29. Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

L ash

As I drive Marissa’s borrowed car to the meeting spot, my thoughts are a chaotic whirlwind. Part of me still can’t believe it’s come to this—a tense confrontation with Zoya’s abusive ex, the man who’s made her life a living hell. Another part of me has been spoiling for this fight since the moment I saw the bruises marring Zoya’s porcelain skin.

Although I didn’t want Zoya to come, it turns out it’s a good thing she demanded to accompany us. The only reason Max agreed to the meeting was that she’d be here. Does he really think he can say or do anything that will bring her back? And heaven help him if he thinks he can strongarm her. Between me and my pack, he’ll be lucky to walk away from an altercation with us.

Zoya is silent beside me, her fingers laced tightly with mine. I can smell her fear, her apprehension, but beneath that, there’s a steely resolve. My brave, fierce mate, ready to face her demons head-on. No matter what else comes out of this confrontation, I hope she walks away feeling empowered, perhaps for the first time in her life.

We pull into the prearranged spot, an abandoned lot on the outskirts of the city, just as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of orange and red. It would be beautiful if not for the ugly reason we’re here.

Max is already waiting, leaning against the hood of his beat-up sedan, arms folded across his chest. He’s a big guy, tall and broad, but soft around the edges. Not an ounce of muscle on him. Just an overgrown bully used to throwing his weight around.

I open my window, sniffing the air for the metallic tang of a weapon or gunpowder, but he doesn’t appear to be carrying. If he had backup, I’d smell them even if they were a football field away. I guess we’re the ones breaking the rules. Though we agreed to come alone, my packmates are parked a block away.

Rage simmers in my gut as I assess the man who dared lay a hand on my female. It takes every ounce of self-control not to leap out of the car and tear him apart, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain and fear he inflicted on Zoya.

But I can’t let my anger rule me. Not tonight. This isn’t about revenge, much as I crave it. It’s about keeping Zoya safe, about putting an end to Max’s hold over her once and for all.

I give Zoya’s hand a reassuring squeeze before we exit the car. In the rearview mirror, I catch a glimpse of Courage, Bold, Fury, and Stealth pulled to the curb in an unmarked van, ready to provide backup if things go south. The knowledge that my brothers have my back loosens some of the tension in my shoulders.

Max straightens as Zoya and I approach, a sneer already twisting his features. “Well, well. If it isn’t beauty and the beast.”

I let out a low growl, placing myself squarely between him and Zoya. “Watch it, Max. I’m not here to trade insults.”

“No?” Max cocks his head, eyes glittering with malice. “Then what are you here for, fleabag? To puff out your chest, mark your territory?”

His gaze slides to Zoya, huddled behind me. “Come on, baby. Ditch the dog and come home with a real man.”

Zoya flinches, her fingers digging into my arm. White-hot fury lances through me, begging me to tear this sack of shit limb from limb.

But I force it down, keeping my voice level. “The only reason I’m here, Max, is to give you one last chance to do the right thing. Leave Zoya alone. Walk away, and don’t look back.”

Max barks out a harsh laugh. “Or what? You and your little doggie pack gonna make me regret it?”

He spreads his arms wide, a mocking invitation. “Go ahead, rover. Take your best shot. Show Zoya what kind of animal she’s shacking up with.”

It’s almost enough to shatter my control. Almost. But Zoya’s trembling presence at my back keeps me focused. I’m here for her, not to indulge my revenge fantasies.

“I hit it on the nose, didn’t I? It didn’t take you long to warm someone else’s bed, right bi—.”

“Last warning, Max.” Good thing I cut him off before he used that curse word about the female I love. It would have been a step too far.

“If you don’t walk away, human, you’ll never feel safe again. Every shadow, every dark alley, you’ll wonder if I’m there, waiting. You’ll jump at every noise, paranoid that the Wolven Warriors are watching. Your life will become a living hell, always looking over your shoulder, knowing we could strike at any moment.”

For a split second, I see real fear flash in Max’s piggy blue eyes, then he’s consumed by impotent rage. He jabs a meaty finger at Zoya, practically spitting his next words.

“This isn’t over, you hear me? You’ll come crawling back, woman, begging me to take you in. And when you do, I’ll make you sorry you ever—”

I’ve heard enough.

In times of extreme stress, especially when it involves our loved ones’ safety, we wolven shift. It happens now as my claws extend, my fangs grow longer, and my shoulders widen until they rip the seams of my tee.

I’m faster too. In a blur of speed, I’m nose to nose with Max, my claws digging into his throat. His stench, all sweat and cheap booze, assaults my enhanced senses.

“Choose your next words very carefully,” I snarl, letting him see the moonlight glint off my elongated fangs. “Because if you finish that thought, I may forget my promise not to tear you apart.”

Max sputters, fear sour in the air between us, as he tries to yank out of my grip. His eyes widen in fear when he can’t budge me. I decide to give him a guided, up close and personal tour of what it’s like to go up against a wolven—a shifted wolven.

My lips curl back, exposing my fangs to the gums as I growl, my eyes narrowing. Keeping him contained with one hand, I use my other to take a swipe at his shirt, careful not to draw blood, but making sure I rip five long claw marks as a permanent reminder of just how close he came to being eviscerated.

Between my growl, fangs, his decimated shirt, and my ears laid back on my head, I hope he gets the picture.

A gentle hand lands on the arm holding Max. “He’s not worth it, Lash. As much as I would love to see him punished for what he’s done to me, I don’t want his death on our conscience or for you to go to prison.”

With a final warning squeeze, I release him. He stumbles back, clutching at his throat, eyes wild with hatred and humiliation.

“This ain’t over, mutt,” he rasps, backing toward his car. “You think you’ve won? I’ll make you both regret this, I swear to—”

The sudden approach of Bold and the Warriors emerging from the shadows, stalking forward, grim and silent, cuts off his rant. Max goes pale, realizing how badly he’s outnumbered.

With a final, venomous glare, he scrambles into his car and peels out of the lot, tires squealing.

For a long moment, the only sound is our collective breathing and the rapid pounding of my heart. Then I wrap my arms around my woman, pressing her face into the curve where my throat meets my shoulder. If she were wolven, my scent would reassure her. Perhaps it does even though she’s human.

She’s trembling, her jackrabbiting heart thundering in my ears. But when she looks up at me, her eyes are clear, filled with a fragile, newborn hope.

“Lash, what happened to you? Your fangs, your claws?”

My breath catches in my throat as I realize that her rapid heartbeat might be because of me , my shift, rather than Max.

I explain it to her, watching her expression, my nostrils flared to catch a hint about how she’s handling the fact I’m even more animalistic than she knew.

Instead of the burned rubber scent of fear or rejection, she gives me a hopeful smile. “You mean your body changed so you could better protect me? What a blessing.”

I tug her close and kiss her head. How could I have doubted that this female, my female would care for me no matter what.

“Is it really over?” she whispers, hardly daring to believe. “Is he really gone?”

I press my forehead to hers, breathing in her scent, letting it center me. “He’s gone for now, love. And if he ever shows his face again, we’ll be ready. You’re safe, Zoya. I swear it on my life.”

She nods, a shaky smile tugging at her lips. “I believe you, Lash. It’s just… I never thought I’d be free of him. I never thought I’d have this.”

Her fingers curl into my shirt, anchoring herself to me as my shift reverses. “I never thought I’d have you.”

Emotion clogs my throat, threatens to choke me. I crush Zoya to my chest, pouring every ounce of love and devotion I possess into the embrace.

“You’ve got me, Starlight. Now and forever, I’m yours.”