He was standing casually by the door when Todd got out. There was a moment where the man clearly didn’t notice him; Nate was dressed in dark clothes, and had automatically positioned himself in the shadows.
Todd produced a very satisfying double-take when he finally saw him. Then his eyes narrowed. “You’re that guy who’s hanging around Stella.”
“I’m her mate,” Nate corrected, keeping his tone even.
And regretted it immediately—God, he’d told Stella that the presence of a new romantic interest could cause things to escalate. His judgment was impaired as hell. But there was no way he could’ve faced down this asshole without telling him that Stella wasn’t alone anymore.
Todd’s eyes went wide. Then he snorted. “Bullshit. You’re just saying that because you feel threatened and you want to scare me away. Forget it. You’re not Stella’s mate. She belongs with me.”
Nate took a step forward. “Believe it,” he said softly. “But even if you don’t want to hear that, hear this: I’m not going anywhere. Stay the hell away if you want to stay the hell intact.”
Todd was looking nervous, but he covered it with bravado. “You can’t keep me away from Stella. She loves me.”
“She’s afraid of you,” Nate said. He could feel his voice wanting to get louder, to shout, to roar. He controlled it with an effort.
Todd’s face turned ugly. “You’re making her afraid of me. You’re telling her lies about me—twisting her mind—”
Nate saw red. The way Todd talked like Stella could only dislike him if someone had brainwashed her, like she couldn’t make her own choices or have her own thoughts—it sparked a burning rage inside him.
Enemy, his panther hissed. Wants to hurt our mate.
He stalked towards Todd, who scrambled backwards, fear on his face. As they circled the diner, coming around to where it backed onto the forest, out of sight of the road, the whole area deserted at this time of night, Nate let his panther rise inside him. His fingernails lengthened, his teeth sharpened, and he gave into the shift, falling onto all fours and snarling.
Todd went white as a ghost, shivered, shifted, and hit the ground running. His medium-sized wolf form would be no match for a panther, Nate noted analytically, especially not one his size.
Chase him, his panther yearned. Once we catch him, he won’t be coming back again.
>
No. Nate pulled himself together.
This wasn’t a job for his animal instincts. Attacking Todd wouldn’t actually help the situation—in fact, it might drive him to do something desperate and dangerous. And God forbid Nate actually seriously injure or kill him. If the police got involved...no.
He made himself shift back to human.
This was why he couldn’t bodyguard someone he loved.
***
Stella
Stella clutched the mug of tea, letting it warm her hands as she sat in the kitchen.
Nate was writing up a full report of his encounter with Todd, touching base with his friend who was coming in the morning, and otherwise doing his job. Like he did every day.
Stella couldn’t imagine having things like this happen every day.
She supposed it was different when it wasn’t happening to you.
This was different for Nate, too, she knew. When she’d shivered at the thought of Todd waiting for her to come out alone at night, Nate had pulled her into his arms, and she’d heard the anger in his voice as he’d sworn that she’d be safe with him.
She’d told him to take care of his work, that she’d be fine in the kitchen. She thought that some boring, routine paperwork would probably help him calm down. And she just wanted to...sit, safe in her own kitchen, with a mug of tea.
She heard a noise in the hall and started, slopping chamomile over the side of the mug and burning her hand a little. She hissed and sucked at her knuckles.
“Sorry.” Lynn hovered in the doorway, looking guilty.
Stella relaxed. “No, I’m just jumpy. Come in. Want some tea?”