Free Curves & Courage by Christin Lovell Page B

my good hand, tensing when his gaze caught the slow to fade wounds on my arm. He swallowed hard, pursing his lips. Whatever emotions he’d embraced moments ago were hidden by the time he faced me. “Please let him take the pictures. No one unnecessary will see them, I swear.”
    He’d covered his reaction with a mask, but he wasn’t as successful at keeping his voice steady. Resentment was prevalent in his voice, even as he pleaded with me.
    I knew he would uphold his promise to protect me no matter what I decided. But I knew the complications that could arise if others didn’t believe him or the pack ’s reasons for defense. As awful as having photos of my hideously round stomach would be, bringing more trouble, a new kind of hell, upon my new pack out of self-consciousness would be the most selfish thing I could do.
    I shook my head in agreement. “Okay.” I barely spoke above a whisper. I hated this. I hated what my father had done to me. I hated that strangers would be scrutinizing me. I hated that all actions had to be judged and justified these days. I hated that I could so easily justify my father’s actions.
    I went to my safe place as Daniel, Dom’s dad, came in and reacted in a cross between his son and the doctor. He’d tried to control his expression, cover his true feelings, but his sharp, edgy movements revealed the truth. He hesitated at the sight of my stomach. What the hell was on my stomach?
    Scoot over, sweetie. I’m joining you again. My wolf made room for me beside her. It was far easier to hide than to face their myriad of reactions, of permeable thoughts and unmistakable disgust, regardless of who it was aimed at. I felt like a science specimen. Sadly though, it was an experiment I had signed myself up for.
    Chapter 24
    Dominick
    Maintaining my cool around Sophie had been damn near impossible. He ’d bit her! He bit my mate! Twice! Never had I come across a wilder wolf. That you would bite your own daughter after beating her up… I didn’t have words. All I found myself doing was echoing the harsh growls my wolf sung.
    I felt jittery. I imagined this was what it felt like to drink too many energy drinks. I was keyed up. Electricity sizzled beneath my skin, pumping my adrenaline at a rapid speed. I felt invincible. I was over-stimulated and overwhelmed. On one hand, I didn’t want to leave her. I didn’t think I could drag myself from her side. I’d be too worried; my imagination would run wild.
    My beast would break free.
    I knew the moment I left her side , I would hunt him down. Had they not shared the same genes, she would have been marked by him, and dammit, this beautiful young woman, was mine to mark.
    Shit. How sick was it that even while I was looking at her marred body, I couldn’t help but think of how beautiful she was. Sure, she was bigger than a lot of the girls at school, but she had voluptuous curves that most girls her age didn’t. She was cute and sensual, innocent and sexy. There was something alluring about her that I couldn’t turn away from, regardless of her size.
    When her face wasn’t swollen and discolored, she had big brown eyes with strokes of grey that swallowed me, a button nose I wanted press my index finger to the tip of, lips made for sinful daydreams and soft, round cheeks that made my hands itch to caress them. She was beautiful. And she was mine.
    I couldn’t deny it. And, if I allowed myself to think harder on it, I knew I had feelings for her. I knew I cared. You didn’t want to murder someone who’d hurt an acquaintance. Hell, you didn’t want to torture someone who’d hurt a casual friend. I wanted revenge to its full extent. I wanted to avenge every wound he’d inflicted on my girl!
    Damn. I knew it had to hurt. I cringed just at the sight of her marks. I could only imagine what it must have felt like. I could only ponder what she truly endured last night.
    Bile rose in my throat. He was a sick bastard.
    Sophie had closed her eyes. I