Page 20 of Savoring Her Snake

“She will stay here. I won’t put her in danger.” The soft pads of Juliana’s steps move quickly down the hall. She hovers outside the door. “If Sally is asking for help, it has to be bad.” I slip my arms into my jacket. “It’s too soon to show her what I’m capable of.” My sneaky mate slips into the room.

“I’m coming with you,” she states.

“No.” She narrows her eyes.

“I can handle it. You don’t scare me.”

“Juliana, I don’t know how dangerous the situation is.” She crosses her arms, and I sigh. Not being able to tell her no is not a good sign. “Bring me one of your knives,” I say to Hunter.

“Are you sure that’s smart?”

“You have five minutes.” I hang up, putting my phone in my pocket. I can’t hide what I am capable of. “Nothing can happen to you.”

“You won’t let it.”

Fuck, I wish I had her confidence. Wrapping my arm around her, I swipe my cane on the way out of the door.

Juliana will have to accept everything I am.

The car ride is silent after I explain the situation. Her gaze remains on me the whole time, and I can sense the questions she wants to ask. She is willing to wait and watch. I shouldn’t fear for her safety; she is with me. I do worry about her reaction to the beast I could become.

I park the car across the street and two houses down from the address Bane sent. I twist, reaching into the back seat, and I pull out the large knife Hunter gave me.

“Take this,” I say, holding it toward her. “If anyone comes near you, gut them.” I nod sternly as she takes it and I grab my cane. I turn off the car when I see Bane walking out of the shadows, and Juliana follows my lead, getting out.

“They are in the living room,” Bane says, stopping in front of me. “Rylee and the bear got a few hits in but got a fist to the face for their efforts.”

“They hit them,” I snarl, and Juliana steps close.

“Yes. I didn’t arrive in time, but Sally sent me a message. I lost them when they left the last bar. Without her text, I would still be tracking,” he says. I grab my mate's hand and walk across the street. The music is blaring from the house.

“Did they force them here?” I ask.

“No. They thought it was a regular party. When they showed, they were the only women.” Bane presses the back of his hand to my chest. I stop, looking down and then at his face. “One of them tried to force Gabby to sit on their lap. Roxanne protested. She killed him, and Sally another, before the others tied them up.” He drops his hand, and I grind my teeth.

“You will stay in front of Juliana outside the house. Kill anyone that threatens her,” I say. The situation is worse than I thought, and I regret letting her persuade me to bring her.

“I can help,” she says. “I can cut the women free while you take care of them.” She holds up the knife as if she has wielded one before.

“I didn’t grasp the situation. These are a pack of shifters who like to abuse women. I want you protected.” I let go of her hand, but she grabs my sleeve when I start walking.

“You brought me to see what you are,” she guesses as I stop.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“Then let me see.” She tips her chin up, and I tilt my head, my eyes narrowed.

“You may not like what you see.” I pull away but don’t protest when she and Bane follow.

I stop outside the front door and close my eyes. Bane was wrong. There are sixteen living shifters; all but three are coyotes. One wolf. One fox. One tiger and two dead coyotes. I lower my head, sliding my hand down my chest, welcoming the help of my snake. I rotate my head and open my eyes. Looking over my shoulder, communicating with my eyes, I promise Bane a horrible death if he leaves Juliana’s side. He nods gravely.

I open the unlocked door slowly and take a step.

“What the fuck is that smell?” whispers someone, and I grin.

I move to the large room to the right, stepping over the dead bodies. The moment I appear in the doorway, shifters jump to their feet. The women are against the wall across from me, their hands tied behind their backs. Rylee has a fading black eye. Sally and Roxanne have blood smeared across their mouth, and Gabby has large handprints on both of her arms.

“Who the fuck are you?” A coyote asks, jumping to his feet. I scan the room to see where the music is coming from. A stereo system is to my right. I walk to it and switch it off.

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