?Chapter 101:

“Stay away from me, Jasmine,” Ryder growled, his voice low and menacing, with eyes that shimmered in different colors.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. Fear whispered, “Run,” and my gut tightened. But another part of me refused to obey. Instead, I matched his gaze, my heart pounding fiercely in my chest.

“No,” I said in a shaky voice. “I won’t leave,” I added, my feet rooted to the spot as I lifted my chin.

Ryder’s face twisted in anguish. “You don’t know what I’m capable of. Get out!”

“I don’t care,” I whispered, my voice trembling. His face twisted into a grimace, growing scarier by the second, sending my heart racing like a train on its track. Ryder’s eyes brewed with a fierce ferocity, his growl low and impatient.

“Jasmine, listen to me,” he warned, his voice barely human. It was more of a growl, but I could hear the pleading beneath it, low and desperate. Still, I refused to back down. A tango of stubbornness and defiance danced through my veins like liquid fire.

“There’s no way I’m leaving you this way. I’m not going anywhere,” I spat, the tremble in my voice making me sound squeaky.

Ryder’s eyes shed with warning. He took a step closer, his massive frame looming over me.

My heart raced, but I stood my ground, even though my feet felt rooted to the spot.

“Run,” Ryder’s eyes screamed, but my legs wouldn’t obey.

He closed the distance, his hands grasping mine, pulling me closer. I swear I could feel the imprints of his fingers on my bones; his grip was that tight.

No, this wasn’t Ryder. This was someone else, something else. I blinked hard as I took in a gulp, only the Moon Goddess knew what this monster was going to do to me.

Damn it. A bolt of panic set in as I realized it was toote to run. Shit!

Shit! Shit! Just as Ryder’s grip tightened, digging into my bones, this time, the door burst open.

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Kade.

His eyes widened as he took in the scene unfolding before him. His brows furrowed, a calctive expression shing across his stern face. I could barely make out what was really happening when he drew closer to me.

“Get out, Jasmine!” Kade yelled, shoving me aside. I stumbled backward,nding t on my back as I bumped my head on the bed frame. A tingling pain filled the back of my head and the side of my forehead, but that was the least of my problems. My heartbeat was still quick, like the beats of a kanga drum. I’d even forgotten I was only wearing my underwear.

Kade positioned himself between Ryder and me, his eyes locked on Ryder’s.

“Leave now, Jasmine,” Kade ordered, without sparing me a second nce. His voice was firm. His hands reached to budge me out of my trance. That must have been the worst move to pull, since as soon as Kade ced his hands on me, Ryder’s body began to contort. Veins seemed to snake all over his body, his limbs elongated, white fur, and a few spots of ck bursting forth. His eyes turned a piercing yellow.

“Mine,” Ryder growled, his voice now a menacing snarl that sent goosebumps all over my body. My knees buckled, on the verge of shaking. His fangs were long, white, and sharp. I didn’t doubt he would snap at anyone in his way, including me.

Kade stood firm, but Ryder’s transformed body was unstoppable. His movements were careful, calcted, like a predator following prey. With a swift, stealthy lunge, he attacked Kade, his sharp ws marking Kade’s bare skin with shes that soon oozed with red liquid… blood.

“No, Ryder!” I screamed, horrified.

With a vicious toss, Ryder hurled Kade’s human form to the floor. I watched in terror as Kade writhed, clutching his throat.

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