Page 24 of Wolf Duty

“Don’t move,” Dale said. He tilted his head, studying Nora, and then his gaze shifted to Sonya. “You’re both pretty in your own ways.” He gestured to Nora’s face. “Too bad about the scar, but I don’t mind. I’ll fuck you both.”

Bay’s wolf growled.

“If you shift, I’ll shoot Sonya,” Dale said calmly. “I’ll only maim her, and then I’ll make you watch me fuck her.”

Sonya shivered. “What’s wrong with you, Dale? How is this in the best interest of the pack?”

He ignored her and threw a pair of handcuffs to Nora. “Put those on the male wolf.”

The lawyer shifter shot him an icy stare, but picked up the cuffs. She walked over to Bay, whose wolf howled its fury. The sound echoed in Sonya’s chest.

Nora clanked the metal together as she stood next to Sonya. “On my back,” she said under her breath, without making eye contact.

Sonya kept her eyes on Dale, but with the arm Nora now blocked from his view, she skimmed the shifter’s back. And found a blade. A big blade.

Beads of sweat covered Bay’s forehead. He must be struggling to control his wolf. She could hear its furious howls inside her mind.

Nora snapped the cuffs on him. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed before stepping away.

Sonya felt like throwing up. This was all her fault. If she’d been more careful when she left the motel, they wouldn’t be in this situation. “I’m sorry too,” she said.

“Not as sorry as I am,” Nora wailed. “I had to put handcuffs on my pack mate, and it’s so unfair.” She stomped her foot and screamed, “Why do bad things always happen to me?”

“Calm down,” Dale ordered, waving his gun.

“Easy for you to say,” Nora screeched. She pointed to her face. “You’re not the one who’s disfigured and has everyone staring at you wherever you go.” She sat down on the floor. “I always have the worst luck.”

“Get your ass up,” Dale shouted, taking a step toward her.

Nora’s expression turned dark, and she glared at him. “Stop ordering me around. I’m sick and tired of men telling me what to do.”

The alpha took another step toward them. “Well, I’m the one with the gun. I’m in charge.” Focused on only Nora and her temper-tantrum performance, Dale kept coming closer. “I’m always in charge,” he said. “I’m the fucking alpha, and you bitches better do what I say.”

“Make me,” Nora threw at him.

“I will,” he shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. “I’ll teach you a lesson, and your friends will watch me do it.” He took another step toward Nora and raised the gun, lips stretched in a sinister smile.

“Now,” Nora said, and swept out her long legs, toppling Dale, who screamed in rage.

Knife arm outstretched, Sonya dove toward the alpha.

He twisted.

Instead of hitting his carotid artery, the blade sank into his shoulder.

“Fucking bitch,” Dale screamed. “You’re going to die.” He let go of the gun to grab the knife.

With a roar, Bay shifted, the cuffs sliding harmlessly off his paws. His wolf was gray with a darker saddle and mask. It leaped on Dale, crushing his throat between its massive jaws.

After shaking him to make sure he was dead, it padded over to Sonya, blood dripping from its mouth. She petted it. “You’re beautiful,” she said.

The wolf whined and put its head in her lap. Its body shook as limbs reformed and Bay resumed his human shape. “I’m so fucking sorry,” he said, wiping blood from his lips with the back of his hand. “You deserve so much more than I can give you.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?” She looked behind him to see if Nora had any idea.

The lawyer shook her head and shrugged. “I’m going to go outside and call Ulf and Karim.”

Bay stood and then spit more blood on the floor. It should be gross, but all Sonya could do was admire the view. He’d shredded his clothes when he shifted.

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