Page 20 of Feral Heart
“What are you doing?” Cesar hissed. “Get your drunk ass back here!”
But his mate had already reached the bench, his hands frantically searching through tools and debris.
“Jamie!”
His elegido crawled back to him, clutching something in his hands. “Found these.” He held up a rusty crowbar and what looked like an old hammer with a triumphant smile. “I’m not just gonna sit here while you protect me. I can help.”
The fierce determination in those gray eyes hit Cesar square in the chest. Here was his colibrí—drunk and terrified of his own brother—now determined to stand and fight alongside him with ancient farm tools. Not hiding. Not begging to be saved. But actively looking for ways to defend them both.
“I’m not helpless,” Jamie added, misinterpreting the silence. “I know I’m not as strong as you, but I can—”
“I know you’re not helpless,” Cesar cut him off, eyeing the tree line where the strangers were regrouping.
Jamie’s surprised smile was brighter than the moonlight.
“Stay behind me,” Cesar instructed, repositioning himself. “If anyone gets past me—”
“I’ll beat ’em like they owe me money,” Jamie finished, hefting the crowbar with both hands, swaying slightly like the weight would topple him. “Nobody messes with us, jellybean.”
Us. The word echoed in Cesar’s mind as he focused on the shadows moving outside. In the midst of gunfire and danger, with death potentially minutes away, all he could think was how right it was coming from Jamie’s lips.
His wolf howled inside him, a primal sound of possession and protection. He’d never felt this way about anyone before, this overwhelming need to shield and cherish, to fight and kill for.
“You’re incredible,” Cesar said, unable to keep the admiration from his voice.
Jamie grinned, crowbar clutched to his chest like a treasured possession. “I know, right? I’m even shocking myself. Who knew?” He blinked several times. “Now let’s kick some butt.”
A barrage of gunfire interrupted the moment, bullets punching through the old wood. Cesar returned fire but conserved his ammunition. Where the hell was Matias? The pack should have been here by now.
As if answering his thoughts, the distant roar of motorcycles cut through the night. Multiple engines, growing louder by the second.
“Sounds like our backup is almost here,” Cesar muttered, relief flooding through him.
The men heard it too. The gunfire stopped abruptly, followed by shouted curses and the sound of retreating footsteps. Car doors slammed, an engine revved, and tires spun on grass before gaining traction.
Jamie sagged against him, the crowbar still clutched in his hand. “Are they gone?”
“For now.” Cesar wrapped an arm around him, pressing a kiss to his temple. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Jamie looked up at him, a smudge of dirt across one cheek, eyes bloodshot but determined. “Next time I’ll be better prepared.”
Cesar laughed, the sound echoing in the empty barn. “Next time? You planning on making this a regular thing?”
“If I’m with you?” He shrugged, giving Cesar a goofy grin. “Seems like I should expect some excitement when you’re around, cupcake.”
The roar of motorcycles grew deafening as Matias and the others pulled up outside. Cesar tucked his gun away, keeping Jamie against his side as they moved toward the barn entrance.
“You know,” Cesar said quietly, “most people would be running away screaming after something like this.”
Jamie looked up at him, those gray eyes reflecting moonlight. “I just proved I’m not most people, right?” He made an explosions sound. “Blew my mind.”
Looking at him—this small, brave human willing to fight at his side—Cesar felt something he struggled to name. His wolf recognized it immediately. A deepening of their bond, an expansion of what had begun as simple attraction.
This wasn’t just lust or protectiveness anymore. This was something far more dangerous.
This was love taking root.
The male was his, and if another threat dared to come anywhere near his elegido again, Cesar’s beast would ensure their demise.
