Page 23 of Memphis Heat

Prologue

The gangly truck driver shook back his shaggy hair, swiveling his head as he surveyed the back section of the compound. Spotting her in the shadows, he swore. “ Posol na khui. Zaebal yje .”

“I don’t want to know anything about your dick, you insolent cub, and I have no intention of fucking you. In fact, the idea of seeing you naked makes me want to retch. Get your head out of your ass and pay attention. We don’t have much time.”

The man’s thin lips pulled back in a snarl. “My dick would make you very happy, Suka .”

Pure Alpha bitch boiled to the surface, aching for release.

And why not? Everyone here knew she could shift, even if the mongrels had no idea what she was.

Terra rolled her shoulders and let out a low growl of warning, shifting to her battle form, ready to rend the impertinent whelp into puppy chow.

“On your knees, kozel , before I carve my family tree into your eyelids, one branch at a time.”

The truck driver’s arrogant sneer faded to a pale wash of terror. “Forgive me, Mistress. I did not know…”

Somewhat mollified, Terra shifted back to her human shell.

“Of course you didn’t know. That’s rather the point, is it not?

Now I want your report, quickly, before the mongrels notice we’ve strayed.

Why are the Human half bloods still alive?

Their stench offends me. Did I not order their destruction? ”

“Jarod may be human, but he is strong. He took out Viktor. Alexi has made the mongrel his second.”

“ Kakoi kashmar ! Alexi is a stupid ass. The mongrel cop could bring down our entire family.”

“This Alexi knows, Mistress, but since Alexi’s son was Jarod’s sire, Alexi claims Jarod as his heir.”

Pure hatred boiled in Terra’s veins. Mongrel blood usurping her rightful place?

She swore fluently in Russian. “Who the hell does he think he is? The Pack is mine, by birth and by right. Only an old kozel like Alexi would think to make an outsider his Second, let alone his heir, just because I’m a woman.

I will spill his entrails the length of this God-forsaken state. I will --”

“Everything all right?”

Terra snarled and grabbed Sergei and shook him by the neck.

“I just caught our guest checking out the security of our back lot. I think it’s time for our visitors to leave before I show this one just how secure this facility really is.

” She shook the smaller man again for emphasis.

“Go home, little man, before I tie your genealogy in knots.”