He narrows his eyes. “Human?”
“Yes.”
Without warning, the red wolf lunges at me, knocking me back against the van. In the struggle, I lose my balance and slide to the ground, throwing my arms up to shield my face just as a powerful set of jaws sinks into my flesh. White-hot pain sears through every restraint on my anger.
Roaring, I shove the wolf, kicking them with enough force to make them yelp. Rolling out from under them, I have just enough time to spring to my feet before another wolf attacks me from the side. I toss it away, only to be knocked down by the red wolf again. My head smacks against hard earth with a nauseating thud. The wolf wraps their jaws around my throat as a panicked cry fills the air.
“DON’T!”
Everyone freezes.
“Please, don’t!” Evan cries. His panic unravels me. Makes me want to fight and surrender all at the same time.
The wolf doesn’t let go, and I lay as still as I can, afraid any sudden movements will tempt him to squeeze his jaw and finish what he started. I can make out Evan in my peripheral vision, hands raised. Terrified.
The red wolf growls as Evan climbs out, bracing a paw on my shoulder to hold me down. Evan never looks away, even when one of the other wolves steps in front of him.
“Don’t hurt him! He’s done nothing wrong!”
“Are you his mate?”
Evan takes another step closer. “I’m his friend! His best friend. We’re traveling together. Please, don’t hurt him.”
“Traveling? What are you doinghere,” he spits out. “On our territory.”
“That’s my fault. I pulled over to sleep, and didn’t realize we were on shifter land. But we’re just passing through. I promise,” Evan replies. “Please. Let him go. We mean you no harm.”
Evan’s tone has a sharp edge to it, a warning under the plea. He’s willing to fight for me if needed, but I can’t let him. He’d lose.
I shove against the wolf’s chest, trying to get him to budge, but he tightens his jaw. Blood oozes down the side of my neck.
“Rowen, let him go,” the leader commands.
The wolf growls once before releasing me and stepping back.
Evan rushes over, ignoring the shifters completely as he pulls me to my feet. He gives me a quick once-over before muttering, “Christ. Are you okay?”
I’m still too shaken to speak, rubbing a hand at my throat. It comes away wet with blood. Pain lances up my arm from where the wolf bit me, small strips of flesh hanging loose off the bone. Evan’s face pales when he sees it. I quickly tear a strip from the bottom of my shirt to wrap around it, if only to keep him from staring at it. It’ll heal.
That was close. Too close. What is it with shifters and attacking first? I’ve yet to meet one who talks sensibly.
Evan quietly wipes my throat with the sleeve of his jacket. He’s standing close enough I can feel his breath against my face, hear his racing heart. When he lifts his gaze from my injured arm, it’s all I can do not to pull him closer.
“Tell me you’re okay,” he says in a shaky voice.
“I’m fine.”
To my surprise, Evan wraps his arms around my back, but the hug is jaded by how much he’s trembling.
I hug him back as tight as I can.
“Thank you,” I whisper so low that I’m not even sure he can hear me.
“What are you doing with a vampire?”
Evan remains close when we break apart, and his voice comes out stronger than I expected. “My name is Evan. And I already told you. We’re friends. Just doing some traveling together.”
“Where to?”
