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She is shaking when her eyes meet mine. “I never touched him. I didn’t..”

“No, what you did was worse. Instead of defending him and protecting him, you stood back while he was beaten and torn apart by his own family. How could you stand by while your own child was abused? You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“But I…” she scrambles.

“Don’t ever come near him again. You might have birthed him, but you are no mother to him. If we have kids, you won’t be a grandmother in anything more than the DNA flowing in their veins.”

I don’t even bother waiting for another response from her. His brother smirks as I step in his direction, already trying to pour on the charm. Fucking pathetic.

“Hey baby.” He leans in towards me. “Why don’t you leave the stiff and upgrade to the far superior brother? At least I know how to defend and protect what’s mine.” He reaches over, grabbing a strand of my hair.Ew.

A deep rumbling growl raises the hairs along my neck. Caelon wraps his arm around my midsection as his growl vibrates against my back.

“Be careful brother, I won’t stand by while you disrespect my mate. Seems I finally found a reason to be the wolf you so desperately wished me to be. Care to test out just how far I’m willing to go to protect what’s mine, hmm?”

A twisted smile carves across my face. It’s a complete turn on to see Caelon protecting me, and his abusive brother cowering beneath his glare. Seems the tables have turned, and I’m here for it. I’m not sure what’s more of a turn on: him standing up for me, his growl vibrating against me, or him taking down his bully.

My hand taps against his forearm, the muscles twitching with each tap.

“As much as I’m enjoying this, I’ve got something in mind for our dear ol’ Asher here.”

I see Caelon’s smirk in the corner of my eye before he lets go. Giving him a wink, I step closer to Asher.

Playing into his pride, I lean into him, gradually lifting my arms to his shoulders as I grasp them. He bites his lip thinking he’s finally won, finally taken the only thing that was ever Cal’s. I flutter my eyelashes, waiting for the exact second he softens. Like putty in my hands, he never sees it coming.

Digging my claws down into his shoulders, I jerk him towards me right as my knee thrusts up, smashing into his dick. He howls in pain as he grabs his junk and falls to the floor, screaming about how I might have broken his dick. I swing my leg back and kick him in the stomach with everything I have. He’s screaming now. Tears were already starting to stream down his face. I stand over the top of him, glaring down at him before I drop spit right onto his face. When I look up, the red haze dropping slightly I see a mix of confusion, fear, and excitement across the faces surrounding us.

“That’s for every single time you beat him. Treated him like he was a piece of shit because he wasn’t like you. If you ever think I would leave him for you, remember this moment. Remembercrying like a little bitch on the ground beneath my feet. You are nothing more than a sad bully who thinks far higher of yourself than anyone else does.”

The red haze lifts from my eyes as I look up at both my parents standing there with equal looks of shock across their faces. But, that isn’t what catches my attention. No, it’s Gail standing just behind them and my grandparents with a proud smile on her face.

I step over Asher who is wailing on the floor still, screaming louder as if that might encourage someone to pay attention to him.

Grant, Caelon’s father, not willing to let this continue, rushes forward with his hand outstretched. Caelon steps between us, grabbing ahold of his wrist before twisting it backwards. Grant howls in pain as his knee hits the ground. Caelon towering over him.

“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear enough earlier. Make sure you listen well. There is nothing I won’t do to protect Selene. Even if it means fighting my own father or brother. She’s my family now. And nobody harms my family.”

Caelon thrusts his father’s arm away from him, knocking him off balance causing him to fall on his ass in front of everyone.

I come to his side and ask, “You ready?”

He glances up at me with wide, shocked eyes. He doesn’t say anything other than nod his head and hold his hand out to me.

When we turn to walk past Mom and Dad I whisper an “I’m sorry” as we pass.

We don’t look back.

We don’t wait around.

We walk out the backdoor, heading to our place of solitude nestled deep in the woods.

Chapter 23

Caelon

Monday, July 21st – The First Look

Today is the day. I’ve been waiting for the approval from the city council to come in so we could get started on the gallery. Selene still has no idea that I’m doing this for her and I’ve sworn everyone who does know to secrecy. Right now she thinks that I’m at the office working, but in reality I’m meeting with the contractor to discuss what all needs to be done between now and the grand opening.