Read Phantom Warriors: Arctos for Free Online

promised to another male tonight.
    And not just any male. One named Michael.
    The anger over the news struck like a blow to the head, leaving him dizzy and more than a little confused. It had taken every fiber of Arctos’ being to control his shift, when his instincts demanded that he hunt this ‘Mike’ down and destroy him.
    The urge was made worse by the fact that Caitlin had dismissed him outright, and then made plans to see the male upon her return. He could’ve handled al that, but then the male in question spoke. He planned to come and take Caitlin away. Arctos couldn’t al ow that to happen. Not now.
    Not ever.
    Arctos hadn’t realized that he’d moved until his hand closed over hers, effectively ending the cal . It shouldn’t matter that Caitlin wasn’t interested in him in that way, but it did. He wasn’t used to being dismissed by females. Quite the opposite in fact. Women found his appearance appealing and were quite eager to share his bed. Wel , al but one woman. The most important one. His mate. Arctos stared at Caitlin, hoping to read her thoughts.
    Maybe she’s not yours , the thought gave voice to his fear.
    She shifted under his regard and crossed her arms over her chest. Her defensive posture only stoked his anger and sudden insecurity.
    Arctos opened his mouth to tel her the truth about what had happened today. Guilt stil ed his tongue. How could he explain that he’d not only taken away her future by saving her life, but soon he’d be taking her away from this planet?
    He couldn’t. Not yet.
    He wandered over to the lone window at the front of the cabin. Snow fel in sheets, blotting out the growing darkness. Somewhere out there Michael was waiting for her. Did she love him? The thought lanced his hearts. How could he live with a mate that longed for another? Would fate be so cruel? Arctos sighed and glanced back at Caitlin. In the end, it would not matter for she was his now.
    The bond could not be broken.
    Arctos al owed himself to take one last long look at her. Huddled by the kitchen, she appeared so tiny and defenseless. Anger had brought color back to her face, giving her cheeks a rosy glow. Perhaps not so defenseless, he mused.
    At some point, she’d pul ed her hat off. Her tangle of golden hair glistened in the firelight like the myriad of stars that surrounded Zaron. He longed to run his fingers through it. To feel its softness once more.
    “If you wanted me off the phone, al you had to do was say so,” she said, avoiding his gaze. “Thanks to that little stunt, Michael is going to be worried sick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts together a search party to come find me.”
    He could try, but there was no way Arctos would let the man anywhere near her. The Goddess might not have spoken, but his actions had sealed their fate. Something primal rose inside of him, snarling and growling, determined to fight to keep its claim. Arctos watched her closely, then quietly said, “He would be a fool to start a search in these conditions.” Though he knew that had their positions been reversed that he’d stop at nothing to find her.
    “Mike’s not a fool. He’s a very smart man. In fact, he’s a teacher,” she said. “It was rude of you to hang up on him.”
    “I didn’t,” he said. “You did.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “I did no such thing.”
    “He did not know of my existence. He wil believe that you acted of your own freewil .”
    She snorted. “By now, he knows al about you, including what you look like. Al ie’s probably shown your picture to everyone at the party,” she said, her gray eyes melting into worry.
    Good! Arctos was glad that Mike knew, but he made sure not to show it.
    Caitlin glanced his way. “Maybe I should phone him back and try to explain.”
    “And tel him what?” Arctos asked. “That you intend to spend the night with me? Perhaps the males here react differently than where I’m from, but I would not like to hear that my mate was staying