Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [112]
Desperate, she tried again and this time caught him lower. Digging in, Beth kicked out as hard as she could, her claws digging into his stomach and slipping down. He jerked against the pain and her left paw slipped, claws catching his balls. He howled in agony, opening his jaws wide enough for her to slip his grasp.
She rolled and pushed herself to her feet, but collapsed again under the pain that seared her shoulder. Shifting her weight to her left side, she tried again, barely managing to stay upright. She knew she couldn’t take another charge.
Markko dug his back legs into the earth and sprung forward, his jaws closing around her throat like a vise. Beth kicked and writhed, fighting to break free. His growl vibrated against her throat as she tried to pull air into her lungs. Her vision blurred and her lungs burned.
Something slammed into them, wrenching Markko away.
Beth blinked and rolled to her stomach, panting for air. Braden pinned Markko beneath his bulk, his jaws firmly fastened around his throat.
Beth watched with a strange detachment as Markko’s body went limp, his final grunts of pain muffled by the earth. After an eternity, Braden shook his head, tearing out Markko’s throat as his body jerked back and forth lifelessly.
It’s over.
Braden released him and raised his head, his eyes seeking her, his snout smeared with blood.
Worn-out, Beth looked around, dully acknowledging the sudden silence. Chase stood ten yards away, blood matting his fur and dirt streaking his snout. Alek was nowhere to be seen.
Braden brushed against her and whined inquisitively.
Beth tried to push herself up, but even Braden’s helpful nudge couldn’t keep her on her feet. She collapsed, the adrenaline abandoning her, leaving her aching and exhausted on the forest floor. Braden’s huge head dropped into her line of sight, his warm brown eyes concerned. She pushed her nose across his jaw and licked at his face, then dropped her head to the ground and closed her eyes, doing her best to convey that she just needed to rest.
He must have understood because he settled down beside her and rested his head across her shoulders. The warmth of him leeched away the last of her energy and Beth let herself drift to sleep.
***
Beth woke snuggled in Braden’s bed, his warm limbs entangled with hers. She sighed and stretched, mindful of the stiffness left in her body and the stitches in her shoulder.
They’d waited until dawn, then trekked back to Chase’s car and driven home. By the time they got there, Mike had been waiting for them, medical bag in tow. He’d patched them up, pumped them full of painkillers and sedatives, and sent them to bed. The moment her head had touched the pillow, Beth had dropped off.
“What time is it?” Braden asked, his voice thick with sleep.
“It doesn’t matter.” Beth relaxed into his embrace. “Just rest.”
“I’m resting.” His breath tickled the back of her neck and a possessive hand splayed across her stomach. “Be glad Mike drugged me. I’m pissed as hell at you and Chase. He shouldn’t have let you anywhere near those woods.”
“Be grateful he did. You’d be dead otherwise.”
“My brothers and father could have handled it.” He sighed and the hand stroking her skin stilled. “The last thing I wanted was to see you walk into that clearing.” His arms tightened around her. “But you did anyway—walked right in naked, like some fierce Amazonian warrior. You were beautiful.”
“I was terrified.” Beth smiled as Braden’s hand slid up to cup a breast.
“It was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t ever want to be that terrified again.”
“No more naked confrontations, I promise.” She’d never felt so vulnerable or frightened in her life.
“Well, some naked confrontations might be alright.” His fingers tweaked a nipple, and then trailed south, edging around the lace of her underwear.
Beth