Page 89 of Knight With Benefits

My bear surged, driving a grunt from me as I swayed on legs trying to change shape. He wanted out, wanted to maul this so-called alpha who said such things about our mate, but I fought him for her sake, barely holding onto my human-form.

“That woman is my mate, and you’ll never say such things about her again. She’s already consulted a lawyer, and you had no right to the money, or the buildings she purchased with it. You’re going to let our men go and leave. Now!”

The last was said with a snarl, my vision switching and telling me my eyes would be glowing orange. I’d stepped forward beside Sebastian, and there was no way Adam could have missed it.

Adam’s jaw dropped in shock before his face screwed up with fury.

“You lie! She’d never betray us by letting an animal claim her! Where is she?”

I saw the way two of the older alphas with him glanced at each other, their expressions grim. One of them must have been who he’d planned to give her to, and my bear struggled even harder to get out. Only the steady throb of worry from the bond helped me stay in control.

“You’re too late, Adam. She went into heat, and I’ve claimed her. With her permission. My marks cover the scars left by your father. There’s nothing left for you here, so take your buddies and go.”

Something must have convinced him I was telling the truth, because his shoulders slumped and his grip on Knox’s arm loosened. If it had only been him he might have given up, but the one beside him who’d spoken first wasn’t as willing to use his brain.

“None of that matters. You fuckers broke my brother’s arm and destroyed my truck. You’re going to pay, and I’m just as happy to take it in blood.”

His arm tensed in what felt like slow motion, red blooming around the blade at Knox’s neck. Adam’s distracted state allowed Knox to pull his arm free as he surged to his feet, moving in the direction of the Purists’ stab so the knife didn’t sink too far into his throat, and a roar went up around me.

Sebastian beat me to the man, his claws making short work of soft, human flesh. Crunches and screams surrounded me, Jason’s feline hiss assuring me he was okay as I went for one of the men beside David. There was no need to release my bear, I could handle a human alpha without his extra strength any day of the week, but I let him loose anyway.

The stench of piss assaulted my nostrils as the man on David’s right backed against the wall of The Hangout. A red haze filled my vision, my bear standing on his hind feet to free the front for a swing that would rip the man wide open, but Adam’s voice crying out behind me made me spin away before completing the action.

Sebastian had his hand wrapped around Adam’s throat, the boy’s feet dangling above the ground as Sebastian snarled in his face. My bear was feeling bloodthirsty, excited by the way the human scrabbled at Sebastian’s claws, his feeble kicks too weak to hurt the massive werewolf, but another burst of fear through the bond brought me back to my senses.

I wrestled for control, but my bear refused to give it up, ambling over to the pair. Everything else around me had faded away, my focus wholly on the pale face growing more purple by the second.

Sebastian’s head turned, his golden eyes meeting mine. His lips were still pulled back in a snarl, but when my bear rose onto his back feet again, he released his hold on Adam.

Whimpering, Gwyn’s son used his heels to push himself backwards until he hit the wall behind him. I kept pace, looming over him as he cowered.

Only the knowledge that it would hurt Gwyn to hurt her son kept my bear from coming down on him with all his weight. The scent of blood swirled around us, other moans filling my ears as I struggled to convince my bear to pull back.

Adam’s eyes were still scrunched shut, his hands up in a weak attempt to protect his face, when I crouched in front of him.

“You’re lucky your mother loves you despite what you’ve done.”

His hands trembled as he blinked his eyes open, his breaths a rough rasp.

“I promised her I’d do my best to make sure you survived your stupidity, so this is your chance to leave, but if I ever see you again, or even hear of you in this part of the city—”

“You won’t! I’m done. I’ll leave her alone.”

My heart still thundered in my chest, anger seething beneath the careful restraint. The kid was an idiot and didn’t deserve Gwyn’s care, but I wasn’t going to break my promise, or my mate’s heart.

“Take your wounded and go.”

I stood, stepping back so he had the space to squeeze around me. My focus stayed on him as he rushed over to one of the two older alphas, helping the man to his feet while the other got himself upright despite the bloody arm he clutched to his chest. There were still snarls and growls all around me, but the fight had ended while I struggled with my bear, and the other two who’d held Jason limped their way to a separate car.

Staring after the receding taillights, I sucked in a deep breath, trying to push reassurance through my bond with Gwyn. It was hard to shake off the anger, but I didn’t want her to suffer under it any longer.

“You okay?”

Sebastian’s hand landed on my shoulder. We’d all learned to carry extra clothing with us, so he was already redressed and held a pair of sweats in the hand not gripping me.

“I’m hoping I don’t end up regretting this.”

Sebastian grunted an agreement as I accepted the sweats and pulled them on.

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