Page 41 of Warrior's Purpose

“Jeff. So, why you heading to the lake?”

“Meeting my family. We like to camp once a year.”

She complained earlier about their camping trips, but as she and her sisters grew up and life got busy, cavorting around the lake with her family were some of her fondest memories.

“That’s real nice.” Grizzly Jeff nodded, as he took the highway off-ramp.

Abby watched the passing scenery. She noticed the sign and recalled the road her Dad usually took.

“Oh, I think that was our turn.” She tapped on the window.

“I know a shortcut.”

She eyed the trucker warily. Grizzly Jeff was still smiling as he stared at the road ahead, but it was definitely creepier than it was moments ago. She knew she was in trouble, when he turned off onto a deserted access road among the trees.

Fuck!

Ashtoret de Origa

The large vehicle stopped, but Ashtoret could still hear the engine rumbling. He waited to make sure they weren’t just halting at an intersection. He heard Abby’s murmured voice as a door shut. It was faint but there was something about her tone that captured his attention. Every hair on his body stood on end, and an instinctual growl vibrated from his throat. He grabbed his knife and jumped from the storage bay.

“Let go of my hair. Ash!”

Abby’s scream seared through him like a hot brand to bare flesh. He’d been through war and never experienced a seething rage like what boiled in his veins as he raced around the corner. The scene that greeted him was his worst nightmare come to life. The vile male had his mate by the hair and was forcing her to the ground. The look of terror on Abby’s face stilled his blood. He reached her in an instant and grabbed the male by the nape of his neck.

“You dare touch her,” he roared as he ripped the puny piece of shit off Abby and held him aloft, while brandishing his knife.

The male futilely punched him in the face.

“She is not yours to touch.” He bared his fangs and snarled in rage.

The male’s eyes widened with horror as he focused on Ashtoret’s face. The offensive human started to babble incoherent pleading sounds, and a pungent odor rose up. Ashtoret growled again in disgust. The male was brave enough to attack a female, but cowardly soiled himself when his crime was discovered.

“You are the worst kind of filth.” He raised his blade to end the pathetic bastard.

“No, Ash.” Abby gripped his arm.

“He hurt you and has assuredly done this before. The male has earned a swift trip to Vrag for such a dishonor.”

“Just let him go. We can’t kill somebody,” she pleaded.

He huffed, taking in several breaths as his rational mind returned. Abby was right, ending this male would probably make things more difficult.

“Please,” the bastard choked out, his face bright red and eyes bulging.

Ashtoret snarled in his face, giving the male a rough shake.

“Shut up, asshole. You’re lucky I stopped him from gutting you. Remember that the next time you think about being a raping bastard,” Abby screamed at the male, then headed toward the vehicle cockpit.

“What are you doing?” he asked, wearing an amused smile at how she lit into the pile of filth.

“I’m getting his keys.” Abby climbed into the vehicle and shut it off. “Got’em. Let him go.”

“Run.” He tossed the male and snarled.

The human wisely did as he was told. Ashtoret shook his head in disgust seeing the stain on the retreating male’s breeches as the vile bastard ran down the dirt road. The moment Abby was within reach, he tugged her against him.

“Are you all right? I’m so sorry.” He examined her bare arms, snarling as he noticed the scrapes on her elbows.

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