Page 84 of The Fated Hunter Wolf

I’ve been changing him—since the first feeding.

“Stop,” I whispered.

“Father knows about your plaything here,” he continued, apparently enjoying my reaction. “Knows how it’s evolving.” He paused. “He’s very interested in studying your fuck buddy.”

Studying.Which meant if I went with him voluntarily, Rhys would still be in danger. They weren’t interested in me alone. And once they discovered that we werefatedmates, they’d want to examine how vampire and wolf natures could merge so completely.

They’d dissect us both to figure it out.

“I won’t go with you,” I said firmly.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Ivan’s fangs extended fully. “Father said I could have some fun if you refused to come quietly.”

He moved faster than human eyes could track—but I’d been expecting it. Silver magic erupted from my skin in a defensive barrier that sent him stumbling backward, smoke rising from where the energy had touched him.

The bubble of silence popped. The wolves would hear us, and there was no doubt in my mind they’d be coming to protect their beta any second now.

“You still think you’re strong enough to deny your nature,” he observed, circling me. “Still fighting what you are instead of embracing it.”

Rhys growled, his wolf pressing against him, eager to fight the threat, but I knew that would only make things worse. He wasn’t at full strength, and I didn’t know the powers this vampire brother of mine could have. I spent most of my life running away from this part of my family, trying to pretend they didn’t exist. From the way Ivan spoke and the bubble he cast, he wasn’t going to be easily overpowered.

I lifted my chin. “I know exactly what I am.”

“Do you? Because from where I stand, you look like a half-breed trying to play house with creatures that would kill you if they knew the truth.”

Ivan moved with another surge, this time to the side. I spun, silver magic lashing out in a whip that caught him across the chest and sent him flying into the nearest tree. The trunk cracked under the impact.

He was back on his feet within seconds, laughing. “Better, but not good enough. This is your last chance. Come with me willingly, and I’ll leave your pets alone.”

I looked back at Rhys. I knew he was calculating the odds and finding them wanting. I also knew that if I fought here, people I cared about were going to die.

People I loved.

Somewhere in the mess of bonds and feeding and forced proximity, I’d fallen for the infuriating, seemingly soulless wolf who’d rejected me and then couldn’t stay away.

And there was a good chance I was about to get him killed.

The sound of wolves running in our direction filled the night. Logan emerged into the clearing in his giant wolf form. More pack members flooded into the clearing behind him.

“Orion wolves,” my vampire brother called out, his earlier confidence cracking as he found himself outnumbered fifty to one. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Logan shifted back to human form, stepping in front of Rhys and me. “Everything on our territory concerns us.” Logan’s voice went flat with menace. “Especially threats to my family.”

“All I want is the hybrid.” He gestured to me. “She can’t be pack, anyway. It isn’t in her blood.” He smiled thinly. “It’s a great deal, frankly. Just one life for hundreds. Considering all that you’ve faced with this curse, it seems like this is firmly in your interest.”

“She’s with us,” Logan growled. “My pack. My family. And I saidno one fucks with my family.”

Rhys stepped in front of me. “She isn’t going anywhere.”

Ivan snarled at us both. “Touching. The pet thinks he can help.”

“I’m not her pet,” Rhys said calmly, steadying me. “I’m hermate.”

Mate.Not a rejected bond. Not supernatural dependency.Mate.

The word made Ivan chuckle and then freeze. “Impossible.”

“Is it?” Rhys’s wolf power was radiating from him. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks pretty fucking possible. She’s my fated mate.”