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“What are you talking about?” I demand. He hurries to put on a shirt.

“I want you with them while I take care of this.” His socks and boots go on. I blink as he grabs a long, wicked-looking blade and slams his cowboy hat on his head.

“How are you going to take care of this? This is my fight. I need to go. I have to protect you and your friends. I’m telling you, they’re dangerous. They won’t stop coming for me,” I yell.

“They may be dangerous, but my friends are, too. Not to mention, your mate is a cheetah who fights dirty.” He kisses me hard. “Grab your bag, and let's go. We will walk you to the dragons first.”

I’m left staring at his back.

No.

I shove my things in my bag and run after him. “Wait.” The front door is open, and I fly through, stopping abruptly to see them both waiting for me. “You can’t do this.”

“Kitty Cat, yes, I can.”

“What are you going to do?” My heart pounds. I can’t tell if it’s because someone is finally on my side, or if I’m terrified he will get hurt. It would gut me if the promise of being with him forever is taken before it can start.

“Go hunting,” he grins.

Chapter Seven

Elijah

Ihave always thrived from the thrill of the chase. Stalking prey excites me. Capturing them is almost as good as getting lost in a woman.

But judging by the glare Saylor gave me, getting lost in her will not happen anytime soon.

I refuse to allow her to run. No one will take her away from me now that I found her.

“Elijah,” Ryker greets me as Bash and I enter the office.

Ryker is the king of the vampires and Bash’s maker. He’s ruthless and old as fuck. Since coming here, I have tried to avoid him as much as possible. I’m not scared—it’s healthy to be cautious.

“Ryker, thanks for coming.” I taste the air, memorizing the cheetah scents that still linger. “Did they know you were a vampire?” I turn to Bash.

“Yes. They almost pissed themselves,” he says with a straight face. “I doubt they will be coming back.”

“I’m sure,” I mutter.

“Congratulations, I hear you found your mate,” Ryker offers. He is mated, and his woman is pregnant. So, in my opinion, he’s more dangerous than before.

“Thank you.”

“Who is after your mate?” Ryker asks.

“An Alpha, cheetah,” I growl. “He wants her for himself. To force the bond.”

“So, the worse kind of shifter,” Ryker snaps.

“Yes. I’m assuming she has been running a long time from him.”

“You don’t know?” Ryker asks.

“No, she hasn’t exactly been an open book. Plus, we just met yesterday,” I admit.

“Of course, she probably wants to protect you,” he guesses. “The women who are chosen for us are warriors.”

“Well, my warrior is pissed as hell at me,” I say dryly.