth had fallen open in shock.

“No,” the human instantly stated.

“Suddenly you’ve got something against hitting a woman?” Hunter retorted.

“I didn’t hit her. If you’d listen to me, I’d tell you what happened.” Kingsley came at him again. Lily placed a hand on each of their chests, keeping them separated.

“No,” she repeated. Her diminutive, naked figure was now being swamped by his and Kingsley’s larger frames. Lily looked up at him, her big brown eyes pleading with him to listen to what Kingsley had to say.

“Talk.” Hunter folded his arms across his chest.

“Ebony found me after my run. We got into a bit of a heated discussion. Things were said. I won’t go into details because it’s forgotten on my part.” Kingsley paused. “I went to hit her, but I stopped just in time. If she’s got bruising on her face, it’s not from me. She looked like she’d had a couple of glasses of wine. Maybe she walked into something?” This time, the human let out a long breath. “I swear this on my sister’s life, and you know she’s all I have left in the world.”

Kingsley reached out and took Lily’s hand.

“Well, until now. I can’t explain what happened between Lily and I, but I know it felt right at the time.”

Hunter looked between the two of them. He knew in his heart Kingsley was telling the truth. It was his turn to feel guilty for believing what Ebony had said. She was obviously still causing problems.

“I believe you. I’m sorry.” Hunter bowed his head.

Lily reached out with her other hand to Hunter. “I need both of you. Please don’t fight.”

“I’m sorry.” Hunter took her proffered hand and brought it to his lips. He didn’t really know what he was doing, but it felt right. He kissed her soft skin.

“Lily, I think you need to show Hunter exactly what you showed me,” Kingsley said, letting go of her hand and stepping back. He started to make his way to the door.

“Stop,” Hunter called out. “Stay.”

Kingsley looked up at him in confusion.

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