Wen Read online

  “I asked you your name.” He allowed his sharp-tipped fingers to rub her shirt. It didn’t hurt but she was aware of each claw. He sniffed at her again, then scowled.

  She could stall them until Micah came out and saw the dilemma she was in. It was a public place though. Witnesses would see them fight. That was a big no-no. It’s a public place. She licked her lips and held his gaze.

  “I bet there are security cameras in here. Everyone has cell phones now and they love to take videos to upload to the internet when they see drama.” She paused. “I don’t want to cause a scene, but it will be an epic one if you don’t let me go.”

  He growled low, not happy.

  “Screaming, tears, shrieking. All of the above. Count on it. I’ve got a set of lungs on me, despite my size. Understand? Get out of my face.”

  He straightened, his arm sliding along her back. His claws lightly raked her but he didn’t cut her shirt. He leaned back a little, eyes narrowing, as he stopped invading her personal space.

  “Thank you.” He seemed in charge. That meant he was the highest-ranking one out of the four. “Now go wherever you were heading before you came over here. I don’t want trouble. Neither do you. Let’s pretend we never crossed paths. That’s easy, right?”

  “Who the fuck are you?”

  One of the other men sniffed loudly. “I want to know what the fuck that is.”

  She glanced at the one who spoke, then back at the man next to her. It sank in that they couldn’t identify the scent that had drawn them to her. At least the one standing couldn’t. “I’m someone you don’t want to mess with. I’m having a bad day. I am so not in the mood to find out what you want with me. Just walk away.”

  The leader’s nose flared. “You’re very brave for someone alone.”

  “Who says it will stay that way?”

  He glanced around, and so did the three men with him. She took the opportunity to do the same. Micah was still out of sight. That was probably for the best. He might not keep his cool. She was trying to.

  The Lycan beside her held her gaze again. “I think you ran away from someone. We won’t hurt you, but you will tell me who you belong to.”

  “What you belong to,” the blond man standing muttered.

  She kept staring at the one sitting next to her. “I belong to no one, I didn’t run away, and none of this is your business. I can appreciate what you’re trying to do but it’s not necessary. I’m no danger to you or yours. I just want you to leave me alone.”

  “Ballsy,” the blond snorted.

  She glanced up at the man. He seemed to be the outspoken one in the group. “You have no idea. Do yourselves a favor. Walk away.” She returned her gaze to the one in charge. “Four men surrounding one woman looks creepy as shit to my kind, if you need an FYI. Humans will think you’re sexual predators or something. I won’t have to cause a scene if you stay much longer. Your presence will do that.”

  “I want you to stand up and follow me out to my car. We’re going to have a private conversation.”

  “That’s so not going to happen. I’m in no mood to be kidnapped. Thanks but pass. I wasn’t kidding about the epic screaming fit I’ll throw.”

  “You’re bluffing.”

  “I’m not. You try to force me out of here and you’ll be starring in a trending video on the internet.” She hesitated, assessing him. “Neither one of us wants that. I’ve known about other races my entire life and have kept them secret. Do you understand? This bullshit isn’t necessary.”

  His mouth pressed into a tight line. “Known what?”

  He was going to play dumb now? She wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. Lycans could be prissy. “Do you even know what you’re smelling on me?”

  He frowned but she saw uncertainty in his eyes.

  “Maybe you haven’t smelled one before. I’ll help you out. VampLycan,” she whispered. “He’s an enforcer. You so don’t want to fuck with me, because he would make you wish for death—and he’d grant it. I’m not a runaway, up for grabs, or a fugitive. I grew up with him and we’re lovers. He had to do something for his clan but he’s going to be back with me soon. That’s why I’m alone. He trusts me. You should too. Is everything clear now?”

  The guy had paled as she’d talked. He swallowed hard and rose to his feet. “Yes.”

  “Fantastic. Are we good?”

  He gripped his suitcase handle. “Yes.”

  She glanced at the three Lycans with him. They looked fearful too. Sometimes the truth was the best way to deal with a situation. “Have a great day.” She waved.

  They took off, striding fast away from her. A few minutes later, she spotted Micah. He walked directly to her. “We need to leave right now.”

  “You ran into the friendly foursome?” She grabbed her backpack and stood.

  He gaped at her.

  “It’s okay. They stopped to have a chat with me. I dealt with it.”

  “Are you okay?” He lowered his gaze down her body.

  “I’m fine. They seemed to think I was a stray they needed to wrangle.”

  “How did you deal with them?”

  “We had a heart-to-heart chat. I pretty much explained that Wen—minus using his name—would rip off their heads and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine if they screwed with me.”

  Micah’s eyes widened more. “Are you fucking insane?”

  “I was a little more polite than that. I was giving you the condensed version.”

  He grabbed her arm and hauled her toward the exit doors. “That was Mace Manson.”

  “Nice name. Who is he?”

  “The son of the local alpha, traveling with his security team.” He hustled her outside and led her to long-term parking, unlocking a gray sedan. He threw himself into the driver’s seat, twisted, and tossed his duffle bag into the back.

  She noticed the rental sticker on the bumper as she hurried to the passenger side. It was unlocked so she climbed in, shoving her backpack over the seat to the back too. “Where’s the fire? I told you, it’s handled. They left me alone.”

  “Close the fucking door and put your belt on. You threatened the son of an alpha, damn it.” He started the engine, craning his neck around, peering everywhere.

  She shut the door and put on her belt. “He said we were good.”

  Micah snarled, throwing the car in reverse. “I was only gone fifteen minutes.”

  “You’re being paranoid. Sometimes honesty is best. Didn’t your mother ever teach you that? They aren’t going to mess with us.”

  “I’m not risking it. We’re going to your place, packing you some clothes, and then I’m taking you to my pack. Ever been to Colorado? Because you’re about to.”

  “You’re overreacting, Micah. They are afraid of VampLycans and I made it clear I’m with one.”

  “I’d rather be paranoid than stick around to be attacked by a once-friendly pack. We have alliances with some. The Manson pack is one of them. Mace saw me. He knows my scent, and now yours. They might try to track us down since we’re near their territory. Wen would have my ass if anything happened to you, Gerri.”

  She sighed, not in the mood to fight with him. “I’ve never been to Colorado. Well, at least I can’t lose my job since Wen already got me fired.”

  * * * * *

  Wen was furious as he paced the room. “Don’t order me to come home right now, Trayis. I told you. I need to protect Gerri until my scent fades from her.”

  “Are you still in love with her? Are you planning on bringing her home if I allow you time to go get her? Is that your plan? Grab her and return?”

  “You know that’s not possible.”

  “Do you still love her, Wen? You obviously must, since you had her with you.”

  “That’s irrelevant. I can’t ever mate Gerri. You know why.”

  “Isn’t it time you stood up to your parents?”

  “It’s not that damn simple, Trayis. You know it. They’d never accept her.”