Page 44 of Plus-Size Mate

“What is it? What's the matter?”

Eddie didn't answer. Instead, he pressed his index finger to his lips, releasing her hand, before he whispered, “Stay here.”

Chapter 15 - Eddie

Eddie entered the shop cautiously. Even over the scent of herbs and spices, he smelled the awful scent of the enemy as he drew close to the door that had been left ajar.

The broken latch on the door made him growl low in his throat. The protective sensation in his gut made him growl even harder.

Nobody was going to get away with this. This was Winter's shop, her home. Nobody was going to mess with that, not anymore.

Yet, the second he entered, he was accosted by three men who bore down on him hard.

“You fuckers!” he growled as he elongated his claws and fangs, fighting them off with lash after lash.

“What the fuck?” one of them exclaimed as he aimed at lashing blow towards Eddie's face.

The slap was little more than a tickle, and Eddie quickly returned in kind, striking his claws across the man's face.

“What the hell is going on?” another demanded, the attack coming to an end quickly as the other two men looked down at their hands.

Devoid of claws or even the slightest hint of fur, they looked utterly confused.

Eddie, however, knew exactly what was wrong.

“What’s the matter? Witch got your wolf?” Eddie chuckled, darting at the closest man to grab him and throw him into the nearest shelf.

Jars and bottles fell, shattering on the floor just as they had before. A small wave of guilt washed over Eddie, but it was quickly replaced by anger as the final man grabbed him from behind and tried to yank him backwards.

He remained stuck in place. Clearly, the spell had sapped not only their ability to shift, but also their strength.

“What's the matter? Don't like feeling human?” Eddie asked as he turned and lunged at the third attacker, shoving him hard in the chest towards the door.

“I suggest you get out of here and take this warning back to your alpha,” Eddie growled angrily. “You're powerless here. It's time to let the town go.”

The men glanced among each other, the confusion and terror clear on their faces.

Eddie laughed with amusement as they scattered, all rushing for the door at once, practically tripping over each other to get out.

Yet, he didn't let down his guard. The sound of movement in the back room drew his attention almost immediately. He wasn't yet alone. And with Winter still outside, he was determined to make the shop safe for her.

Tightening his hands into fists, feeling his claws dig into his palms, he raced right through the beaded curtain, ready for anything.

Fangs bared, claws at the ready, he stopped dead when he found Christopher sitting in Winter's desk chair.

The enemy alpha had a cocky tilt to his head, spinning a pen on the table in front of him.

“You aren't the witch we were expecting,” Christopher growled, and Eddie sensed movement to his left.

One glance told him that he and Christopher weren't alone.

The second man appeared from the shadows between two of the bookcases.

Teeth still bared, Eddie demanded, “Why are you here?”

“We came to collect what belongs to me,” the second man said, glancing at his alpha as if looking for permission to say more.

When Christopher said nothing, the man continued, “We've come for the witch. My bastard daughter.”

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