The Lion and the Lamb

Tatum froze, her ass planted on the cold, hard ground. All she could do was stare at the scene in front of her—Leo and Slade in their lion forms and fighting for supremacy. They were ruthless as they attacked each other. Claws swiping at flesh and tearing it open, and teeth bared and snapping. They were fierce-looking creatures, and even with the blur of massive bodies and the flash of fur, Tatum didn’t lose sight of Leo. He was larger in height and muscle mass than Slade, but where Leo dominated him in overall size, Slade appeared quicker.

All she had wanted to do was escape whatever disgusting and sick plan Slade had for her, but that all changed when she saw Leo shift in front of her and attack Slade. Frantically looking around for something that could be used as a weapon, Tatum’s gaze landed on the bottles of liquor lining the shelf behind the bar. It was only a few feet away and seemed like it would do more damage than the only other option, a wooden chair flipped on one of the numerous tables.

A shocked cry left her when she heard the front doors open and saw Slade throw Leo onto his back. He had his big jaw locked tight around Leo’s throat, and even from the distance, Tatum could see the spray of blood.

She covered her mouth with her hands and looked around frantically. Sitting here and possibly watching the destruction of the man she loved was not an option.

Tatum swallowed and winced at the tenderness of her throat. Pushing her discomfort away, she scrambled up and rushed toward the bar. She reached out, her fingers skimming one of the bottles. So close, but just barely out of reach.

On her toes, she reached with everything she had and would have cried out in relief when her fingers wrapped around the neck, but her excitement was short-lived when someone grabbed a chunk of her hair and pulled her back forcibly. Bottle still in her hand, Tatum fell on her ass and reached back to clutch at the hand in her hair.

What is it with my hair tonight?

Her grip on the liquor loosened and rolled toward the wall—which meant away from her. Peaches’s face landed right in front of hers, the other woman’s sneer meant only for Tatum.

“You stupid fucking bitch.” Peaches pulled hard on Tatum’s hair, and she cried out in pain. No doubt the little tart had pulled a good chunk out. Before she could brace herself, Peaches’s palm cracked across her cheek, sending Tatum’s head whipping in the opposite direction. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and flashes of light danced behind her now closed lids.

“If not for you and the little fucking affair you have with Leo, Slade would have no interest in you.” Peaches yanked Tatum’s head back and growled. “I am his girl, the one who has been by his side this whole time.” Spit flew out of her mouth and sprayed across Tatum’s cheek and neck. “But then your skanky ass had to come around and fuck everything up. Why either of them wants your fat ass is beyond me.”

Peaches started dragging her back, and it was then Tatum realized she was sick of this shit. She would not be a victim any longer.

Digging her heels in the ground, she twisted in Peaches’s grip, taking the other woman by surprise. That was the opening Tatum needed. Ripping her head out of her grasp Tatum pulled her own arm back then brought her fist to the side of Peaches’ face. Satisfaction filled her when Peaches screamed in pain and rage.

“You fucking whore.” She jumped toward Tatum, her fake, acrylic claws outstretched for Tatum’s face.

Grabbing Peaches’s head, Tatum wrestled with the female until they landed hard on the ground. First, Peaches had the upper hand, but then Tatum was able to roll her onto her back. Fingers curled into Peaches’s hair, Tatum turned her head and spat a mouthful of saliva and blood out.

“You are going to wish you never worked at The Lion, bitch.” Peaches’s hot-pink wig sat askew on her head, and Tatum could see the mussed strands of her blonde hair peeking out.

“Why are you doing this?” The throb in Tatum’s head intensified as she spoke. Peaches sneered at her again and struggled to break free. “Bet you’re wishing you weren’t such a skinny thing now, aren’t you?” Tatum really didn’t have time for this shit, but she couldn’t help Leo with this bitch attacking her. The sound of Leo and Slade behind her was loud, and her heart thundered. She had to get to him, had to stop it before things got any worse.

“Why not?” Those two words were spoken with so much hatred that Tatum knew she couldn’t work through this with Peaches. The woman had some fucked-up sight on what was going down. Whatever Slade promised her was obviously worth more than the lives of others around her.