I screamed as the man reached for his belt, but the sound died in my throat when a thunderous roar echoed through the forest. A massive black wolf burst through the trees, all rippling muscle and savage fury.
Kaelen.
The two men froze for just a second – long enough for the wolf to lunge at the taller one. Kaelen's powerful jaws clamped around the man's throat, ripping it out in one vicious motion. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the body dropped.
The second man turned to flee, but Kaelen was faster. He pounced, taking the man down with crushing force. I watched, trembling, as Kaelen tore into him, the sounds of breaking bones and desperate screams filling the night air.
When it was over, Kaelen stood in his wolf form, chest heaving, muzzle dripping red. His green eyes found mine, glowing with primal intensity. Then his massive form shimmered and shifted, fur retreating until my mate stood before me in his human form.
