Forever Bound Series 1-4(85)

“Too bad. I don’t plan on backing off.” She didn’t seem to realize the gigantic threat that hung over her. Latham could attack, at any time. Yes, she was strong. But so was Latham. And if he caught her off-guard… “I don’t want Latham putting you under again.”

Her hips stopped rocking. She glanced at him. Anger had melted the gold in her eyes so that her gaze just burned. “He won’t.” Then, with a toss of her head, so queen-like that Jamie had to smile—he’d started to rather like that touch of haughtiness—she sauntered across the bar.

It took him about ten seconds too long to realize that she’d already picked out her prey.

By then, Iona had her hand on the chest of her would-be victim. A familiar victim. The bar was behind Sean, trapping the guy as he stood right in front of Iona.

She chose my first-in-command? Fuck. Jamie stalked toward them. He’d just closed in when he heard—

“I think this could be fun,” Iona murmured as she leaned toward Sean.

Sean’s shocked gaze darted to Jamie.

“You aren’t doing this,” Jamie snapped. He grabbed her arm. For some reason, he didn’t want her touching the other werewolf. He glared down at Iona. “I already told you, it isn’t going to work. You can’t take anyone else’s blood.”

“And I told you…I don’t believe you.”

She was making him want to howl. And making him want to toss her over his shoulder and carry her away from Sean. Away from all the other men there.

Her head turned as she studied Sean. “Maybe one werewolf will be as good as another, and at least with him, I’ll be sure he isn’t on drugs.” Her gaze slid back to Jamie. “I’m betting you run a tight ship when it comes to that.”

He did. Drugs would make his wolves weak. He didn’t allow for weakness. Weakness would just get them killed.

“This way, I don’t have to kill any humans…yet.” She offered first Jamie, then Sean a smile that flashed her sharp little teeth. Then her focus centered on Sean as she said, “So point me toward a private room, and let’s just see how you taste, wolf.”

Women liked Sean, they sure fell into his bed easily enough. Maybe it was because Sean appeared easy-going, and often…normal. A big bonus for a guy who was actually paranormal. Sean was a perfect chameleon. He could fit in with just about anyone, anywhere. Unlike Jamie, he’d dropped his Irish years ago, and, in fact, he could fake other accents—depending on where he was and who he wanted to fool—almost instantly.

Jamie fisted his hands and fought to hold on to his control.

Iona appeared determined. And a little too satisfied with her drinking scheme.

The woman wasn’t stopping. Not until she’d tried to drink from someone else. He could fight her, but he knew Iona wouldn’t give up. “One sip,” Jamie said, his voice clipped. Just one. That would be all she’d need to find out if the blood worked for her.

And if it does work? He couldn’t think about that possibility right then. The witch had been adamant. The wolf that woke her would be the wolf that controlled her.

He didn’t think Brian had been lying, but since the witch was dead, it wasn’t like he could find out for certain.

And I have to make sure she doesn’t find out about my deal with Brian. Because if she did…

“There’s a room in the back.” Sean inclined his head toward a dark, narrow hallway. “Right through there.”

Wasn’t that just fantastic.

“Lead the way,” Iona invited him with a wave of her hand.

But Sean wasn’t an idiot. He glanced at Jamie, waiting to see what his alpha wanted.

“Keep your hands off her,” Jamie ordered him, voice lethal. “She gets one taste—one.”

Sean gave a nod. As a rule, werewolves weren’t up for being vamp prey. Only this wasn’t a typical situation.

Iona wasn’t your average vamp.

Sean headed down the hallway. Iona didn’t move, and Jamie was far too conscious of her body near his. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him, then Iona crooked her finger, inviting him closer. His head bent toward her, the move automatic. She rose onto her toes. Her lips brushed against his ear as she said, “I don’t need your permission to feed from prey.”

He turned his head. Made sure their eyes met. “In order to touch you, he needs my permission.” Because, dammit, Jamie had already started to think of her as—

Mine.

“Werewolves…always the same.” Iona sighed as she eased away from him. “You think that you can control everyone and everything around you.” She sauntered toward that dark hallway.

“No.” The growl slipped from him.

Iona looked back at Jamie.

“I can’t control everything. If I could, there’d be more than six members of my pack still alive.” He stalked to her, aggressive, deliberately so. “If I could control everything, my family would be alive. I wouldn’t have come home to find my mother and father dead, their bodies savaged. Latham wouldn’t have killed them.” His parents had come to this country because they’d wanted a fresh start. They’d brought their pack over with them. Everyone had been so hopeful, at first.

What could have been sympathy or maybe even pity flashed in her stare. That faint emotion just stirred up his anger even more. Pity was the last thing he wanted from her.