There. Golden eyes glared at him before the Wolf struck, snapping and snarling at Jim.

Jim barely managed to dodge, the Wolf’s jaws snapping closed perilously close to his muzzle. The other Wolf was bigger than Jim. Odds were good he’d fought more often in this form, seeing as how Jim had never fought as a Wolf.

But Jim had beaten him to a standstill before and wasn’t about to allow a little thing like experience stop him from defeating his enemy. This was Jim’s den, and Jim’s mate was inside.

No fucking way was this asshole getting past him.

Jim dodged another attack, analyzing the way the other Wolf moved, using his experience as a kick-boxer to figure out the best way to approach his larger target. He reared up on his hind legs when his adversary did, both of them scratching and biting, testing each other’s resolve.

Speaking of getting past someone, where the hell were the guards Max had promised him? He doubted they were off getting a latte, which meant either the guy had slipped past them, or…

He hoped it wasn’t or. Explaining to the Puma Alpha that his men were dead wasn’t something Jim relished doing.

The Wolf grabbed hold of Jim’s ear, yanking and pulling, drawing blood. Jim fought back, snapping at the Wolf’s foreleg, forcing the other Wolf to let go.

This put Jim’s muzzle near the Wolf’s vulnerable neck, but before he could take advantage of that the other Wolf spun, forcing Jim’s face toward the earth. He twisted free, managing briefly to get the upper hand as he in turn forced the other Wolf down.

The bigger Wolf easily shook off his hold. They both reared, paws on each other’s shoulders, biting at each other’s muzzles. Jim felt the Wolf’s fangs rip his sensitive nose, but from the whine coming from the other Wolf he’d gotten his own back. They were both bleeding from the face, the pain almost overwhelming.

Jim forced them back up, his paws hitting the other Wolf’s shoulders hard. He grabbed ahold of some of the Wolf’s neck fur, pulling him back down and keeping the other Wolf’s fangs away from his face.

The Wolf twisted again, putting a paw on Jim’s back, raking his claws across his shoulder. Jim refused to let go, hanging on despite the pain, ignoring the way the other Wolf snapped and tried to break free.

The stronger Wolf broke Jim’s hold, forcing Jim to rear back unless he wanted a lip piercing. Jim somehow managed to force the bigger Wolf down, using his speed to his advantage, practically climbing on top of him. He ripped and tore at the Wolf’s shoulder, ignoring the yelps of pain. He knew just where to tear, to bite to make the shoulder useless. He ruthlessly used that knowledge, aware that what he was doing might be irreparable to the other Wolf.

Jim was hoping he didn’t have to kill. All he wanted to do was incapacitate his enemy, but if the other Wolf threatened Chloe then Jim would do what he had to. He’d put animals down out of mercy before, but this time it would be to protect the most precious being in his life.

The other Wolf pulled free, limping on his wounded side and snarling viciously. He wasn’t backing down. If anything, the wound seemed to merely piss him off more.

Great.

Jim snarled back, hoping the other Wolf would heed his warning. When the Wolf lowered his head, ready to attack again, Jim took the initiative. He latched onto the back of the Wolf’s neck, shaking his head back and forth. The other Wolf lost his balance, falling to the ground with a yelp.

Jim managed to switch his grip, taking the Wolf’s throat between his jaws and growling, forcing the other Wolf to acknowledge Jim’s dominance or die.

The Wolf tried desperately to kick Jim off, but Jim held firm, dancing around the other Wolf’s paws until he went limp beneath Jim. Jim’s Wolf wanted to howl in triumph, but instead he backed up slowly, allowing the other Wolf to climb to his feet.

Defeated, the other man shifted. On his hands and knees, he glared at Jim. “You win. I surrender. If you’re going to kill me, all I ask is you do it quick.”

Jim shifted back. He ignored the sting in his wounded nose and ear, the scratches on his body that he only now felt. “Who are you?”

“Derrick Hines.”

That didn’t tell Jim anything, but he bet the Hunters would know who he was, especially Barney. “Why are you going after my mate?”

The wicked smile on the man’s face made Jim want to punch him. “Because I was paid a shit-ton of money.”

“You’re a mercenary?”

“Yup.” The Wolf sat back on his haunches, crossed his ankles together and then crossed his arms over his knees. His ease with his nudity startled Jim, who was still getting used to the whole thing. “And you surprised me, newbie.”

“How so?” Jim crossed his arms over his chest, determined not to show how uncomfortable he was with his bits dangling in the wind.

“Most of those newly turned would quickly fall in front of me, or beg me not to hurt them. I rarely have to bring in a mark dead, especially the new ones.” Reluctant respect lit the Wolf’s eyes. “But you fought back. Twice.”

“You came to my business and my home, asshole. Of course I fought back.”

The man nodded. “If you were in a Pack you’d probably be a Marshall or a Second. I’ve seen others like you before. You’ve got that inner strength, that drive to protect.”

Jim still wasn’t clear on Pack hierarchy, but he knew a compliment when he heard one. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Derrick was still watching him warily.

Jim had a few more questions he’d like to ask, but his ass was getting cold and he wanted to get back to Chloe. “Where’s the man the Puma Alpha sent to watch us?”

The man smiled. “Don’t worry. He’s not my target. He’s sleeping the sleep of the innocent right now. He’ll wake with a slight headache, but that’s it.”

That was a relief. “So. You’ve obviously lost. What happens to you now?”

Derrick shrugged. “We don’t get paid, and we move on to the next job. It’s that simple.”

Or the Senate went after the man for his failure. Jim wasn’t forming a very high opinion of the shifters’ politicians. They might actually be worse than the human ones. “And if I don’t let you go?”

Derrick stared at him, his eyes becoming cold and hard. “You gonna kill me, Doc?”

“In my world, I don’t put down an animal unless I have no other choice.” Jim sighed.