Jodi_ByTheLight by JenniferLitteken Read Free Book Online

to be brave.
    He hated to see a woman cry, but he wanted her to be safe. He needed to hear her say the words. Her naivety could get them killed if she weren’t careful. “Tell me. Do you have any idea how much danger you were in or what they were capable of doing?”
    She swallowed with visible effort, raw emotion scraped past her taut lips. “They were going to rape me.”
    He cupped her face in his hand. “They were going to rape you repeatedly. No one ever has the right to take someone by force, to be chained up while abused, over and over again. No one has that right, do you hear me?” His tone hardened. He couldn’t stop envisioning what those rogue wolves had planned for Ava. It made him want to rip them apart.
    Their gazes locked, and he couldn’t stop the barrage of words spilling off his tongue.
    “Don’t ever think any of this fucked-up shit is your fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s that Pack of red wolves.”
    She grimaced. “Just when I thought you were back to being normal you go and make another doggie comment.”
    He growled in frustration.
    Her warm fingers brushed his scarred cheek. He froze. No one ever touched his scar.
    “I’m sorry. I just find all this impossible to believe. I’m not even sure if what I witnessed back in that warehouse actually happened. The drug they gave me was probably still in my system and caused me to hallucinate.” She gave him a worried look. “I’m really not trying to be difficult. Don’t be mad.”
    “I’m not mad, Ava.” Her tenderness rocked him to the core and the warmth of her touch made his head spin. Unable to stop, he leaned closer to her warmth.
    Alarms went off in his head. He couldn’t do this. He wouldn’t sacrifice his future as a Guardian. He’d lost too much already. His life was his job. He dropped his hands to his sides, and stepped back. Immediately, he missed her warmth. He wanted his hands all over her.
    “Prove it.”
    “Prove what?” He rested his hands on his hips as he studied the floor. He better get a grip on his urges before he messed things up for his career.
    “If you’re a wolf, show me.” She lifted her brow. “Or do you have to wait for a full moon?”
    He jerked his head up. He didn’t know if he was more irritated or amused. In his lifetime, he hadn’t come across another female like her.
    He snorted. “I don’t need a full moon to shift. It doesn’t work like that.”
    “Good.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “Fine. But you have to promise not to scream.”
    “Okay.”
    “I don’t intend on shredding the only clothes I have.” He eased his tight T-shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. He didn’t miss the way her eyes widened as he shoved his jeans down over his hips and kick them off. Her gaze landed on black tribal tattoos that circled his biceps. Maybe she was one of those chicks that didn’t like tattoos? Wait until she saw the massive tattoo that spanned the width of his shoulders, marking him as a Guardian.
    He closed his eyes. The beast roared to life as he released his self-control, giving free rein to the creature that lived inside. His power surged, knocking him to his knees and heightening his senses. Pain licked through his joints and muscles as they stretched and shifted, accommodating his wolf body. Hair grew and spread over his entire body until his flesh was concealed in a furry pelt.
    He opened his wolf eyes.
    Ava stood by the door, her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide with fear.
    She screamed.
    Well, fuck.
    He tried to shift back, but it was too soon. He needed a few minutes. What the hell had he been thinking? This had been a mistake. With his head down, he headed for the corner, made a complete circle and curled up in the shadows, waiting for the cops to bust in with animal control.
    ***
    Ava tightened her trembling grip on the doorknob as she gaped at the massive gray wolf, in the corner.
    Damon had turned into a wolf. Just like her kidnappers.
    She kept her gaze on the wolf