They swarmed the place through multiple entrances at once. Blasts of gunfire erupted when the men inside started shooting at the intruders. Seff and Chase did a full walk around the building to see if either could scent Sophia and Tryx.
When Chase moved to a side entrance, Seff’s wolf readied for combat. Down a hallway, Seff heard faint screams and quickened his steps. He scented both women and a male shifter inside the room. Using hand signals, Chase motioned for Seff to go ahead inside. Chase indicated he would go through one of the outer windows in a surprise attack.
When Seff broke down the door, he found a large hyena and rat mix shifter in between both women. The rat held a gun to Sophia’s head, and Tryx was tied down by heavy chains.
The rat pushed the gun into her hair. “Come any closer, and they’re both dead.”
“Let them go. They don’t have what you want,” Seff said while scanning the windows for movement.
He turned his gaze back to the enemy. If necessary he would tear the man limb from limb. However, there was no way to ensure the women would not be hurt or killed if he attacked the rat shifter.
Seff watched the rat grab a hold of Sophia’s arm. “No. This one has what I need, and I’m taking her with me.”
He saw her wince when the rat squeezed her arm roughly. Seff growled and took a step forward only to stop when the man jerked back, holding her tight. “Stop, or I’ll shoot her and drag her out of here bleeding.”
All of a sudden, Chase jumped through the window, breaking glass and creating a loud ruckus. In an automatic reaction, the man turned to look toward the unexpected noise and in the process released Sophia’s arm long enough for her to quickly step away. Seff, who was prepared for Chase, pulled Sophia out of harm’s way.
Seff released his claws and swiped at the hand holding the gun. The sharp cuts forced the rat to release the weapon with a yelp. Seff pushed the man back with so much force it propelled him right into Chase.
Seff watched as Chase’s large canines and massive claws cut into the rat numerous times. Chase’s wolf snarled and went for the man’s neck tearing at the hands that tried to block the attack. The rat-man kicked and shoved his bloody arms, but the fight went out of him, and he fell to the ground.
Seff removed the heavy chain holding down Tryx. He watched the two women embrace and hold each other. Now that Chase had dismembered the last threat, Sophia would be safe.
Off to the side, Seff watched Chase change back into his skin and shrug into a pair of jeans. Riel walked into the room and stopped next to him. Both of them watched the alpha walk straight to Sophia and stop when she glared angrily at him.
“Sweetheart?” Chase frowned, and Seff wondered at the awkward reunion .
Curious over her obvious anger, Seff watched Sophia take a few steps to stand in front of Chase. She gave him a slow smile and then punched him hard in the stomach.
“Ow!” Chase grunted and rubbed his stomach while watching her. Sophia threw him a disgusted look. What the heck had the alpha done to his mate? Seff and Riel snickered over Chase’s woman trouble and continued to watch the show.
“That was for being such a closemouthed jerk,” she hissed and then twined her arms around Chase’s neck.
Chase stood unmoving, warily watching Sophia.
“And this is for coming to our rescue.” She yanked his head down and kissed him. Seff looked away and smiled when the other men in the group laughed, whistled, and catcalled at the make-out scene in front of them.
On their way back, Seff watched Sophia sit stiffly next to Chase. He’d never understand women. She kissed him and then refused to speak to him. Chase looked confused, and Seff did not envy him. Women were more trouble than they were worth. When Chase lifted his hands in question at Tryx, the tiny female just glared at him and turned her face away.
* * *
Sophia stepped into the house and went straight for the shower, slamming the door so hard it rocked the panel causing it to crack. She wanted to ensure he knew how pissed she was with him.
Turning the lock at the last second, she allowed herself some alone time in the bathroom while she undressed. Let him stew over that one. She took a nice warm shower and washed her hair, making sure to take twice as long as usual in the bathroom. It allowed her to release some of the tension and frustration running through her. At the end of her long shower, she massaged lotion over every part of her body. She stared at her abdomen in the bathroom mirror. She smiled, remembering her dream, and tentatively touched her belly.
She put on her robe and left the serenity of the quiet bathroom behind. Barefoot, she walked through the bedroom and out to the balcony. She took a deep breath and sat on the edge of a cushioned lounger. The night air was warm as it caressed her skin. In the distance she could see the lights from the closest neighbor’s house.