Enemy Mine by Katie Reus Page A

very recently. She’s been watching your woman for a couple weeks, but hasn’t been able to get close because of you or her pack. It’s why Tisha was at the restaurant in the first place. She followed you there and wanted to stir up trouble between you two, hoping to get Melina alone.” Ronan’s voice had a biting edge to it that made Melina shiver.
    Melina hated that someone had been watching her and she hadn’t even been aware of it. But she was also thankful that Kiernan had been in her life these past few months, his presence alone a protection.
    “Tell them what else you told me,” Ronan ordered the female, his voice a deep, almost inhuman growl.
    “Uberto’s Alpha, Abel, was poisoned with silver. . . . Got into his blood stream and he’s dying.” Her shoulders slumped and it was as if she’d decided to stop fighting the compulsion. She sighed and her words came out much smoother. “They wanted you to heal him but knew it would likely kill you to expend so much energy to save him. They’d also planned to take one of your cousins to ensure you’d help. Or if that hadn’t worked, they were going to threaten some innocents.”
    “Tell them why you did it,” Ronan growled again, his fingers tightening around her arm.
    She gritted her teeth as she said, “Money.”
    Before Melina could blink, a syringe appeared in Ronan’s hand and he’d shoved it into the woman’s neck. The redhead’s eyes widened for a split second before she slumped against him.
    Melina stepped forward. “Oh, my—”
    “She’s not dead, just unconscious,” Ronan bit out, answering Melina’s question before she could voice it.
    It was subtle, but she noticed the way Kiernan relaxed then. There was a slight loosening in his shoulders as he stepped back and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Thank you for doing that,” Kiernan said quietly.
    His brother nodded. “I’m taking her to New York for Father to deal with.”
    Melina was equally grateful but still curious. “Thank you, but . . . why did you bring her here? You could have just told your brother.”
    Kiernan squeezed her shoulders so she looked up at him. “He did it so you’d hear firsthand and relay it to your Alpha. Even though she was involved, we’ll be punishing her. She’s not a member of any coven so technically she doesn’t fall under our jurisdiction. But she plotted against a healer,
my
healer. She’ll be held accountable.” Now Kiernan growled, the sound low and deadly.
    Melina’s eyes widened at that tone, glad it wasn’t directed at her, though she was touched by the protective vibe he was putting off. By the time she looked back at Ronan, he was already carrying the woman from the house.
    Once they were alone, Kiernan lifted her up and placed her on the counter. Immediately she spread her legs and wrapped around him. He bent to her neck, raking his teeth against her skin. But she pressed a hand against his chest, stilling him.
    “We need to call my family, let them know what’s going on.” She also wanted to make it perfectly clear that this thing with Kiernan wasn’t casual, and that her pack was just going to have to deal with it.
    Kiernan nipped her earlobe between his teeth. “We can call later. Your father called this morning. He wasn’t happy you were with me, but I could hear your mother in the background controlling him.” He chuckled, the sound warming her insides. “They remind me of my parents.”
    Melina smiled and leaned back so she could see his face. “What did he say?”
    “Turns out Abel Mazzoni
is
dying—which we just had confirmed—and your father has already dispatched a few soldiers to eliminate him and everyone else involved. He threatened my life, promised to do all sorts of violent things if I ever hurt you. The important thing is you’re no longer facing any threats. Well, not from anyone but me.” He playfully pulled her bottom lip between his teeth.
    A shiver curled through her,