Page 23

ENDER

I wanted to kill him. No, killing wasn’t enough. I wanted to keep Bastian Boudreaux alive while I removed every finger and toe, castrated him, and then moved on to his organs.

I could feel the alpha power coming off him in waves and how he was trying to use it to force Wren’s submission. But she wasn’t giving in. Holy hell, she was fierce. Still standing, even though her nose bled, and her skull likely felt as if it were being crushed.

Just knowing that made me respect her more. The doubts I had about her, the speculation that it all might be some ruse to take us in and make us bow to her father’s whims, were melting away day by day. And in place of those doubts came admiration and so much damn regret.

But right now, one thing overrode it all.

Fury.

My blade moved to my hand as if it were a part of me. And in many ways, it was. I pressed the steel tip to a spot just below Bastian’s left shoulder blade. I knew the angle well. One swift strike and the blade would pierce his heart.

I wanted him to suffer so much more than that, though. He deserved the worst this world had to offer. But I would do whatever it took to stop him right now. Even with a room full of witnesses.

“Turn it off,” I growled.

The alpha waves ceased as Bastian straightened. He cast a look over his shoulder, a grin tugging at his lips. “You grew up good, boy, despite not having a single family member to raise you.”

My canines pressed against my gums, wanting to lengthen. My wolf demanded that we tear out this beast’s throat and drown in the taste of his blood.

“I made my own family,” I gritted out.

Bastian’s brown eyes flashed gold. “Then I guess I’ll have to steal them from you, too. A worse fate this time, I think.”

My fingers itched to plunge the knife into Bastian’s heart, to end him. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sheriff Archer eating with two of his deputies. Landing in jail would end my wolf. He wouldn’t be able to take captivity.

Bastian laughed, scooting off the stool and away from my knife. “So impotent. Just like all those years ago.”

“You have no idea what you’ve started. But you’ll pay in blood,” I snarled.

He made a tsking noise. “Be careful, pup. I might take that as a threat. And you know what I do to my enemies.”

Wren made a soft, keening noise as if memories were hitting her like a barrage of bullets.

Bastian grinned, evident joy filling him at her pain. “I’ll be seeing you, Little Flower.”

Wren almost went down then, her legs buckling. She barely caught herself on the edge of the bar. I was already moving, closing the distance. I caught her easily, and with my shifter strength, she felt like nothing more than Princess.

“Easy,” I whispered.

Wren didn’t say a word. Her eyes had gone glassy and unfocused as if she weren’t seeing what was actually in front of her.

I cursed, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Come on. You’re all right. I’ve got you.”

I helped her out from behind the bar, moving slowly. The urge to simply pick her up was strong, but I knew what a scene that would make. Dina had already registered that something was wrong. She wove through the tables and met us at the end of the bar. “What’s wrong? Who was that man?”

“Space,” I gritted out. “Give us a little space.”

Anger flashed in Dina’s expression, but she nodded. “Take her to the office. I’ve got the bar.”

I lifted my chin in ascent and maneuvered Wren toward the hallway. The moment we were out of view of the patrons, I lifted her into my arms. The fact that Wren didn’t protest told me how far gone she was.

The scent of wildflowers and rain filled my nose, and the feeling of home wrapped around me. It was pure temptation and torture all at once.

Shoving open the door to Puck’s office, I slid inside and kicked it closed behind me. I lowered us to the couch, half of it laden with random hoodies and paperwork. Puck was such a slob. But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was Wren.

My hand slid up and down her back. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”

She shuddered against me as if some invisible battle raged within her. I wasn’t sure how long it took before she spoke. But when she finally did, her words were the last thing I expected.

“Kill me,” Wren whispered. “It’d be a mercy.”