Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 137524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 688(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 688(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
I watch as Dominic’s chest expands as if he’s breathing really heavily. The stranger sidesteps, and he’s suddenly right in front of me, standing between me and Dominic, like he’s blocking me from him. Something inside me starts to panic at the separation, and I’m more scared than before. The urge to get to Dominic claws at me.
“Mine,” the stranger says through his sharp gritted teeth.
“She’s already spoken for, Xavier. Back away.” Dominic takes a step toward us, and the stranger—who I guess is named Xavier—takes a step back, getting closer to me.
I move my body a little so I can see Dominic better, the sight of him melting a little of my fear. Dominic doesn't look scared at all. No, he just looks pissed. If I had to guess, Dominic can take him. Even though Xavier is taller and scarier-looking, he doesn't look healthy. Maybe if he was in top shape, Dominic would have a reason to worry.
“I smelled it, she’s mine,” Xavier says, taking a step toward Dominic, blocking my view again.
“No.” The word comes from deep in Dominic’s chest, and I peek around Xavier's body to see what’s happening. “Step away from her or I’ll rip out your throat. It’s my right, and I’ll take it.”
Jesus, how did this escalate so fast? One second I was taking cookies to old people, and then all of a sudden I’m in the middle of a backyard brawl with people talking about ripping throats out.
I can see Xavier hesitating, and then he inhales deeply again. What is happening? This is just like that episode of Cops I watched where the guy ate some bath salts and then stole Funyuns from the gas station. It’s crazy!
“Scent her again, Xavier. She’s mine.”
Scent me again? Is he fucking nuts? I’m not letting him smell me! He could snap me in two! “Hold up a second,” I say, leaning around Forest Creature Xavier so I can give Dominic a piece of my mind.
Dominic locks his glowing eyes with mine, and I feel a chill of desire shoot down my spine, somehow pushing my fear out. “Not now, sweets.” he says, his tone completely changing when he addresses me.
“But I scent mine,” Xavier growls, turning his back to Dominic, his eyes running over me in clear confusion. It’s a mistake he turned, because Dominic is on him and tackles him to the ground instantly.
They both make growling sounds and gnash their teeth as they wrestle. I don’t know what to do, so I just stand there like an idiot, holding a basket of cock cookies watching two dudes fight it out. I should call the cops, but Dominic is the cops. I don’t even think this little town has a deputy. After a few moments, Dominic has Xavier in a chokehold from behind, his legs wrapped around his waist, caging the guy.
“This is your warning, Xavier. The next time you scent her like that, I’ll end you. I don’t care what arrangements we have. Do you understand me?”
Xavier looks at me and then looks away. For a second I thought I saw something sad flash in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can be sure. He’s probably not exactly happy in his situation right now, so I don’t dwell on it.
He nods his head and relaxes his body, opening his arms and turning his head to the side, exposing his neck. It’s a position an animal would assume were they to be held down on the ground. It’s almost as if it’s a submissive pose, and it strikes me as odd. Dominic then releases him, and they get up off the ground.
I look the guy up and down and see his clothes are in about the same state as when he first walked out of the woods: torn and dirty. He looks thin too. Not gaunt like he’s at death’s door, but slim and in need of a meal.
“Would you like some cookies?” It’s comical that I would offer up food to someone who just tried to attack me, but from what Dominic said, he’d take him out if he smelled me again. And from the part of the conversation I did understand, they know one another. This night is just getting weirder and weirder.
“You should go.” I look over to Dominic, and I don’t know whether he’s talking to me or to Xavier. He looks at me, and it’s then I realize he’s telling me to go. What the hell? This is my home.
I take a step toward Xavier, and I hear Dominic growl. I don’t know what the hell is happening, but this strange guy needs something besides meth for dinner.
“Here,” I say, holding out the basket. Xavier hesitates for only a second before taking the basket from me and nodding his thanks. “Sorry, they all look like cocks. But they taste wonderful.”