Book 1 - Page 24 (1/2)

Yeah, can’t see it, eh? The two of you watch your backs. Volan’s not one to play fairly if it means losing Bella and his pack leaders.h.i.+p all at the same time. He’ll be out for your blood.

Devlyn was glad to know Argos was on his side. Does Volan know Bella’s address?

No. She’s always had a P.O. box address. I don’t know where her home is.

Is Volan there now? Devlyn hoped it was a ruse, a veiled threat that he was coming for them if Devlyn didn’t bring her home to Colorado.

No. According to others, he left sometime this afternoon.

Devlyn breathed in the subtle fragrance of Bella behind him. A red lupus garou has been killing here. We’re trying to discover who he is. We’ll be returning later than we planned. In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye out for Volan.

Devlyn... be careful.

“Is something wrong?” Bella asked, her sweet voice stirring him when she walked into the office. Her voice was threaded with worry, but seeing her wearing her red lace panties and bra forced the breath from his lungs. “Sinfully s.e.xy” described his Bella. Just catching sight of her bra pus.h.i.+ng up her already full-sized b.r.e.a.s.t.s... just a bit more and the top of her darkened nipples would be exposed.

He stood up from the desk chair quickly. “Yeah, something’s wrong. Argos returned to Colorado and is still there. The message we thought he sent must have been from Volan.”

Bella’s face paled.

Wrapping his arm around her, he nuzzled his cheek against her neck. “Argos a.s.sures me he doesn’t know where you live.”

She shook her head.

Argos typed in a final message: Bring her home, Devlyn.

You have my word, Argos. D

The next message made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end.

Dear little Bella, I sent trusted members of my pack to bring you home, but it seems Devlyn has other ideas. I should have killed him years ago. No problem. Now is as good a time as any. Unless you agree to be my mate. Think on it, angel. A life for a life. Meet me at the club and agree to be my mate and I’ll let him live. Volan

Devlyn cursed under his breath, sure Volan’s message would shake Bella’s faith in his abilities. Shutting off the computer, he tightened his hold on her, hoping she wouldn’t discourage what he craved to do with her next. He kissed her cheek, but she seemed deep in thought, not responding to his attentions.

He couldn’t stomach the thought that she’d want to cool it with him now. Not when he’d convinced her he was the only one for her. “Bella honey, you haven’t changed your mind... “

Her darkened gaze s.h.i.+fted from his chest to his face. Tears pooled in her eyes, striking a chord in his heart. He kissed her lips, trying to stir her compulsion to mate. Once she was his, there was no going back. No acquiescing to the alpha leader.

He breathed in the peach smell of her hair, focusing on everything about her that urged him to take his relations.h.i.+p with her all the way. “I’ll kill him, Bella, before he can have you. I swear it.”

“We can’t do it, Devlyn.”

Unable to curb his anger, he growled, “Because?” “Because of Volan!”

Grinding his teeth, Devlyn cast her a knife-edged look. “You still think I haven’t got what it takes? That I can’t best him?”

“I’ve seen what he’s done to others who tried to take over the pack! I know how impossible he is to beat.”

Devlyn took her hand and kissed it, attempting to get his rage under control, trying to persuade her to give him a chance.

She pushed him away.

Instantly, the bloodl.u.s.t surged through his veins. “If all it takes for you to agree to be my mate... “ He clamped his lips tight and stormed out of the office.

“Devlyn, wait! What are you going to do?”

He refused to give in to the panic in her voice. He’d come too far to back down now. “I’ll kill him, Bella. That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll end this once and for all.”

“No!” She grabbed his arm, but he yanked it free.

“Wait for me, Bella. I’ll take care of him and be back shortly.”

She didn’t say another word, and when he climbed into the SUV, he glanced at the reason for his actions — Bella, his chosen, her eyes misted with tears, her lips pursed in anger.

Volan was as good as dead.

Bella watched Devlyn back out of the garage, her knight who’d get himself killed. She’d never share his love, have his children, be able to return to the pack.

The garage door shut, becoming an impenetrable wall between them.

“d.a.m.n it, Devlyn.” He’d forced her hand.

She raced back to her bedroom, dressed, and yanked her gun out of the bedside table. She would end it once and for all.

After calling a taxi, she paced across the living room, waiting for the cab’s arrival, her blood on fire. Could she kill Volan if she had the chance?