“You’re invading my space,” I snap, wishing I could shift and rip off his balls. This is why it’s a curse to be a royal female. Nolan has a true mate out there somewhere, but he’d give that up just to mate with me and take my power. Chase isn’t like that.
Nolan places a hand on my thigh, and my reaction is instant. I grasp his hand to jerk it away, but he’s too strong. “Get your fucking hand off of me right now.”
He grabs my wrist and yanks my hand away so he can cup my center. “You used to get so wet for me.”
I punch him with my other fist, and pain shoots up my arm. Nolan throws his head back and laughs as he entraps both of my wrists above my head with just one hand.
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll rip out your throat.”
Nolan grips my wrists, and I yelp in pain. “Why are you being so difficult?” He lifts his free hand to my breast and squeezes it as he pushes me down on the couch. “You used to love it rough. I still remember how tight your pussy would squeeze my cock.” He presses his weight into me, rolling his hips so I can feel his hardness. His lips slide across my neck, and the more I buck against him, the more aroused he gets. “You were mine, and I want you to be mine again,” he growls, sliding his hand up my shirt.
Panic consumes me, and I struggle to breathe under his weight. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. Nolan grins down at me, his fangs slowly lengthening to sharp points.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” I snarl.
Nolan licks his lips. “Just one taste. That’s all I want.”
“No!” I shout as he leans closer. I can feel his teeth on my skin, but before he can plunge then in, the front door bursts open.
“Someone’s here!” Xavier exclaims. He slams the door and chants a spell under his breath.
Nolan quickly bolts up and drags me with him, holding me close to his body. We both look out the window by the front door, and someone’s there. It’s dark, but I don’t need the light to know who it is. My body tingles, and I can feel my wolf inside of me. Chase.
“Fuck me,” Nolan hisses. “I know exactly who that son of a bitch is.”
Xavier looks out another window. “Who is he?”
Nolan’s eyes blaze. “Chase Maheegan, Alpha of the Timberwolf pack.”
I want to laugh and cry, but I can’t bring myself to feel any relief. Yes, Chase found me, but he still has to fight Nolan and his Rich Valley pack if they show up. Chase will be severely outnumbered.
Nolan throws me toward Xavier. “Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.”
I stumble across the floor, and Xavier wraps his arms around my waist.
“Is this really what you want for me, Xavier? We used to be friends. You saw what Nolan was doing to me.”
I can’t see his face, but his grip loosens just a tad. “It’s complicated, Kara,” he whispers. “Nolan doesn’t want to hurt you.”
I scoff. “He just wants my power. Same thing, dumbass.”
Nolan disappears out of the room and comes back with his cell. “So it begins. I’ll get the others here.” He tries to call several of his wolves, and every time no one answers, his eyes flare even more. “What the hell’s going on? Why aren’t they answering their fucking phones?”
The front door slams open, and it breaks off its hinges. An angel in the form of Evangeline appears, her body glowing a brilliant white. “They’re all asleep. Sorry.”
I wish I could see Xavier’s face, but he drops his hands. “Evangeline,” he whispers.
Evangeline turns her tear-filled eyes my way and mouths the word run. She lifts her hands in the air, and a white spark shoots toward Xavier, knocking him back against the wall. My heart lurches against my sternum, and I take off, only to feel Nolan’s arms grab me and haul me around.
Evangeline steps out of the way so Chase can be seen at the bottom of the porch stairs. His eyes glow a brilliant blue, and I can feel his wolf demanding to be let free. Deep down, I can sense mine, desperate to be close to her mate. But unfortunately, there’s still a barrier, an invisible wall keeping her away from me.
Chase meets my eyes, and my body tingles, knowing he’s there to protect me, to keep me safe. Nolan’s grip tightens around my body, and I suck in a ragged breath. Growling, Chase takes another step forward.
“You want her?” Nolan shouts.
Chase glances at me. “She’s mine.”
Xavier stops at the door, his chest and shoulders heaving up and down with his rapid breaths. Nolan pushes me toward him and marches out of the door. “You’re wrong. She’s mine.”
Nolan takes off his clothes, and Chase does the same, their movements a blur in my vision. The next thing I know, there are two magnificent gray wolves facing each other, ready for blood. Chase is the first one to charge, and I hold my breath as they connect, their teeth and claws ripping at each other.
“Chase is going to win,” I say to Xavier. “You’d be smart to let me go.”
Evangeline waits just outside of the door. “I’d listen to her. You know this isn’t right, Xavier.”
Xavier scoffs. “This is wolf business. If Nolan wants her, who am I to say otherwise?”
The growls grow louder, and I want to be out there for Chase. The smell of blood fills the air, and I don’t need my wolf senses to know that. My wolf wants to fight, to defend my mate. I never realized how much Chase means to me until this very moment. I’ve fought against my feelings for years, always using the excuse that he wasn’t good enough. In all reality, I was the one not worthy for him. Chase came to Virginia, all by himself, to save me; no one has ever cared enough to do that.
“Let her go,” Evangeline demands.
Xavier laughs. “You may have caught me off guard with that little spark of yours, but you’re not stronger than me, E.”
Evangeline lifts her head, and a smirk spreads across her lips. “I am today.” Her hands begin to glow, and the bright light blinds me as it knocks me onto the floor, along with Xavier. I thought it would hurt, but when I hit the ground, it was as if a blanket cushioned my fall. Xavier, on the other hand, tumbled and whimpered in agony.
Evangeline rushes into the house and helps me up. “Kara, are you okay?”
I hug her as tight as I can. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you. Let’s go.” Taking my hand, she leads me outside to the fight. Both wolves are bloody and battered, but it’s obvious Chase has the upper hand. The second he sees me, his eyes glow even brighter, and he lunges for Nolan. They roll across the snow-covered ground until Chase lands on top of Nolan, exposing his throat and underbelly.
I know I should want Nolan dead, especially after what he did to me. Hell, I wanted to kill him myself just a few minutes ago. But now, seeing him vulnerable makes me question everything.
Chase rears back for the killing blow, but I run toward them.
“Stop!” I shout.
Chase keeps his weight on Nolan, his teeth bared and dripping with blood.
Slowly, I walk over, my heart pounding so hard I feel as if I’m going to pass out. “Chase, please,” I beg, keeping my voice calm. “Don’t kill him. I know you want to, and believe me, so do I right now. If I had my power, his balls would be shoved up his ass.” I glance down at Nolan and can tell he knows that’s the truth by the realization in his eyes.