Coal walked right next to her. He didn’t try and touch her though. They passed one other shifter. He ogled her until Coal growled. It was really low, almost inaudible but that just made it all the more intimidating. The guy averted his eyes and slunk away. It would’ve been laughable if it weren’t for the deep frown on Coal’s forehead.

“It’s this way.” He turned a corner and they headed down yet another long, wide corridor.

The way he had growled just now reminded her of the big room they had entered when they first arrived. Coal called it the great hall. It was filled with men. Big, burly shifters. All clothed in the same pants… well mostly. There were one or two naked guys as well. Coal’s whole demeanor changed. He went from hardcore to lethal. His eyes were narrowed, his jaw tight. His muscles seemed to grow. Impossible right? Wrong. They not only looked bigger, they were bigger. He snarled at a guy that dared get too close and his teeth seemed bigger too and sharper. His eyes… they had that same slitted look he had when he was a dragon.

Another guy dared get close and he snarled again, this time making her jump. He held her tighter. She smelled smoke and turned her head in time to see some of it curl from his nostrils in big white tendrils. It was freaky. It was hot and not just in the physical sense.

If she was a dragon shifter guy, she’d stay away from him. Coal had death written in his eyes. His whole stance shouted to the rest of them to back the hell off.

Just before leaving the hall, he turned to the large crowd of men. “Mine,” he growled. She was surprised he didn’t beat his chest while he said it. Then, he turned back and ushered her from the hall. No one dared approach.

Once the big double doors closed behind them, she glanced up. “Was that really necessary? That whole mine thing was a little over the top.”

Coal kept his eyes on the hallway ahead. “It was as much for you as it was for them.”

What was there to say?

No

Forget it.

Or maybe, sure thing, but just for the next few weeks.

Coal had been in this dark, brooding mood ever since. He was angry because she didn’t trust him. Well, boo-freaking-hoo and sorry for him. She didn’t trust anyone and wasn’t about to start now. When you trusted you opened yourself up to getting burned. He could be pissed off with her and giving her the silent treatment for as long as he wanted, she was enjoying the quiet.