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He shook his head tensely. “Not really,” he muttered, lifting his head to give me a tight smile. “Your scent is engrained in me, but at least you’re a little further away. It’ll give me a few seconds longer to regain control should I pounce.”

“Oh,” I replied, incapable of anything more intelligent at his implied threat. “And Trent earlier? When you told him to back away?”

“To keep from ripping him apart for coming to close when you were in heat and I was so close to losing control,” he answered, his eyes watchful as I processed the information. “Can you accept this? What I am?”

He straightened as the silence lengthened. “Jess…if its too much,” he trailed off, unable to complete the thought.

My lips quirked as I raised my eyebrow. “You’ll what? Throw me over your shoulder and carry me away?” I tapped my finger on my lips. “Maybe lock me in my room until I can accept the beastly side of you?” I paused, humming to myself. “Hmmmm. That one has possibilities.”

“Funny,” he said tightly as he realized I was teasing him. “Maybe I’ll tie you to the headboard of one of those motel beds,” he growled, sliding his hand around my waist and jerking me closer. “You would like that.” A sharp breath escaped me at the visual and his lips slammed down on mine, his mouth desperate as he devoured mine.

I clung to him, unable to do anything else as he caged my body against the tree, helpless under his onslaught. His mouth found the mark on my neck unerringly and when his lips sealed over it, pleasure exploded through me, eliciting a sharp cry that only seemed to enflame him.

My hand slid over his chest until I came to the mark I’d placed over his heart and rubbed my fingers against it. He growled against my neck, the sound vibrating through my body as he hoisted me higher, spreading my legs as he nestled between them.

“Dom,” I gasped as he rubbed between my legs. He ignored me, nuzzling his way to my breasts as one of his hands caressed my thigh and he rocked against my core. “Dom,” I cried again, my voice barely a whimper as sensation shot through me. I wasn’t sure if I was begging him to continue or warning him to stop, but it didn’t matter as the loud screeching of tires cut through the clearing.

Dom reacted instantly, dropping into a crouch in front of me. He inhaled sharply and spat out, “Hanley.”

My heart hammered in my chest as my body attempted to adjust to the sudden change in circumstances. I sucked in air as Dom kept me pinned between him and the tree. Rough bark poked my back as I gazed at the clearing. A couple of trucks had careened into the clearing, scattering people and overturning tables.

Caleb faced the men, head up as he stepped in front of Leah, who stared at the intruders wide-eyed. “You’re not welcome here,” Caleb shouted and I felt Dom tense. He glanced back at me and then toward Caleb, debating where he needed to be.

I poked him in the back and hissed, “Go protect your Alpha.” He nodded, his eyes lingering on me for a second before he sauntered into the clearing, stopping at Caleb’s side.

Chapter Twelve

Dom

Caleb shifted to the right, making room for me to stand next to him as we faced the Hanleys together. I fought the urge to look over my shoulder and check on Jess, not wanting to draw their attention to her.

Most of the crowd had moved until they were behind us, fear scenting the air as women gathered their children close. Those that could shift formed a line at our back, protecting the others in the Pack. The only exception was the girl Jess had invited, Leah I thought her name was. She stood frozen behind Caleb, her eyes as wide as saucers as he used his body to shield her from the Hanley pack.

I scanned the field but didn’t spot Anna or Trent, and exhaled in relief. Trent knew I wanted to keep Anna as far from the Hanley pack as possible, so all I could hope was he had her distracted elsewhere.

I recognized their unofficial leader and risked opening the mental link to Jess. Find Sam, I ordered, keeping my gaze focused on the guy standing in the back of the pickup, eyeing the women hungrily.

“Is everyone having fun?” He shouted, causing several in the crowd to flinch back. A snarl escaped me, causing him to shift back involuntarily before he caught himself. Satisfaction rolled through me at the small sign of fear and I felt a flicker of amusement come from Caleb through the Pack bond.

“We were,” Caleb answered, not bothering to raise his voice. “At least, until you mutts showed up.” The insult had several of them snapping and growling until the lead Hanley shouted at them to shut up.