He closes the distance between us.
I freeze for a moment, that old familiar terror rising in me.
It gives him the advantage he requires. He tries to grab the pistol. I yank my hand back, firing into the air, but then he knocks it from my hand. I dive for it, but he grips my skull, arms cocked to snap my neck.
I hear the snarl of a wolf at the same time a shot rings out.
Dirk crumples to the ground, dead.
My knees buckle, and I almost fall, too, but the great black wolf barrelling toward me seamlessly shifts into human form, and Mark catches me and lifts me into his arms.
I stare at Dirk on the ground in confusion. “How… who…”
And then I see my father, jogging toward us, a gun in his hand. “Colleen!” There’s fear in his voice.
Mark holds me closer as if to protect me from him, too. I wrap my arms around his neck in a strangle-hold, breathing in my mate’s intoxicating scent. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“He almost killed you.” My dad sounds shocked.
Mark ignores him. “Fuck, baby. Fuck. I’m so glad you’re all right.”
“I’m all right. Where are my pups?” My head snaps toward the parking lot, hoping Mark didn’t bring them.
“A family from the pack took them until things blow over.”
My father stands behind Mark, and for the first time in my life, he appears unsure of himself. Awkward, even. “Colleen. I’m sorry, Co-co,” he says, calling me by my childhood nickname. He runs his hand through his salt and pepper hair. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me how bad it was?”
Mark seems reluctant to put me down, but after a moment’s pause, he does. Still, he keeps me tucked closely into his side, standing with his clothes in tatters around his large, muscled body.
“He said he’d kill you if you ever challenged him,” I admit. “He said he’d destroy your whole pack. I couldn’t have that on my conscience.”
My dad swears. “Dirk was bad news, and I should’ve seen it. I’m so goddamn sorry.”
For the first time, I steal a look at Dirk’s body. “You killed him.” My father shot him straight through the head, which will kill a shifter, even without silver bullets.
“I sure as hell did.” He clears his throat. “And you are?” he says to Mark.
“Oh! Dad, this is Mark, my true mate. Mark, my father, Aaron Blackthorn.”
Mark waits a few beats before extending his hand to my dad. He doesn’t say nice to meet you or how do you do? He probably blames my dad for saddling me with Dirk.
My dad grips it and bows his head, receiving Mark’s unspoken judgement.
“I’ll take care of this.” Mark eyes Dirk’s fallen body distastefully. “You take Colleen back to my place.”
My father’s not used to being ordered around, but he accepts the directive with a nod. “You sure you’ve got this?”
“Yes. I’m an enforcer.”
My dad’s brows flick like he’s impressed, not that I care. I’m long past living the life he wanted for me.
“Can you handle his pack?” Mark asks my dad.
“Yes. I created this problem. I’ll fix it.”
Mark lifts his chin at Dirk’s body. “Honestly, I’m glad it was you. I didn’t want to have to be the one who killed the pup’s father, and I didn’t want that for Colleen, either.” He wraps his hand around my nape and pulls my head closer to press a kiss to my forehead.
“Jayden and Angie won’t cry over his death,” I say quietly, which makes both Mark and my dad scowl.
“Go on—I’ve got this,” Mark promises.
I wrap my arms around him and squeeze tightly as my dad walks back to the car. “Thank you. I’m sorry. Are you mad?” I whisper.
“Not mad. Just so fucking relieved.” He holds me, rocking from foot to foot like we’re slow dancing.
I press myself close again, needing to feel him, dying to get skin-to-skin. “I’m ready for you to mark me.”
Mark pulls back, and I see corners of his lips quirk as his eyes change to silver. “Oh, I’m going to mark you, sweetheart. I’m going to make sure you never forget who you belong to.” He touches my nose. “And there will definitely be consequences for this, babygirl.”
I lift on my tiptoes to kiss his neck. “I love you.”
Mark’s arm bands around me, and his lips crash down on mine as he lifts me to straddle his waist. “I love you so much, Colleen.” I feel the thunder of his heart against my chest. His mouth twists over mine, angles one way, then the other, as he carries me toward the parking lot.
“Now be a good girl and go home—to our home. I need to know you’re safe, and I can’t focus on cleaning this up until I’m sure.” He walks me straight to the passenger side of the car my dad’s sitting in and lowers me to my feet.