“Marcus and the others are scouting ahead as planned,” I said. “We wait here for the final update.”
Malik smirked at me, his eyes raking over my body. “Looking good, Little Red.”
I ignored him, turning to the hunters who spread out across the clearing. “I can’t thank you enough for being here. With your help, I know we can end this quickly.”
“I know what I’m seeing, James, but I’m not sure yet if I believe it.” A man who looked to be around James’s age sauntered forward, spinning his silver chain whip with exceptional control. “Your favorite protégé, standing among the beasts as if she shovels their shit?”
A few of the werewolves growled from behind me, so I held out my hand to stop any of them from advancing.
“With all due respect, sir. You don’t know me or what I’m capable of. So, as James’s favorite protégé, I advise you to watch your fucking mouth.”
“Joanna—”
“I love you, old man, but unless you’re about to check your friend over there, choose your next words carefully.”
James lowered his head, disappointment blanketing his face. “Forgive her, Greg. It seems they’ve even corrupted her decency. She used to be respectful to her elders.”
“Only when they deserve it, James,” I corrected, staring dead at Greg. “The others can kiss my black ass.”
I didn’t move as Greg stormed toward me, but as his chain shot out, a body jumped in front of me.
Robert cursed as the silver chain wrapped around his pale arm. He pulled with all his strength, the whip flying from Greg’s hand. I watched in horror as Robert’s skin sizzled.
“Stay back,” he ordered his pack. “Do not attack the humans.”
That certainly didn’t apply to me.
I’d already aimed my knife at Greg’s balls. I was about to throw it when Grace’s panicked voice snapped me back to my senses.
The werewolvescouldn’thelp Robert.
I worked quickly, my hands freeing Robert from the chain. As the whip slid to the ground, Robert dropped to his knees in pain, his pale arm now a disturbing red. Angry blisters bulged from his charred skin.
“What the hell, Robert?” I whispered lowly as I crouched down to his level. “Why the hell would you do that? I would’ve never asked you to do that.”
Robert looked up with a small smile. “I’m a warrior who serves Marcus Blackwood, Miss Joanna. And any woman claimed by my alpha is under my protection, unless he says otherwise.”
Shit.
I instantly regretted asking him the question. For as soon as those words left his lips, a few of the hunters gasped.
“What did he just say?” Malik questioned with amusement in his eyes.
“Joanna?” James said with a forced calmness. I rose and met his gaze with the same unyielding conviction. But I didn’t say a word.
“Oh. My. God.” Malik threw his head back with laughter. “I knew it.” He stopped laughing andgave three slow, deliberate claps. “Joanna Sullivan, everyone. The hunter who’s fucking the alpha.”
The words hung in the air. Hunters stared at me, shock etched onto their faces. I could feel the weight of their gaze, their judgment burning into my skin. Behind me, the werewolves stiffened, ready to defend me if needed.
I stood my ground, refusing to cower or shy away from the truth. I was a hunter, sworn to protect humanity from the very creatures I now stood beside—that I now cared for. And I was not ashamed… I couldn’t be…
James stepped forward. “Joey, tell me it’s not true. Or if it is true… tell me you’re using him. That you haven’t developed feelings for these… these things.”
I met his gaze, my expression steady. “I’ve never lied to you, James. I won’t start now.”
Malik scoffed, crossing his arms. “You’ve really lost your fucking mind. Next, we’ll be hearing that he offered her the Bite.”
I spun around to face him, my eyes flashing with anger. “Don’t you ever shut the hell up?”
