Page 87 of Savage Games

Brad laughs, the sound echoing unnaturally through the trees.

"Oh, don't bother with the big bad rogue act," he says, waving a dismissive hand."We both know you're running on fumes."His gaze shifts to Naomi, and his expression changes in a way that makes my blood boil.The hunger in his eyes is naked, possessive, a look no wolf should ever direct at another's mate.

"And as for you, Naomi," he continues, his voice dropping to a silky purr that makes my hackles rise."You're about to see the lengths I'm willing to go to for what I want.That's what a real alpha does.He takes what belongs to him."

I prowl forward to place myself more firmly between them, and my growl deepens to a snarl of pure rage.

Touch her and die.The message couldn't be clearer.

"Adorable."Brad sneers, not put off by my display."But pointless.You're in no condition to protect her.You can barely stand."His eyes fix on Naomi again, his tongue darting out to wet his lips in a gesture so deliberately obscene that it makes my vision blur with fury."And once I've dealt with you...well, a claim during a hunt seems like a fitting way to announce our mating, doesn't it?"

The implication is unmistakable.He intends to use the chaos and rules of the hunt as cover for what would, under any other circumstances, be considered a grievous crime amongst our kind.The thought sends a wave of pure rage through me, temporarily burning away the fog of poison and pain.

If I had any strength left to spare, I'd be shifting back now and tearing his throat out before he could even finish that sentence.The most I can manage now, however, is gathering myself for one last desperate fight.

Brad merely watches, amused, clearly believing himself untouchable.

"Go ahead," he taunts."Run, Naomi.Do as your mate asks.It’ll make it more fun when I take you down."

Despite the poison dulling my senses, I catch it, the subtle shift of leaves, a whisper of movement almost too faint to detect.Someone else is approaching through the underbrush, moving with the practiced stealth of a predator.The wind and water masks the scent, impossible to identify in my weakened state.

But one thing is for certain: we're not alone.

Someone else has found us; either drawn by our confrontation or deliberately tracking us.My stomach drops when I realise they’re approaching from Naomi’s side of the creek.Friend or foe?The poison dulled my senses too much to tell.

"Have it your way," Brad's voice drops to a dangerous whisper as his body begins the shift back to wolf form."Stay and watch me finish him.Then we'll see how cooperative you feel."

I brace myself for the inevitable, gathering what little strength I have left for one last stand.I may be dying, poisoned, and weak, but I'll use my last breath to keep him from her.My legs tremble with the effort of standing, my vision wavering at the edges as darkness threatens to close in.

The world in front of me waivers, and I blink hard against the spots dancing in front of my eyes.But I won't go down without a fight.Not while Naomi needs me.

33

Naomi

“Have it your way."Brad steps back as his shift overtakes him.

I stand on shaking paws beside my mate and summon every ounce of courage I have.

This is it.This is my chance to show Brad that he’s severely underestimated me.

The creek rushes between us, Wyatt trapped on one side with Brad, and me isolated on the other.My mate stands wounded but defiant, his massive black wolf still intimidating despite the bitter scents of blood and poison in the air.

My wolf isn’t just big, she’s protective.Brad might think I’ll shrink away from a fight, but not this one.Not when my mate’s life is on the line.

This is my moment of truth.Brad has always underestimated me, seen me as nothing more than a prize to be claimed or an obstacle to be eliminated.He doesn’t know what I'm capable of.But this competition has shown me I can do more than I ever thought possible.

Before I jump, a blur of movement catches my attention, a wolf materialising from the undergrowth to stand beside me, his stance protective and challenging.His coat is the colour of polished mahogany, his build lean but powerful.Even without seeing his face, I recognize him instantly.

Eli.

His hackles are raised, a deep growl rumbling from his chest as he stares across the creek at Brad.The message is simple.I am not alone.

Across the water, another form erupts from the undergrowth, a wolf with a sandy brown coat, smaller than Brad, but moving with impressive speed.For a heartbeat, I fear it's another enemy, another competitor, joining the hunt for us.But then the newcomer plants himself firmly beside Wyatt, hackles raised, and teeth bared in challenge.

Dash.

His compact, muscular body vibrates with tension as he faces off against Brad.

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