Terror held Dusti immobile. The creature advanced and seemed totally focused on Kraven and Bat.

It sunk in that it might have been saying Batina. It was looking for her sister.

That thing was one of her grandfather’s people and it had come to take her sister to him.

It prowled closer to Kraven and Bat. They weren’t moving, unaware of the danger. Dusti shook all over but moved. Her voice wouldn’t work, the creature too terrifying for her to get words out. She struggled to even swallow but finally managed. She had to draw it away from Bat.

“I’m Batina,” she whispered.

The thing turned its head so fast that Dusti lost her footing, falling back against the truck. It was the only thing that kept her from landing on her ass.

The beast had pitch-black pupils and scary teeth. It stared at her and came closer.

“Batnnna?”

It sounded worse when it hissed than when it made the rougher, louder snarling sound. She nodded. “I’m Batina,” she repeated.

It moved to her side, inches away, and paused next to her. It crouched down. “Grrrr onnnn.”

She didn’t understand.

A naked, bloodied man strode forward, gripping something that appeared similar to a girdle. Hope flared that he’d attack the beast but instead he grabbed Dusti by the back of the jacket she wore and yanked hard. She ended sprawled over the back of the shifted VampLycan. The man released her and twisted her body until her legs fell on both sides of the creature, as if she were about to ride a horse. He shoved her flat so her stomach and breasts pressed tight against fur. Something snapped over her back and squeezed her sides. She cried out in pain as it was tightened until she felt as if she might break in two.

The guy straightened. “You’ve got her, Craig. She’s secure.” He hit the beast’s ass. “Go! We’ll put down a false trail for them to follow.”

The creature under her bolted forward and Dusti realized exactly what that man had done. He’d effectively tied her onto the enforcer’s back. The girdle thing belted her to the creature from her hips to just under her ribs. It ran, picking up speed. The fur covering the beast’s body did little to cushion her from the rough ride.

He jumped, a sick feeling going through Dusti when they were in the air, but he landed hard enough to make her scream if she’d been able to draw breath. It was just too painful being slammed around.

Decker Filmore was going to end up with her instead of Bat but she doubted she’d still be alive by the time she reached him. The hell beast under her leapt again and when he landed, the tight material around her felt as if it might snap her spine from the jostling. She blacked out.

* * * * *

Fury gripped Drantos. He roared into the woods over not being close enough to protect Dusti. His father carefully lifted Kraven off Bat, evaluating her limp body with a shrewd assessment. He ran his hands carefully over her ribs.

“Is she alive?” Drantos couldn’t retract his claws to touch her himself. His rage had his animal side too close to the surface.

His father nodded. “Yes. She’s breathing fine and I don’t detect any broken bones. Kraven used his body to cushion her but the force of him landing on her appears to have knocked her out.” Velder turned, checking on Kraven. “He’s badly injured. He’s lost a lot of blood and we need to get them home.”

“I’m going after my mate.” Drantos clenched his teeth.

His father frowned as he straightened to his full height. “No. I need you here. Our trackers will find her. They’re going after her now.”

“I'll do it,” Drantos snarled. He didn’t give a damn what his father ordered. She had been taken. He had to get her back before she was killed by Decker for being the granddaughter he believed useless to his cause—or it was discovered she wasn’t as human as he believed. He’d send her to Aveoth. It would be hell trying to recover her from the cliffs and the GarLycan clan, if not impossible.

It drove him insane thinking about losing her forever, either way.

Kraven opened his eyes, drawing Drantos’s attention. “Bat?” His fear showed on his features. “Is she breathing? I don’t hear her.”

“She lives but she’s unconscious.” Velder crouched again and caressed his son’s face. “You acted quickly enough when they leapt out of the trees. You took the brunt of the attack with your back and seemed to have cradled her when you were thrown clear of the truck. Don’t try to talk.”

Relief etched across Kraven’s pained features. “We must protect her.” He turned his head to meet Drantos furious stare. “I heard Dusti claim she was Bat. I couldn’t move but I was conscious. She allowed them to take her to save her sister. She should be safe until Decker realizes she lied to his men to dupe them into taking the wrong woman.”

Drantos threw back his head to roar out in rage again. It made it worse that Dusti had purposely put herself in danger and lied to be the one taken. He paced, unable to keep control of his beast. Not only were his claws extended but his fangs elongated. More hair sprouted down his body. “I’m going after my mate!”

His father stood to confront him. “No, you’re not. The clan comes first.”

“She needs me.”

“She renounced you. It is forbidden for you to go near her.”

“She doesn’t understand our ways!”

“It is still the law. It’s up to our trackers to find her and bring her back.”

“No,” Drantos snarled. “She’s mine.”

“We’ve been attacked and some of our people are injured. Your own brother is hurt. You need to calm and allow our men to find Decker’s granddaughter. They will bring her to safety. Our people are your priority right now.”

“Let him go, Dad.” Kraven coughed up blood, rolled to his side, and reached for Bat. His hand rubbed her leg where he could reach her. “They took what they want. They won’t be back. He needs to go after his mate.”

“She’s not his mate.” Velder shook his head.

“I exchanged blood with her during sex but I didn’t tell her we had begun the mating process. I planned to explain everything once I had her safely inside my home.” Drantos forced his mind to work. “She’s wearing Red’s jacket. It masks her scent.” He glared at his father. “Do the trackers know that?”