Page 34 of Immortal Bastard

“You’re acting hysterical.”

“Fuck you! Of course, I’m hysterical! You’re holding me on a fucking farm against my will!”

Dane snickered.

The male was more mortal than anything else, and closer to his mate’s age than Christian. Territorial possessiveness ripped through him, and he found himself standing between the two, trusting neither.

“Enough,” Christian snapped. “Dane, this doesn’t concern you.”

“Um…You’re on my land.”

Technically, it was The Order’s land, but the barn had been abandoned and the boy had been granted permission to stay there. “Regardless, I’ll thank you to keep this to yourself.”

He eyed them suspiciously. “Why all the secrecy?”

Delilah bolted, but Christian caught her arm before she made it one full step.

“No!” She jerked wildly, but his grip was unbreakable. “Please help me! He’s crazy! You have to help me!”

She bucked like a wild bronco and, due to her newfound immortal strength, Christian had to truly exert himself to detain her. “Settle yourself!”

She bit him and he hissed.

“Vicious female!” His arm pinned down her flailing hands and he fisted her hair, forcing her head back so she would not harm him or herself. “Be still.” The compulsion forced her muscles to stiffen.

“Looks like love,” Dane joked.

“Mind your tongue, mortal.”

The boy raised a brow. Humiliation burned at the back of Christian’s neck. She was making a spectacle of both of them.

“You’re hurting me!” He wasn’t, but her dramatic cry lured Dane closer.

Christian shot him a threatening look and bared his teeth, making it clear that any interference on the matter of him and his mate would not be tolerated. The young man had been around long enough to understand their laws and immediately backed up, choosing to ignore Delilah’s hysterical pleas and listen to Christian’s warning growl.

Dane shook his head. “I see she’s experienced your full, ruthless charm.”

Christian snarled, not appreciating his snide commentary. Half-brother or not, there was no love lost between them. The boy didn’t belong on the farm, and it was against Christian’s recommendation that the bishop allowed him and his mute sister to stay—a sister who was now deranged and would likely need to be put down after her unlawful transition.

Irritated, he dragged his mate away from the barn, unsure how to convince her that she could not carry on in such a manner. “This behavior is unacceptable.” In time, she would appreciate having an adamant male who was as resolute and enduring as he.

Dane called after him, “Your mother’s looking for you, by the way.”

The last thing he needed to think about during a time like this was his mother.

The moment the compulsion wore off, Delilah kicked her legs out, flinging her feet off the ground and swinging her head toward his face. He hauled her back, this time hoisting her onto his shoulder.

“Oomph! Put me down!” She kicked and screamed, raining punches onto his back.

“You’re behaving like a feral cat.” Christian lugged her back to the house.

Eventually, Delilah’s frantic kicking gave way to feeble swats and pitiful pleading. “Please, don’t do this. I have no money.”

“I don’t want money.”

“Then what? Are you going to kill me? Sell me? I’ll run. I’ll never stop fighting you.”

“Your life is incredibly important to me, pintura. Once you calm down, I’ll explain our situation, but first, you must settle yourself.”

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