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Holy shit. I should have just ran.

The knob rattled again.

A deep growl rolled under the door and spread across the floorboards.

“The door burns.”

Yep. I smiled. Now go on before I burn your cock.

His dark laugh vibrated through me. “My mate is funny.”

I jerked my head back in shock. My heart skipped one beat, then raced to make up for it. I don’t know who your mate is, but you should go visit her.

“I am trying.”

The handle turned again.

The protection snapped against him.

Did he just call me mate? This fox spirit is all the way crazy. I guess eight hundred years will do that to a being.

The knob rattled again.

Something sizzled on the other side of the door.

The scent of cedar blended with burned flesh.

He’s going to burn his damn hand off, trying to get in here.

My stomach tightened.

I swallowed and pushed my thought out to him. I said go away.

“Not without you, and you are on the other side of this door.”

Now this is why people put foxes in traps.

A growl hit the door. “That wasn’t nice, little witch”.

The door creaked.

A thin fracture raced down the wood beside the lock.

I gritted my teeth. Yoichi, go home.

His satisfaction flowed through my body, and I had no idea how he was able to do that. “Say my name again, little witch.”

Touch that door one more time, and I’ll say it during your funeral.

“You threaten me beautifully, mate.”

I am not your mate.

“There is a red thread on your finger that connects to mine. This is fate.”

I glanced down at my left hand. There is no thread on my finger. You’re mistaken.

“Humans can’t see it, but I saw the thread and that was why I bit you. It opened the bond and allowed me to track you wherever you went.”