Megans Mark (Breeds 6)

The two men stared at the dead bodies at the foot of the stairs. Lance shook his head in amazement as Braden turned back to stare at her, his brows lifting in question.

"Hope you have a good cleaning service. " Braden drawled as he leaned against the doorframe. "Blood stains old hardwood like that fast, Megan. Might want to go ahead and call them. "

A sharp burst of laughter escaped her lips, not hysterical but not exactly calm either as she stared at the mess.

Blood pooled around the bodies, the stench of death nearly overwhelming in the closed area of the house.

"Now this just sucks. " She felt her knees buckling as she stood up and moved quickly to the steps.

"They're Breeds. "

She sat down.

"Coyotes. God darnrnit Megan. We warned you. Didn't we warn you?"

Lance's fury slammed through the air around her, but this time, it didn't touch her, didn't assault her mind. Instead, that aura of calm stability reached out from Braden and wrapped around her.

She looked at Braden. He moved slowly from the doorframe, careful to avoid the blood as he stooped next to the man she had shot and lifted a lip cautiously.

"Coyote," he agreed.

Braden did likewise to the other before jerking his cell phone from his belt and pressing a button quickly.

"We have two more. Area Four B, Megan Field's residence. Get your ass out here. "

Megan turned to Lance in numb confusion.

"Are you going to call this in?"

He stared back at her, his expression livid.

"Hell no!" he snapped. "They can have this one too. We don't need news of this hitting the streets in town. " He wiped his hands over his face before staring at her worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she sighed before lifting her eyes to stare at the dog. He was whimpering at the doorway, having lain down, watching her with miserable brown eyes. He didn't move.

"Mo-Jo, come here. "

He didn't attempt to move, only whined miserably.

"Oh no. " She struggled to rise to her feet as Braden turned to the animal. "Don't touch him, he'll take your face off," she warned the Breed as he moved to check the animal. "Lance, call Dad. The Coyote had a knife. "

Evidently the assailant had managed to land a blow after all.

"Are you crazy?'Lance stiffened in rejection. "We'll take care of him. If Uncle David sees this, Megan, he'll jerk you off the force so fast it will make both our heads spin. "

"You're just afraid he'll hit you," she sniped.

"You keep thinking that. " He grunted in frustration.

She shot him a furious look as she jerked the phone from the wall and knelt beside Mo-Jo. She punched speed dial.

"Meg. Dad and Granddad are on their way. Are you okay?' Her mother's voice was frantic as Megan inspected the deep slice along Mo-Jo's underbelly.

Her mother, bless her heart, had always known when her children were in trouble even if her empathic abilities weren't as strong as her daughter's.

"Fine, Mom. Jo is just hurt. " She rose, jerking a dish towel from the counter to apply pressure to the wound.

Leaning close to the animal, she cradled his head as the decrease in adrenaline began to leave her weak.