Reclaimed

“I can become whatever I feel I need to be to win the fight. More often than not, I morph into the same species. It makes sense.” He shrugged his right shoulder, and then rubbed his head. It left his hair sticking up in places, looking delightfully mussed. Sabrina yearned to run her fingers through it. She reached out to touch his soft waves and jumped when a pounding on the door broke into their conversation. Before she could even hop to her feet, Isaac stood at the door, swinging it open.

Would she ever get used to how fast he moved?

Probably not.

All thought left her as she caught sight of their visitor. The man was huge, at least six-and-a-half feet tall. He had to be a bodybuilder or something, judging by the bulging muscles straining underneath the black skin on his biceps. It didn’t even look like he could fit through the door.

Yikes.

“I smell a mongrel.” He scrunched his nose as if disgusted. “I’d say it’s close by, no more than a mile. It must be looking for—” He threw a meaningful glance in her direction, and finished, “dinner.”

Isaac tensed, looking torn. She could tell he couldn’t decide whether to stay here, or to go after the mongrel. “Please, Isaac, I’ll be okay. Go. I’ll stay inside. I promise.” She met his eyes, eager to show him she told the truth.

After all, she didn’t have a death wish, and she could do without seeing this ‘mon

grel’, thank you very much.

He rushed to her side and grabbed her arms. “I’ll get him. Connor will stay here to watch the house. He won’t let anything by.”

She had no trouble believing that.

“Be careful, Isaac.” Even knowing his strength, her heart dropped to her stomach at the thought of him chasing a dangerous...whatever it had been called. He grabbed her face and kissed her, leaving her clinging to him in need. But unfortunately, the kiss was brief. He had a mongrel to kill.

She staggered when he released her, and she didn’t miss the smug smile on his face as he vowed, “I’ll return soon.”

You better.

She bolted to the window to watch him jog away. Wait, why could she still see him? She knew for a fact he could move faster than the human eye could see. His pants hit the ground, and she caught a glimpse of bare buttocks before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Well, duh, mongrels didn’t run around in clothes. Whatever the hell a mongrel was.

A mongrel turned out to be a huge freaking beast that stood eight-feet tall and had long, black fur. The fur didn’t look shaggy or coarse, surprisingly: in fact, it looked silky. He stood on his hind legs, sniffing the air. Catching the scent of his prey? She shivered at the sight. These beasts were out there, and humans were none the wiser.

It horrified her.

Isaac took off into the woods, and she rested a hand on the window pane, silently wishing him luck. Studying the empty spot he had left, she headed to the door to collect the clothes scattered about the lawn. A form stepped into her path, and she shrieked in surprise. Holding a hand to her racing heart, she gaped at the face looming over her.

Oh, right. The giant man Isaac had left behind to guard her. How had she forgotten about him?

What had Isaac called him? Connor?

“I’m sorry. I forgot you were there….” She let her voice trail off, seeking his name.

He smiled. “Connor.”

“Connor. Right. I’m Sabrina. Nice to meet you.” She held out a hand to him, and he shook it. Oh God, her hand disappeared inside his—like a newborn baby and its father.

Yikes.

“I know who you are. I’ve been here the past few days, keeping an eye on things.”

“Oh…really? I had no idea.” Though it felt a bit unnerving to have a strange man lurking about, it also comforted her. He sure looked like one heck of a man.

“Don’t be frightened. Isaac sent me to help keep you safe, not guard you. You’re not a prisoner, or anything.”

“Well, thanks for keeping an eye on things. I’m gonna go outside and grab his clothes.” She gestured at the door and moved toward it. She paused when he blocked her way a second time. She stepped to the side and tried to pass him, but he blocked her way once more. She raised an eyebrow in question.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Sabrina. I’m going outside to keep watch, so I’ll gather them for him. You stay inside, okay?”