8. Daxton

EIGHT

DAXTON

Neo was calling, and I didn't know why. Unease prickled through my panther and me. Stepping outside into the cool night air, gravel crunched beneath my shoes as I placed my cell to my ear.

"Hey, what's up?" I answered, keeping my voice low.

"Lucius," he replied, his tone sharp. "Kiera went to Sugar Sweets Bakery earlier and swears she saw Lucius walking around downtown."

My panther bristled at the news.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"She's fine. He didn't see her," Neo said, and I could hear the relief in his tone. "We've all been wondering if he was still around, and it looks like he is. I thought I'd call and give you a heads up. Lorenzo reminded me you're on a date with the woman from the gym."

"Lorenzo needs to stop talking about my personal life," I said with a chuckle. "But, yeah, I am. We're at Last Drop having a drink."

"You'll have to tell Lorenzo that yourself," Neo insisted. "Watch yourself, though. I'm serious. Lucius could be close."

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll be cautious," I assured him, my gaze scanning the dimly lit parking lot. "Are you heading into town to do a sweep?"

"Lorenzo is there now, checking out Main Street before heading home. So far, he hasn't seen him. I'm hanging back, staying with Kiera, while Miranda patrols the woods."

"Okay, let me know if you need me," I said.

My night with Savannah had been going better than I'd anticipated, but I had a duty to the tribe. If something happened, and Neo called on me, I had to go.

"I will. Keep an eye out," Neo warned before ending the call.

I stood in the parking lot for a moment longer, processing the news. Lucius's presence in town meant danger, not just for me and the tribe, but for Savannah, too. The thought of her being inadvertently caught up in things made my stomach twist, and my panther released a hellacious roar.

Pulling in a deep breath, I forced myself to pull it together. I needed to keep my panther in check. Savannah couldn't see the turmoil brewing in me or even catch a glimpse of my panther.

She'd run for the hills if she did.

Heading back inside the bar, I made my way to our table. Savannah flashed me a halfhearted smile, and I knew running out on her like that had bothered her.

Understandably so.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her expression tense.

"Yeah, just my brother. Nothing to worry about," I lied, offering her a reassuring smile. My panther, however, remained on high alert, his senses attuned to the space around us.

Despite my best efforts to keep the mood light, the weight of Neo's call hung over me like a dark cloud. I tried to focus on Savannah, to engage in conversation with her again, but all I could think about was how I planned to keep her safe if Lucius entered the building.

"Are you sure everything's okay? You seem somewhere else," she said, her voice laced with concern.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to relax. "I'm fine. I've just got some things on my mind."

My panther jolted to the surface, sending a snarl ripping through my skull. I glanced around, and that was when I spotted him.

Lucius had entered the building.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I locked eyes with him from across the bar. He clung to the shadows, watching Savannah and me. My panther's protective instincts surged to the forefront, causing every muscle in my body to tense. This was the worst-case scenario, the one I'd feared most.

Lucius was now a direct threat to Savannah.

I knew I had to act, that I had to get us out of there, but I also needed to ensure Savannah's safety without revealing how much danger she was in.

How the fuck was I going to do that?

"Actually, would you mind if we called it a night?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though I knew I sounded anything but.

She blinked, a look of surprise sweeping across her face. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine. It's just getting late," I lied, knowing it was a lame excuse, but unable to think of a better one.

"Oh, okay," she said, her tone slightly clipped. "No problem. We can call it a night, then."

I ran a hand through my hair. Damn it. It would most likely take an act of God to get this woman to give me another shot after this.

Screw Lucius.

I wanted to reassure Savannah, and to explain that my abrupt end to our date was for her well-being, but I couldn't. Not without revealing the truth about what was going on or what I was. Neither was something I thought she was ready for.

I couldn't let anything happen to her, though.

My mind raced with ways to protect her from Lucius, while my panther paced inside me. As Savannah gathered her things, I kept a watchful eye on Lucius. He watched us with a predatory focus that didn't set well with me. It was clear his attention wasn't solely on me; it was fixed on Savannah as well.

We had to get out of here.

As we made our way to the exit, I didn't feel relief like I thought I would. Instead, my unease grew. I wouldn't feel good about this situation until Savannah was home, unharmed, and Lucius had been dealt with.

Stepping outside into the cool night air did nothing to ease the tension coiling through me. My panther and I were on high alert. I placed a hand on the small of Savannah's back, ushering her to my bike. While she didn't seem to mind my touch, it was clear her mood had shifted. She was upset, and most likely felt as though I'd given her the brush off tonight.

I hated that, but what else could I do?

"I'm sorry for cutting the night short," I admitted once we reached my bike.

She lifted her gaze to lock with mine, and I could see a mix of confusion and concern warring within the color of her eyes. "What's going on? You're acting weird. Are you in a relationship with someone? Shit, are you married?" Horror splashed across her face.

"What? No. I'm not seeing anyone besides you, and I'm definitely not married." My gut twisted. I hated she'd thought I might lead her on in such a horrible way.

"Okay, then what's going on?" she pressed. "We were having such a good time—or so I thought."

"We were." I glanced at the entrance of Last Drop. Lucius hadn't made an appearance, but I was willing to bet he would any second. We needed to get out of here. "I can't explain it right now, but please, trust me. We need to go," I urged her.

"Leaving so soon?" a voice called from behind us, and I knew it was Lucius without turning to look.

My heart raced, not just with the adrenaline from what was about to happen, but with fear of what this could mean for Savannah. If he shifted, or if I did, the world she thought she lived in would be shattered.

I didn't want that for her. Not like this.

I positioned myself protectively in front of her, my panther poised and ready should I need him. "Stay behind me," I ordered, my voice low but firm.

"What's going on?" Savannah demanded, trying to get past me.

Lucius continued sauntering toward us, a smirk playing on his lips. "Nice evening, isn't it?" he taunted, his eyes flickering between Savannah and me.

"What do you want, Lucius?" I asked, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me.

His smirk grew. "You know who I am. Good."

Savannah clutched my arm. "Daxton, who is this guy?" she whispered.

Lucius shifted his gaze to her, and my blood boiled while my panther thrashed inside me. He wanted out. He wanted to end Lucius right where he stood.

I knew that wasn't an option, though. Not with Savannah here. Not unless it was absolutely warranted.

"Nobody important. Let's go," I answered, nodding to my motorcycle again. I grabbed her helmet and moved to help her put it on.

"What's the hurry, Daxton?" he asked, saying my name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely friend?"

It took all my willpower to keep my panther from breaking free. His anger lapped at my insides, but I needed to stay calm. I needed to stay in control.

"She's not part of this. Let us leave," I said, trying to keep my tone even.

Lucius picked up his pace then, his demeanor becoming aggressive as he continued toward us. My panther went into a frenzy. I stepped in front of Savannah again to shield her and chucked the helmet in my hands to the ground.

"I'm not ready to let you go yet," Lucius seethed, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Savannah gasped from behind me, and every instinct in me screamed for me to shift, to release my panther and end Lucius finally, but I knew doing so would reveal a world she wasn't prepared for.

"Lucius, this isn't the time or place," I warned, trying to reason with him, even though it went against every cell of my being. "Walk away now, and we'll settle this later."

He tipped his head back and laughed. "Not going to happen."

My hands balled into tight fists at my sides. He wasn't backing down, which meant neither was I. Savannah was about to learn what I was, because shifting would be the only way to keep her safe.