Heart Mates by Mary Hughes Page A

accidentally ‘broke’ it. In the battle between powerful magic and technology, well, you know which side invariably wins.”
    She managed a toothy grin in reply. “Except for the last time we met.”
    His smile disappeared. “Last time was an aberration.” He lashed out with, “Too bad your aunt left. I had a little surprise for her.”
    She clenched fists. “Bastard.”
    “Enough.” Noah took a single step and was somehow in front of her. His stance was deadly, the wolf who protected his own. “Leave.”
    While he was more than a match for any human or shifter, Rodolphe was a wizard. That challenge was sure to be met with magic, and Noah couldn’t hope to compete. Acid flooded her stomach.
    Rodolphe straightened as if surprised. “You dare to tell me what to do?” He reached in his pocket.
    Noah took one threatening step forward.
    Rodolphe flinched; then he scowled. “You won’t be so bold after I deflate you like a balloon.” His hand rose from his pocket, something pink in it.
    Noah leaped.
    Before Rodolphe could extract his wand or whatever he held, the wolf had his arms pinned in a hug. Rodolphe struggled but didn’t shift the powerful alpha one jot.
    “Drop it.” Noah’s voice was all growl. “ Now .” He goosed the word with a squeeze that nearly cracked the wizard’s ribs.
    “All right, all right!” Rodolphe’s voice squeaked like a little girl as he dropped the pink thing back in his pocket.
    “Sophia. Get the leash.”
    She hesitated leaving Noah with the wizard, but against all odds, it seemed the wolf had him stymied. She darted inside, grabbed the new leather leash, and returned it to Noah. Noah used it to bind Rodolphe’s hands behind him.
    “Now go.” Noah released the bound wizard with a push.
    Rodolphe stumbled before catching his balance. He covered it with an irritated shrug. “I have business elsewhere anyway. I’ll be seeing you soon, dear Sophia.” He gave her a mocking wink and stalked off.
    Noah’s glare followed Rodolphe until he disappeared. “Bite me. Who was that?”
    Sophia sighed. “Trouble. Let’s go inside. I’ll call a tow truck and explain while I’m waiting.” And after she pulled herself together, she’d call the Witches’ Council so they could send out the Enforcers.
    “Mason will fix your car. He can fix anything.” Noah followed her through the door, growl still in his voice. “Sophia, who?”
    The wolf’s presence was a strange mix of comforting and dangerous. “The long story takes a while. The short story? That was the biggest ass you’ll ever meet—should’ve been liposuctioned years ago.”
    “Given. But what’s his name?” Almost as an afterthought Noah added the words she’d hoped he hadn’t heard. “And what did he mean when he called you a witch?”
    Her step faltered, heart stuttering. “Could you phone Mason first?” She couldn’t look at him.
    “Sophia—”
    “Please?”
    “Fine.” He stalked off.
    She fled to the reading area and collapsed into one of her aunt’s chairs to try to pull herself together. Clasping her elbows, she gathered the tatters of her self-control. She’d thought Rodolphe was out of her life for good.
    Why now? With her magic she’d have been more than a match for him. But without it she was in danger, and Noah too. Next time the wizard wouldn’t stand within leaping distance of the wolf. Stars and moon, how could she stop Rodolphe then, how could she fight him without magic? Pepper spray and stern looks wouldn’t stop a wizard. She could run. Hide. Throw up. She grasped her pearls so tight she nearly crushed them.
    “Sophia, what’s wrong?”
    She opened her eyes to see Noah was off the phone, his silver gaze concerned. Bigger than big, stronger than strong.
    But even an alpha couldn’t hope to defeat a wizard in the long run. Noah had to get out now, while he could. Protect his pack, maybe by getting them to take a vacation. South, like Illinois, or Texas, or Rio de Janeiro. She’d