Page 9 (2/2)

So was just beside thele, and suddenly she and Velees were falling, falling

With another gurgle, Velees heaved her upward, pitching her body into the air, like a chipped pass-

Soht arainst his upper body Another one of the cowboys? Da it-a centaur had her!

He held her as if she weighed nothing, yelling to the others, "The wolf co for her Because I'ood She wanted this centaur to get her far away fro, "Moo ur ass! Hu-y!"

"Silence" Centaur gave her a shake, dislocating her shoulder with a pop Pain flared, and she couldn't bite back a screaed howl froaining Every gallop h her arm and shoulder

When some creature hissed beside them, Centaur yelled, "Nooo!"

No? No what-

She heard a solid thud, felt a teeth-jarring i onto his side As that wolf roared in fury, still nearing, she and Centaur crashed to the ground His hold loosened; he fu his horse body, over its flank She bounced over so metallic and sharp-a sword?-and pain sliced into her

She hit the ground with a thud, the air wrenched fro blood She'd just sucked in her first hectic gasp when she got scooped up like a goalie save by soround

Her nition with this new captor, even as chills broke out over her skin Some subconscious awareness within her screamed: Snake!

With a wet hiss to the sky, the creature increased its unfatho thes pelted Chloe's black bag like a windshield Then the being began zigzagging around trees, li could catch this creature? Not even a wolf

As soon as the thought arose, she heard so even this thing's fantastical speed

They have hts werehim

The need to protect herhe'd never felt a more primal drive

In the distance, he heard a war zone, his brother wolf roaring, fighting to reach him; closer, he heard his female

His heart seemed to stop each time she screamed How much could she withstand? Her scent was just as loud to hi centaurs in his wake, could still taste their throats, could feel their flesh embedded under his claws

Now Cerunnos Soaround trees When the terrain becaained But another forest loomed

He heard her cries, her frantic heartbeat Beating, beating, beating

Cypress, broken leaves So He was upon the jaws Warm blood rained down

One re her? He sank his claws into its tail, snatching it up short TheWill hurtled into the air

Got her He cradled her protectively, his ar mate for the first time

The last Cerunno coiled to strike Will roared, baring his bloody fangs Try to take her fro his s; with a hiss, the snake wisely began to slither a retreat

Will threw back his head and hoith triue

Chapter Nine

Field position? Chloe's life had never been so offsides before She still couldn't see and doubted she would believe her eyes anyway

She was severely injured, with aher secure in his brawny ar in the distance, shaking the ground, in the immediate area all she heard was this male's deep breaths Inhale, exhale

Even under her bag, she could detect his scent: evergreen, copper, andentle She thought they'd finally stopped running

He howled oncehowl sounded, the being seemed to relax a ag "Ake is ov?"

Instead of taking the bag off, he reached under it for her gag It felt too private, like he was reaching under her shirt He pulled only the gag free

She licked her dry lips, then worked her jaw back and forth She had no reserves of strength left, was freezing cold, shaking froainst her Still"I-I need you to release ive me a second

"Canna do that" His voice was deep, beastly, and accented He sounded like a Scot

According to the book, the Highlands were Lykae territory "Are you gonna hurtto answer? "You kill immortals like your sire? Or did the witch speak truths?"

"I've never seen iht Didn't think they existed"

"If no' one a the Order, then what are you?"

"Center forward"

"Doona follow"

"I play soccer That's all I do I-I don't kno I got "

"Chase a ball"

Thatto tell a olf, because he released a gust of breath "I will no' hurt you I'll see you well"

Had she lucked into the one creature ouldn't harht of this one, had scattered because Chloe was his htened even other h Chloe was first and forey brain tried to recall more from the book's Lykae entry

The bond between mates was the ultiods Each Lykae only ever had one, so it followed that they would fight anything that tried to separate them Such as auctioneers and other bidders? "Am I really yourmate?"

Another hesitation "Aye"

She relaxed slightly She didn't see how that was possible, but as long as he believed it, he wouldn't hurt her "Th-thank you for saving ainst her "Dinna have a choice" He ht think she was his, but that didn't mean he was happy about it He hter of Webb

Dustin Todd was Commander Preston Webb Not just a member of the Order, but a leader

She exhaled with confusion, theHer dizziness increased-probably because she was light a few pints of blood

"Freeing you" He slashed through the chains binding her wrists

She sed Slashed that metal hat?