Page 17 of Twist of Fate

Because the way Connal moved—The way the attackers shifted their attention toward him. The way the air itself seemed to tighten.—This wasn’t better. This was worse.

Connal’s gaze flicked to Luke, just for a second, and in that moment, Luke knew one thing with absolute certainty.

This wasn’t random.

And Connal knew exactly what they were facing.

CHAPTER FIVE

It took less than a heartbeat for Connal to realize the man being attacked in the alley was Luke. His Luke. The mating bond didn’t whisper to him this time.

It snapped into place.

Connal’s chest locked, hard and tight. His focus sharpened to a single point in the alley. There was only Luke, off balance against the brick wall, far too close to the threat.

Mate.

Danger.

Connal surveyed the area in one quick sweep. He moved without hesitation, his purpose clear.

Two attackers, close range.

Too close to Luke.

Exit blocked by a human vehicle.

Luke winced and rolled his shoulder. Connal sucked in a breath. These fools dared to touch his mate, to injure what was his?

Orders be damned.

His jaw locked as something much darker than mere anger unfurled beneath his skin. No, this was dark and absolute.

They had touched what was his.

They would die.

Connal charged, placing himself between his mate and the threat. His outraged roar tore through the very air they breathed. His fist connected with the first man’s face.

Connal barely felt the resistance as bone gave under the impact. His protective rage drove him, and he landed another solid hit to the man’s chest.

The attacker should have crumpled, should have flown through the air to land in a heap a far distance from Luke. A human would not have survived.

But this attacker merely staggered back a few steps.

They were not human.

Not even close.

Other.

Which meant the rules for the human realm no longer applied.

Connal grinned, fully releasing his feral fury. He changed his stance, ready to beat this creature into a bloody pulp.

“What the hell?” Luke appeared at his side, the brave fool.

“Get back,” Connal ordered.