A chill settled deep in Bradley’s bones. He tried not to make eye contact as he opened the car trunk to get the luggage but the wolves were everywhere, and they could smell he was different. His instincts were on edge, and damn if he didn’t want to turn tail and run.

Three young male wolf shifters closed in a tight circle around him.

“Well, what do we have here?” His eyes were on the closest man but Bradley sensed the other two men behind him as one came up by his side.

“I don’t want any trouble.” Bradley knew how a wolf’s mind worked. If he didn’t have the ability to fight, he’d be considered prey and would be running. He had to stand up for himself or these jerks would be on his ass all week long.

“I smelled you from fifty feet away. What are you?” The shifter on his right flared his nostrils wide.

“What? You haven’t seen a rabbit shifter before?” Bradley felt defensive and rightly so. They were invading his private space and he didn’t like the way they leering at him.

“No wonder I want to eat you.”

“Mmmm. I love rabbit for breakfast.”

“It’s too late for that. I’d call it lunchtime about now.” Bradley tried to sound braver than he felt, but he was shaking on the inside.

“Whatever. I’m still hungry for rabbit.” A guy from behind him grabbed hold of his arm, and he it away. Bradley’s breath came faster and his heart pounded in his chest.

“Oh feisty.” The moron had the gall to laugh at Bradley. “I like it.”

“You know, I’m part of this pack too, and the alpha isn’t going to like it when his pack is fighting.” He gambled when he called himself part of their family. Technically he wasn’t blood, but his mother had married into the family and he was being forced to be here. So technically he could call himself part of the pack.

That actually elicited a few laughs and the hairs on the back of Bradley’s neck stood on end when he felt the wolves touch him. “I haven’t heard of a rabbit in the family.”

“I think he’s bluffing.” One of the wolves mocked before touching his cheek. Bradley flinched.

“Do you know what happens when a wolf corners a rabbit?” Desperation underlined his words. He didn’t like this situation one bit and the odds were not in his favor.

“What are you going to do? Run away little rabbit?” One of the men mocked.

Bradley saw red and his instincts that he had been holding in check, flight or fight had kicked into high gear. He didn’t have the natural born weapons of teeth or claws that they did and they were bigger, meaner, stronger, but surprise could do a hell of a lot.

Bradley used a side sweep of his right leg to knock the closest guy’s feet out from under him. The second guy was a little more prepared and Bradley took a roundhouse to his gut. The third guy tackled him like a professional football player. There was nothing Bradley could do but take the hit. The impact sent Bradley flying and knocked the air from his chest. He couldn’t breathe with the weight on top of him and then when he managed to suck in his first breath the other two guys were one him with fists flying.

They had him pinned to the ground and Bradley couldn’t use his speed to outrun the danger. Bradley tried to protect his most vital organs and it was all he could do to curl up in the fetal position with his hands wrapped around his face and head.

“What the fuck are you doing? Get off him. Now!” The masculine voice resonated with strength and was an octave deeper than the others. It belonged to a man who understood his authority in the world. Then when his attackers didn’t listen, he felt rough hands pull his attackers off one by one.

Bradley turned to see his rescuer. He sensed this man was still a wolf shifter but there was something different about this man that made him less of a threat. He wore aviation sunglasses that covered his eyes and his beard had grown rough stubble like he forgot to shave that day. The faded blue jeans he wore were laced with an alligator belt and his military style boots only served to add to the ‘Don’t mess with me’ thing he had going on. He wore a thick black leather jacket studded with silver rings and made to show off his bad ass curves.

Holy freaking hotcakes, the guy had a hot body.

“Are you okay?” Strong capable hands wrapped around Bradley’s waist and helped him to his feet. Bradley’s stomach turned belly flops with his touch but in a good way.

“Yeah, thanks,” Bradley whispered softly. He was too stunned to do or say more. Damn, but the stranger was mouth watering hot.

“You got some nerve, interrupting us wolf. That dude’s the one who started the fight. Asking us to back off isn’t fair. We should have been allowed to finish it.”