She heard him. His panting breath, closing in on her. Desperate, she aimed for the bushes instead of weaving through the trees. Her smaller form ducked, while he had to crash through. For a few precious seconds, it worked.
Then something slammed into her, hard. It sent her flying through the bushes into a tree trunk. The impact drove all the breath from her body. She gasped, struggling to get her legs beneath her. Jaws closed on the back of her neck. Braden lifted her as if she weighed nothing and shook her until her vision dimmed.
When he dropped her, she rolled, trying to twist away. But he had his paws on each side of her. She squinted into glaring gold eyes. He lowered his muzzle to sniff, starting at her forehead, moving across to her shoulder, and then down. His eyes narrowed, and his razor-sharp teeth were inches from her face. His jaws opened.
“Mine,” he growled.
She sank her claws into his shoulders, but he didn’t even flinch. Instead, he pushed his hips between her legs.
No effing way. Jessie snarled at him. She curled her legs up, trying to get them between their bodies. He was too strong, and too close. Instead, she ripped her toe claws along his ribs, shredding for all she was worth.
His jaws opened, and he smirked down at her. She swung at him with a forepaw. He pulled his head back, but not quite fast enough. Five raw, parallel slashes appeared across his good cheek.
“That’s it.” His mouth dropped open in a razor-toothed grin. “Fight me.” The dream words were crystal clear and not slurred.
A roar shook the surrounding trees. Something tore Braden off her.
Gasping for breath, Jessie looked up and saw Kade. He towered over Braden, magnificent with his spotted golden coat over bulging muscles, sabre teeth bared and cat eyes glowing gold. But something wasn’t right.
He wasn’t solid like Braden. As she stared, he faded even more until the trees and bushes were visible straight through him.
Braden had landed on his feet when Kade threw him, but now he advanced, his jaws agape. “Not quite yourself, Kade?” he taunted. “Your blood does not a Sabre mate. Not when I have already claimed her.”
“Claimed?” spat Jessie. “No one claims me!”
He didn’t even turn an ear on her, his focus remained on Kade. Half there or not, he wasn’t turning his back on the Sabre.
Kade snarled and swiped at Braden, but this time, his claws passed straight through him. Braden’s jaws dropped open in a taunting grin.
“All dressed up and no way to party...”
Rage consumed Jessie. She pounced on Braden’s back, braced by sinking her claws deep, and thrust for the nape of his neck with her teeth.
The gush of hot, coppery blood surprised her, and she almost let go. Braden twisted and spun. Jessie caught a glimpse of Kade looming over them, but he was barely there, now. She read the desperation on the big Sabre’s face.
Rage slammed into them. Blinding, overwhelming, it passed through her like a tidal wave, and hit Braden full on. He shrieked and contorted.
And then, everything vanished.
Jessie shot upright in bed. Her light was already switched on. A whimper revealed Laura. The blonde woman sat on her cot with her back against the wall, curled up with her head between her knees.
Zach stood over Jessie. His face was twisted in anger, but when she met his eyes, the anger morphed to concern. And then, as he gazed down at her hands, to horror.
She dropped her eyes to see fingers that had sprouted long, wicked claws. And hair.
“Jessie,” Zach choked.
Another form skidded into the room, filling the last available space.
Kade, caught between Were and human. Naked from the waist up, pants bulging at the seams. And his expression was thunderous.
“That bastard,” he snarled.
“Was it Braden?” Zach ignored the Were, his gaze seeking Jessie’s. She realized he’d been navigating blind. He’d felt her fear, and reacted, but couldn’t see into the dream itself.
“Of course it was Braden,” growled Kade. “He tried to force himself on her.”
A spike of pure rage from Zach and an answering gasp from Laura. Jessie shot the other woman a look. Only her eyes were visible over her knees, and for just a moment, they blazed at Jessie. Glared, even.
