Page 24 of Deadly Promise
“I know how it sounds—”
“Get out.” Hayden pointed toward the door as he stepped protectively in front of Teagan. “I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing, but—”
“It’s not a game.” Liam held up both hands, palms out. “I know exactly how it sounds, but someone was definitely here. Check your drawers, your closets. Tell me nothing’s been moved or taken.”
“Get. Out.” Each word came harder than the last. “Now!”
Fear rolled off both men, sharp, acidic, nothing like the warm contentment from earlier. Liam’s wolf whined at the rejection, at causing his mates distress when all he wanted was to protect them.
But they were afraid of him, not the intruders. Because he’d just claimed superhuman abilities like some kind of delusional stalker.
“Hayden, listen to me—”
“No.” Hayden’s hands clenched into fists. “You show up out of nowhere, fix our car, invite us to your commune, and now you’re standing in our house claiming you can smell people like some kind of bloodhound.”
“Just let me—”
“Now.” Hayden’s voice carried steel Liam hadn’t heard before. “Get the fuck out!”
His mates were in danger, and they thought he was the threat.
Left with no choice, Liam focused on his right hand. Heat burned through his fingertips as keratin extended, sharpening into deadly points. Five curved claws emerged where human nails had been seconds before.
Teagan squeaked before his eyes rolled back in his head. His knees buckled, and he crumpled to the floor in a boneless heap.
Damn it. Liam should’ve caught him, but he was too worried about his mates thinking he was some lunatic.
“Holy shit!” Hayden dove behind the couch, grabbing throw pillows like they were weapons. A decorative cushion with embroidered flowers bounced off Liam’s cheek, followed by one shaped like a pineapple that struck his ear. “Stay back! Stay the fuck back!”
Perfect. Just perfect. His first full day with his mates, and he’d managed to traumatize one into unconsciousness while the other was launching home décor at his head.
“What the fuck are you?”
A third pillow was thrown, this one whacking Liam square in the forehead. For someone hiding behind furniture, Hayden had surprisingly good aim.
“Would you stop throwing things at me?” Liam retracted his claws, holding both hands up in surrender. “If you’ll just let me explain—”
“Explain?” A fourth pillow sailed over the couch, hitting Liam on the nose. “You just grew fucking claws! People don’t grow claws!”
“Some people do.” Liam moved toward where Teagan lay sprawled on the thin carpet. “Can I please check on him without you launching more cushioned missiles at my head?”
Hayden clutched the back of the couch like it might sprout wings and carry him to safety. He nodded, his breathing coming in short, sharp bursts as his eyes darted wildly around the room.
When Liam scooped Teagan up, he felt impossibly light in his arms, head lolling back to expose the elegant line of his throat.
The trust implicit in that vulnerability made Liam’s wolf whine.
He settled his mate carefully on the couch, brushing silky blond hair back from his forehead.
“Teagan?” He kept his voice gentle, though his wolf wanted to pace and snarl at the lingering foreign smells. “Come on, wake up, honey.”
A soft moan escaped those lips, followed by fluttering eyelids.
“Did I miss the alien invasion?” Teagan mumbled, blinking his eyes open. “Because I distinctly remember claws, and that seems like the kind of thing that would come right before little green men.”
Despite everything, laughter bubbled up from Liam’s throat. Even semiconscious, Teagan managed to be adorable. “No aliens. Just me being a supernatural pain in your ass.”
“That’s a relief.” Teagan struggled to sit up, accepting Liam’s steadying hand without question. “I was worried things were about to get weird.”
