around to cup my behind, pulling me closer to him. It wasn’t unpleasant to have my hips pressed against this powerful male’s. His eyes zoned in on my neck. “Just for the record, I think ya got some lies mixed in with the truth, but I am willing to give you some time to work through your shit without any other males trying to wreck such a fiery spirit.” He took my chin between the fingers of his right hand and tilted my head, exposing the left side of my neck. “You sure this is what you want?” he asked, his voice a low growl.
Feet pounded on the metal walkway, getting closer. Connor would stop this, and the moment he touched me, the soul deep connection between us would burn so intensely it would be useless to try and resist it. Adrenaline surged through my blood, my heart beating fast. Drake was right, I needed space to think and to decide on my path. Connor was a different man than he used to be, and I still had a promise to keep to Blue.
Another roar came, closer this time.
“Are you sure that he was going to make you join the north pack? Because it sure seems like he wants you himself,” Drake said, his eyes narrowing and his mouth curling in a dry smile. “Almost like an alpha who’s possessive over his mate.” His green gaze pierced mine.
“I need time. Please, do it,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“Fine.” Drake pulled his teeth back, exposing his sharper than normal canines.
My heart lurched, and I stared at his teeth. “What are you doing?”
He wrapped his other arm so tightly around me I couldn’t move, then his legs wrapped around both of mine, effectively preventing me from moving.
I stared at his mouth wide eyed, my breathing erratic. A full on bite on my neck was a mating mark. I didn’t know much about a mating bond, but I did know he’d be able to control me, that I’d be at his beck and call, for whatever he wanted. I struggled. “Don’t you fucking dare! I’m not yours. I belong to someone else!”
He smiled knowingly, his voice gentle and reassuring. “I know, but I’m just helping you realise it too.” There was sudden pain in the left side of my neck.
I winced.
“Done,” Drake said and released his hold, dropping his hands to my hips just as the door flew open and Connor barrelled in.
Drake pushed me away, not to save himself, but to propel me to safety.
Before I could yell at Connor to stop, he launched himself at Drake and they fell over the table, tipping it up and slamming into the floor.
Chapter 9
Connor
* * *
A red mist distorted my vision. She’d run away from my brothers and deliberately put herself at risk just to prove a point! Bloody stubborn woman! I zeroed in on Drake, on his hands holding her hips. The fucker even had his canines down! I bellowed as he pushed her away from him. Too fucking late! I charged. My body barrelled into his, the table he leaned against toppling backwards and we crashed onto the floor and rolled.
I punched him on his jaw with everything I had. Anyone else, it would have smashed his face to pieces, but Drake was a powerful male, and his wolf had risen to my challenge. I snarled as he slammed his fist into my ribs, his wolf staring back at me.
“Yeah? Let’s play, you fuck!” I snarled and let mine out. My body filled with power, and though he wanted to burst past the prison of the silver collar, he held back, so my body didn’t suffer.
Drake yelled and smashed his fist into my jaw. I shook it off, grabbed him by the throat and slammed him up against the wall. My wolf snarled inside my head, blood pounding in my ears.
Kill him. Kill this male who dared touch your mate… My wolf’s sentiments registered. Not our mate, but mine, he still hadn’t claimed her wolf. That realisation hit me harder than any punch. She wasn’t ours, and this behaviour only put her at more risk.
“Shut that fucking door!” Drake’s men needed to stay outside. I didn’t want their blood on my hands, but I was ready to kill this womanising Texan wanker.
Owen shut the door with a soft click and stood in front of it. My brothers watched me closely, all except Stone who monitored Ember. I took a breath and forced