Page 29 of Chomp's Challenge

I head for Chelle’s room as she stays on the line, gripping the phone like my life depends on it. I’ve got just as tight a hold on the knife. If I get attacked, at least someone will know. Kodiak and Chomp will hurry. I know my gator man will rush to my side.

I’m almost to the room when I hear a crash. It combines with a loud boom as thunder rumbles overhead. I screech as I spin, catching the front door as it splinters open. Terrified, I lift my knife and scream Callie’s name.

It’s chaos. Wood pieces fly outward as they’re crushed beneath the body of an enormous alligator. The beast charges toward me and for a split second, I forget it’s not a normal gator. All I see is a monster intent to eat me. Flashbacks of that night assail my thoughts as I crumple to the floor, tears now streaming down my face.

As the gator approaches, I see the mouth open, and a hiss escapes. I’m so traumatized that I plunge the knife into the air, indicating that I’ll use it if I need to. The gator’s body begins to shudder and then it’s changing in front of me, body parts shifting into the familiar form of Chomp. I’m shocked for multiple reasons, but the two that stick out the most are witnessing the transformation and finding it’s real while also unable to look away from the virile, muscled, attractive man in front of me. He’s naked.

I see all of him. And I mean, all of Chomp. Every long, thick inch.

Jesus. I can’t stop staring. Who knew a guy could look that girthy and endowed when he wasn’t uh, hard?

Chomp doesn’t seem to notice my perusal. He drops to my side and scoops me into his embrace. I’m lifted off the floor as he cradles me against his chest and a deep chumpf leaves his throat. He’s still a bit more beast than man, but he wants me to know he’s here.

“Chomp,” I whisper, hugging him around the neck. “There’s a man outside my window. He was watching me.” I shudder. “He banged his fists on the glass.”

“Fuck,” he curses. “I’m sorry. I should have been here.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“No, but we caught a scent that we detected when we went to that house to pick up your things.” He frowns as I lift my head.

“What do you mean?”

“We noticed several scents. Human males. Two of them smelled like the ones that,” he pauses, and I understand. “This scent is like one of them. Close, but not the same.”

He seems like he doesn’t want me to know but also needs to keep our communication open and build our trust. Chomp shakes his head.

“I don’t know if that means anything important,” I admit, still struggling with the fact that someone is watching or stalking me.

“I saw boot prints outside your window.” Chomp tucks my head under his chin and holds me so tightly that I know he’s scared for me. “I’ll figure this out. I promise, Ariel.”

“I know.”

“That means I’m staying with you at night. I need to know you’re safe if he comes back.”

I open my mouth to argue but decide against it. The truth is, I don’t want to be alone if the stranger returns. “Okay, on one condition.”

“Anything.”

“You can’t let your gator bust down another door.”

It’s almost funny. I can hear the wind and rain sweeping through the foyer. Michelle won’t be happy. She stayed with her boyfriend overnight. It’ll be a shock once she returns.

“I’ll fix it.” His lips press a kiss on my head. “And no more busted doors.”

“Unless a psycho stalker is after me,” I amend.

He snorts. “Got it.”

It’s somewhat ironic that when I first saw the gator storming through the broken door, I was terrified, but when I realized it was Chomp, my fear dissipated. While I’m not sure how it’s going to work with him being around at night, I know with him nearby, I’ll be able to rest.

Chapter

Thirteen

CHOMP

Mate is safe now, my gator whispers as we hold Ariel close.

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