He softly growled.

“Easy,” Kraven urged. “Now isn’t a good time to show her who’s in charge. We need to keep going. Our people will be looking for us as well. They’ll assume we’ve made better time, not knowing these two are slowing us down since you refuse to shift forms in front of your precious Dusti.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Drantos snapped.

“I’m just stating facts. They’ll expect us to have traveled faster than what we are.”

“Right.” Drantos shot Dusti an angry glance that promised their argument wasn’t over, just delayed. “Let’s keep going. I’m hoping our clan finds us by nightfall. I don’t want to spend another night out here in the open without help.”

“You honestly think someone is looking for us from your…” She paused. “Clan?”

“Yes.” Drantos’s dark gaze narrowed in warning. “Decker wanted you to land at that small airport because all the clans live within a few hundred miles of this area. We’re not that far from him or our people. The plane almost made it to the airport. Be silent and keep walking.”

“How do you even know where to go? Do you recognize this area?”

“I know how long that flight takes and yes, I’m familiar with the territory. I know where we are and where we need to go. Now stop stalling and walk.”

“Go screw yourself.” She jerked on her hand harder. “I’m tired. I’m fed up. Most of all, I want this nightmare to end. I don’t want anything to do with you or my grandfather. Take your crazy-weird eyes, your messed-up stories and just leave Bat and I here.”

Drantos snarled. The sound came out terrifying and animalistic. He faced her, bent, and yanked on her arm hard. She gasped when it knocked her off balance and he bent forward. He wrapped his arm around the back of her thighs while he straightened to dangle her body over his shoulder. Drantos released her wrist to grip her legs and hold her in place draped over him.

“Let’s move,” Drantos ordered. “We’ll make better time this way.”

“I think we should gag her. She’s a pain in the ass when she talks.”

“I don’t want to hurt her. She’s mine.”

Dusti beat Drantos with her fists on his denim-covered ass but he didn’t seem to notice the blows. He just resumed his hike through the woods. “Put me down, you jackass! And I’m not yours.”

“You have no idea.” Kraven chuckled. “I’m all for you teaching her who’s in charge if we’re stuck out here overnight. Maybe it will mellow her out.”

“I doubt it. Mother always said we were hellions. I’m guessing this is payback for all the trouble we’ve gotten into.”

“Oh damn. Mom is going to hate her. She wanted some sweet submissive type for you.”

“I’m more worried about Dad. He’s going to really be upset with her being so human.”

“Shit,” Kraven cursed. “You better wait and get permission first. He may forbid you the right to claim her.”

“It’s not up to him.”

“Put me down! Do you hear me, you oversized bully?” Dusti wiggled frantically but his hold on her just tightened. “I’m going to castrate you the first chance I get.”

Drantos snarled and halted so quickly her face slammed into his back. She tasted the leather of his jacket. His hand left the back of her thighs and he slapped her ass once, hard enough to make her cry out. Pain burned on her right cheek and tears filled her eyes.

“Damn it!” he roared. “I’m sorry. You just piss me off. Don’t threaten me with that ever again.”

He gently rubbed the area he’d struck with the palm of his hand, massaging her butt. She relaxed only slightly when the pain faded. She blinked away tears.

“You’re an abusive piece of shit.”

He halted the movement of his hand. “I said I’m sorry.” His voice came out gruff. “I’m under a lot of stress but I didn’t spank you hard. I’m trying to protect you, yet you’re fighting and insulting me every step of the way.”

“I almost feel sorry for you.” Kraven said. “I’ll never taste a woman again if this is what the future holds when I find the right one.”

“I didn’t mean to smack you that hard, Dusti.” Drantos rubbed her ass again. He resumed his fast-paced walk. “I forget how human you are. If you were more VampLycan, that would have just been annoying rather than causing you any pain. I’ll watch my strength from now on. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

Dusti clenched her teeth for a good minute but then lost her temper. She’d never been good at holding back her feelings. “Don’t call me that again—and keep those bear-sized mitts away from my ass. You have to sleep sometime. Remember that, because I will.”

“I believe that’s a threat.” Kraven laughed outright. “Damn, I almost envy you. She’s got fire for being so damn clueless.”

“Shut up.”

“Yeah.” Dusti hated to agree with Drantos about anything. “Shut up, psychopath’s brother. And keep your bear-sized mitts off my sister’s ass. If you hit Bat when she gives you hell, you can consider yourself warned too. I’ll get even.” She took a deep breath. “And stop playing with my ass, Drantos!”

He stopped rubbing his palm over her skirt, but he kept his fingers wrapped round the curve of her butt. She knew he did it to piss her off. She closed her eyes, her body bumping and swaying over his shoulder.

“It would serve you right if I puked on your nice leather jacket and down the back of your jeans. I bet that wouldn’t be fun to have in those boots of yours either.”

“You do it and I’ll spank the other side.”

“Asshole.”

“Ready to gag her yet?” Kraven walled up next to them. “I’m willing to give up a sock for the cause.”

Drantos snorted. “That would kill her. I don’t even want to be in the same room with you when you take off your boots after you’ve worn them for a while. Keep your damn socks to yourself and stop irritating her more.”

“I don’t believe she needs any help with that. She doesn’t seem to like you.”

“She will when we’re safe.”