“This is so fucked up!” Julie yelled. “I’m nobody’s. Not yours or anyone else’s, am I clear?”

Coal took ahold of her wrist. “You are on dragon territory—”

“I’m sick of hearing that. It’s not by choice.” She snatched her hand away. “This son of a bitch raped one of the women, aren’t you going to do anything about it?”

“Flame is a good male, he may have rutted his female but that does not mean that force was used.” Coal narrowed his eyes. “Stop to think for a moment, maybe the female wanted him. Maybe she invited him to her bed?”

Julie shook her head. “We were all afraid. We ran for half the day.” Was it possible? She didn’t even know Pauline. Hell, she’d had a couple of one night stands herself. No biggie! Girl meets guy, they have wild sex and go their separate ways. It was unlikely but possible.

Flame looked a little shell shocked. “I didn’t force the female. I would never”—he turned to face Coal— “ever do such a thing. I do not wish to discuss it because it is private. My female is fine. She—”

“I want to see her,” Julie blurted. “We were kidnapped. Kept in a room with two idiot women who fed us a whole lot of bullshit and then we were hunted like animals by, well, animals. You’ll forgive me if I’m a little touchy and if I lack trust.” Trust was hard for her on the best of days.

Coal stepped towards her, right into her personal space. She had to crane her neck to maintain eye contact but stood her ground even though he looked, scary. “I have painstakingly explained things to you. I thought that we were becoming… friends.” He said the word like it pained him and Flame laughed, despite still looking upset. “I thought that I had won your trust. I am sorry to hear that this is not the case. You will stay close. If you dispute being my female, I will be forced to claim you in front of every male in there. I will not hesitate to do it. If need be, I will kill to keep you… am I clear?”

Julie was stunned. She didn’t know what to say. Part of her felt angry and another felt guilty because she seemed to have really hurt his feelings. Tough luck! Claim her? What? “What does it mean to claim me?” She put her hands on her hips.

“Back to the forcing argument. I wouldn’t rut you if that’s what you’re asking. To think we had made headway.” He shook his head. “I was wrong. I would need to show ownership but without claiming you fully.”

Guilt overtook the anger and she huffed out a breath, letting her shoulders slump.