“That’s not true. It’s a story humans tell each other to feel safer.”

“Like the myth about wooden stakes through the heart? You said it doesn’t kill them.”

“It will hurt them and give you time to run away if you pierce their hearts. They have to heal enough to get their heart pumping, yank it out, before they can move around much.”

“What about silver bullets and Werewolves? Is that bullshit too?”

“It hurts like hell but silver is just another metal.”

“Fantastic. So what kills Werewolves?”

“Are you thinking about trying to kill me?”

“No.” She sighed. “I’m just passing the time. This is all new to me. Wouldn’t you be curious?”

“Yes,” he admitted. “Werewolves can die if you cause enough damage to make them bleed a lot. They heal faster than a human but not like a Vampire. Beheading them works every time.”

“I’m starting to see a theme here. ‘Off with their heads’ must be your motto when you fight.”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“Almost got it.” She dropped another screw in the dirt. “This last one is really tough. The top of it is mostly stripped.”

It took long minutes, with Glenda grunting a few times, but his leg finally dropped to the ground. He lifted up a little and turned his head, spotting her on her knees. He rolled, tossing the gurney in the opposite direction. The skirt she’d tucked over him earlier lay on the ground, so he grabbed hold of it and stood, clutching it against his groin.

Glenda sat down on her legs and stared up at him. He saw fear when she glimpsed his full height. He glanced at the black silky material fisted in his hand. It was tempting to just toss it aside, since nudity didn’t bother him, but she was a woman not of his kind. It would probably send her into hysterics. That was the last thing he needed.

He breathed through his nose and caught the scent of blood. He lowered his gaze to her hands curled together near her knees. A small stain of red showed on her fingertip. “You’re bleeding.”

She lifted one hand, revealing her index finger. “I cut it. It’s no big deal unless you’re thinking I’m dinner. I’m so not.”

“I don’t drink blood. I’m mostly Lycan.”

“Thank goodness.” She seemed to recover but her gaze kept darting to his chest and arms. “You’re like a house on legs.”

He wasn’t certain what that meant and frowned.

“You’re huge. What are you? Six foot four? Five?”

“Does it matter? I’m strong and a good fighter. We need to lure them into opening that door.” He turned his head, glaring at it. It appeared too solid to knock down. Part of it was metal around the edges with thick wood in the center.

“Are you like, talking to them with your mind? Calling to them?”

He looked at her and scowled. “No. Stop comparing me to whatever movies you’ve seen.”

“Just checking,” she muttered, climbing to her feet. She sucked on her injured finger and turned her back. “I won’t look. You said you had to pee. They left a bucket…how medieval of them. Put the skirt on after you’re done. It’s got an elastic waist. It’s not going to be the manliest look, but it beats flashing me your goods.”

He couldn’t help but stare at her legs after she faced away from him. She had nice ones. The shirt she wore fell just a few inches lower than her ass. The ass didn’t look bad either. He glanced down at the skirt and sighed. “I guess it will work until I can steal something better.” He quickly relieved his bladder.

“Maybe we can find your clothes down here.”

“I wasn’t wearing any when I was taken.”

She twisted her head, gaping at him. “Did they grab you in the shower or something?”

“No. I was on patrol.”

“You walk around naked?”

“I wasn’t in skin when they drugged me.”

She paled and her eyes widened.

“I’m a shifter. You must know what that is, don’t you? I have a television and movie collection too. I change forms, Glenda. I tore off my clothes in case I wanted to transform to have four legs to fight them. And fur is harder to tear into than skin.”

“Oh shit.” She faced away and actually grabbed hold of the wall. “I’m so going to need therapy if I survive.” She paused. “No. Cancel that. They’ll lock me up in a mental ward and think I’m nuts if I tell anyone about this.”

Veso grinned. She did amuse him. “You’ll be fine.” He’d wipe her memory and replace it with something less traumatic. He put on her skirt then bent, cutting off some of the length with a claw so it didn’t confine his movement around his knees.

“I hear that! That was my favorite one,” she muttered.

“I’m covered.”

She turned and glanced down his body. “So what do we do now?”

Chapter Three

Glen tried not to gawk at the giant muscled guy. He had shredded the bottom of her skirt so the ragged ends covered his groin area and down his thighs about a foot. She’d teased him about not looking manly but with that body, he could have worn one of her dresses without losing his appeal. His inhuman eye color helped that masculine image in an odd way. He screamed supernatural being to her.

“We’ll draw them to the door so they open it.” He seemed to be assessing her.

“How?”

“I won’t hurt you. Remember that.”

What is that supposed to mean?

He suddenly lunged at her, snarling. His hands opened and his fingernails grew into sharp claws.

The scream tore from her throat as she tried to run. She slammed into the rock wall, forgetting in her terror that it was even there.

His big body pressed up against hers. His skin was hot, and she squeezed her eyes closed, waiting for him to tear into her skin with those sharp nails.

He didn’t. He just snarled.

Glen peeked—and saw fangs. His mouth was open and his eyes were terrifying. They were pure yellow and glowing. All the brown in them seemed to have totally disappeared.

She shoved with her hands, slapping them on his muscled chest. Another shriek tore from her.

He twisted his head and stared at the door. He had her pinned against the rock wall and those claws of his were inches away from her sides. He threw his head back and a roar of rage nearly deafened her.