Free Changeling Winds: Episode Two (The Bachelor Battles Book 2) by Angela White Page A

I was used to, exploded through my head. Her death was now a matter of time.
    I moved to sit next to him on the couch, and he flinched back. I kept space between us. “Have you changed your mind?”
    Jason’s face swung to me in immediate denial, and I admitted the thought had bothered me. I thought he might be manipulating things, but I wanted him, no matter his intent.
    “You're sure?”
    My voice was rough and so was his, a husky whisper that sent chills up my spine.
    “Yes. I'd be yours!”
    Scorching flames of panicked heat… and then control.   I glared at his cheek. “Did Rankin do that?”
    He cringed from my side like I’d hit him, and I knew my suspicions had been right. “You need protection.”
    Jason shook his head and to my surprise, leaned close enough to keep the cameras from picking up his low words.
    “I need to see Baker!”
    That name froze me.
    Jason, however, was very aware of our audience and he rested his silky head against my shoulder like a lover. “Please, we need your help. The Pruetts are for…”
    “Freedom,” I finished, barely breathing as I understood he was begging for sanctuary. Honor, that powerful kind I’d inherited, flooded me to war with the pain of his betrayal and the feel of him against me.
    I’d chosen wrong.
    I shoved him away and lurched to my feet. I wanted to tear the room apart in my agony, but the commitment to the family, to our values, wouldn’t let me back out of my choice. The flames vanished suddenly to be replaced with misery. My torment wasn’t over yet.
    “Wait.”
    Jason instantly feared I would switch him for one of the others and those eyes lightened into pinpricks of terror.
    “I know things…”
    To the listening world, it might sound like a sexual line, but I doubted the Network would read it that way. Was he trying to get himself killed?
    My sudden grin was shark-like. “You’re playing with fire.”
    The enslaved male looked back at me with open desperation. “I’m already burning. I have been for a long time now.”
    That was another feeling I understood well and I moved back toward the couch as I sealed up my disappointment, the anguish. Jason wasn’t one of a kind. Eventually, I would find my bachelor, my cure. Right now, I had a duty to honor and I went about it like any other Pruett would have.
    I lunged for his throat.
     
     
    Jason
    Angelica’s hot body slammed me against the couch, long legs straddling my hips and I cowered away before I realized she was talking.
    “Tell me - now.”
    I stammered, trying to breathe past the fear as she ran warm, rough hands through my hair. “The Network knows about the Borderlands Safe Zone. As soon as Baker’s there, they plan to destroy it.”
    She jerked back to stare at me, maybe to see if I was lying, and then she pressed her mouth to mine!
    I froze again, trying to listen through the panic… the interest . She smelled good, like a fresh wind through the service tunnels.
    “How do you know that?” she demanded against my lips.
    I struggled to talk as her musky scent filled my nose. Her legs fit me so well… “Rankin let it slip.”
    Angelica tensed at the name and I understood she didn’t like the Head Defender. It gave me the courage to wrap a gentle hand around her neck and draw back. I made sure her hair covered my words from the cameras. “I’ll give you anything you want. Please don’t let her have me.”
     
     
    Angelica
    My heart clenched in jealousy and I nodded against his trembling hand. “You’ll be with me when I go.”
    Jason smiled then and I couldn’t stop from sealing my promise with another kiss. The feel of him under me was incredible torture.
    The heat blazed up when he responded. I knew that it was only to make sure I understood he would uphold his end of the deal and give me whatever I wanted. The thought had me crying inside, even as I smoldered.
    “Five minutes.”
    The Den Mother’s voice held a tone that said I’d get a word or two before I