replaced with a look of pride. Billie smiled back, but it soon fell away when Royce's expression changed into one of shock as his gaze focused onto something behind her.
Not taking the time to even think of what she was doing, Billie went wolf as she spun around. She bunched her back legs under her and jumped as Gren dove for her brother with a knife in his hand. She caught Gren's throat in her powerful jaws and took him to the floor.
A rage like no other she had ever felt before overtook her. Her hackles rose around her neck and she growled as she thought of what this male could do to her family, to Royce if he was ever allowed to go free. The wolf inside her pushed to the fore. The wolf took her over and did what needed to be done. Billie felt her strong jaws snap shut, breaking Gren's neck.
With the taste of Gren's blood in her mouth, Billie let go of his neck. Beowulf pushed her aside as he bent over Gren. Still in wolf form, she looked up at Finn who stood where Gren had dropped him. He eyed her with unease, as if he expected her to attack him next. She took a step toward him only to be brought up short when he backed away from her.
A large hand landed on the back of her neck. Billie looked up to find Royce standing next to her. "It's over, Billie. Let the wolf go."
Back in human form, she started to shake as she realized what she had done. She still tasted Gren's blood on her tongue, and she could smell it on her skin. Royce quickly gathered her up in his arms and held her tight against him. She closed her eyes as she breathed in his scent.
"It's all right, Billie. I'm going to take you out of here." Royce rubbed her back. He then called Beowulf's name. "I have to get her out of here."
Beowulf pulled his car keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Royce. "Take my car. We'll take care of everything."
With Royce's arm held protectively around her, Billie kept her face pressed to his chest as he led her outside to Beowulf's car. She felt numb inside. She'd just taken a life. Her mother's prediction had come true. The wolf was a killer.
Chapter Seventeen
Royce worriedly glanced over at Billie in the passenger seat. She had withdrawn into herself. She sat huddled up against the door with her forehead pressed against the glass of the window.
"You did what you had to back there, Billie. By our laws, you acted within your rights. Gren attacked members of your family, of your pack."
"Finn is not part of the pack." Billie spoke in a low emotionless tone.
"By your becoming my mate, your family will be considered part of our pack even if they aren't werewolves."
Billie continued to look out the window. She was silent for so long Royce thought she wasn't going to say anything more. But then she said in a voice so quiet he almost didn't hear her, "I think Finn is afraid of me."
"I don't think he's afraid of you, Billie. You're his sister."
"Then why did he back away from me when I was in wolf form? I only did what I had to do to save his life."
"He's probably a little confused right now, that's all. I know I was surprised when I realized it was you when you first charged Gren." When a streak of black had rushed Gren, Royce had at first thought it was Beowulf, but after getting a good look at the black wolf, he had noticed it was smaller than his pack leader, and that it was a female. By her scent he immediately had known it was Billie.
Billie fell silent again. It wasn't until he was pulling into the driveway of the house did she speak once again. "I feel so cold, Royce. I need you to make me warm. I know I should be a mess emotionally, but all I can think about is having you. I need you inside me to make me feel whole again."
She turned to look at him. Royce sucked in a breath. Her eyes were glowing with desire. He quickly turned off the car's engine and came around to get her. She clung to him as he walked her to the front door. Once he had them inside, Royce took her straight upstairs to