Page 4 of Rituals & Runes

I had no idea of his intentions. No idea what he wanted but I wasn’t about to stick around and find out. Not when I was an abomination to shifters. I reached out for the nearest washing machine in case I needed the cleaning bucket someone had left on top of the machine.

“Can I help you?”

As he took a step forward in a fluid motion, a rush of heat flushed my chest, neck, and face. His body had to be sleek, toned muscle from head to toe, but ogling him was the worst idea. My wolf jumped up, clawing at me, growling and yipping. I had to restrain her from taking me over and shifting before this man.

She needed him. Craved him so badly that my efforts to hold her back caused me pain.

He prowled forward; his gaze locked on mine. I snuck glances at his menacing stare that pinned me to the floor. His alpha energy pulsed in the air trying to force me to submit. I fought it grabbing the bucket and flinging it at him. It missed him crashing to the floor.

I dashed off, circling the end of the washing machines to head for the door. Small but fast, I darted for the exit, pumping my legs to get away from him. It was my only chance to escape.

Tonight, no way would I let myself die. It hadn’t been in my plans but it looked like I had to find a new job and move. This time farther away to ditch the enemy.

I didn’t feel him coming. Only felt the slam of his body against mine as the air in my lungs socked out of me in a painful whoosh. I expected agony to reverberate through me as I slammed into the ground but his arms cradled and shielded me from the blow.

His hard, ripped frame pressed on every inch of my body, warm chest heaving against my breasts, his leg between mine, and his arms caging me on either side.

A harsh growl ripped from his throat sending vibrations into me and the floor beneath us. His alpha power froze me in place except to turn my head to the side and expose my tender neck.

He dropped his face next to mine, brushing his nose on my cheek as he inhaled deeply, and settled by my ear. Warm, breath that smelled of butterscotch feathered across my skin. The last words I heard in a deep, husky voice were, “I like feisty submissives but it doesn’t matter. Because of your pack, my brother is dead.”

Then my world went dark.

---