Chapter TWENTY-ZEKE&CASEY

It’s been decades since I felt like this.

But I remember it well—this burning, bloodthirsty need to rain down violence like a fucking god of war.

Fuck yes, I feel it now. I sense it trying to take over.

Every breath I take feels like a struggle not to unleash my Dragon.

The beast inside me is snarling, clawing at the edges of my skin, demanding I shift, take to the skies, and hunt down the son of a bitch who dared come after my mate.

My Casey.

But I can’t. Not yet.

Because sitting next to me is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, and she doesn’t need to see what I’m capable of.

Not now.

She’s already been through hell. What she needs is comfort. Safety.

Me, not burning half of Dry Creek to ash.

So, I press the rage down.

It’s not easy.

My body’s tense, my grip on the wheel too tight, and my teeth ache from how hard I’m clenching my jaw.

I want to comfort her.

I want to protect her.

And gods help me, I want to avenge her.