Page 165 of Red Marked

But it’s too late because he’s on me.

I scream.

47

Flint

Star has a look in her eyes I don’t like. She’s thinking of following him. Didn’t she listen to a word I said? This male might not be her Holt.

I watch as she makes a decision.

No! Fuck!

I try to stop her, but she’s too quick. Star ducks under my jaw, turns sideways, and the cliff swallows her.

I drop my scales so fast it hurts. “Star! Star, get back here! That’s an order!”

Her footsteps keep going.

“Star! Stop! Fuck! You’re going to get yourself killed.” I shout as loud as I can, even though I know I’m wasting my breath. She has already made up her mind.

What the fuck?!

Rift whines behind me. Atlas shoves his snout against my shoulder.

“Hold them here. Nobody follows me. If we’re not out in fifteen minutes, you take them home.”

He snarls.

“Stay in your scales. Leave when the time is up.” I turn sideways and go in after her.

I can’t believe this.

I fucking can’t.

The rock closes on my chest and my back at the same time. Star is half my width. I have to turn my face to the side and keep it there. Ten shuffling steps in, the moonlight from the entrance is gone, and I’m feeling my way with my fingertips.

How the hell did that male get through here? He’s as big as I am.

The passage bends left, and the walls pinch. My shoulders jam for a second. I have to push out all of my breath and shuffle forward just to fit. Sweat runs into my eyes. I keep going, my lungs burning.

I suck in air the moment I am through the worst of it.

The passage bends right. Somewhere ahead of me, Star is talking. I can’t make out the words, only that she’s pleading with him.

Shit!

Fuck!

She’s about to die. I’m going to be too late.

A snarl rolls down the passage and shakes grit into my hair. I’ve heard that sound from more males than I can count. It isn’t a warning. It’s the one they make once they’ve made up their minds to kill.

“Holt, please⁠—”

I tear through the last few yards and fall out into a cavern big enough to fly in. Moonlight comes through a hole in the roof. Star is standing in the middle of it, in her skin, and the copper male is coming at her flat-out with his jaws open.

Fuck!