Kiera’s stomach tightened. Where was Buck?
“Higgs, I said no,” she repeated. “You’re a grown—ass man–you should be able to understand that. Now, I need to get going.”
She turned away, not sure where she was going, just wanting to get away from his stench but his hand closed around her upper arm in a hard, meaty grip.
“Now girly, don’t be that way. You’re gonna love the coogle—dancing,” he said, tugging at her. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
“Let go of me!” Kiera exclaimed, trying to pull free. “Higgs—stop! I told you, I’m not interested!”
“Well you will be, once you try it! Now come on–my ship is parked just over the ridge.” He pulled harder, dragging her several steps through the grass, though Kiera was leaning back with her whole weight and trying to get away.
Panic shot through her in a hot, nauseating rush. He was bigger than she was—much bigger—and she had the horrifying thought that if he got her to his ship, if he managed to get her off sanctuary grounds?—
Suddenly, a deep, savage growl split the air.
Higgs froze.
“What the fuck was that?” he demanded.
Then Buck came charging over.
The huge wolf hit the ground in front of them with all four paws spread, lips curled back from his teeth, a growl rumbling so deep it seemed to vibrate in Kiera’s bones. His golden eyes had gone blood red with fury, and they were trained on Higgs.
The message couldn’t have been any clearer if Buck had been able to speak–Let go of her–she’s MINE!
Kiera was stunned–she’d never seen Buck look like this. For a second, she thought he might rip the big alien’s throat out right there.
Then Higgs let go of her arm so abruptly she stumbled backward.
“What the hell?” he shouted, jumping away. “What in the underworld is that thing?”
“He’s my protector,” Kiera said, straightening up and rubbing her arm–which was probably going to have a bruise.
As if to prove her point, Buck snapped at Higgs, jaws clashing shut only inches from his hand.
Higgs swore in a language the Translation Bacteria Kiera had been given aboard the Mother Ship couldn’t translate and staggered back another step.
Buck planted himself directly in front of Kiera, head lowered, shoulders hunched, every line of his big body poised to leap. His eyes–which had gone blood—red–were trained on Higgs.
The big alien’s face twisted with anger.
“You let that thing threaten me?” he snarled at Kiera. “You’ll be sorry, you hear me? You’ll be sorry you turned me down and sorry you didn’t let me in the other night.”
Kiera felt a flash of pure fury cut through her fear. So he did remember coming to her door and scaring her half to death! She’d thought he had been so drunk it had slipped his mind.
“You need to understand something–I don’t want anything to do with you or your new ship or your crazy—ass coogle—dancing!” she snapped. “You need to stay on your own property and stay the hell away from my animal sanctuary!”
His eyes narrowed to silver slits.
“You do think you’re better than me! Well, I think it’s time you learned a lesson, girly.”
And Higgs lunged for her again—fast, as though he thought he could grab her and yank her around Buck.
He never got the chance.
Buck snapped again, but this time he didn’t hold back–his teeth closed on Higgs’ forearm like the jaws of a bear trap snapping shut.
Higgs screamed–a high—pitched, almost girlish sound that sounded strange coming from his thick throat.
