I snapped my fangs and flapped my wings several times.
Both the Headless Horseman and the Skinwalker retreated several steps. The Horseman's unruly animal reared back on its hind legs before it tore away into the darkness between the trees.
The mayor slid his long fingers down his face. “Worthless that one is.”
The Skinwalker stumbled, still struggling to pull the bearskin over his body. His foot caught in the pelt, and he crashed to the ground with a piercing screech that echoed through the trees.
The birds scattered from the trees, their wings stirring the air and wafting my mate's scent from the mayor's body straight to my nostrils.
Her scent clung to him like a brand. My mind clouded with rage—not at her, but at him. How dare he experience what was mine alone? The brush of her fingers, the warmth of her touch—privileges he had not earned and would never deserve.
“You tried to steal her from me,” I growled. My wings raised, my eyes glowed brighter. My claws extended.
The skin walker, with his head barely poking through the bearskin, one bloodshot eye darting between the mayor and me, retreated backward on unsteady feet until the undergrowth swallowed him whole.
I could feel the mayor's fear, a tangy scent that tainted the air. He was backing away, his hands raised in surrender, but it was too late. The thought of his skin against hers sent a wave of possessiveness crashing through me. I lunged forward, my claws aching to shred something, anything, to release this torrent of rage.
"Atlas, wait!" Lucien shouted, but his voice was nothing more than a distant ringing in my ears. I was consumed, a creature of instinct and fury.
The mayor stumbled, his back hitting a tree trunk with a solid thud. His face had become a milky glass, and for a moment, I saw my reflection in him: a monstrous figure, wings spread, blood-red eyes. I faltered; I looked monstrous. What was I doing?
But then he spoke, his voice a trembling whisper. "She came to me, Atlas. She’s consumed by your scent—"
A roar tore from my throat, and I surged forward again. No one should have her but me! No one.
Suddenly, a force hit me from the side, sending me crashing to the ground. I rolled, snarling, ready to tear apart whatever had dared to intervene. But it was Lucien, his antennae straight up at attention, eyes dim with worry.
"Stop!" he yelled, pinning me down. His antennae twitched, scenting the air. "You can't kill him, Atlas! You can't!"
I struggled, but Lucien's grip was iron. The mayor took the chance to back away, only to adjust his suit, and his tentacles came out to protect him better. He wouldn’t leave, he was too proud.
But wait, Lucien thought I wanted to kill the mayor?
That was excessive.
Maybe rough him up, slap him around. I don’t think I had it in me to kill.
My struggles ceased, then Lucien cautiously released me. I sat up, my breath coming in ragged gasps. “I wasn’t going to kill him.”
“It sure looked like it. I never thought Atlas, the shy one, would attack the big, scary mayor like that.”
Hollow’s faceless head tilted with amusement. "How sweet. The insect thinks I'm terrifying." He leaned into Lucien's personal space, tentacles unfurling slightly before he suddenly stiffened. His posture changed completely as he turned toward the trees. "We have an intruder in our forest."
The forest air shifted, carrying unfamiliar currents that would alert every monster present to stiffen with recognition.
I took a deep breath, and I immediately knew the scent. My cock grew hard, my wings vibrated, and my eyes went brighter than they had ever done before.
Lucien damn near giggled. “I have an idea of who it might be.”
Hollow dragged his elongated fingers down his face in exasperation. "Your female has no respect for our laws," he hissed. "Discipline her for these transgressions, Atlas. She must learn her place."
The only place she should be, right now, wasunderme.
Her scent grew stronger, and I could hear her now. The panting, the grumbling on how she should do more cardio. I could help her with that—we could do all the cardio she wanted in the safety of my cabin. She would have no problems.
A growl came from her throat as she approached the last bush. My tongue lolled out of my mouth, ready to pounce on her, but I liked the idea of her hunting me, claiming me in front of everyone.
I couldn’t wait to see her approach me, long hair, bright green eyes, a sheen of sweat over her forehead…
