Page 89 of Feral Werewolves

“Red,” said Clementine.

“Clementine,” said Noah.

I kissed Clementine full on the mouth. “Perfect,” I said and extricated myself.

Noah was backing up, because he got what I was up to.

I advanced on him.

“Paladin,” said Clementine. “What are you—?”

I grabbed Noah around the waist and he and I struggled. In terms of overall strength, he and I might have been pretty well matched. I was taller than he was but not really much broader and Noah had the muscular physique of someone who was trying to bulk up. I was not trying to do that. Of course, I was doing actual manual labor on the farm. Well. Sometimes.

But I got my hand up to seize Noah’s neck and I said, “You’re coming with us. You’re my fucking shield, Noah.”

Noah struggled. He elbowed me in the ribs.

I coughed, but I squeezed Noah’s neck. My hand spanned his neck like nothing. I felt strong with his fluttering pulse right under my fingers.

“Let him go,” said Clementine to me.

“Get behind me, Clementine,” I said to her.

She obeyed me right away, but she was protesting the whole way. “Noah is my friend, and if you hurt him, I will never forgive you.”

“Define ‘hurt,’” I said, squeezing Noah’s neck. “Forward, Noah,” I breathed in his ear. “We’re going forward.”

“What do you mean, you know what ‘hurt’ is!” Clementine yelled from behind me.

“Well, how about if I promise no lasting damage,” I said. “That good enough?”

“Oh, my God,” said Clementine. “Do I even know you?”

I decided not to answer that. I tried to force Noah to walk, but he wouldn’t, so I put pressure against him and forced his ankle to bend in a weird way. He cried out and then complied to walk, moving his feet of his own volition.

We walked out of the room and down the hallway, and there was Red.

“Hey,” I said with a big smile. “There you are.”

“Fuck,” said Red.

“Yeah,” I said. “Funny thing, when you threaten someone with how you’re going to violate his mate in front of him, it’s a good idea to make sure your mate is pretty secure? Or, uh, does no one know you’re mated to a man?”

Red’s smile was tight.

“You know, there’s nothing wrong with being gay, don’t you, Red?” I said. “You don’t have to be ashamed. Is that how it was with you and Griff, actually? Are you—”

“Shut up,” said Red. “Let Noah go. You can walk the fuck out of here, but just—”

“How about I walk the fuck out of here and then I let Noah go,” I said.

“Fine,” said Red.

“And I’m taking Clementine,” I said.

“Yeah, fine, fuck, whatever,” said Red. “Please.” His voice cracked.

I let out a giggle. Couldn’t help it. “Hear that, everyone? This is your fearless leader, the one who decided to serve you up a dish of pussy that smelled like someone else’s property. He’s about to sell you all out for awoman. A woman with her tits cut off.”

---