Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) by Catherine Wolffe Page B

statement, she wheeled, sending out a ferocious kick to
the vampire’s head. His senses lost, the creature fell to the
balcony floor with such force as to go tumbling through. Jeb was
ready for him.
    “I had this under control,” Ty growled. His
nostrils flaring, he pawed the wood, leaving claw marks in his
wake.
    Fire shot from her eyes as she shifted back
into a woman, clutching her arms across her privates. “Yes, they
came because of me, though! They’re my responsibility to end.”
Shivering, she glanced about. “Where’s Smitty?”
    “How the hell should I know?” Ty’s next words
weren’t ones he wanted to share aloud. He concentrated on shifting,
instead. With one last snarl in her direction, he left Sonja to
join Jeb on the street. “Thank you, general.”
    “My pleasure, Lieutenant.”
    Ty’s brow wrinkled in a study of perplexed
scrutiny of the major general.
    “What, you wondering how it is I would end
one of my own?” Jeb’s laugh was like broken glass. “It’s easy,
actually. I still care. They’ve lost the last of their humanity,
Lieutenant.”
    Jeb’s rational was good enough for Ty. Giving
the major general a pat on the back, he lifted his eyes to gaze
into Sonja’s hypnotic gold ones glowering at him from the balcony.
“All’s well. Go back to bed. I’ll be there soon.”
    She didn’t utter a sound, simply turned,
disappearing from view.
    Jeb followed Ty’s gaze with narrowed eyes.
“Your woman is upset with you. Why?”
    Ty’s laugh contained shards of glass. “I took
matters into my own hands.” He flicked a glance at his companion.
“Apparently, it wasn’t something she wanted me to do.”
    “Well, apparently, you’ve got some explaining
to do. Win her over to your way of thinking, Lieutenant. I wager
you’re up to the task.” Jeb grinned into the moon light, his teeth
gleaming against the darkness.
    “You wager, eh?” Ty rolled his eyes. “I may
be a fool, but I’m going to take your bet.” With an easier grin on
his face, he offered Jeb his hand. “Meet me down at the docks
tomorrow before the sun rises.”
    “I’ll be there after the sun rises. You
forget I have wolf blood in me, as well.” The general smile was
wry.
    Ty nodded, his smile accepting of the
general’s words. “When the rooster crows, I’ll meet you to explain
the rest of my plan, General.” Turning to leave, he called over his
shoulder, “I appreciate your help tonight.”
    The general had lit another smoke. With the
cheroot between his fingers, he examined the smoke rising idly from
the tobacco. “Think nothing of it, Lieutenant. We’re all in this
damn war together.”
    ***
    She rolled to face him as he entered the
room. “How dare you plan an attack without me.”
    “You were listening. How convenient.” Sarcasm
dripped from his statement. Ty moved around the bed to sit on her
side. He reached out, giving the cover a tug. She held fast. He
pulled harder. “Since you’re so good at listening, hear this. I
won’t be put in a position like tonight’s again. Do I make myself
clear?” His eyes narrowed on her as she glared back. “I want what’s
best for you, Sonja.” She turned away. He reached out, yanking her
chin back. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you.” Pausing, Ty tried
again. “I’m a full grown man with enough sense to take care of
what’s mine.” He took her face in his hands. She resisted. He
merely tightened his hold. “Don’t. Don’t fight me on this. You’ll
only lose. I want you to understand something. I’m grateful to you
for saving me. I’ll always be in your debt. Without you to save me,
without your blood to heal me, I would have surely died.” He
gentled his grip, tracing her cheek with the tip of one slim
finger. “As a man and a former lieutenant in the Confederate Army,
I am quite capable, no, able, to take care of myself and what’s mine.” He pointed a finger at her right under her pert nose.
“ You , my dear, are mine. I had the