Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) Read Online Free PDF Page A

then drew the strands forward and went to work with the comb.
    Her thoughts and emotions were too chaotic to unravel at the moment. Her only hope of remaining outwardly calm was to focus on some menial task, like combing out her hair.
    “Did you arrive in animal form? Is that why you were naked or is this about something else?” He watched her closely. Curiosity and compassion made his eyes appear liquid and endless. Damn, the man was gorgeous. All sleek black hair and angular grace. Even in human form he was undeniably feline.
    She dragged her gaze away from his and tried to find the words to explain. What could she say that wouldn’t land her back in the alley?
    “Tell me what’s going on and tell me the truth. If I sense that you’re lying, I’ll turn you out without a thought.”
    “He means every word,” Enya warned as she emerged from the bedroom. “Jake has a soft spot for strays but he won’t tolerate being lied to.” She had an overnight bag in her hand. She crossed the room and handed it to Jake. “Here’s some stuff for your new puppy. You can’t parade her around in my bathrobe.”
    “Thank you.” He took the bag and kissed her on the cheek.
    Enya retraced her steps and disappeared back inside the bedroom, not sparing Heather so much as a glance.
    “She’s not fond of wolves, I take it.”
    “Most cats can’t stand dogs. Why does it surprise you?”
    “It doesn’t.”
    “So back to you. What brought you to my back door in the middle of the night? Or wasn’t I your target?”
    He made it sound as if she’d been trying to kill him or something. The situation was more complicated, but she had endangered him and those he loved by seeking him out. He’d asked for truth so she gave it to him. “I have nowhere else to go. I wouldn’t be here if there was any other option.”
    “What about Landon?”
    “That’s the first place they’ll look. I’m hoping you’ll be the last.”
    “Who are ‘they’ and why are they looking for you?”
    If she explained about the challenge would he be appalled by her father’s behavior or would he think the competition was just another Therian tradition? He’d demanded truth so she really had no choice. “My father invited alphas and hunters from numerous packs to participate in a challenge. Do you know what that is?” He shook his head. “It’s a competition where the participants beat each other senseless for the right to claim a female as their mate.”
    “And you were the female who would have been given to the victor?”
    “Yes, I was the prize. Once the victor was declared he would have wrestled me to the ground and raped me as the others cheered him on. A ceremonial claiming is the highlight of every challenge.”
    “So you ran?”
    Shuddering violently, she turned her face away. “I wanted no part of such savagery. Hell yes, I ran.”
    She could feel his gaze upon her yet he said nothing. Time paused as tension coiled around her heart. He was a cat, her enemy. Why should he endanger himself for her? She was expecting the impossible. Would he return her to her father or just send her back out into the dark?
    Unable to bear the silence, she turned her head and looked into his eyes. His features were expressionless, yet his eyes smoldered with anger and something more, something complex and convoluted.
    “I understand why you ran, but why did you run to me?”

Chapter Two
     
    Zophiel stood before a full-length mirror, studying her reflection with cool objectivity. The charred flesh had peeled off, layer by disgusting layer, leaving smooth red patches on her ivory skin. Her hip-length silver hair had returned as soon as she gathered enough strength to feed but the burns had required weeks in healing hibernation. Thankfully the worst of the injuries were scattered across her body. Her face remained untouched by Therian treachery.
    The foolish shifters believed she was dead. The fact made her laugh. Did Ian Douglas honestly think she could