The Wolf Within (Purgatory #1)(19)

Had he hurt her? He wanted to lift his head, but was afraid she’d scream if he did.

Then he didn’t have to worry about lifting his head because he was flying through the air. She’d just tossed him against a tree.

Sent him flying a good five freaking feet. How in the hell had the little doc done that?

Instantly, he leapt to his feet. Holly was also on her feet, and she stared at him with wide, horrified eyes.

Saul’s footsteps were a quiet thud in the distance. The werewolf could sure move fast when he wanted to haul ass. He was running now, heading for safety.

A safety that Duncan suspected would take him to Seattle’s ruling alpha.

Holly had her hand over her mouth. “Your blood…”

He stiffened. “Don’t worry, you won’t change. I’d have to be the one to bite you for that to happen.”

She shook her head. Her eyes were so dark right then. Deep and dark, and he could stare into them forever.

Saul’s footsteps were even softer now.

Duncan shook his head. “Don’t follow me again.” He had Saul’s scent. Time to track the bastard back to the alpha’s hiding spot.

“No, Duncan! Stop!”

He shook his head. “Get away from me.” You’re safe when you’re away from me.

“I can help you!” Holly’s lips were red. Her teeth…sharp? “Let me help you.”

“Help yourself. Go back to Pate. Don’t come near me again.” He inhaled a deep breath. Caught more of her scent. His whole body tightened. “Because if I see you again, you won’t walk away from me.”

He didn’t know how to make that any plainer.

This was her last chance to be free.

***

“Holly!”

She flinched when Pate grabbed her hand. She’d heard him coming. No missing the frantic pounding of his footsteps, but she hadn’t moved at his approach.

She could taste Duncan. “Stay away from me.” Her voice came out far too flat. Funny, she was giving Pate pretty much the same warning that Duncan had given to her.

No, it wasn’t funny. More like tragic. Her hands clenched into fists.

He instantly dropped his hold. “Look, it’s not what you think, okay?” His voice was a whisper. “I can explain, but not out here. Come back inside with me.”

She couldn’t look away from the trees. Duncan had run through those trees just a few moments before. “I missed my dose.”

Pate swore. “I saw the mess in your lab. There’s a backup dose, don’t worry. You’ll be—”

“Duncan kissed me. I-I bit his lip.” And she’d tasted his blood. Just one drop.

One drop shouldn’t matter.

It did.

Pate began to back away from her. “How much time do I have?”

She was barely holding onto her control. “Not long enough.” Her voice was soft now.

He started to run then. Not after Duncan or Saul. But he was running away…from her.

Because her own monster was about to come out.

She could feel her teeth burning and stretching in her mouth. If she’d just gotten the dose, everything would have been fine. But she’d had that one drop of blood.

Fresh blood.

From a live source.

One. Single. Drop.

It was the first taste that was supposed to be the most tempting. She’d been warned of this. At the first taste of blood from a live source, the bloodlust would overwhelm her. She’d attack anyone near.

At the first taste…

She’d tried to be so careful. Getting her doses. Only taking blood from bags. Not directly from a person, never that…because you could taste the emotions when you drank the blood from a live source.

That taste was addictive.

“I’m sorry,” Holly whispered to Pate. He’d tried to help her. He’d been the one to give her access to the bags, but she’d slipped up.

One drop.

Her control splintered.

She spun around and sprang at Pate. He hadn’t been able to make it to safety. He was too far from the facility. And he couldn’t run nearly fast enough to get away from her.

She bared her fangs at him. The frantic pounding of his heartbeat filled her ears. The drumming sound pulled her closer. Closer.

She leapt for him. In the next second, she had her arms wrapped around him. She pushed up onto her toes and put her mouth on his throat.

“I’m sorry, Holly,” he told her quietly. “I should have taken better care of you.”

There was a gun right at her heart. She could feel the press of the cold metal through her shirt.

She should have known that Pate would be armed. He always was.

He pulled the trigger.

***

“Holly.”

She shook her head, content to stay in the darkness that surrounded her.

“Holly, I know it hurts, but just hold on. The dose is almost finished.”

Pate. He sounded worried.

He should be worried. He’d shot her.

After she’d tried to kill him.

“That’s it. You should have everything that you need.” She felt a light tug on her arm, near her elbow. Then his fingers brushed back her hair. “I’m gonna dig the bullet out, and when I do, you’ll be able to move again.”