Therian Prisoner(51)

“I understand.” Erin brushed the hair back from Devon’s face and kissed her forehead. “I’ll ban Kyle from this house until you’re ready to deal with him. If that’s what you need. Just don’t shut me out again.” Erin’s gaze narrowed and her head snapped toward Ian, speculation clear in her green eyes.

“Where is Kyle?” Doubtlessly her mother had just picked up Ian’s scent on her, but Devon wanted to concentrate on one complication at a time.

“He’s over at Holt’s or out searching, I’m not sure which.”

As if summoned by their conversation, Kyle threw open the basement door and emerged into the kitchen. He must have sensed her arrival and used the tunnels connecting the rebels’ houses and the cat sanctuary. He paused for a moment as he took in the scene, then rushed across the kitchen and headed straight for Devon.

She instinctively moved toward Ian as she shook her head.

Erin brought him up short with an upraised hand. “Don’t.”

“Dev, I am so sorry I…” His gaze narrowed and his head tilted as he inhaled deeply. Therian males were even more sensitive to scent than females. He shifted his stare to Ian and fury ignited within his eyes. “Why is your scent all over her?”

Ian smoothly stepped in front of Devon as he widened his stance. “It’s none of your business, little boy. Back off.”

“The hell it’s not! She’s my sister and I’m head of her clan.”

“What’s the matter Kyle?” Devon sidestepped so Kyle could see her. “Afraid Lokesh won’t want me now?”

Kyle’s anger remained focused on Ian. Golden light sparked in his hostile gaze and claws slowly extended from his fingers. “Get. Out.”

“Not gonna happen.”

Devon couldn’t see Ian’s face but he sounded almost amused. “Kyle, this really is none of your business.”

Without looking at her, Kyle asked, “Did he hurt you?”

“Of course not.” She tried to move to Ian’s side, but he blocked her path. “It’s insulting that you would even ask.”

“Did he define you or just…sleep with you?”

Before Devon could object, Erin grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the advancing men. “When they get like this, it’s better to just let it happen.”

“But—”

Ian let out an enraged cry as his wings unfurled with a sharp snap, but they were different this time. Rather than dark brown feathers, black leather stretched over the flexible skeleton and lethal looking spikes protruded from each joint as well as the tips. These wings weren’t meant for flight, they were designed for battle.

A low rumble drew her attention to Kyle’s face and she gasped. His features had partially shifted, creating a shocking combination of human and cougar. He looked fierce and deadly, and enraged. She’d never seen her brother like this before. Partial shifts required a level of control she hadn’t realized Kyle possessed.

“Bonding with an Omni Prime has its advantages,” her mother whispered.

Kyle lunged and swiped at Ian’s face. Ian twisted, barely avoiding Kyle’s sharp claw. Before Kyle could swing his other arm, Ian slapped him back with the flat section of one wing. Kyle flew like a toy, colliding with the wall hard enough to dent the drywall.

“We’re just going to let them tear each other apart?” Devon tugged against her mother’s restraining hands.

“It’s worse if we let it fester.” Erin’s hold was firm, her tone emphatic. “Think about Ian and Quinn. That went on for years.”

Something dark and elemental stirred within Devon as she watched the fight progress. She’d never had anyone who cared enough about her to fight for her before. Defending her hadn’t been Kyle’s role while their father was alive and her father had always had more important things on his mind.

Kyle retracted his claws and fisted his hand. With practiced precision, he landed a punch on Ian’s jaw. Ian responded with a sharp uppercut that jerked Kyle’s head to the side. Blood escaped the corner of Kyle’s mouth as he lunged for Ian. Another feline growl echoed in the room as Kyle drove Ian to the floor.

Ian wrapped his wings around Kyle, drawing their bodies so tightly together that Kyle could no longer swing his arms. They rolled across the hardwood floor, jarring the coffee table before reversing direction and lodging against the entertainment center. Kyle struggled wildly within Ian’s hold, but Ian seemed content to contain the aggression.

“Calm down and I’ll let you up.” Ian allowed his wings to dissolve, revealing their exact position. Ian straddled Kyle’s legs and pinned his shoulders to the floor. Kyle’s hands were trapped beneath Ian’s knees.