“Two more Kweo clan members who can’t get their shit together.” Ethan dries the counter. “It seems their numbers are on the rise.”
“What are they doing here? Why are they even at Alpha Prime? I thought they only frequented Adam Lanka’s burger joint, Howl at the Moon, in the Kweo region of town.”
“Well, you haven’t been here for a while.”
“That true.”
Ethan leans over the bar. “But since Sadie and I got together, the Kweo have become a regular fixture here. Seems they like keeping tabs on me.”
“Are they keeping tabs, or are they looking for an opportunity to even a score?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s no secret the Kweo didn’t like the way their brethren's deaths were handled at the Novak ranch.” I take a swig. “And they damn sure have made it clear they don’t recognize the union between you and Sadie. They think she should be turned over to their clan.”
“Well, they can think whatever the hell they want,” says Ethan with a low, throaty growl. “But Sadie’s mine. And I’ll take any of them out who thinks otherwise.”
“So will I, little brother because Sadie is Shoshone now. She’s one of us.”
“Damn straight.”
A high-pitched voice cuts through the noise of the room. It has a familiar ring to it.
I scan the area.
Down the hall, leading toward the bathrooms, I spot Tessa, the blonde, and Chad Sawyer.
The wolf in me stirs. I slide off the stool and make my way over to the hall.
Two Kweo members, both lycans, step out in front of me.
“There’s nothing to see here.” One of the guys says. “Turn around.”
“Get the fuck out of the way,” I growl. Looking past the lycans, I keep a watchful eye on Tessa and her friend.
“Come on, Chad. Stop it.” Tessa’s voice quivers. “You’ve had too much to drink.”
Cole pushes past the first guy. But he comes eye to eye with the second, who smirks.
“I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough.” Chad brings a flask to his lips and takes three long swigs. “Now. Which one of you should I fuck first tonight?”
I shove the second guy, who reeks of alcohol. “Move.”
He staggers back, regains his footing, and then he takes a swing at me.
Ducking, I deflect the oncoming blow then jab with my right.
My closed fist makes solid contact with the guy’s jaw, producing a cracking sound.
Behind me, Ethan and the other guy grapple.
“Fuck,” I say under my breath.
Keegan told me and Ethan to keep a low profile, and this is anything but low.
“Damn. Keegan’s going to be pissed.” Repositioning my stance, I keep Chad and the girls in view while dealing with the Kweo engaging me.
Tessa pushes by Chad’s arm, which is blocking her exit. She gets halfway past him and then is slammed against the wall.
“Stop it, Chad.” Tears fill her eyes but don’t spill over.
My wolf issues a low, throaty growl.
Raising a leg, I do a front kick, connecting with the man’s knee.
The guy falls to the ground whimpering, and I take off running toward the girls.
Keegan’s gonna be more than pissed, so I might as well make the most of the situation.
I didn’t start it, but I sure as hell intend to finish it. And at this point; I’d like nothing better than to beat the fuck out of Chad because the lycan can’t seem to get his shit together. Plus, evidently, the dips hit doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.
Yeah. The lycan needs to be taught a lesson.
Chad grabs the blonde. “I think I’ll fuck you first.”
She takes hold of his hand, rips it free of her arm, and then she twists his wrist back.
“What the fuck?” Chad falls to his knees. The flask slips out of his other hand and bounces on the carpet, spilling the contents. Face red and eyes bulge, he grunts.
Approaching, I visually examine the hold the blonde has on Chad’s hand.
Hell, she knows what she’s doing.
“You ever touch either of us again,” the blonde says, barely above a whisper, “and I’ll break your arm. Are we clear?” She pauses. Her voice is calm and steady. “I expect an answer.”
“Fuck you—you bitch.” Chad glares at her. “Is that enough of a fucking answer for you?”
“Let’s try this again.” The blonde twists his wrist back a bit more.
Chad’s head bobs up and down. “Yeah. Okay.” His response comes out more of a whimper than words. “I didn’t want your skinny ass, anyway,” he says, barely above a whisper. “So, get the fuck off me.”
The blonde looks up. She glances at me then turns her attention to Tessa. “You okay?”
Tessa nods but doesn’t verbally answer.
My wolf can smell Tessa’s fear, which adds fuel to the raging anger building in the pit of my stomach. She might not be blood-related, but she’s like a sister.
“Now, apologize,” the blonde demands.
“Fuck you.” A fine mist of spit sprays the air. Chad lunges forward, swinging his other arm.
Footsteps pound behind Cole.
“I’m gonna kick your ass.” One of the two guys from earlier charges.
“Look out.” Tessa’s eyes widen, and her brows shoot up.
Spinning around, I deflect the oncoming guy’s approach, flip him over, and then slam him to the ground.
“Stay down.” I narrow my eyes, keeping him in full view.
“Wrong answer.” Without relinquishing her hold, the blonde twists out of the way of Chad’s oncoming assault. “You’re either not very bright, or you’re not listening.”
She sweeps Chad’s feet out from under him, and he crashes to the floor.
“You shouldn’t have done that. I warned you. You should’ve listened.”
A distinct popping sound resonates down the hall.
Chad screams. “My arm.” He rolls into a tight ball and cradles his elbow to his chest.
The girl takes Tessa by the hand and leads her past Chad. Together, they walk to the bar, and she helps Tessa slide on a stool.
I approach the bar with Ethan on my heels.
“You okay?” The blonde brushes a loose strand of hair out of Tessa’s face and hugs her.
“I’m good.” Tessa’s eyes fill with tears that spill over to her freckled cheeks.
“What the hell is going on?” Isiah plods to the bar. He studies Tessa’s face then hands her a napkin.
Isiah’s gaze trails down the hall to where Chad is still on the floor, rolling in pain.
The two Kweo members kneeling over him rise and then head for the exit.
“Go. Take care of that.” Isiah motions to Eli, who makes his way over to the injured man. “Someone going to tell me what happened.”
“Chad,” Tessa says between sobs. “He brought a flask and had too much to drink, again.” She rubs her arm, which is red and splotchy. “Why do you even let him in here? He’s a dick.”
“Hey, Isiah. I’m gonna take him over to the clinic,” shouts Eli. “Then I’ll drop him off at Adam’s place. They can deal with him there.”
Isiah turns a hot, burning gaze on me then Ethan. “What the fuck are you two doing? I know you’re aware of the agreement.”
“Hey. Don’t look at us.” Ethan shakes his head. “We didn’t start this. And we’ve damn sure been upholding the truce on our end.”
Isiah narrows his eyes. “Who took the first swing?”
“It wasn’t them. They were just trying to help.” The blonde steps forward. “And that guy’s arm, it’s not broken. His elbow just needs popping back into place.”
“Keep talking.” Tension pulls the skin taut on Isiah’s jaw.
“He grabbed Tessa by the bathroom and started groping her. We asked him to stop, and when he didn’t, I subdued him. I told him to stay down, but he refused.”
; Isiah looks from the blonde to Tessa. “You okay?”
Tessa nods.
Isiah takes Tessa by the hand and draws her off the stool. “Get your stuff, and go home,” his voice has a softer tone to it. “I’ll pay you for the rest of your shift.”
Tessa hugs Isiah then turns to the blonde. “Give me a minute, and I’ll be ready.” She takes a couple of steps then stops. “Hey, Ethan. Cole. She’s the surprise I was talking about earlier.” Tessa grins, but her eyes still contain remnants of tears. “Can you guess who she is?”
My gaze travels to her shirt. Johansson’s Martial Arts Studio is written in bold lettering across her breasts.
I glance up. Bright, emerald green eyes hold my gaze.
She looks familiar. It takes a few seconds but then, recognition finally sinks in.
The tall blonde, with the kick-ass moves and lean body, is Tessa’s kid sister, Ava Johansson. And from the looks of things, she’s not so little anymore.
A grin stretches across my face.
Sucking in a deep breath, I dine on her alluring scent.
Mine, the beast within whispers.
I nudge Ethan. “Seems little Ava can take care of herself.” She’s a woman my inner wolf now has in its sights.
About the Author
Michelle L. De La Garza is an American Freelance Writer and Poet, who lives with her husband and children in Texas. She writes sweet New Adult and Young Adult Fiction under her real name, Michelle L. De La Garza and writes steamy Adult Fiction/PNR/Science Fiction/Fantasy under pen name April A. Luna.
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