“Trick, go get the SUV,” Dante said before taking slow steps toward Ryan, as if conscious that trying to take Jeff away could prompt Ryan to pounce on the human. “Ryan, I know it’s hard, but you have to step back.”
No, Ryan didn’t have to do that at all. It would be so easy to end the pitiful human’s life. So effortless. All it would take was one claw to slice open Jeff’s jugular. Just one single swipe, and he would be dead. But that was too quick. Almost merciful, really.
“Ryan,” drawled Dante.
He could stab his claws right into the bastard’s stomach, could slit him from groin to sternum. All the while, Ryan would watch the excruciating agony flash in Jeff’s eyes. It would be so very satisfying. His wolf agreed, reminding him that his pack mates wouldn’t be fast enough to stop him.
“Ryan,” Dante repeated.
Or Ryan could do what his wolf wanted most: shift into his animal form, rip out the bastard’s throat, and toss it at his friends. His wolf could then claw open his belly and—
“Ryan.”
That soft voice penetrated his daze. He looked into his mate’s cognac-brown eyes. “He hurt you. I recognize that knife.” He’d seen wasp knives before. “I know what it can do. He would have killed you.”
“But he didn’t. I’m here. I’m safe.”
“They would have killed you.” She couldn’t have fought off a mass attack.
“But you got here in time.”
Barely. A minute later, and she could have been dead. His wolf growled, lashing out with his claws.
“You saved me.” She smiled weakly. “And now I’d really like to hand this asshole over to Dante and just get out of here. I could do with a hug too.”
If he weren’t looking right into her eyes, Ryan would have thought she was just trying to distract him. But he could see the sincerity there—along with exhaustion and worry. She didn’t need his anger right now.
Sensing Ryan’s capitulation, Dante snatched Jeff from Makenna. The human flailed, struggling to get free. It was a fruitless attempt. Tao moved to Jeff and whispered something in his ear. Ryan had no idea what the Head Enforcer said, but Jeff stilled and blanched.
Makenna placed her hands on Ryan’s chest. “You okay?”
Ryan wrapped his arms tight around her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. A hard exhale shuddered out of him. Feeling her pulse beat against his mouth helped ease the fear that had gripped him with iron jaws. He let her comfort him. Let her scent, touch, and voice smooth over him, settle his heartbeat, and thaw the cold rage that had iced his veins. His wolf, too, took comfort in her presence and warmth.
“I need to take a look at your leg.” But Ryan didn’t release her, just kept breathing her in.
She kissed his throat. “It’s healing fast.”
The SUV pulled up, and Dante quickly tossed Jeff into the trunk. The Beta then smiled at the other humans. “We know how much you all must love Jeff, so if any of you would like to come along and meet the members of The Movement, say so now.”
It wasn’t a shock when none of them said a word. They might be fanatical and prejudiced, but they had a sense of self-preservation. Or, at the very least, they had way too much fear to follow their leader into what would effectively be hell.
Dominic rapped his knuckles on the top of the trunk. “Did you hear that, Jeff? Me neither. There’s nothing but blessed silence. Your disciples aren’t as devoted to you as you thought, huh. That’s gotta hurt.”
Makenna sure hoped it did.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Really, I’m fine,” Makenna assured Madisyn, who had her on speakerphone so that Dawn and Colton could join the conversation. Suspecting they would see the news coverage soon enough, Makenna had called as soon as she reached Phoenix Pack territory to assure them she was okay.
“Give the Phoenix wolves our thanks,” Dawn told her. “We owe that pack more than we’ll ever be able to repay.”
“You should have called me!” whined Madisyn. “I would have come! I would have helped you!”
Makenna smiled, touched by her friend’s protectiveness. “I know you would have, which is exactly why I didn’t call you.” Madisyn hissed, not so touched by Makenna’s protectiveness. “My boss called a few minutes ago; he said extremists turned up at the gas station this morning too. They did some marching and shouting outside.”
Dawn hissed. “Let me guess. You no longer have a job.”
“Good guess.” It wasn’t because she was a loner or that her boss was prejudiced against shifters. He simply couldn’t afford to lose the business that extremists would chase off.
Madisyn bit out a curse. “Where’s that Jeff fucker now?”
Dante had dropped Jeff off at Mercury Pack territory on their way here, certain that Ally’s foster brother would come for him soon. But since Makenna promised Ryan she wouldn’t reveal Ally’s connection to The Movement, she simply said, “He’s no longer a problem.”