Page 22 of Restoring His Howl

Cinders shook Avan. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Nothing,” Avan said, his voice even. “I saw a piece of ass, and I went for it. You gave me the idea.” He sneered. “You walk around here all cocky and like you own the place. Bullshit. You knew we watched your ass. You knew I wanted it, but when I realized what Dillon could do, I wanted his hole. I almost got it.”

His hole.Avan had reduced Dillon to a body part. As if he weren’t a person, but a receptacle. Cinders smashed Avan against the wall and stuck his face in Avan’s. “You’ll never touch him. Ever.” The jaguar begged to be let loose. The cat would teach Avan how things were. He’d destroy Avan. Cinders channeled every bit of frustration in him into his desire to lay into Avan. “I want you gone.”

“I’ll handle this.” Markas touched Cinders’ arm. “Let him down.”

Cinders didn’t want to. He’d rather rip Avan limb from limb.

“Back down, jaguar.” Markas rubbed Cinders’ arm. “Thank you.”

“Yeah,” Avan said. “Fuck you. Let me go.”

“I wouldn’t push your luck right now,” Markas said. When Cinders relinquished his grip, Markas and John snatched Avan. They escorted him from the room.

Cinders whipped around and faced the others. “I don’t know who’s the ‘we’ Avan meant, but if I find out anyone else has any ideas about pulling shit with Dillon, I’ll do to you what I didn’t get to finish with him. Understand? We’re shifters. We’re not here to use each other. We’re a family.”

He had no idea if anyone took him seriously. Jesus. Here he was, wearing a skimpy tearaway police outfit and yelling at anyone who’d listened. If he were the others, he’d have a hard time believing him, too.

Oscar wouldn’t meet his gaze, and Ryder blushed. The crowd dispersed, but Ryder remained. “Sorry, man. I had no idea.”

“Yeah.” Cinders turned his attention to Dillon. The wolf shifter sat against the wall and hugged his knees. He seemed to be staring into space. Cinders wasn’t sure. He sat next to Dillon, their shoulders touching. “How are you feeling?”

Dillon mumbled something, but Cinders couldn’t understand him.

He draped his arm around Dillon and held onto him. He didn’t care if they said nothing. He wanted Dillon to know he gave a damn. The other shifters moved to the dance floor. Though the music blared and the confetti still flew through the air, no one danced. The exciting mood had died.

“Let’s dance,” Delaney said. He waved his arms. “We’re here to have fun. This is supposed to be a night to mix and enjoy ourselves.”

“Start having fun,” Ryan shouted. He laughed and grabbed Delaney. “We’ll start.”

Cinders watched the shifters pair off. Some moved to the music, but most stood in knots.

He turned his attention to Dillon. “Want to go?” He rubbed Dillon’s arm. “Honey, you’re overwhelmed. Let’s get some air.” He stood then hauled Dillon to his feet. “Come with me. We’ll go where it’s quiet.”

“Thanks.” Dillon clung to him until they were in the foyer. “I’m okay.” He pulled out of Cinders’ grasp and rubbed his arms. “Thanks.”

“You said that.” Cinders left some distance between them. He fought the urge to tuck Dillon into his embrace again. “You’re not okay. Avan had no right to say those things or do what he did.”

“I appreciate you sticking up for me.” Dillon faced Cinders. “He’s a kid, and he’s a dick.”

“That doesn’t give him the right to say those things. He harassed you.” Cinders bridged the gap between them. “I’m sorry I didn’t step in faster.”

“You’re not my protector. You barely like me.” Dillon tensed. “Just… You don’t have to be nice. I get it. I revolted you.”

“No.” Revolted? Fucking balls. “Dillon, honey, I… You shocked me, but I’m not put off. I needed time to wrap my head around what you’d told me.” He tucked Dillon into his chest. “I won’t even try to put myself in your shoes, but I’d like to be the one beside you. I shouldn’t have walked away. That was me being a dick, but when I saw him cornering you, I didn’t have to think. My jaguar knew what I was trying to figure out. I already liked you. I needed to protect you.”

Dillon smoothed his hand over Cinders’ chest but said nothing.

Cinders swayed with Dillon in his arms. He’d been looking forward to the party, so he could dance with Dillon. Now that they were there, he preferred the silence of the foyer.

“You’re special.”Wonderful, awesome and fantastic.“I’m lucky you came to the Sanctuary.”

Dillon stopped dancing. “How? I’m broken. I’ve got scars inside and out.”

“Like I’m perfect?” He cupped Dillon’s jaw in both hands. “I used to dance and shake my…everything…for anyone with money. I had no compassion or direction. Then I came here and met you. Now, I’ve got a direction, my jaguar has found a kindred spirit and I’m happy. I’m not even strolling the grounds nude.”

“I’m a miracle worker.” Dillon rolled his eyes. “I’m…”

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