Page 26 of Falling for My Shifter Boss

Maya is safe in my arms, her breath steady against my skin, her fingers still gripping my shirt like she never wants to let go.

That's the only thing that matters.

But as I hold her closer, breathing in her scent—lavender and pine beneath the metallic tang of blood—I know one thing for certain.

This war isn't over.

And neither is this thing between us.

Because she is mine.

And I will tear apart anyone who tries to take her from me again.

Chapter 13

Maya

I'm barely standing outside the warehouse, wrapped in Adrian's coat, the heavy fabric doing little to stop the tremors wracking my body. Each breath sends daggers through my chest where the hunters' fists connected. The night air feels like needles against the silver burns on my arms, and the lingering wolfsbane in my system makes the world tilt and spin. Only Adrian's arm around my waist keeps me upright, though I hate admitting I need the support.

The hunters lie restrained on the ground, some unconscious, others groaning in pain. Theo's enforcers stand guard, their expressions unreadable as they ensure none of them attempt escape. Eli and Sawyer patrol the perimeter, scanning for stragglers. The only sounds are the distant rush of wind through the trees and the faint crackle of fire still smoldering inside the warehouse.

Adrian is a barely contained storm beside me, his body rigid with fury. His wolf lingers just beneath the surface—I can feel it in the way his muscles coil and tense against me, in the low growl that rumbles through his chest whenever I sway. The arm supporting me tightens each time I stumble, and I know he's fighting the urge to simply carry me out of here.

"What are we going to do with them?" My voice comes out raw, throat still burning from the wolfsbane they forced down it. The words trigger a coughing fit that makes my ribs scream in protest.

Adrian's other hand comes up to steady me, and I hate the way my body betrays me by leaning into his warmth. His jaw tightens as he glares at our captives. "They deserve worse than death for touching you."

The pure violence in his tone should frighten me. Instead, it sends an inappropriate shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with pain or cold. I force myself to focus on the hunters, their faces twisted in fear and agony. Part of me—the part that still tastes blood and silver in my mouth—wants them to suffer. But I can't let Adrian cross that line.

"We can't—" Another wave of dizziness hits, and I grab his shirt to stay upright. His arm becomes a steel band around me, and I have to take several breaths before continuing. "We can't make them disappear. People will notice. And it would expose everything you're building here."

"Maya." The way he says my name is half-growl, half-plea. "They nearly killed you."

Before I can argue, Lucien steps forward, adjusting his cuffs like we're at a board meeting instead of a battlefield. His presence hits me like a physical force—maybe it's the wolfsbane making me more susceptible to his vampiric aura, but the air feels heavier, colder.

"That," he purrs, silver eyes glinting with dark amusement, "is precisely why I was invited to this little gathering."

I press closer to Adrian instinctively, and his grip tightens in response. The vampire's gaze sweeps over the hunters with elegant disdain.

"I'll ensure they confess. Every detail. They'll turn themselves in as violent extremists, and the authorities will see nothing more than dangerous fanatics who got what they deserved." Lucien's smile shows just a hint of fang. "They might even remember their time here as... considerably worse than reality."

Theo crosses his arms, expression grim. "And Ethan handles the rest."

The detective nods, his amber eyes hard. "The reports will be clean. Just another domestic terrorist cell that got sloppy."

The room spins again, and this time I can't hide how badly my legs are shaking. Adrian notices—of course he does—and suddenly I'm being lifted into his arms before I can protest.

"We're done here." His voice brooks no argument, though I try anyway.

"Put me down," I mumble, even as my head falls against his shoulder. "I can walk."

"You can barely stand." His chest rumbles against my cheek as he speaks. "And if you think I'm letting you out of my sight after what just happened, you're delusional."

I want to argue, to maintain some shred of dignity, but the wolfsbane makes everything fuzzy, and Adrian is so warm. My eyes drift closed despite my best efforts.

The last thing I hear is Lucien's amused voice floating after us: "Do take care of our little wolf, Adrian. She's quite something."

Adrian's only response is a warning growl that vibrates through his chest and into my bones. As consciousness starts to slip away, I feel his lips brush my temple, so softly I might have imagined it.

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