Page 40 of Wild Reckoning

Killian’s growl deepened, the sound reverberating through the room. He took another step forward, his gaze locked on Tetlow’s, his claws digging into the floorboards.

“I wouldn't do that.” Tetlow’s voice was still maddeningly calm. “Not unless you want to see your son harmed.”

For a moment, the two of them were locked in a silent standoff, the tension in the room so thick it was suffocating. Killian’s gaze flicked to Ethan, the little boy’s small body trembling in Tetlow’s grip. He couldn’t risk it. Not with Ethan’s life on the line.

Killian shifted back to his human form. “What the fuck do you want?” His voice was a low growl, the words barely recognizable as human.

Tetlow's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with triumph. “That's more like it,” he said. “Now, let’s have a little chat, shall we? I’m fully aware Alonso used this place as a stash house, but I have to confess, I’ve never stepped foot inside the place.” He glanced at Alonso. “Maybe I should have asked him before putting a bullet in him.” He shrugged. “Oh well.” Then his attention swung back to Killian. “Since you’re a bear, I’m sure you’ve sniffed out where the merchandise is hidden.”

Killian’s muscles tensed as he fought to keep his bear under control. He couldn’t attack, not with Ethan still in danger. He had to buy time, had to find a way to get the cub away from Tetlow without risking the little boy’s life.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s nothing here.” Killian really had no fucking idea what the guy was talking about. The house had a lot of strange smells.

Tetlow’s eyes darkened, his smirk fading as he pressed the gun harder against Ethan’s head. “Don’t lie to me.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “I don’t like liars, and I don’t like being kept waiting. Now, where is it?”

“Get that fucking gun away from his head,” Killian snarled.

“Ethan!” Stewart raced into the room, his arms outstretched. Killian grabbed his mate around the waist, yanking him back. “Get your hands off of him!”

The cub cried harder, reaching for his uncle, but Tetlow kept the boy trapped against him. “Bad man! Bad man!”

“Please, d-don’t hurt him,” Stewart begged, tears clogging his throat as he struggled against Killian’s grip. “He’s just a baby. He has nothing to do with this.”

Hearing his mate beg a stranger not to hurt their nephew gutted Killian. It also enraged him. If it was the last thing he did, he was going to make Tetlow pay for causing his mate and the cub so much anguish.

Killian needed a distraction, something to give him the opening he needed to get Ethan away from Tetlow. He could feel his bear inside him, pacing, snarling, desperate to tear the man apart, but he forced it back, keeping his focus on Ethan’s terrified green eyes.

“I’m only here for one thing,” Tetlow replied, roughly jerking Ethan against him when the toddler kept wiggling to get free. “Find my stash and I’ll disappear like I was never in this house to begin with.”

A sound from the hallway caught Killian’s attention. A soft creak of a floorboard, followed by the faintest rustle of movement. Ryker. Ethan was making too much noise for Tetlow to have heard the floorboard.

His brother moved into position, out of Tetlow’s sight, glaring at Killian like he wanted the motherfucker dead just as badly as Killian.

“Uncuh Kill!” Ethan’s small voice called out, filled with fear and desperation. Then he bit down hard on Tetlow’s hand, causing the guy to drop his gun.

The words were all it took. Killian’s bear took the command literally, the shift happening in an instant.

With a roar that shook the windows, Killian lunged forward, his massive form barreling into Tetlow. The guy stumbled backward, his smirk replaced by a look of genuine fear.

Ryker moved at the same moment, scooping Ethan up and pulling him out of the line of fire, his arms wrapping tightly around the small boy as he darted toward the hallway, forcing Stewart out of the room as well.

Killian swiped at Tetlow, his razor-sharp claws flashing as they raked across the man’s chest. Tetlow let out a strangled cry, his composure shattering as he scrambled backward, blood staining his shirt.

Now that his mate and nephew were out of harm’s way, Killian shifted back into his human form, giving Tetlow the beatdown he deserved. “You want to put a fucking gun to a toddler’s head? You want to traumatize my boy and my mate?”

Killian wailed on the guy, landing blow after blow until strong arms wrapped around him and yanked him backward. “He’s dead, son.”

But Killian’s head was still in a red haze. All he kept seeing was Ethan’s terrified expression. All he heard was Stewart’s desperate plea for his nephew. Now he fully understood how Hyett and his father felt when their mates were in danger, understood the paralyzing fear and the willingness to do anything to keep them safe.

Killian breathed heavily, wishing he could kill Tetlow all over again. The son of a bitch deserved a slow death.

“Cops are on their way.” Ryker stepped into the kitchen.

“Where in the fuck were you?” Killian bellowed at his brother. “You were supposed to be watching Ethan!”

His dad grabbed him again when Killian went for Ryker’s throat.

“The cub fell asleep so I went outside for some fresh air!” Ryker shot back. “There was no indication that someone was watching me. I didn’t smell anyone in the house or sense any danger. The bastard must’ve come in through the back as soon as I closed the front door.”

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