Protecting His Fox's Sass: Sass and Growl, #2

By Dawn Sullivan

As a shifter enforcer, Teine Carlson lived a life of adventure and purpose. She may not have agreed with everything her alpha did, but she followed the rules. Until, she is suddenly thrust into an existence she'd never imagined for herself. Now she has a new purpose…to protect the life of an innocent child.

 

Nolan Channing was a playboy. He worked hard, and played even harder. When his brother met and fell in love with his mate, Nolan's thoughts and ways shifted. He wanted what his brother had. Walking into the Sexy Lyon, the last thing he expected was to scent the other half of his soul. Now, all bets were off.

 

Teine is scared and on the run, with no plans of staying in one place too long, mate or not. She is on a mission, one she promised someone very dear to her she would not fail. Nolan has his eyes on the sly fox, with no intention of letting her slip away. Can Nolan's determination to protect his mate, along with their future together, change Teine's mind? Or will her promise keep her on the run, intent on steering clear of her past and two steps ahead of the enemy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Sullivan
• Release date: Dec 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215528716

Dawn Sullivan

I have a wonderful, supportive husband and three beautiful children.  I enjoy spending time with all of them which normally involves some baseball, shooting hoops, taking walks, watching movies, and of course reading. My passion for reading began at a very young age and only grew over time.  Whether I was bringing home a book from the library, or sneaking one of my mom's romance novels and reading by the light in the hallway when we were supposed to be sleeping, I always had a book.  I read several different genres and subgenres, but Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense have always been my favorites. I have always made up my own stories, and have just recently decided to start sharing them.  I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

Book preview

Chapter

One

Y ou need to take her and run, Teine. Don’t look back.

Nana, I can’t leave you!

You can, and you will, Idelle said calmly, placing the small bundle wrapped in a dark fleece blanket in her arms. You don’t have a choice, child. If you don’t, they will kill her.

If I do, they might kill you!

That’s a chance I’m willing to take to save the life of my great-granddaughter.

Teine’s wide, light blue eyes filled with tears as she stared at one of the most important people in her life. Shaking her head, she cried, None of this makes any sense!

I know it doesn’t, but that’s the way it is. If you don’t get that sweet baby out of here, she won’t make it through the night. She’s a mixed breed, and you know our alpha doesn’t allow that.

He’s an idiot, Teine spat, her eyes glittering with unshed tears and rage. Sharp fangs punched through her gums, and her claws emerged as she thought about what she wanted to do to the bastard they called Alpha.

Yes, Idelle agreed, pulling Teine close, holding her tightly before pushing her away again. Now, you must go. They will be here soon.

Nana, we need to fight this!

We will never win.

Alpha Bond is a spineless coward. He doesn’t have the balls to come after me, Teine growled. I can protect you.

He may not, but his enforcers do, Teine. He hand-picked every one of them. They will do whatever he says, and they are very good at what they do.

Her grandmother was right. When Alpha Bond somehow became the head of their small skulk, he had kept only two of the original enforcers who served under the alpha before him. The rest were required to find new jobs in one of the neighboring towns. Then, he held a competition where anyone who wanted an enforcer position was welcome to participate, but only the strongest and most lethal made it all of the way through. Teine was one of them. She’d been so proud when she placed the enforcer badge on her hip, showing proof that she was among the best-of-the-best. In the three years since then, she’d done numerous things she was not proud of. Things her alpha demanded she do. Things she regretted, but couldn’t change no matter how much she wanted to.

Idelle placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and another on the baby’s head, her soft brown gaze full of resolve. You are an exceptional warrior, granddaughter, but even you cannot defeat them all. I’ve been on this earth many years. I’ve lived my life. Now, this little girl deserves the chance to live hers.

But… what about Nadine? Teine choked out, her eyes going to where her sister lay on a bed in the corner of the bedroom. Her beautiful face was so pale that it matched the stark white sheets she lay on. Long, brown hair lay limply around her, her hands clasped loosely on her stomach. If she wasn’t able to see the slow rise and fall of her chest, Teine would think her sister’s spirit had already left the small shack they were in out in the middle of the woods. She needs me.

Her grandmother reached out and cupped her cheek gently. There’s nothing you can do for your sister now, except focus on the baby. That’s what she would want.

Teine’s gaze dropped to the infant who was sleeping in her arms. So sweet and innocent, unaware that her life was in jeopardy, all because her DNA was made up of fox shifter…and something altogether different.

Teine ran a finger slowly down the soft skin of the baby’s cheek as she rasped, I’m an enforcer, Nana. All I know is how to fight and kill. I know nothing about babies.

Teine.

It was a weak gasp, hardly noticeable, but Teine heard it. Her startled gaze flew to where her sister’s dark golden eyes were now trained on her. Teine quickly crossed the room and knelt beside the bed, the precious infant still held snuggly in her arms. Nadine!

Nadine reached out and gently touched her daughter’s face where it peeked out through the blanket, a slow smile crossing her face. Athena. So beautiful.

When her hand fell weakly to her side, Teine covered it with one of her own. Nadine, I don’t know what to do.

Nadine’s eyes met hers, and she whispered, Protect my daughter, little sister. There’s a bag with everything you need in the closet. A tear slipped free, trailing slowly down her cheek as she said, I am so sorry I didn’t tell you about her father. That he wasn’t like us.

Where is he, Nadine? Teine asked, her hand tightening on her sister’s. Maybe if I find him…

Nadine shook her head, the tears coming faster now. He’s gone, she whispered, closing her eyes, a shudder running through her. Go, Teine. Before they get here.

Come with me, Teine tried one last time. You and Nana.

Nadine’s eyes fluttered open, and once again landed on her daughter. Athena is yours now, Teine. Love her, protect her, and raise her as your own.

Knowing it was useless to argue any longer, and that she needed to get out of there before Alpha Bond and his enforcers showed up, Teine swallowed hard and nodded. Giving her sister the peace of mind that she needed, she promised, I won’t let anything happen to her, Nadine. Leaning over to place a kiss on Nadine’s forehead, she murmured, I love you, sis, now and always. I give you my word that I will protect your daughter with my life.

A soft sigh left Nadine’s lips, and they curved up into a small smile. Love you, sissy.

Teine rose, and with one last look at her sister, she turned toward her grandmother. Silently accepting the bag Idelle held out to her, Teine slipped the strap over her shoulder and gave the woman one last hug. I love you, Nana.

Idelle cupped Teine’s cheeks in her hands and smiled through her tears. You have always been special, Granddaughter. Made for greater things than serving our poor excuse of an alpha. Go. Take little Athena far from here, and soar high, baby girl. Remember, wherever you are, and wherever Nadine and I are, you will always be in our hearts.

After one last hug, Teine left the shack, running as quickly as she could to where she’d left her car hidden close to two miles away. She was almost there when the first shot rang out in the middle of the night. A loud gasp left her when pain sliced through her left shoulder, but she kept running. She had promised her sister that she would protect Athena, and she always kept her promises.

When another loud bang filled the air and the bullet slammed into a tree as she flew past, Teine bared her teeth, and palmed the Glock strapped to her thigh. If the bastards wanted a fight, they would get one.

Cradling Athena close, Teine sprinted the last few yards to her car. Yanking open the passenger side door, she placed her niece on the seat and dropped the bag onto the floor, cursing darkly when a bullet bit into her left leg. Stepping back, she slammed the door shut and turned to face whoever was filling her with holes, stiffening when her gaze met three of Bond’s deadliest enforcers.

Where are you going, Teine? Alec snarled, lowering his gun and glaring at her.

Gripping her Glock tightly, she met his gaze, shrugging indifferently as she fought to block out the pain that was racking her body. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her leg was going numb, but she ignored it all as she replied, What does it matter?

Tori took a step forward and inhaled deeply, her eyes narrowing on the car. It matters because you know the alpha’s rules.

His rules suck, Teine growled, aware that Redrick was slowly making his way around the front of the car. Slipping a knife from one of the side pockets on her cargo pants, she warned him, Stop right there, Redrick.

He paused, his eyes taking on an amber tinge as he growled, The girl is to be eliminated, Teine. Alpha Bond has ordered it.

Raising her top lip so that they could see one of her sharp fangs, Teine snarled, This is one order that you are not going to follow through on.

And if we do? Tori asked quietly, her gaze still on the car.

Then you will all die.

Tori nodded slowly, raising her gun to aim it at Teine. So be it.

Teine ducked, barely missing the bullet as it burst from Tori’s gun, and let her knife fly, grunting in satisfaction when it struck, burying deeply into Redrick’s neck.

You bitch! Tori yelled, rushing toward her, the gun in her hand blasting shots as she came.

Teine sprang to the side in a somersault, before rising to her knees and returning fire. The Glock kicked in her hand, the first bullet finding Tori’s chest, the second her heart, the third right between her now vacant eyes.

Teine cried out in shock when something slammed into her and her gun went flying. Shit! She’d forgotten about Alec. Waves of dizziness swamped her when he grabbed hold of her shoulders and shoved her into the ground. She couldn’t stop the scream of pain that emerged when the prick dug his fingers into her wound, his eyes full of satisfaction and just plain evil.

Holding her down, he leaned close and growled, I’ve always wanted you in this position. Filling you with my cock. Hearing you beg me for more.

Fighting the urge to