Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1) by Stephanie West Read Free Book Online Page A

shut. They had abandoned her with an enraged monster in the cell next door. With mounting terror Hope wondered what manner of beast could beat through a thick metal door like that.
    The abused door in front of her groaned as it cracked open several inches then halted, the deep dents preventing it from sliding into the wall.
    A scream ripped past her lips as Hope realized the aliens were sacrificing her to the crazed beast.
    Hope curled into a tight ball, tucking her bare ass against her heels, and pulling her elbows in to her breast as she pressed against the mat. It didn't matter, she was prone, unable to flee the thing on the other side of that door.
    A feral roar echoed through the small cell as clawed hands speared through the opening and began ripping back the door as if it were nothing more than a tin can. The creature on the other side panted and snarled as it forced its will upon the portal.
    Hope watched with wide eyes as first a spiked forearm then leg emerged. When the creature's face appeared, Hope gasped in shock.
    She almost didn't recognize Drogo as he pushed himself through the opening. His eyes were intense as they focused on her. The dark green was ringed with a brighter green that glowed, his pupils long narrow slits. Upon seeing her Drogo froze, the frightening growl in his chest subsided to a chuffing sound.
    Something wasn't right with him. He'd been aggressive before but now he appeared more animal than man. He hadn't even been this way when he gripped that other alien's neck. He'd dented a metal door over dozen times and made noises that had even his own people nervous. He was going to kill her.
    "Please!" Hope pleaded, her sob choking her as she tugged at her wrists.
    Drogo sniffed the air with deep huffing breaths as he stalked towards her, his massive body swaying in a predatory way. He crouched by Hope's head and took her outstretched hand. His grip was firm and warm as he tugged at the cuff.
    Hope cried out as it pulled painfully at her wrist.
    Drogo froze his eyes boring into hers. Hope could tell he didn't hurt her intentionally but a few smarting tears still pushed at the corners of her eyes, mixing with the rest.
    Drogo's face was at the edge of hers, he rubbed his nose against Hope's cheek followed by his cheek, caressing hers. His face nuzzled her hair and burrowed into her neck.
    Hope bit her lip trying not to panic that his large canines were at her throat as she felt his mouth open.
    This was it, he was going to tear her throat out. She sobbed but didn't dare move.
    Instead Drogo's tongue explored the crook of her neck, laving the sensitive skin beneath her ear before flicking the lobe. Hope couldn't help the shiver that worked through her as her blood heated and that odd tingle returned.
    The things his tongue did weren't unpleasant but the substance in his kiss compounded the sensations. What was he doing to her with the strange chemicals he exuded? She wasn't sure she wanted this, and yet her body responded, pushing her fear of death to the back of her mind.
    "Please." Hope pleaded more to herself than anything.
    Drogo growled softly as his hand reached out and brushed along her bare side. His touch was firm as he explored, finding her breast. Drogo followed his hands with his face, nose and tongue, lapping at Hope's ribs then the swell of her breast.
    She would have asked what he was doing, but it was becoming clearer by the moment. He hadn't been all hands the night before, he'd resisted touching her. But now he wasn't acting like the man she met, it was like some animal possessed him. What happened to Drogo and why was she being served up to him on padded platter?
    Drogo crawled down Hope's body till he reached her behind.
    "Oh god!"
    His hands, thankfully free of claws, gripped her hips. His strong fingers dug into her flesh as he held Hope's waist. She'd have bruises but thankfully he didn't hurt her too much.
    Drogo's nose brushed across the back of Hope's thighs just below her