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  She slumped into his chest, leaning on his strength if only for a short time. He ran his hands along her back in a gentle motion, drifting from the back of her neck to the top of her buttocks. A spike of electricity shot through her, when his fingers brushed the exposed portion of her skin.

  “No one will harm you.” The unexpected anger in his voice, at the thought that someone had hurt her, stirred something buried deep inside her. “I swear. I can’t change what happened to you, but no one here will ever hurt you. Nor will I allow anyone else to hurt you again.”

  The intensity in his expression and words and the way he held her protectively within his arms made her believe what he said as truth.

  Killian placed his hand under her chin to lift her face to his. His warm breath caressed her lips as his mouth hovered over hers. “Bella…”

  It wasn’t the lust in his gaze or the fingers that were brushing over her body that caused her to shiver—it was the way he said her name. She waited, trembling in his arms. There was more than carnal need in his rich, tawny-colored eyes.

  The kiss was a chaste meeting of their lips, the touch featherlight. He moved his head from side to side—left, right, and then back again, the coarse whiskers on his chin faintly scraping her skin. She moaned at the sensation, squirming in his embrace.

  “Open for me.” He exhaled in a husky rasp, took his hand to her face, and ran his fingers through the hair. He pushed his tongue past her parted lips and delved inside. Everything around them became a blur. The floor under her feet seemed to shift, so she clutched Killian’s wide shoulders to remain upright. His chest vibrated as he growled, and his hold on her hips turned from restrained to possessive.

  Bella had been cautious of everything she did since her parents’ deaths. She knew Killian was dangerous, more so than her uncle or the males in her streak. It was strange to her that such a dangerous shifter would make her feel safe.

  Killian released her lips and nibbled down to her neck. She tilted her head as his lips moved over her neck and shoulders. She ran her hands over his back, pushing his gray T-shirt away so she could brush over his skin. Bella winced when his hand touched her hip. She felt him stiffen, and he began to pull away from her.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered as she tried to lean into him.

  His eyes glowed as he gazed at her. “No more. You need to rest.”

  She started to speak when he swept his thumb over her lips silencing her protests. He led her back to the bed and lifted the covers for her. He tucked the covers around her when he finished. He bent over her as his hands stroked her hair.

  “Rest.” That was all he said as he continued to move his hands through her tresses. Her eyelids drooped as sleep claimed her. He rose from the bed when he was sure she was asleep. Killian walked to the door. His gaze returned to small figure in the bed. He didn’t notice the claw marks left in wood as he closed the door.

  Chapter Seven

  “I’m going to rip the fuckers heart out.” He said to himself as he closed the bedroom door. Killian had kept the rage in check when he was with her. But he could not erase the image of her in the woods. He stopped in the hall. His claws were out. Killian took several deep breaths. He needed to remain calm for his sake and for hers. It was several minutes before his hands returned to normal.

  He knew there were others downstairs. It would not help anything if he looked like a savage when they saw him.

  Killian saw Tia and Massi in the small den as he came down the steps. At the bottom, he turned again and looked at the closed door at the top. He was tempted to go back up and crawl in bed with Bella. He wanted to wrap his body around hers to keep her warm and safe. He shook his head to dispel the lure of lying in bed with her. He walked into the room with the couple.

  “Is she okay?” Massi asked before Tia could.

  “Yes, she’s asleep,” he answered.

  Tia turned to face Killian before she spoke. “I can’t believe someone could do that to her. Men are bastards. Present company excluded.”

  Massi snorted at the comment. “Yeah, thanks.”

  The corners of Killian’s mouth came up, and he shook his head as he walked into the kitchen. He snagged a bottle of water from the fridge and glanced over at the couple. He had met the younger man the other night. He was one of pride enforcers. Tia, his mate, watched over Bella when they went after Shauna.

  Killian downed the water and walked over to the couple. “She should sleep for a couple of hours. I am heading over to the Pride house.”

  He saw Massi give him a nod in understanding, while Tia made the comment, “No worries.” Her hands made the shooing motion for him to leave.

  Killian’s eyebrow lifted and his gaze turned to her mate. Massi’s mouth quirked, and he just shrugged

  The little sister I never had and never wanted, Killian thought as headed for the door.

  Chapter Eight

  He arrived just as Eric brought the collared lioness into the room. Killian found out her name was Carol after her fight with Shauna. The tracker led her to a chair just left from the center of the room. She stood in front of the council, and Eric stood next to her as the trial started.

  He heard a growl as Adam called for Shauna. The snarl had come from the lioness. Shauna glanced at her before she sat down. Killian smirked a little when he saw Shauna square her shoulders, her chin jutting before she sat and nodded to the elders. She recounted the first time she had been kidnapped from her pride. Her arms wrapped around her body as she told them what had happened to her until her mate had found her. Shauna then proceeded to tell them what had happened when Carol came over to her cabin and what had happened when Seth took her to the old run-down ranch. She ended her account with the fight she’d had with Carol.

  When she was finished, Killian glanced at Malachi. He could tell his friend wanted to strike out against the lioness for what happened to his mate. But he could sense his control held the anger at bay. He knew what his fellow enforcer was going through. The rage for Bella’s uncle still simmered beneath the surface. If the Tiger Alpha was here, he would have a hard time not killing him for what he did to Bella. He noticed Malachi pull his mate to his side as he sat back down, but he kept his arm around her shoulders.

  Killian’s attention was centered on Joshua’s testimony when the council doors opened to admit an older couple. From the murmurs from the pride, they were Eli and Tessa. The Alpha pair and Shauna’s parents. They walked to front and sat beside their daughter and her mate.

  Killian stood when he spotted Carol jump from her seat and charge toward the Alpha couple, but Eric was there to take her down after she made it a couple of feet.

  He heard the lioness yell from the floor, “I should have killed you all.” She turned her head to the where the Alpha and his family sat. “I should have them cut your throat, b—”

  Before she could speak, an anguished yap emitted from her throat as she convulsed in pain, her body jerking back and forth. Saliva spilled from her open mouth, her eyes wide open before they rolled back, and her body stilled. As Carol lay unconscious, Malachi scooped Shauna up into his arms. Then, he peered over his shoulder at the lioness, who was out cold. Killian had a smirk on his face as he stood by the prone body with Eric, Adam, and Joshua surrounding her. He saw the expression on Malachi’s face when Carol started threatening his mate—if it weren’t for Shauna, the lioness probably would be dead now.

  Killian stayed until she regained consciousness, and they voted to banish her from the pride. After Joshua and Eric escorted her out, he walked out the doors, ready to return to Bella.

  Chapter Nine

  Bella blinked her eyes open and stretched. There still were minor aches, but most of the serious pain was gone. Her body healed faster than a human but slower than a changeling. She was amazed she slept so long without waking at least once from the nightmares, the ones that started soon after her parents died. The new Alpha of her streak hated hybrids, so he despised her, even though she was h
is niece. Most of the hybrids left the streak when her uncle became the Alpha. The ones who remained were mostly too old for his concern.

  A sigh released as she rested on her elbow as she surveyed the room. Most of the furniture was rustic and made of dark wood. A rocking chair with a quilt over the back sat by two large oval windows that overlooked the woods. Bella could see the tips of trees through the glass. There was a dresser and an armoire with carved designs in the wood she had never seen before.

  Bella lowered to the pillow. She flinched in surprise when a gentle finger caressed her cheek. She turned her head to see that Killian was lying next to her, his eyes a deep earthy brown.

  She licked her lips, her throat suddenly too dry to swallow.

  “Are you thirsty?” Killian asked as he leaned over her.

  Bella nodded yes, and her throat tightened as he turned.

  His long ebony hair was fastened to the nape of his neck with a leather band with beads woven into the fabric.

  He was shirtless, his shoulders and torso roped with muscles. She spied a tattoo on his back. It looked old, the ink faded from years of having it. The intricate drawing on his right side started just below his shoulder blades. It crisscrossed at his spine and came down and stopped at his tailbone. The symbols resembled a combination of Egyptian and Native American designs she’d seen in some of the history books she once read.

  He turned back, and she saw his eyebrows rise and a small grin on his face. Her cheeks heated when she realized he had caught her eyeing his body.

  “How do you feel? Any pain?” Killian asked.

  A slight cough emitted from her before she answered. “Some slight aches but nothing too serious.”

  A hushed cry came from her lips from the ache in her hips when she moved to sit up.

  “Hold on a minute.”

  He took one of the pillows from his side, lifted her, and tucked it behind her head. He turned and reached for the glass of water nightstand. He passed the glass to her. A jolt like an electric shock passed through her when their fingers touched. Her hands shook from the contact.

  “Careful, don’t spill. Here, I’ll help.”

  He held the glass to her lips, and she took small sips. The way her throat felt, she would choke if she took a huge swallow like she wanted.

  She touched his hand when she had enough. He lowered his hand and placed the glass back on the nightstand.

  Her eyes roamed over his chest and shoulders. The front of him was just as ripped with muscles as his back. He was a big man. She realized his size should have intimidated her, but instead, she felt safe and protected surrounded by his strength.

  Bella gave a slight wince in surprise as he lifted her to lean against his chest as he reclined against the headboard. He moved his hand to the nape of her neck to bring her closer.

  “You are my mate. I will keep you safe.”

  Her eyes were huge saucers as his lips met her in a gentle kiss. She tensed for a moment as his lips brushed hers. Bella sighed as she relaxed into him, her hands subtly resting on his chest.

  Killian slid his tongue into her mouth to entwined with hers, as she stroked the muscled skin on his chest. She moaned when she felt him nip her bottom lip, and her fingers caressed his neck as they moved upward to entangled into his hair. Bella had never been kissed liked this before. She had little to no experience in kissing, so she encircled his tongue as he had hers. Her body trembled from the flood of intense desire surging though her. A sudden stab of pain in her hip made her flinch. She felt him withdraw from her lips. Unsure of what was happening, she untangled her hands from his hair and placed them on his chest.

  Bella felt his forehead against hers. Her body trembled, as his chest rose and fell several times as if he had a hard time trying to breathe.

  “I swore to myself we’d just talk, but if we don’t stop now, you will not be resting like you should.”

  Her breath was slow in returning to normal. Both hands rested against his cheeks as her lungs took in much-needed air. Killian’s fingers touched the side of her face as his thumb stroked her bottom lip. The sound of someone clearing their throat had both of them turning their heads to the door. They saw Tia standing there, holding a tray.

  “I brought this up for Bella. She needs to eat and rest to regain her strength,” Tia said as she strolled into the bedroom and placed the tray on the other side of her bed.

  Bella’s body chilled, deprived of Killian’s warmth as he gently put her aside and rose from the bed.

  “Tia’s right. You need to get some rest. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

  He bent down, his hands going to her hair as his lips brushed over hers. He stood for several moments gazing at her before he turned and walked out the bedroom Tia spoke. “Malachi told me to tell you happy hunting. What does he mean by that?” She placed her hands on her hips when she was finished. Killian smirked at her from the open door. “None of your business little lioness.” He heard her gasp and closed the door before she could retort.

  Chapter Ten

  When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard voices coming from the small sitting room. He gave a slight chuckle when he remembered the smirk on Tia’s face after he kissed Bella. He shrugged and shook his head when he heard Tia’s giggling from upstairs.

  He stopped short when he saw Adam, Joshua, and Kane, another tracker like Eric, in the room with Massi. He was also one of the others who went out in search of Shauna when she was taken by Seth.

  Adam looked up as he walked into the room. Killian raised an eyebrow in question at both them being here. “Braydon sent a message that he wanted Bella returned to the streak,” Adam told him.

  “Is that right?” Killian asked in a soft lethal tone.

  The pitch in his voice made Adam paused a moment before continuing.

  “A couple of the tiger soldiers are here to take her back with them.”

  “Are they?”

  A growl emitted from his throat, and his chest heaved as he tried to control the beasts inside of him. His temper was a simmering pot, slow burning. His body tensed, and anger boiled deep in his system, as hot as lava. It churned within, hungry for destruction. Adam came to stand beside him, placed his hand on his shoulder, and squeezed. That’s when Killian realized he was not just feeling his anger but the fury of the other shifters in the room. He stood still hands on his hips as he took a deep breath with enormous effort. He took control to contain his rage and project a sense of calm toward the others.

  Killian scanned the others. A fleeting expression of confusion appeared on their faces. He didn’t explain what had just happened. He needed them to be cool, not to have their feelings bombarding him as he shielded himself from their emotions.

  His empathic ability worked both ways. He could project feelings toward others, but he could also physically feel others emotion as if they were his own.

  He could still sense Adam’s anger, but it was not affecting him like before.

  “They are in the pride house,” Adam said.

  “Well, I think I should go talk to them.” Killian turned to walked out when he saw Tia coming toward him.

  She placed her hand over his. “She’s sleeping,” she said, letting go of his hand as she went into the room. His eyes followed her as she went to Massi.

  Massi gave a nod to Killian as he wrapped his arms around Tia. While Killian went to the pride house to meet the tiger soldiers with Adam and Kane, Joshua would be informing the Alpha that Killian would be handling the shifters from the streak. He knew Massi would stay to guard Bella.

  Killian’s foot reached the final step from the porch when he saw a truck heading toward them. They all waited for it to come to a stop. The corner of Killian’s mouth lifted when the driver exited the vehicle.

  “Julien,” Killian said as he moved to greet the other shifter. “What are you doing here, or should I ask?” He saw the corners of the other man’s mouth turn up. “Nathan.” Killian shook his head with a slight s
nort as he said the name.

  “Got it in one.” Julien embraced in a man hug and a pat or hit on the back. “He thought you might need some help with the streak here. Since Malachi s basically MIA,” he said, a smirk on his face all the while he spoke.

  Even though Julien was here because of Nathan, he sensed there was more than just backing him up. Adam and Joshua came over before Killian could ask the real reason for him being here.

  “Julien, this is Adam, Beta of the Lion Pride.” He stepped forward and clasped the other enforcer’s forearm in greeting. The same welcome was given to Joshua when he was introduced to Julien.

  “We have two of the soldiers from the streak at pride house.” Killian saw Julien’s brow rise at his announcement. “You should come with us.”

  The enforcer shrugged “Don’t leave blood on the floor and remember you are their guest, he said with a sarcasm as he followed Killian to the pride house.

  Chapter Eleven

  Dane walked inside the Alpha’s house without knocking. One of the female tigers stopped what she was doing when she saw him. Her eyes lowered in submission when he looked at her.

  “Where is the Alpha?”

  He saw her tremble from the tone of his voice. Her mouth opened and then closed before she gave him a stuttering reply. “He…he is still in his bedroom,” she stammered, her voice cracking with fear.

  He stomped toward the stairs, taking two at a time. The two soldiers he sent to retrieve Bella were dropped off on the border of their territory. Neither was conscious.

  His teeth ground as he made his way to the bedroom. That hybrid was more trouble than she was worth. He should have killed her like he’d killed her parents. But she would fetch a high price from the underground. He and Braydon made a small fortune in selling the hybrids to humans.