Page 48 of Hybrid Moon Rising

Draven slowed his steps. He glanced at Mateo and Kade, who had already subdued Flora’s father and had him on his knees. Draven’s eyes then fell to where Flora stared at him, wide-eyed and full of fear. All the color had left her usually flush cheeks, and he tried to send her every bit of strength he had to give.

“You may have paid for her body, but you’ll never own her...” Draven’s voice fell off as he bit back the words his subconscious wanted to utter.

Because I own her.

He was going to be overwhelmed later when he started to process all the revelations he had come to mid-fight, and he wasn’t looking forward to it.

Petey bared his teeth, his eyes darting between where Mateo and Kade had Jimmy and the door behind them. If the bastard thought there was a chance he could escape, he had another thing coming.

Draven’s focus zeroed in on the crimson liquid training down Flora’s neck. Against his better judgment, he sucked in a deep breath. Her scent flooded his taste buds, and brought forward the monster he was barely keeping contained. His wolf egged on the bloodlust, and for the first time the two halves of him were united in their goals.

Save her. A faint voice echoed inside his head.

Without a second thought, Draven charged at the bed.

Petey yanked Flora by the hair and threw her between them, shoving her off the bed and into Draven’s arms. Draven caught her and with only a split second to think searched her body for any injury. When his gaze met hers, he found fear in her tear-rimmed eyes. No pain. She was all right then; fear she could heal from.

He settled her back to the bed gently, giving his back to Petey.

It was a rookie mistake, and he knew it even as Kade and Mateo shouted their warnings. It couldn’t be helped—getting Flora safely away from danger rang as a higher priority. It cost him.

Pain tore through the right side of his abdomen and a snarl tore from his mouth at the same moment Flora let out a high pitched shriek. His eyes fell to where Petey had sliced through his torso and blood poured from the open wound.

Draven snarled at the grungy human, all traces of his humanity long gone. The only thing on his mind was the need to see Petey’s blood drain from his body as life left his eyes and he was sent to the depths of hell. Because that’s where men like him went.

He lunged for Petey, whose eyes widened with the realization he’d gotten in his one good shot, and now his life was over. Petey dropped the knife and turned to run, but a half a step was all he got before Draven was on him, fangs deep in his neck.

Petey released one last shrill cry as Draven tore viciously, tearing the tendons. He pulled back, and spat out the chunk of flesh and veins. Then he placed his hands on either side of Petey’s head and with one quick jerk, ripped it from his body which fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Blood dripped from his lips and covered his front, much of it Petey’s but some of it his own. His breath was ragged when he turned to where Kade stood with Mateo, Flora’s father on his knees, the gun pointed at his head.

Kade shook his head, but did little to hide his grin. “You had to make it a messy job didn’t you?”

Draven growled, unamused. He should have drawn it out and made the waste of space suffer. As it was, there wouldn’t be enough time to do all the things Jimmy deserved.

He shifted his weight, turning to where Flora was on the bed, her knees curled to her chest. The color hadn’t returned to her cheeks and the cut at her neck still trickled slightly. He took a slow step toward her, hoping against all odds his appearance wouldn’t spook her.

Despite the gore covering him, Flora didn’t hesitate and leapt from the bed and into his arms, sobs wracking her body.

Draven pulled her against his chest and tangled his fingers in her hair. He inhaled her scent, checking again that she wasn’t physically hurt. Mentally was another story. He had no doubts she would survive this, because Flora was too strong not to. But that didn’t mean she should have to. Especially what came next.

“I’ve got you, Bubbles,” he whispered against her hair, hoping the ridiculous nickname would make her smile.

Flora pulled back and despite tear-filled eyes, a hint of a smile formed on her lips. “You really aren’t going to let that go.”

“No, I’m not.”

Jimmy grunted behind them, reminding Draven they still had a mess to deal with. He slid Flora down his chest until her feet touched the floor and tipped her chin so her gaze met his. “Listen, I am going to take you into my room and then—”

“No,” Flora stated confidently.

Draven cocked his head to the side in question, unsure if he admired her defiance or wanted to put her in her place with a swift smack to the ass. His wolf might have settled slightly with the knowledge she was safe, but there was no way he was going to let her stay for what came next.

Flora closed her eyes and stepped away from him. When she opened them again, he no longer saw just fear in them. There was also confidence and maybe something he’d say resembled hope. “I am not going to go into your room, because I want to make sure that monster is dead. He killed my mother and would have sold me to the highest bidder. I want to be the one who puts a bullet between his eyes. I want to watch the life drain from his features knowing he will never haunt me again.”

“Flora you don’t have to.” Mateo cut in. “We can—”

“I need to do this.” Her voice didn’t waiver as she pleaded.

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