Page 23 of Tangled in Red

Diablo’s beasts slammed against their cage, snarling so fiercely the sound drew attention from those who heard it. “The alpha was part of the ambush?”

“Your eyes,” Santiago said under his breath. “Get your shit under control. They’re glowing so bright everyone can see them.”

Diablo’s gums seared with pain right before his canines punched through. His beasts were forcing their way out, hell-bent on revenge now that they knew who their target was.

“Shit!” Santiago shoved Diablo backward, trying to get him into the hallway restricted to pack members only. But Diablo’s beasts were taking over. He could feel them tearing their way out.

His gaze shot toward Brett. His mate was frozen, eyes wide, jaw dropped.

At the door, the pack was hustling everyone out with a controlled urgency. Diablo’s vision was a blur, dominated by the fiery amber glow in his eyes.

When Cesar reached for Brett, Diablo threw his head back and let out a ferocious snarl. “Mine!”

“Back off!” Miguel roared. “Do not touch the redhead!”

Elijah and the other mates scrambled away from the bar. Percy, ignoring the chaos, tried to grab Brett’s arm, but he refused to budge.

Thick fur bristled along Diablo’s arms as his muzzle took shape. There was no stopping it. He couldn’t even force himself to escape to another room. His beasts refused to leave Brett, poised to rip apart anyone daring enough to come between them, including Diablo himself.

“No!” He slammed his eyes shut, his muscles bulging under the strain to force them back. After months of struggling to release them, now he was wrestling to keep them contained. “You come out only when I summon you,” he barked. “Force your way out and I swear, I’ll tranquillize you motherfuckers myself.”

His lycanthrope was the fiercest contender, the one that was trying to force Diablo to shift. His wolf was right beside the beast but retreated at the warning.

“We’ll get him. I promise.” But even as he spoke, he could feel the power of their rage. “Obey. Now!”

Not once in his life had he lost control of them, except when they’d become trapped. Diablo ruled his beasts, never the other way around. But now, he was drenched in sweat, his breath ragged and heavy.

He’d never witnessed any wolf shifter release both animals simultaneously. All he could think about were those grotesque, half-shifted creatures in that warehouse, caught between forms.

As self-destructive as he’d been, Diablo refused to go out like that. Both beasts trying to break free at once would’ve written his obituary.

He staggered toward the counter, gripping its edge with a vise-like hold. His nails remained claws, an act of defiance from his lycanthrope as a deep growl rumbled in its throat.

Matias placed a stool behind him, guiding Diablo to sit before he collapsed. His bones felt like they were on fire, his skin itching where fur had sprouted and then receded.

“Look at me,” Matias said quietly, but firmly. “Don’t break eye contact.”

His light brown eyes burned a dark amber, glowing as his lycanthrope locked eyes with Diablo’s, but it resisted, thrashing against its confines.

“Heel,” Matias commanded with calm authority, making Diablo’s beast finally retreat.

“Brett,” Diablo croaked, his body trembling. “Mi elegido.”

“Your what?” Santiago stared at him in disbelief. “You brought your elegido here and conveniently forgot to mention it? Your beasts could’ve torn Cesar apart for touching him!”

This was not how Diablo had planned on telling Brett. In fact, it was the worst possible way to reveal he wasn’t human.

Brett slipped off his stool, each step cautious as he moved closer. “Are you okay?”

“No,” Diablo admitted, bracing himself for rejection, for Brett to walk away without a second glance. He wanted to hold the male, to anchor them both. Diablo had never needed anyone as desperately as he needed his mate right now.

“Will…” Brett hesitated, his gaze searching Diablo’s. “Will it hurt me?”

“It was trying to protect you.”

To Diablo’s surprise, Brett slid his arms around him, holding him like he was something worth protecting. Mindful of his claws, he wrapped his mate in gentle embrace.

“No te merezco,” Diablo murmured.

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