Free Kane's Mate (Armageddon Mates) by Hazel Gower Page B

into fighting mode. He was new, she didn’t know him. He must have arrived while she was away. She swore as he sniffed the air. Faith curled her lips up at the side and knew she had a feral smile. She had to use more dirty tactics, as she wasn’t sure how long her warning would hold off Blake and she was out of practice.
    “You really shouldn’t touch me. I’m the alpha’s mate. Get my brother out of the hole, and I won’t hurt you.”
    The new wolf laughed. “Bitch, you are not tricking me.” He came forward to grab her, but she blocked him.
    “Jeez, you’re not a smart one, are you? It’s your funeral. Didn’t you notice how Blake never yelled at me or retaliated? Trust me, I am the alpha’s mate.”
    The new wolf paused for a second, which was all she needed. Faith wasn’t going to take any chances with this werewolf. She had never heard a werewolf speak to a woman like this guy was to her, and no matter how focused on the battle a werewolf was they should be able to listen and take notice of those around them. Holding Blake’s blade, she ran and stabbed him in the stomach, using his body to flip over him.
    She ran the last steps to the manhole and yelled down to her brother, “You can climb out now, but be quick.”
    Once she could see his hand, she grabbed it and helped him out. Suddenly a half-changed wolf grabbed her around the waist with his claws. She screamed as he said, “You fucking bitch, you’ll pay for that.”
    He went to throw her, but she used the blade to slash his hands. She kicked off his chest, backflipping off him. Blake was running over and yelling at the new guy to stop, but it wasn’t getting through. There was something wrong. Werewolves were trained to listen while in battle, so why wasn’t he?
    Faith faced him. “Bad, bad, doggie. You are in so much trouble. You should listen to Blake.”
    He growled and tried to punch her. “No way. I will get you for cutting me, I’m not a pansy who falls at a woman’s feet.”
    She moved, blocked, and ducked as she slid under his legs on her knees, slashing what she could with the blade. His clawed hand grabbed her hair, pulling, while the other raked her back. She screamed again, and then a second later his clawed hand was removed by Bengie, who had a vise-like grip on the new guy’s hand.
    Just as Blake grabbed the new guy and spun him around they heard a loud howl followed by some other ones.
    Faith winced. “Oh shit, new guy, you’re dead now.”
    Blake sighed. “She’s right. If you don’t recognize her name I was using, how about the one her mate, the next in line to be alpha, calls her. Princess. I’m not a pansy either, but when a woman tells me she’s the alpha’s mate, I would definitely never hurt her. Contain her, yes.”
    The new guy changed back. His face turned pale and his body trembled. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I’m so sorry.”
    Blake snarled. “That’s no excuse. You’re two hundred years old, and you’ve been training since you were five. You should have known better.”
    There was a loud growl. Faith stumbled, her legs trembled then folded under her. Before she hit the ground, she felt strong hands catch her, lifting her. She glanced up at her brother, throwing her arms around him as he hugged her tight against him. She hugged him back. “Thanks, Bengie. I love you too.”
    Bengie smiled, showing sharp teeth. “I thought he was your mate, the big one. Mum said you would have a mate, she wouldn’t tell me what that means exactly. She said I was too young, but I’m not, I’m a big boy, I just turned twelve.”
    A “holy shit” could be heard before she nodded and passed out.
    * * * *
    Kane was shocked. The princess he knew would never have done what she did. Four years ago his princess was a quiet, shy, little mouse. The last three days had really opened his eyes to a new woman. His princess was now a confident, stubborn, loyal—although she always had been, just more