Spark by Jessica Coulter Smith, Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

me by mating with this…this…creature. He isn’t even a wolf, Mina! How could you think to dilute the pack blood like that? You’re the pack princess and you deserve a prince, not some commoner you picked up along the way. He was your bodyguard. That alone should tell you his status isn’t anywhere near good enough to be with you.”
    “Whether you like it or not, he is my mate.” She lifted her chin. “And we’re having a baby. My father already knows and he’s thrilled about becoming a
    grandfather, despite the fact this child may not be a wolf. Do you think my father really cares about bloodlines?”
    “No, but he does care about power, and that pathetic excuse of a man at your feet doesn’t have any.”
    Mina scoffed. “As if you do. The only thing you have is a few screws loose. No
    one would ever want you as a mate, much less me. You think you’re worthy of me? You aren’t fit to lick my feet.”
    Striker growled and backhanded her across the face, knocking her to the ground.
    Mina knew it was a gamble, that there was a chance she could lose the baby, but if she didn’t protect Spark and save her own life, the baby would be dead anyway. Lucky for her, Striker didn’t realize he’d knocked her close to the knife he’d kicked away. Her hand wrapped around the handle and she hid it with her body.
    Striker wasn’t done with her though and gripped a handful of her hair, dragging her to her feet. When he wasn’t paying attention, she slammed the knife back and into his thigh, giving it a twist after she buried it to the hilt, and then she jerked it free.
    He screamed and tossed her aside. “Bitch!”
    “I’ll never willingly go with you, Striker. My place is by my mate’s side.”
    “Have it your way, princess. You want to be by your mate?” He brandished a
    knife. “Then let’s put you beside him…in a grave. When Shadow comes to, he’ll have two graves to dig. Assuming he even bothers burying that stupid maned wolf. I’d just let him rot in the sun.”
    He lunged at her and Mina watched, waiting until the last moment to dance
    away. She twisted her body and slammed her knife into Striker’s back, then pulled it free so she could attack again. He spun toward her and charged again, waving his knife like a madman. Mina ducked under his slashing arm and shoved her knife upward
    between his ribs. Striker stumbled back and she attacked again, slamming the knife into him over and over, until he fell to the ground, blood bubbling from his lips.
    “I’m not some weak wolf you can impose your will on,” Mina panted. “I’m the
    princess of this motherfucking pack and you’d best not forget it, asshole.”
    As Striker slumped, his eyes staring up at the moon, glassy and vacant, Mina
    gave a cry and ran to Spark. She cradled his head in her lap and wished she had a phone to call for an ambulance. Howls could be heard on the front side of the property and moments later she was surrounded by her father’s most trusted men. She fought as they tried to take Spark from her, but eventually they pulled her away and tended to his wounds.
    The wail of a siren pierced the night air and Mina gave a sob, covering her face with her hands. She gasped for breath, suddenly unable to take in enough oxygen, and then the world began to fade. Someone slapped her across the cheek, jolting her and bringing her back to reality. She scrambled across the patio to Spark and cradled his body in her arms, not letting go until the paramedics arrived.
    She started to climb into the ambulance with her mate, but her father held her
    back.
    “Give them some time to work on him,” Shadow said. “You’ll only be in the
    way. Besides, you need to get cleaned up before he sees you. I doubt that Spark wants to see his pregnant mate covered in another wolf’s blood.”
    She looked down at her blood splattered robe and rubbed her fingers together.
    The slickness she’d felt on her hands finally registered and she winced. Perhaps