The loud music and boisterous crowd only had a few turning to look, and it didn’t seem our table had noticed the commotion.
Archer ushered me to the front door. Once outside, he huffed out a breath and shook his hand. “Fuck.”
“Are you hurt? Let me see.”
“It’s not that.” He stalked across the gravel parking lot. “That guy has some nerve. I’ve seen him before, and he’s a dick who’s always trying to start shit with people. He had to go and ruin your night.”
“It’s not my night.”
Archer stopped near the pack’s vehicles in a middle row. “It’s your night, Cici. You had big news to share. So did I, even though I didn’t exactly announce anything.”
I wrapped my arms around his middle and breathed in hisscent. “Your quiet way was the best way. I would’ve been embarrassed if you’d made a big speech or something in front of the pack. Even kissing in public makes me uncomfortable with everyone staring.”
He put his arm around me. “Yeah. I noticed that when Noah was shoving his tongue down your throat at the house that time. He should have noticed, but he didn’t seem to care.” Archer pressed his lips to my forehead. “I never want to make you feel uncomfortable. I guess that move in there was my not-so-suave attempt at saying I’m into you.” Archer gave me a handsome grin.
Looking up, I kissed his chin. “What do you think your pack is saying about us?”
“It doesn’t matter. I just wanted everyone to know because sometimes I want to put my arm around you and kiss your neck, and that might cause a stir if they don’t know what’s going on. I don’t want to hide the way I feel for you.”
Gravel crunched behind me as people crossed the parking lot.
“Look who’s the big hero,” the biker growled. “You don’t know who the fuck you just messed with, tripod.”
Archer moved me behind him so fast that I didn’t even catch how many were approaching. “Cici, go inside.” He looked over his shoulder with a fierceness I’d never seen. “Go!”
As I rushed around a car, I saw four men circling Archer.
“Get her!” the man shouted.
One of his companions shifted, and the wolf closed in on me. Panicked, I jumped on top of a car. The wolf lunged, its jaws latching onto my blue dress. The fabric ripped when I tugged so hard that the wolf yelped.
Once free, I climbed onto the car roof. That’s when I laid eyes on Archer fighting three men. He beat one to the ground before another grabbed his leg and jerked him off his feet.
The biker roared with laughter. “Can’t even tie his hands behind his back.”
When Archer flipped over, his expression made me freeze with fright. He glowered at the biker while climbing to his feet. “I’ll take you on. But if you need two men to protect you, that won’t do your reputation any favors. Come on, hotshot.” He flicked a quick glance up at me while circling the man, his fist clenched.
The man put up two fists, rotating them and laughing.
I looked at the bar for help, but the wolf lunged at the vehicle, keeping me at bay. “Stop this!” I shouted.
The man on the ground sat up and used his shirt to stanch the bleeding from his nose.
Archer and the biker turned in a circle while the second man watched on. Archer threw a fast punch and hit the bearded man in the eye.
“You’ve got a big fucking opening,” the man growled before throwing a right hook.
Archer couldn’t block it, so he took the hit before weaving out of the way. He moved with catlike reflexes, dodging attacks with his fast footwork. When his opponent missed another punch, Archer struck the man in the back over and over until the man’s knees buckled.
The second guy moved in like a steamroller and slammed Archer into a car. They moved on him in a blur, beating him.
“Stop it!” I cried out.
Archer fought valiantly, but they had pinned his arm, making it impossible for him to break free, especially with them sitting on his legs and punching him in the stomach.
When I stretched my leg down the back windshield, the bloodthirsty wolf jumped halfway onto the vehicle. Terrified of his sharp fangs, I kicked him in the head and knocked him off.
With no weapons or phone, a tornado of anger and despair ripped through me. Not even my animal could fight off a pack of wolves, not that she had any intention of making an appearance.
