Page 82

It’s been decades since I felt like this.

But I remember it well—this burning, bloodthirsty need to rain down violence like a fucking god of war.

Fuck yes, I feel it now. I sense it trying to take over.

Every breath I take feels like a struggle not to unleash my Dragon.

The beast inside me is snarling, clawing at the edges of my skin, demanding I shift, take to the skies, and hunt down the son of a bitch who dared come after my mate.

My Casey.

But I can’t. Not yet.

Because sitting next to me is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, and she doesn’t need to see what I’m capable of.

Not now.

She’s already been through hell. What she needs is comfort. Safety.

Me, not burning half of Dry Creek to ash.

So, I press the rage down.

It’s not easy.

My body’s tense, my grip on the wheel too tight, and my teeth ache from how hard I’m clenching my jaw.

I want to comfort her.

I want to protect her.

And gods help me, I want to avenge her.

But right now, what I want most is to keep her feeling safe. With me.

And for the first time in longer than I care to admit, I feel pride swelling in my chest like a storm—because she chose me. She loves me.

Of all the many marvels in the universe, I swear I’ll never cease to wonder about that one simple fact.

This precious woman loves me. Me.

She could’ve run. She could’ve hidden. But instead, she’s here. In my truck. Holding her chin high despite everything.

No, I don’t know the details yet, and I’m eager to hear them. But that’s next on our agenda.

First, I need to get us to Max’s place.

The Alpha of our Motley Crew deserves a heads-up, especially if danger followed Casey here.

This is our turf. Our home. And I won’t let anything threaten the people under our roof.

And Casey? She’s mine. That makes her family now.

I don’t know for sure if I’m asking for too much from the Crew, but I’m about to find out, I guess.

It doesn’t matter because for her, I’d give up anything. Everything. Even the peace I found on the ranch. But I’m really hoping I won’t have to.

Casey is quiet for a beat before asking, “So explain again what Max is to you?”