Page 58 of Into the Fire: Before

I cursed under my breath and called again.

He picked up on the fourth ring. “Not a good ti—”

“Shut up and listen,” I muttered, my breath still heavy and chopped. The arm bracing Taryn around the shoulders tightened. “Get Brooks and come to the Maddox apartment. Do it now.”

“What happened?”

“Bring his med kit.”

“Caine—”

I hung up, dropping my phone with a clatter to the ground and returning my hand to its right place at Taryn’s head, anchoring her to my body.

My alpha took full control then, the edges of the room fading to nothing. The only two things in existence were me and the omega I held in my arms, still shaking and letting out an occasional whine.

Then I was purring.

I’d never purred for anyone, ever. Not Brooks or Lin, not any of the few partners I’d had up to this point in my life. But this omega in my arms, practically a stranger to me still…she brought it out of me.

My wolf took control.

Quiet.Omegawasquietnow too, breathing even but muscles tense. The light was almost gone. Didn’t matter. Could still see just fine. Could smell just fine. Would hear any heartbeats of any predators coming for her.

Red puddle on the floor. A crimson mirror. A lake at midnight.

A crashing sound from outside. My focus sharpened to the entrance, waiting for the threat to walk in. I dared them try to harm her, touch her. I’d tear their throat out with my teeth.

Fast footsteps. Two bodies.

They spoke, but I heard no words. They crossed the threshold. I kept my eyes locked on them. Another beta. An alpha.

I’d kill anyone who came for the omega, but that would involve letting her go, which was a last resort.

The alpha approached the spot where I held the omega. I gave a warning growl. He stopped in his tracks.

Good. Stay back.

He spoke, but the sounds were disjointed. My breaths came hard. I held the omega tighter. A whisper of a scent reached my nose, familiar, and I heard my name.

“Caine.”

I blinked a few times, and the crouched alpha before me turned into Lin, expression careful and concerned. Brooks stood back closer to the door, face pale and terrified.

I took a deep breath and gave a little nod, telling them that I was back in control. Or enough control that they were safe from me.

I looked to Brooks. “I think she’s in shock.”

“What the hell happened?”

Lin moved closer. I swallowed, still feeling somewhat territorial over Taryn. Not my alpha.Me.

I gritted my teeth together and pushed it down. I had no place being territorial of her at all. She wasn’t my omega. Wasn’t mine to comfort or protect or cherish, no matter what my inner wolf believed.

“Someone was here,” I murmured. “Smelled—” My stomach lurched, forcing me to take a steadying breath. “Smelled her fear. Came in and someone…fucking…had her…”

As I spoke, Lin reached over and grabbed the knife that had been just out of reach, finally freeing Taryn’s hands of her bonds. She barely moved, though, head still turned in to my chest, resting in the crook of my neck, while her hands clutched even harder at my shirt. Lin swallowed, raising a hand slowly. He grazed his fingertips over her cheek, brushing strands of hair behind her ear. She flinched.

“Oh, sweet omega,” he whispered, pain behind his words. Lin met my gaze. “How’d the fucker get in? Outer doors were locked like normal.”

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