Page 101 of Burn for Her
“I didn’t do this,” he whispered.
“I know.” Emerick ground his teeth and kept his gaze forward. “We’ll take care of it.”
He hated this. The Woods family always sided with him, which he appreciated, but at what cost to them? They’d lost so much already.
“I’d get that little fang fucker a metal collar!” Derek shouted. “Wouldn’t want her pretty little neck to be ravaged and eaten off next.”
Every molecule Dorian possessed turned to electricity. Emerick squeezed his arm, “Don’t.”
They kept walking. Derek kept talking. “Hey sweetie, when you’re done sucking off the psycho, be sure to get tested for STDs. He probably humps his prey while he kills it. Can’t imagine what’s coating that filthy cock you like to suck on.”
Emerick growled, most likely knowing that was the final straw.
Dorian stopped dead in his tracks. Rage burst out of him. Spinning to attack, Emerick’s hold tightened around Dorian’s bicep. He barely felt it. “Don’t let him get under your skin, man. Derek’s trying to prove to the rest that you’re exactly what they fear.”
“No one talks to Lena like that and lives.”
Emerick doubled down. As strong as the Lycan was, he struggled to hold Dorian back so Alistair stepped in and helped.
“That’s right!” Derek called out with a shit-eating grin. “Let Daddy Wolf and big brother take care of you. Maybe you should put a choke collar on your pet, Alistair.”
Dorian wrenched free and Bane and Bowen blocked him from attacking Derek. It was maddening. Bowen said in a low tone, “Don’t take his bait, Dorian. He’s trying to get into your head. Don’t let him.”
If Dorian attacked, it would start a war between the House of Death and the Lycan. He didn’t have time for that bullshit. But not retaliating in some way, went against Dorian’s deranged moral code.
“Don’t do it,” Emerick warned.
He didn’t.
But Lena did.
She calmly turned around and swaggered back to the crowd.
“Aww shit,” Alistair groaned.
Aww shit was right. There was a sway to her hips, a grace in her stride. Marie walked with the same swagger whenever she was about to knock someone on their ass. Lena approached Derek, assessing him with disdain written all over her face. Dorian held his breath. She didn’t say a word to Derek or the others. Didn’t lose her composure one bit. Dorian’s heart slammed in his chest with panic.
If Derek hits her, he dies.
Hell, if anyone touched his mate, they would die.
Everyone watched with bated breath. Dorian tried to reach for his blade, but Alistair’s grip tightened around him arms. “Don’t,” he warned again.
Dorian wasn’t going to fight the man who sheltered and loved him. But he couldn’t stand there and let Lena go head-to-head with a shifter either.
It was maddening.
“What?” Derek smirked down at Lena like she couldn’t do shit about what he’d just said.
Quick as a flash, Lena boxed his ears and punched him in the throat. Two strikes and bam! the Lycan went down on his knees instantly.
Bane half-chuckled. “I taught her that,” he said, puffing with pride. “She how fast her reflexes are? She’s prime for transitioning, Reaper.”
Alistair barked, making him shut up.
Lena looked around at everyone else. “I’d happily stay to help you fight whatever vampire did this tragic and disgusting act to that wolf, but not at the expense of my mate. If you know his history already, then you know he’s not a liar. What would be the point in hiding his truth now? If he said he didn’t do it, why wouldn’t you believe him and move forward and work together?”
“You know nothing of Lycan or vampires, girl.”