Page 37 of Honey Heat
“I can’t believe Jamie ate half the cookie dough,” Brett said, chuckling as he adjusted his grip on his own bag. “We’re lucky we had enough left to actually bake anything.”
“The way he snuck around behind you was pretty impressive though,” Ethan replied, grinning at the memory of Jamie’s not-so-subtle theft. “For someone who talks non-stop, he can be surprisingly stealthy when sugar is involved.”
Ethan really liked Jamie. The nonstop chatter didn’t bother him. In fact, Ethan liked all the mates. They were so warm and welcoming. He was shocked to discover two the mates were cheetahs. It seemed this wolf pack was full of surprises. Kia and Jared had been super nice to Ethan, even though he was a different species.
Which made him wonder why the alphas had problems with each other. The mates had just proved that it didn’t matter what breed you were. With just a little effort, they could all get along.
Brett laughed, the sound warm in the quiet alley behind the tavern. “Cesar says I should start hiding the mixing bowls on top of the refrigerator when I’m baking. But honestly, I wouldn’t be able to deny Jamie’s little cookie dough thefts. He’s just too adorable when he’s trying to be sneaky.”
They reached the dumpster, the metal container radiating heat from sitting in the sun all day. Ethan wrinkled his nose at the pungent smell as Brett lifted the heavy lid. Together, they tossed their bags inside, the contents landing with a dull thud.
“Mission accomplished,” Brett said, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Let’s head back before they eat all the cookies without us.”
And Ethan was anxious to see Lucio. He’d heard the meeting wrapping up, which meant his mate would come looking for him. Ethan couldn’t believe how hard he’d already fallen for his wolf. From the moment Lucio had found him on that warehouse floor, the guy had been by his side. He just wished his dad could see what Ethan saw in Lucio. It hurt deeply Boone hadn’t even tried to reach out to him. His father’s acceptance mattered to Ethan, and all he wanted was Boone’s blessing.
As they turned toward the tavern’s back entrance, movement caught Ethan’s attention. Three figures emerged from around the corner of the building, spreading out to block their path.
Ethan’s blood ran cold as recognition hit him. Hyenas. Their scent carried on the breeze, acrid and unmistakable. His gaze locked onto the one standing slightly ahead of the others, and memory clicked into place like a key turning in a lock.
Not the man in the suit, but someone just as dangerous. Someone who had watched while they tortured Ethan, asking questions between his screams.
“Drek,” Ethan whispered, the name sour on his tongue.
The alpha’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “The little bear remembers me. I’m flattered.”
What he remembered most was the pain of Drek’s fists as he’d driven them into Ethan’s body repeatedly. He was the one who’d broken Ethan’s fingers as well.
Before Ethan could react, Drek lunged forward with unnatural speed, grabbing Brett and yanking him backward. A clawed hand wrapped around the redhead’s throat, pressing just hard enough to dimple the skin without breaking it.
“Such a pretty human,” Drek cooed, his breath ruffling Brett’s hair. “Would be a shame to spill his lovely blood.”
“Let him go,” Ethan growled, his bear snarling to get free, ready to fight despite his smaller stature.
“Oh, I will,” Drek replied, his voice silky with false reasonableness. “Just as soon as you fetch me one of the cheetahs from inside. It doesn’t matter which one.”
Ethan froze. “What do you want with them?”
Then his brain kicked in, reminding him what the hyenas were after.
“Don’t play stupid, little bear. We both know you’re smarter than that.” Drek’s claws lengthened slightly, pressing more firmly against Brett’s throat. “I already have wolf DNA thanks to Diablo and bear DNA from you. The cheetah is the last piece I need for this particular... endeavor.”
There was no way Ethan would hand over either cheetah. He liked the cousins and would never bring them any harm. Just thinking about how he was treated in the warehouse brought him chills. And Ethan was sturdier, despite his size. Kia or Jared wouldn’t stand a chance against the brutality.
“Your associate in the suit must be paying you handsomely,” Ethan said, trying to buy time while frantically searching for a way out of this situation. He was also hoping to get a name or any vital information to help the wolf pack and bear clan track down the monster.
“Enough to risk coming here,” Drek agreed, grinning wider to reveal too many teeth as Brett trembled in his grip. “Now be a good bear and fetch me a cheetah, or you can watch me slice open this human’s throat.”
“I’ve played hostage once before. I’d rather have a gift card,” Brett said right before he shouted Diablo’s name.
“You stupid fucking human,” Drek cursed, clamping a hand over Brett’s mouth. It was like closing the barn door after the horses had escaped. What a dumbass. But Ethan was also terrified Brett had just sealed his fate by such a brave move.
The tavern’s back door burst open with such force it slammed against the outside wall. Diablo emerged, his eyes scanning the scene before locking on Brett in Drek’s grasp.
The roar that tore from Diablo’s throat didn’t sound human, because it wasn’t. Ethan watched in awe as Diablo’s transformation began. Unlike any shift he’d ever witnessed, this was violent, raw power. Bones cracked and reformed, elongating and thickening. Diablo’s skin rippled as gray fur erupted across his body. His face extended into a muzzle filled with teeth that gleamed white in the sunlight. In seconds, where Diablo had stood now towered an enormous gray wolf, nearly twice the size of a natural one, muscles rippling beneath thick fur.
More footsteps sounded behind him. Lucio and Matias emerged from the tavern, flanking the enormous wolf.
Strong arms encircled Ethan’s waist, pulling him backward. Lucio’s scent enveloped him as his mate dragged him away from the confrontation, positioning his body between Ethan and the hyenas.
