Page 75 of Never Submit

“This wolf was in my house.” Carrigan’s voice is thin and reedy.

When I glance over at her, Flora is helping my friend to stand, tears winding down Carrigan’s cheeks and leaving streaks behind.

“He destroyed everything. I’ve had to stay at Aspen’s forthe last week, and now he’s back, and you’re telling me that he’s actually a man? That he’s a…what?” Carrigan is nearly hysterical. “Awerewolf?”

Oh boy.

I force an awkward smile across my face. “Let me explain.”

Chapter 17

Dax

Beating the fuck out of that golden-haired prick is the highlight of my day so far, and it’s still early. I tilt my head from side to side, crack my neck and my knuckles in anticipation of the next round.

“Explain?” The curly-headed blonde girl screeches out the word, the jagged edges of it sending sharp pains through my ears. “Are you fucking kidding me right now, Renee?”

The blonde is trembling, leaning hard on Flora, sobbing like a baby. “He changed from a wolf to a man! And he’s naked and—why the hell is hehard?”

She’s terrified, and the stench of it seeps into the air like a stain. I scowl at her, peeling my lip up in a snarl.

Little Red digs her palms into my chest and pushes me back. “Dax! You’re scaring her.”

I hardly expect Red to push me away, to stand between me and her friend, blocking me with her body. She’s got her hands on her hips in the most delicious way, staring me down, furious.

“Threaten her and you’ll have to go through me,” she warns. “You know I’m not joking.”

“I like the sounds you’re making, Little Red.” I stare at her right back and my cock twitches eagerly, earning a tiny, strangledeepof surprise from the human.

Flora knows me. She rolls her eyes, avoiding my erection, torn between loyalty to me as Mathis’s beta and her new friend.

“You’re terrifying the locals,” Flora warns.

“So what?” I grunt.

Red is the only one that matters. And these assholes trailed her here, attacked her while her back was turned, would have hurt her if I hadn’t arrived in time. I let her go and I shouldn’t have.

“Dax.” Red’s warning me again, and I lick my lips, salivating.

I’ll take her right here and now.

Then the blond prick groans and curls in on himself and shatters my concentration.

“Keep your fucking voice down.” I kick the guy in the gut and listen to him squeal. “Or I’ll rip the tongue out of your throat and eat it.”

With Red watching my every move and her mouth flapping open, I grab the guy underneath the armpits and drag him further into the alley and away from prying eyes on the street.

The stench of violence and blood makes me even harder, and my dick digs into the man's back before I shove him down.

“I thought it before, but now I’m sure of it,” Red says. “I know this guy.”

I lift my lips in a grimace. “Yeah, the prick from the mountains.”

Her gaze hardens. “He was at the temple. The one talking shit. Right before?—”

I know that tone. Ilivefor that tone because there’s a hint of bloodlust in it, a hint of seeking redemption in the form of violence.

“You still think I went overboard?” I ask her, looming over the guy. “He’s got so much more coming to him. And I’ll happily be the one to cut off his leg and shove it down his throat.”

---