Page 87 of Savoring Her Snake

Heath

Mygazeandmybody trap Stanly. My snake is eager for the kill. The drive was torture, wondering what he was doing to Juliana. Seeing her bloody and chained snapped every ounce of my control. My human side wants to end it quickly so I can take care of my mate, but my snake wants to prolong the agony. He dared take our mate. He has to pay.

When I reached the house, the fire was out, and Sally messaged as she tracked Juliana. I was surprised when everyone followed, ready to defend our bond. I ignore the surprise my shifter causes. I don’t care who knows as long as I have my mate safe. I have never felt such terror. Losing her isn’t an option.

Slowly releasing my venom, I relish Stanly’s cries and wrap around his stomach. It burns through his clothes, and the stench of burning flesh irritates my nose.

“I’ll leave,” he whispers. “I won’t see her again.” Too late for that. I circle his shoulders and place my head in front of his, flashing my fangs. His eyes plead with me, and his lips tremble. My snake doesn’t give a fuck. I hold still, and my eyes swirl. “What…is…happening?” Stanly gasps.

“He’s enhancing the pain,” Micah states. He has seen me in my shifter form and knows my tricks.

“No,” Stanly whimpers, the burn increasing. It begins to eat away at his skin and enter his bones. His eyes lose a little bit of life, instead filling with resignation. His lips part, and no cries escape. His capability to speak is gone. This is the stage in the process in which his body and mind don’t know how to comprehend what is happening to him.

My skin brightens even more as the poison flows into him. The gurgles increase. I am melting his body from the outside in, and his legs can’t hold him up. As he falls, I don’t lose my grip. He’s dying, and it soothes all the dark places inside me. I will never allow someone to hurt Juliana.

“He’s melting,” Saphira mutters.

“So wicked,” River says. My snake is happy to give this demonstration of what we can do. Even though they are my friends, it is a threat to everyone, showing them how far I will go to protect.

Stanly is still alive, but barely. When he is on the edge of death, I strike, and my fangs enter his neck, pushing my venom into his brain. I hiss as I pull back. Retreating from his body, I shrink slightly and turn toward my mate. My venom stops at my will.

“River, you might want to move,” Quinn warns.

“Shit,” River says, shuttering as I slither closer. “I am not a fan of snakes. I’m torn between protecting her and staying away from the snake with killer skin.”

“He won’t hurt me,” Juliana says firmly. Sally slides away, grabbing River’s arm as she passes.

Afraid to scare her, I decrease my body even more and wrap around her leg. She doesn’t move, trusting me and my animal. Once I reach her knee, I unwind, crossing her lap. I’m surprised as she reaches out her hand. I take her offer, circling her wrist and moving up her arm. I flick my tongue across her cheek, cleaning the blood from her skin.

“I don’t think we should be here for this,” Roxanne whispers.

“It does seem rather personal,” Sally whispers back.

“Should we go?”

“Fuck no,” Sally answers. I shiver as Juliana glides her fingers over my skin.

“Thank you,” she says, and I nudge my head against hers. “I would love to spend more time with your snake, but I need your human arms right now.” I scrape my fang over her jaw before dropping to the ground. My snake is satisfied meeting our mate in such a personal way, so it only takes a thought to shift back.

“Alright,” Kingston says. “Time to go.” I look over my shoulder with a lifted brow. Maverick steps in front of Saphira, shielding her from my naked body.

“Fuck, no,” Sally grumbles. “It’s just getting good.”

“We will wait outside,” Micah says, pulling his mate.

“Hunter,” I say.

“I’ll get your pants from the car,” he responds, and everyone quickly files out. Sally and Roxanne trail behind everyone. I shake my head when Sally winks on the way out.

“Did I scare you?” I ask, turning back.

“No.”

“It was a risk,” I whisper, placing my hands on either side of her neck. “Killing him like that in front of you.” Maybe I also wanted her to see every part of me.

“He deserved it.” She takes a deep breath. “I was really fucking scared.” I press my forehead to hers. “And so stupid.” I jerk back. “I shouldn’t have left the house.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” I agree. “You were trying to save Rylee.”

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