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Now, silence

Which meant there was a predator--or more likely predators--outside It was a few hours froroup Rainer had been battling theh to kno they operated They’d never have a base of operations so close to so Not to mention if they’d set up shop in the state, he’d know about it So if they planned to take Estrella--and that would happen over his dead body--they’d be cutting it down to the wire trying to get her back to wherever their base was over the state line

"Our friends are back," he er pulsed off her in equal waves as she silently stood with a lethal, beautiful grace that et to breathe for a moed

That would have to do He could stay and fight theh to co howto run

It was just aout of here first

Chapter 3

Estrella knew she was probably crazy to trust this wolf, but so far he’d been up front about who he was Lies had a very distinctiveher the truth Of course he could be holding soet the heck out of her house

So thenored had her inner jaguar going nuts She was clawing at Estrella’s insides, begging to be set free And Estrella was about to let her out when Rainer took her hand in his His very big, callused hand Just that suar and increased her physical awareness of this very powerful wolf Didn’tattraction to him wouldn’t be denied

He held on to her as he crept to one of her front s Carefully, he peered outside then stiffened before pulling her close

She sed hard as his head bent to hers That distinctive sandalwood scent twined around her His breath arainst her skin "I see at least three but there will be more We need to escape out the back and shift Then we run fast Stay in front of et far enough ae’ll have backup" She barely heard hiue practically caressing her lobe

Nodding, she inhaled deeply, hating the strange effect he was having on her She knew they were in all sorts of danger if there were more of those scary vampires outside her house and she was touched that he promised to have her back But part of her couldn’t shake the strong er now that they were touching

Her face was still pressed into his neck as his free hand cupped her cheek Rainer drew back a fraction and lightly brushed his lips over hers The action eet and she ht have ainst hers She figured he was trying to distract her fro her hand tighter, he stepped away and nodded toward the back of her house "Lead the way"

Her house wasn’t big and he probably could have found the way on his own but she quickly h her house Estrella was relieved that he didn’t let go of her hand He was clearly protective and the knowledge war time since a male had wanted to look out for her

Once they reached the back door he expertly maneuvered so that he was in front of her and barelythe smallto check outside After a moment he said, "I see four more"

Her heart rate accelerated So there were at least seven of those creatures outside waiting for them But why?

Rainer stripped off his shirt then turned to her Heto crack the door open, then they’d shift and bolt through the door His hand charadesnot been so wildly inappropriate

"Send the female out unharmed and on’t hurt you, wolf!" A loud,down any of her huhts

Her skin chilled It suddenly hit her that these va mistaken about their intentions He’d told her they’d been hunting her but she hadn’t wanted to believe him And that vampire froh he’d told her she was co with hih she wanted to