“You smell like my favorite snack,” Cyrus rasped, leaning forward to sniff Kim’s hands. “What happened?”
“I-I’m shaking,” Kim explained, holding out the remaining vials. “I’m s-sorry. Too tight.”
Cyrus took the vials, lifted her hands closer to his nose, and breathed deep. “How very wasteful of you. This is nectar of the gods, Ms. Su. Did you know that?” His smile chilled Hollis’s insides. “Addictive.” His tongue traced along Kim’s arm. “Delicious.”
Kim gasped, her attempts to break free of his hold failing—miserably.
“No,” he spoke softly. He gripped her by the throat and lifted her from the floor, shaking her. “You do as I say, or you won’t like the consequences.” He placed her feet on the floor, his hold easing enough for her to breath. “I’m sorry to say your mother didn’t listen, Ms. Su.”
Kim was sobbing now, her hands at her throat.
Cyrus eyed the vials, a real smile on his lips. He pulled the cork free and downed one vial. His eyes closed, then opened. Another vial drained, his groan enough to make Hollis’s wolf see red. But then Cyrus’s smile was replaced by something hard, cold, and absolutely terrifying. “You?” he asked, his voice coarse, his jaw thickening and stretching. “You touched her? You made life grow inside her?”
“Because she is mine!” Hollis yelled the words, muffled by the tape. She was his and Cyrus would never lay a hand on her. He closed his eyes, hoping she’d honor the vow she made him, yet knowing, deep down, she couldn’t.
Kim backed away. Maybe it was the sudden movement or the effects of Ellen’s blood, but Cyrus snapped. He slapped Kim hard enough to send her into the wall. Her small form slid to the ground as the second elevator dinged. The doors opened, but the elevator was empty.
Because his mate was brilliant, fierce, and made for battle. Hollis could do nothing but watch as she approached silently. With one kick, the Other’s knee snapped out, sending him forward. But her fingers gripped his head, twisting sharply, and tore the man’s head free before he ever hit the floor. The surprise on his face was almost comical. Almost.
Hollis jerked against his bonds, bucking against the chair when the remaining Other turned, moving toward Ellen. The blade she threw lodged itself in the man’s eye. He tipped back onto his heels, his arms pinwheeling, while she sliced cleanly through his neck with what looked like an antique surgical knife.
She stood, knives dripping, and stared at Cyrus.
“You’re here.” The excitement in Cyrus’s voice was jarring. He was mesmerized, staring at Ellen with something that made Hollis’s skin crawl and his wolf howl in desperation. “This is a surprise, Ellen. A wonderful surprise.”
God, he loved the fury on her face. There was nothing more beautiful. Or more terrifying.
“Let him go.” Her growl made his wolf howl.
“The good doctor? Your stunted wolf of a mate?” He bared his teeth.
“Let him go.” Ellen’s jaw flexed. “And Kim, too.”
“Let him live? What about the dozen wolves waiting outside? They didn’t come here to escort you home, Ellen. They came here looking for a fight.” Cyrus’s pale brows rose.
Her smile was hard. “They came here because you made them come here. And they will leave, fight or not, if you tell them to go.”
His smile was surprisingly genuine. “Come with me now and I will tell them to go.”
Hollis jerked, fighting the tape and rope binding him in place. His protests were muffled by the tape covering his mouth. She wouldn’t go. She wouldn’t, but that didn’t stop him from yelling. A seed of doubt had been planted. She’d said she’d put their child first, protecting their baby was all that mattered. And yet she was the reason two men were dead on the floor. To protect him, his wolf was quick to remind him, as they would protect her.
But he couldn’t protect himself. How could he expect to protect her?
His wolf reared up, pushing inside until it hurt to breathe.
“Ellen,” he barked her name, over and over, cursing the fucking tape.
“He’s worried about you. Sitting there, trapped in his human body, too weak to free himself—let alone defend you. Why him, Ellen?” Cyrus asked, not bothering to look at him. “He can’t satisfy you, he can’t protect you. He can’t understand you. He is an embarrassment to the wolf.”
Ellen’s lip curled, her hands fisted at her sides, but she kept quiet.
“Or is the abomination in your stomach what he’s worried about?” Cyrus shook his head. “You must have gone into heat to let one of these false wolves taint your bloodline.”
“Fuck you. I will gut you.” Hollis growled against the tape, knowing his insults were indecipherable and not caring. He wished the bastard understood every word he said, wished it would taunt him into action. “You’re going to die.” He fought harder, tugging until his skin burned from the rope.
His wolf was losing it, pushing and clawing to get out. All that mattered was Ellen. Fuck Cyrus and his pack—she had to live, she had to be safe. She wouldn’t go. She’d given him her word that she’d protect their child.
Cyrus studied her, his pale eyes narrowing. “No one else will die tonight.”