That’s what Caidrik had figured. If Luca was ready to make such a cowardly move, he was out of the contest but still a serious threat. Caidrik would have to take him out before the trials ended. But now he had to get her out of those dangerous cuffs.
He ran around to the back of the SUV and yanked out the lug wrench, pressing it gently between her skin and the cuff. As a teenager, he’d learned to get out of handcuffs after being arrested one too many times and could actually do it with a leg and good turn, but he didn’t want to hurt her. “Hold on.” He twisted, forcing strength against the silver, twisted, and kept both away from her delicate skin. The first one released, and seconds later, he dispatched the other one. The cuffs dropped to the ground.
Relief slid through him, competing with the adrenaline and anger coiling in his gut.
“Thank you.” She took a deep breath, her hand trembling as she pushed hair out of her eyes. She looked way too vulnerable in her puffer jacket and light jeans, snow covering her boots. A light bruise showed on her angled cheekbone, and he took it in, letting the sight harden any sympathy he might’ve somehow found for Luca.
The Alpha would die, and painfully. Very soon.
Slate pack soldiers prowled into the drive, and he motioned to the downed enforcers. “Take care of them. Luca and Bulwark went in different directions. Track them.” He lifted Nadia and walked around to place her in the passenger side of the SUV. He shut the door and scouted with his senses. Most of the town was still at the high school and would be for at least another hour, so everyone should be safe for now.
Except Nadia. He reached into the duffel in the backseat and found clothing to toss on. Wolves always keep clothing in different sizes in almost every vehicle. Then he crossed around the rig and opened the driver’s side door.
Fury edged in from the corners of his vision as he sat, ignited the engine, and drove away from the lodge. “What were you doing out of your house?” His orders had been clear.
She gulped, her thick, blonde hair messy around her narrow shoulders. “Research. I didn’t think anybody would even know I went to the lodge.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and shuddered. “I’m not sure you’re authorized to order them to hunt Bulwark and Luca.”
Too fucking bad. Caidrik was done playing by anyone else’s rules. They were going to get a couple of things straight, and right now.
Chapter 26
Nadia’s wrists still ached as they pulled into the garage, but that was the least of her problems. The alpha male stewing silently next to her was somehow swelling the oxygen in the vehicle. When he cut the engine, she immediately jumped out, pulling in several deep breaths of clean air.
Shutting the door, she made her way inside to the kitchen, not surprised when he followed her. “So, um, let’s talk tomorrow?” She turned to face him, and her breath caught in her lungs.
He deliberately, carefully, shut the door to the garage. “We’re talking now.”
Whoa. Pure, low, deep alpha voice there. Her body reacted with heat even as her brain blared a warning through her entire system. She gulped and looked at him. Blood streaked his jeans and no doubt his black shirt. A purple bruise lined his jaw, and a cut was slowly closing over his left eyebrow.
The knuckles on his right hand appeared shredded.
Instinct had her moving slowly to drop her overlarge purse on the counter. As soon as he left, she’d dig into the notebooks. She had to find Solomon and the grimoire, but now didn’t seem to be the time to call him. She tried for appeasement first. “Um, so I guess I should’ve stayed home tonight.” Although, then she wouldn’t have the notebooks.
Caidrik’s chin dropped slowly like a bull about to charge. His eyes blazed a raw onyx, and every muscled line in his body appeared tense and ready for battle.
Her abdomen performed a slow roll. Part fear. Part completely something else. A sensation rippled through her, tightening her nipples, and awakening the sensitive nerve endings along her extremities. It was a new feeling and one that made it difficult for her to breathe normally. “Caidrik?”
He growled. Low.
Holy crap.
Something changed in him, just under the surface. His wolf engaged, keeping him in human form, but revealing the primal beast at his core for the briefest of seconds.
She turned and ran. Pure instinct ruled her as she dove into survival mode, a dangerous anticipation heating her blood.
He caught her at the bottom of the stairs, scooping her up with one arm around her waist, and tossed her over his shoulder. Her stomach impacted the hard muscle there, and air whooshed out of her lungs. She stilled, shocked as he started to climb. What in the world?
He reached the top and pivoted, heading straight into her bedroom, where he flipped her over. She landed on her butt on the bed and bounced once.
She sat for a moment as a delicious feeling of fire burned through her. Think. She needed to think.
Watching her, still not saying a word, he slowly tore his shirt over his head. She gulped. Thick muscles played beneath his scratched and bruised skin as he moved. All wolf. All power.
Desire rolled through her in such strength her entire body went hot. What was happening?
His hands went to his belt buckle, and the sound of him ripping it free of his pants echoed loudly in the quiet room.
She launched across the bed, hitting the other side and landing on her feet. Her smile felt wild, as did she.
