Page 86 of Savoring Her Snake

“Just leave. We don’t want you here,” Stanly spits, turning back and forth as the wolves circle him.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Sally disagrees, slowly moving closer to me. “Jules, do you want us here?”

“I would never send away friends,” I say, the knots in my stomach slowly unraveling.

“See.” Sally continues her slow approach.

“This is between me and my mate.” Stanly holds his arms away from his body, flashing his claws.

“Whose mate?” I want to run into Heath’s arms as he fills the doorway. His gaze flicks over Stanly briefly before settling on me, and his eyes glow. He stares at the blood on my face for a moment and then travels over my body, his eyes narrowing as he sees my ripped shirt. “Juliana, Levi will be upset.” His cane taps on the floor as he moves. “I’m going to kill his friend.”

“He’ll get over it,” I whisper, and he nods.

“You took my mate,” Heath says, turning his attention to Stanly.

“Fuck you. You can’t have her. She’s mine,” he whines. I’m surprised he is standing his ground.

“Yours?” Heath tilts his head, his jaw ticking. “You think she belongs to you.” His hand whitens on his cane. “Bane.”

“Yeah, Boss.” I notice Hunter and Bane behind Heath. The vampires stand in the doorway but move inside as the building slowly fills with shifters and vampires. It is a beautiful sight. All of Heath’s family came for him and me. They form a big circle around Stanly.

“Hold this.” He throws his cane into Bane’s waiting hand. “I heard you were asking about me,” he says, taking off his jacket. Hunter takes it from him. “You demanded to know what I am.” He slips off his shoes. “A lot of people have wondered. My animal is in the mood to show off. He doesn’t get out much.” He unbuttons his shirt, and I barely pay attention to Sally beside me. The shirt is draped over Hunter's arm. “He wants to play,” Heath hisses. Magic in the air causes the hair on my arms to rise. In a split-second, Heath shifts. Suddenly, a snake is on the ground.

He is stunning. I watch as he grows, surpassing his height in human form. His girth pulses as he expands as big as a log. He’s bright blue, and his skin glows like his tattoos, the designs remaining. Stanly is frozen in fear.

“No shit,” River whispers.

“Damn, that’s amazing,” Sally mutters.

“No way,” Saphira gasps, but her mates don’t look surprised. Roxanne watches in fascination.

“Do not get in the way,” Micah says, Daisy’s hand held tightly in his.

“His skin is poison if he chooses it to be,” Quinn rumbles, stepping in front of his mate.

“I fucking knew it,” Ryker says.

“Shit, I owe you.” Bash hands Ryker a handful of cash.

“I don’t have words,” Breeane whispers.

“Unreal,” Lucas says, his brothers stepping close to Breeane.

“Don’t snakes eat rabbits?” River asks Sally as he takes a bite of a burrito.

“Fuck off.” Sally grabs the chains around my wrists, shattering them. My surprise takes my eyes off of my mate. “I’m small but mighty.” She flexes, and I want to laugh, but I am drawn to the scene beside me.

“No,” Stanly whispers. “It’s not possible.” Heath is suddenly at his feet. I didn’t see him move. “Fuck, please.” His pleading words don’t matter to the snake slowly wrapping around his body.

“Shit, now I have seen everything.” River leans against the table, his gaze fixed on Stanly and Heath, taking the last bite of his food.

“Let me help,” Sally says as I try to move. I nod and take her hand, sliding the edge of the bench. My body screams at me; everything hurts. I settle on the edge beside River, trying to stay upright.

“It burns,” Stanly moans as Heath reaches his stomach.

I grin.

Chapter Twenty-One

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