Page 12 of Knotted by the Yakuza

"Okay." She lifted both hands. "Okay. I’m not dangerous. I won’t hurt you."

You hurt me? I will hurt you. I am fucking powerful. I am damn near a God. I am. . .

I tried to growl again and couldn’t.

I am in so much fucking pain.

I shivered.

You’re lucky, little human.

Her gaze swept over me again. Concern rose in her eyes. "You're hurt pretty badly."

She glanced over her shoulder, and I assumed she was checking for the others who had been strolling around. I already knew they were on the other side of the shrine, snapping pictures of Oiwa’s grave and begging for her blessing.

Their voices echoed farther down the trail.

“Alright. I don’t know what you are. Some sort of big. . .giant wolf with tons of tails. Must be a Japanese thing.”

Wolf?

If I could have bitten her, I would have.

“Lucky for you, my aunt always says anytime you visit a place, leave it better than when you entered, and that includes all of the living things there.” She slowly raised her hands.

What is she doing?

She leaned over, and I got a better view of the cursed black heart on her chest. It pulsed. Then she reached for me. “Ancestors walk with me.”

No. My magic will burn you.

I showed my teeth. Well. . .the few that were still there.

"Calm down, buddy." Her voice softened. "I can help you."

Impossible.

Then, she sank her palms into my fur.