Read NocC 001- Katie Reus - Destined Mate - Harlequin 2011-10 for Free Online Page A

She’d never seen a more beautiful animal. So much power rippled through him as he snarled low in his throat and took a menacing step toward Titus.
    With a shockingly fluid grace, he shook off the tatters of his shredded pants. Whatever fear she had for him disappeared in that instant. It was Titus who should be quaking in his hand-made leather boots. Knox looked every inch the lethal predator and any sane being would run at that moment.
    A low growl emanated from Knox as he began to circle her tribe leader. As he moved, so did Titus. Their movements were slow, precise.
    Knox made the first blow. As fast as she’d seen any vampire strike, he lunged at Titus and struck out with one paw. Extending his sharp claws he swiped along the vampire’s shoulder before landing on all fours a few yards away. The blow knocked the strongest vampire she knew back four feet.
    It was a show of dominance. Knox was taunting him. She had no doubt. Though it was impossible to tell in his animal form, Angela could almost swear Knox was smiling.
    And Titus wasn’t anymore. No cocky grin. Nothing. He bared his fangs and quickly made his move. Jumping through the air, he cleared at least seven feet and landed on Knox’s back. His own nails weren’t as long as Knox’s and they weren’t claws exactly, but when they lengthened into deadly points, she bit back a cry.
    He speared Knox on both sides of his neck before the wolf rolled to the side and tossed him off.
    The fight was officially on.
    Her heart thumped erratically as she watched them. One struck, then the other. It seemed to go on forever. Both strong males. Both violent and dominant.
    Wiping her damp palms against her pants, she tried to calm her breathing but found it impossible. Watching Knox like this was too much. She had faith in his strength but seeing them fight, she also realized just how strong her tribe leader was.
    She hadn’t realized she’d moved toward them until Alaric gripped her upper arm and pulled her back. “Don’t.” Even though it was a command, he said it softly. When she tried to yank out of his embrace, he continued. “You’ll only distract him.”
    The werewolf was right. Didn’t mean she had to like it, though. Clenching her fists at her sides, she did the only thing she could. She watched and waited and winced with each blow Knox took. It was damn near impossible to just stand there but she knew if she acted, Knox would be distracted and possibly hurt. Or worse.
    Grunts and growls came from them until Knox suddenly gained the upper hand. He pinned Titus to the ground and speared his chest with his claws.
    Titus struggled and shoved his own pointed nails into Knox’s side but the big wolf barely seemed to feel it.
    With his other paw, Knox had his throat pinned to the ground. Holding her breath, Angela waited for him to make the killing blow. He’d either rip his heart out or rip his head off.
    Maybe both.
    A trickle of guilt worked its way through her that she felt little concern for her leader. She knew she should be loyal to her own kind, but she didn’t care about anything other than Knox coming out victorious. There wouldn’t be any repercussions since this had been a fair fight with a lot of witnesses.
    The silence that fell over the shifters and vampires watching was deafening. Not even the wind dared to rustle around them. The blood rushing in her ears was the only sound she heard.
    Knox growled low in his throat. The sound of victory.
    Then he pushed off Titus.
    She gasped. It just slipped out. What the hell was he doing? Knox stepped back, still looking menacing as hell and let her tribe leader stand.
    Titus’s eyes were slits as he clutched his bleeding chest and tentatively pushed up. No doubt because he wondered if Knox was toying with him. She didn’t blame him. This was insane.
    Before anyone could move or even react, Knox shifted back to his human form. Again, the transformation was so quick and almost seamless. If she’d blinked