Chapter Ten

She opened the bag and withdrew the Styrofoam container from within. Popping the top, she stared at the chicken enchilada and rice there, steaming. Surprisingly, she felt the stirrings of hunger.

“Thank you.” I can be nice.

He grunted and sat on the edge of his bed before moving to the headboard. Silence ranged between them as they ate. Dyana ate half then put her fork down, and wiped her mouth.

“What do you look like as a wolf?” she questioned.

He tipped his head to the side and stared at her through strands of his dirty blond hair. He blinked his insanely thick lashes. “Black.” He ate a bite of his food. “Why? Intrigued?”

“Curious.”

“Want to see?”

You naked? Oh hell yes. “Are you housebroken?” He narrowed his gaze and a low, dangerous rumbled filled the room. She bit back her mirth. “What? I don’t know and I have no wish to pay damages here because you”—she blinked—“or your wolf feels like marking your territory.”

“You think I would…” he trailed off shaking his head. “That’s insulting.”

She shrugged as she took a bite. “Just a question.” Dyana wanted to laugh at his expression but figured it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. She didn’t say anything else just finished her meal.

Once he finished he went to the bathroom where he paused and stared at her. “Stay.” Then he walked in.

She crossed her arms and leaned back. “Think you’re mistaking which one of us is the canine, hoss,” she muttered.

Casimir stiffened and she realized he may have well heard her. He didn’t turn back nor did he shut the door entirely. She closed her eyes and tried to figure out what was going on. Why did they have to die?

Answer—they didn’t. They were dead purely because of her. Because they had worried about this guy. The one I’m currently travelling with.

Sourness filled her gut and she curled up on her side. What kind of person am I to be with this man? Why would I believe his words?

Dyana couldn’t explain what reason she had to trust—little though it was—him. She just did. Her heart ached for the loss of her friends. Her family.

The shower cutting off had her opening her eyes. She could see directly in the steam filled direction. Her breath caught when he stepped into view, clad in a pair of black pants.

That was it. There was no denying the ripple of muscles on the board expanse of his back. Wide shoulders tapered to a lean waist.

Hot damn!

He walked out, blue eyes on her making her body react in ways she had no intention of pursuing. His front as impressive—more so actually—than his back. Defined abs and impressive pectorals. His arms were cut and powerful.

She nearly rubbed against the bed but held still, refusing to give in to her base urges. His gaze darkened a bit as their gazed melded. Deep within her something stirred. A different feeling. Unique. Sensual. Powerful.

The door flew open and she turned to see two men burst in. Dyana screamed and rolled off the bed. When she rose it, it was over. The men lay dead and black wolf stood over them.

Nausea churned and she rested her head on the mattress. Deep breaths. It’s all my imagination.

The hand on her shoulder scared her and she reacted, whirling and striking with her fist. Millimeters from connection Casimir captured her hand.

“I’d really prefer you not hit me. Especially there.”

She tore her gaze from his crotch, slid it over the blended hues of their skin, and up to his face. His jaw was set and flickers of fury lay in his arctic gaze.

“Are you okay?”

Dyana nodded and tried to free herself from his grip. A faultless endeavor for he refused to release her wrist. Pushing to her feet, she did her best to ignore the warm—perhaps hot—body of the half-naked shifter behind her and rotated to see the two bodies of the dead men lying there. The door had been closed, keeping the destruction private.

“Are you okay?” he repeated his question, tone gentle as she stared at the harsh view before her.

“Sure,” she whispered. “What’s not to be okay about? It’s common for me to see a man blur shape into a wolf and kill two men who’ve busted down the door.” Her stomach rebelled. “Excuse me.”

Dyana tried to get away. His grip never loosened and she turned to him with every intention of demanding he release her. She opened her mouth and lost the contents of her stomach. All over him.

His rumble filled the room and she put the back of her hand over her mouth, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, seconds before doing it again.