Page 27 of Just One Bite
“Stay away from me.”
“Olivia.” Parker walks through the trees with my little sister in tow, and I’m instantly lighter. Relief. Safety. All is back within my reach.
“Parker.” I walk to him and pull Emma toward me.
His eyes are yellow when he glares at Barrett and Darien.
“What happened?”
“He … he was going to mark me.”
The light leaves Parker’s eyes—no blue, no yellow, just flared pupils taking up all that space—before pinning Barrett to the tree by the throat. His fingers lengthen to claws and dig into Barrett’s skin while brown fur coats his hand and forearm.
It’s so quick. So effortless.
Emma squeals, and I squeeze her to keep quiet.
“Challenge me. Let’s do it right now.”
Barrett spits on the ground, still hunched over rubbing the spot on his chest.
“You can’t, can you?” Parker continues, digging his heels in.
“Parker, let’s just go,” I say. I’m not sure he’s thinking clearly, and I have the strangest urge to keep him out of trouble.
“Come on. We can make it a huge thing. Your dad and his friends can watch. I’m ready, right now.” Parker’s shaking but smiling, and his voice is tinged with excitement.
“What does that mean?” Emma whispers to me.
“Weres have fighting traditions that can be recognized by the Werewolf Council if held in an appropriate manner and venue.” Darien is beside us, lingering over my left shoulder like a dark fairy.
Barrett is still in pain from the crystal, but his eyes are deadly. His pupils grow. He wants to shift. Would he take the challenge?
“Unless you want to be embarrassed, I suggest you stay the fuck away from her.” Parker shoves him into the tree. Barrett is larger than him and taller, but Parker throws him around like a rag doll.
“Parker. Come on,” I say.
“Of course, baby. After I make sure he understands that you’re mine.” Parker’s claws leave a trail of blood trickling down his neck. “And trying to mark what’s mine puts me in a bad mood.”
Barrett finally agrees, and Parker drops him into the dirt.
“So the rumors are true, then?” Darien says.
“Stay away from them. Or don’t and accept my challenge. I’m good with either,” Parker spits before ushering me and Emma back toward the lawn where everyone else looks to be having an amazing time. I spot Eva roped to a guy in an emerald blazer. Her eyes widen when they get to the axe throwing and he makes it right in the center on the first try.
“Come here.” Parker’s touch is gentle on my arm as he steers us away from the crowd.
It stills the drumming heartbeat in my head. My nerves instantly calm. His pupils are still dilated, and his normally blue irises are a muddy shade of green.
“Did he hurt you?”
“I—no … not really.”
“Hand.” He holds his palm open, waiting for the hand I have tucked behind my back. I’d shoved the crystal into Barrett’s chest hard enough to break the skin on my palm.
There’s blood smeared there, and his jaw sets at the sight of it. He brings myhand to his lips and licks. The cut mends in an instant. I almost said no, but I couldn’t get my mouth to form the words with his touch dissipating all the fear I’m trying hard to hide for Emma’s sake.
My face burns when he continues to survey my arm for any more cuts. Emma’s mouth falls open, but she recovers her composure quickly.
