Saving His Mate(17)

Forcing himself to act like the hunter he was, he started to slow as he neared the outside of the barn—until he heard Margery scream.

His fangs and claws sprung free as he covered the remaining twenty yards to the barn. Margery screamed again and he vaguely registered it was one of anger, not fear. Following her scent and the scuffling sounds, he slammed through a wooden half-door for what might have been a stable or storage area. He didn’t care what it was as he ripped the door off its hinges. Wood splintered under the force.

When he saw a trapdoor-type opening in the corner of the stable he withdrew his blade and dove through it. Maybe it was fucking stupid of him, but nothing could stop him from getting to Margery.

His boots landed on the concrete floor with a thud, puffs of dust and dirt flying everywhere.

He snarled at the sight of a female on top of a naked, struggling Margery, her clawed fingers around Margery’s neck. The female vamp swiveled when she heard him, her eyes a bright amber and full of rage. Then she flew at him. Without pause he brought his blade up and sliced her head off in a clean sweep.

Before her head hit the ground, it and her fallen body turned to ash. Rex scanned the lower room, taking in every inch and shadow of the small storage area. Finding it empty, he hurried to Margery who was struggling to sit up. Cuts and gashes covered her beautiful body, though she was already healing with impressive speed. Even in the darkness he could see how pale she was.

Kneeling next to her, he pulled her to him. A potent relief that he’d never imagined surged through him when she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and plastering herself to his body in a suffocating hug.

He rubbed a hand up and down her back, just grateful she was okay. “Was she the only vamp?” he asked, needing to know how big the threat was against her.

“No,” Margery rasped out as she pulled back. Immediately she wrapped her arms around herself, covering her breasts. “There was a male but I never saw his face. Just heard his voice.”

Rex knew shifters didn’t care about nudity too much, but Margery had to be feeling vulnerable now. That was unacceptable in any circumstance. He unbuttoned his shirt and handed it to her. The primal part of him reveled in the knowledge that his scent was now all over her.

“I don’t know where he is though,” she continued, sounding a little stronger, as she slid his shirt on.

Rex ached to reach out to her and help, but wasn’t sure if she’d welcome it or if she’d want to gain back some control. When her fingers shook as she tried to button the shirt, he took over.

“Thank you.” Her voice trembled in a way that made him want to kill that female vamp all over again.

“Your packmates are getting closer,” he said instead of responding to her gratitude. She never had to thank him for saving her.

Now that he was back in control and coming down from his adrenaline high he sensed they were relatively safe. Grant and a few others were entering the barn. Their scent was strong and he heard the faint pad of paws on the ground.

“I don’t want to see anyone right now,” she whispered. “Make them go away.”

Rex was stunned by her words. Shifters always went to their pack for comfort. It was part of what made his kind and hers so different. But he could see the pain in her eyes and would do any damn thing she wanted. Nodding, he picked up his blade and went to the ladder.

“Grant, I’m coming up.” As he rose through the opening he found a naked Grant standing in the busted out entryway.

“Margery—”

“Is alive. I killed a female vamp attacking her. Did the pack find anyone else on the property?”

The alpha nodded, his expression dark. “Male vamp escaped by vehicle. Asher’s tailing him now.”

Rex glanced down at Margery who was still huddled on the floor and the strongest need to protect her overwhelmed him. He looked back at Grant, all his instincts demanding that he go to her, hold her, claim her in front of these shifters. “She doesn’t want to see anyone and I need to get her out of here. Now.” The sun would be rising soon enough and she needed to be somewhere she felt safe.

Grant frowned, likely because Margery didn’t want to see anyone. For a moment it appeared as if he’d push the issue, but he just nodded. Turning his head, he barked out a few orders then focused on Rex. “Max is by the vehicles. Take one and get her back to the compound. He’s going to shadow you two so you have backup—that’s not up for discussion. The rest of us are going to stay and canvas the area until I’m certain there aren’t any more vamps around. I’ll be by Margery’s place as soon as we’re done.” He paused again, looking down at the trapdoor, but didn’t say anything else before leaving.