Page 25 of The Tracker's Secret

“Why would you give me... poop?” I demanded.

Damien laid a hand on his chest as if injured. “That, young mutt, is a powerful potion.”

Young mutt?!

That was it! Anger sizzled through me like fire, and the next thing I knew my claws broke the surface. I growled and felt my wolf bursting with satisfaction. I was going to tear the fucking mage to pieces.

Chapter 9

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FOR ONCE, I WAS GLADfor my fangs and claws. Mage or not, I would gut him and hang his intestines around his neck like a Christmas garland. I licked my lips with relish.

Uh, wait a minute! What’s wrong with me?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing,the wild part of me shot back.

My stomach turned at the bloody, non-festive image that materialized inside my head. I had never, in my entire life, wished to kill anyone, much less in such a gruesome way. I took a step back, grabbing my head between my clawed hands. The Toni that had always been me fought against this new, emerging one that seemed bent on erasing me.

“Toni, what’s wrong?” Rosalina reached a hand in my direction, and I slapped it away. She brought it back to her chest, looking injured and scared.

I was losing it, and this time I would not be able to stop the transformation. I had to get out of here before I hurt someone. My head snapped from side to side, searching for an exit. I felt trapped, ready to detonate.

With an annoyed sigh, Damien walked around the island and marched toward me.

“Stay away from me.” My voice was the deep growl of a three-packs-a-day dude with thick hair on his chest.

Despite the scary voice, Damien didn’t stop and kept coming at me with determination. I crouched, ready to slice him open and turn him into a gruesome holiday ornament. He stopped a few paces away from my reach and shook his head with pity. My anger redoubled.

“Oh, God!” Rosalina exclaimed, her tone almost unrecognizable with fear and horror.

Instinct took over, and I went for him, aiming for his softer middle. In my mind, I almost felt my claws tearing into him, cutting through skin and organs, but it was only wishful thinking because he moved easily, faster than I was able to track, and laid a punch across my jaw that snapped my head backward. My neck whiplashed, sending a jolt of pain down my spine. I cried out, my face throbbing and ears ringing.

“You beast,” Rosalina yelled, coming up behind me and cradling me in her arms as I went down. She eased my fall, setting me on the cold floor.

White stars flashed all around my head.