Page 36 of Pretty Little Kitty

Over my dead body, he added silently.

His wolf was already rising, claws flexing beneath his skin, scent sharpened by the sudden spike of adrenaline. The idea of anyone, especially Xavier, ripping Kia out of his arms sent a violent jolt through him. It wasn’t just instinct. It was rage. Fear. A possessiveness so deep, it left him barely breathing.

“I didn’t think you would. Tuck him away. Meeting in fifteen.” Matias hung up.

Suero cursed under his breath.

“What is it?” Kia twisted his hands, eyes wide with worry.

He wasn’t going to lie. He wasn’t going to sugarcoat it. “Your uncle just declared war.”

Kia gasped, hand flying to his mouth. “I have to call him! He needs to know my cheetah has chosen. You and I are bonded!”

Suero wasn’t sure that would make a difference, but if it bought them even a second of peace, it was worth trying. Meanwhile...

“I need to get you somewhere safe.”

Macey’s house was out—he refused to put her in the crossfire. But Santiago’s? It was right next door. Close enough to reach if things went sideways, quiet enough to disappear into if Kia needed to vanish.

It was the best option.

He hated leaving his elegido behind, hated the idea of turning his back for even a second, but there was no time to argue. Not with Xavier mobilizing and a storm rolling in fast.

Suero hurried him along, jaw tight, silently cursing every mile between them and his damn motorcycle.

Chapter Ten

The second Suero pulled away in Santiago’s truck, the silence dropped like a hammer.

Kia stood in the middle of the living room, arms wrapped around himself, chest too tight to breathe. Every instinct screamed at him to chase after his mate, to yank open that truck door and not let him go.

But he didn’t. Because Suero had asked him to stay safe.

Now he just stood there, his body buzzing with the worst kind of fear. The kind that made you feel powerless.

He reached for his phone, praying a call to Xavier would help. Maybe if his uncle heard his voice—calm, safe, not kidnapped—he’d back off and no one would have to bleed today.

But as soon as he looked at it, his stomach dropped.

Silent mode. How? Kia didn’t remember silencing it, but the screen lit up like a guilt trip.

Fifteen missed calls.

One voicemail. Sent just an hour ago.

“Shit.” How had he not seen this before now? When he’d left Suero’s, he’d just stuffed his phone into his pocket, not thinking to check it. He should have. Kia hadn’t gone home last night and knew Xavier would be furious.

Because you were too caught up in your wolf. He blew out a shaky breath, jaw tight, thumb hovering over the screen.

Then he tapped Play.

Xavier’s voice came through the speaker like a blade—sharp, cold, and coiled with restrained violence.

“I don’t know what they’ve done to you. But I promise you, my boys—if the wolves have harmed you, I will burn every one of them to ash. I’ll wipe out their pack, one by one, until you’re returned. I swear it on my sister’s name.”

Silence followed—flat, final, lethal. He lowered his hand, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from the screen. He just stood there frozen, terrified of what Xavier might do and what Suero would have to do to stop him.

But worst of all, this wasn’t some kidnapping or hostage situation. It was a misunderstanding.

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