Chapter Nine
Shannon laughed and threw the washcloth at Anton as she tried to duck under his arm. He grabbed her around her waist, hauled her off her feet, and pressed her back against the cold tile on the wall of the shower. He looked highly amused when he pinned her there, his hips snuggled between her slippery thighs, and on instinct she wrapped her legs around his hips. He shelved her ass on his forearm to hold her in place so she didn’t slide down his soapy body.
“Wash your own butt.”
He chuckled. “You’re supposed to worship me.”
“I am, huh? Is that some funky shifter rule?”
“Nope but you have to admit, after the night we spent together and all the pleasure we shared, you think I’m a god.”
“Really? Why would you say that? Someone has gotten a little egotistical.”
“It may have been all those times you called out ‘Oh god’.” He brushed a kiss on her chin, lifting her high. “Weren’t you telling me something?”
Shannon laughed. She couldn’t help it. The night she’d spent with Anton had been the best one of her life. It had been more than just sex. He’d made love to her. Every touch, every kiss, every caress they’d shared had bonded them in ways she’d never experienced before. Her smile faded a little at that realization.
“What’s wrong?” He pulled back.
“Nothing.”
A soft warning snarl tore from him. “Don’t lie to me.”
She stared into his eyes. “I’m not.”
“You are. Do you think I can’t feel it? I’m very tuned to you. I could feel you emotionally pulling away from me as if you’d done it physically.”
That stunned her. “Seriously?”
He answered her by watching her silently.
“Okay. I was just…” Her gaze lowered to the top of his shoulder where she gripped him and noticed the faint but healing claw marks where her nails had marred his skin.
“Just what?”
“It’s stupid.”
“I doubt I’d agree. Why are you withdrawing from me? Did I say something wrong? I’m kidding about the god thing. You don’t have to wash my ass and I don’t expect you to worship me.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I know you were teasing. I just think that last night might have been too intense.”
“You’re sore. I’m sorry.” He eased her down onto her feet. “I forget how human you are.”
“I’m fine. My muscles ache a little but that’s not it.” She ran her hands over his chest, using the water falling over his shoulder to wipe away soap. “I meant emotionally. You touch me in ways that only guys I’ve been seriously involved with do. I don’t know how else to say it.”
“We are involved.”
Frustration rose as she glanced at him. “I meant it must be a shifter thing but the way you touch me confuses me.”
The blank expression on his handsome face assured her she’d lost him.
“Damn,” she muttered, staring at his chest again. “You touch me like a guy who isn’t a one-night stand.”
“You’re more to me than that.” He suddenly gripped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “You’re mine.”
For a few weeks, her mind whispered. “You marked me. I’m still not sure what that means.”
“It tells other males you are mine and I’ll do anything to protect you. You’ll carry my scent. It also makes my wolf know we’re together, that the connection is solid.”
“I carry your scent?”
“Saliva from my fangs entered your bloodstream when I bit you.”
“How long does that last?”
“A few weeks.” He drew back but kept hold of her chin. “Does that bother you?”
“No.” She hadn’t realized how tense he’d become until he relaxed.
“You’re cranky in the morning before breakfast, aren’t you?” He released her to turn away into the full spray of the shower to rinse off. “I’ll order food to be brought up while you finish showering. Hurry up. It won’t take long. I’m starving and I bet you are too.”
Her stomach rumbled as if on cue. Anton chuckled, ducked his head under the water to rinse away the conditioner, and then shook his head. Water sprayed her. He opened the shower door and stepped out before she could wipe the water off her face to retaliate. She could see the silhouette of him as he used a towel next to the frosted glass door to dry off. She hesitated and then reached for his shampoo.
Emotions confused her. She had a really bad feeling that if the next few weeks were anything compared to the last twelve hours she’d be walking away from Anton without her heart intact. He was easy to love and the sex… Instant desire stirred her body at just the memory. Her nipples hardened despite the warm water cascading over her body and she knew she’d never be able to get enough of him.
I have to be in cat heat or something. It would explain a lot. First, how she’d jumped into a sexual relationship with a werewolf so quickly and how her body ached just thinking about him touching her again.
She had to leave the bathroom wearing just a towel five minutes later. Anton sat at the bar, wearing a pair of black sweatpants, his long hair still damp, and he turned to stare at her when she stepped closer to him.
“Mind if I borrow some clothes?”
“I do because I like you naked, but I don’t want whoever brings breakfast up to see you in so little.” His head jerked to the dresser. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
She avoided the condom drawer he’d managed to put back into place and he had cleaned up all the spilled boxes from the floor. She chose a pair of drawstring shorts and a big, black, metal-band T-shirt from his clothes. She knew he watched her when she dropped the towel to dress but refused to meet his gaze until she had something on.
“I have to go to a pack meeting in half an hour.” He glanced at the wall clock inside the kitchen area. “I won’t be gone long. After I eat I need toˉ”
Someone kicked the door. Anton got to his feet and walked toward it. “Breakfast.”
Shannon backed up. She hoped another werewolf woman hadn’t shown up to make threats. The door opened and the blond guy stepped inside holding a tray. He nodded at Anton and then turned his gaze on Shannon to run slowly down her body.
A vicious snarl made the guy yank his attention from Shannon.
“Don’t look at her, Yon,” Anton threatened.
Yon paled. “Shit.”
“Give me the tray and leave.”
“Why are you acting so nuts? I’m not hitting on her.”
Anton grabbed the tray. “Leave.” The order came out harsh and scary sounding.
The muscular blond stumbled back, hit the corner of the doorframe, and softly swore. “You marked her, didn’t you? You are acting nuts. You didn’t mind me near her yesterday.”
“Keep your mouth muzzled and I only want you to deliver food to her. My business is no one else’s. Are we clear?”
“Perfectly.” Yon fled.
Shannon’s eyebrows arched at the strange interaction. Anton kicked the door closed, turned with tray in hand, and scowled at her. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“I’m sorry. Now I’m the grouchy one. I didn’t like him looking at you.”
“Was I in danger?”
“No.” He strode to the counter. “I feel very possessive of you. It’s got to be the marking thing.” He slammed the tray down. “I guess it makes me a little crazy. I just wanted to punch him for even daring to glance your way.”
“Wow.”
He spun to face her. “What?”
“Your fangs are showing.”
“Sorry. Damn.” A hand lifted to feel his sharp points and then it dropped to his side. “Marking is scary stuff. I heard it was bad but I really wanted to knock him down the stairs. He thinks you’re attractive.”
“He didn’t say anything.”
“He didn’t have to. His nose flared and his eyes darkened. Trust me. He thinks you’re sexy and would love to touch you.” He paused. “And I didn’t like it one bit.”
“I’m not interested in him. Does that help? Blonds aren’t my type.”
“Are werewolves?”
“Well, no. At least not until you.”
“Good.” His fangs receded and he seemed to calm. “Let’s eat. I’m sorry I have to leave you alone. Once the heat starts we take a break from most things and I’ll have some time off. Not much work gets done this time of year.”
She took a seat next to him at the counter. “Shifter holiday, huh?”
A chuckle escaped him. “At least for werewolves.”
“So the bar downstairs will be closed?”
“It will be this year. Last year my brother kept it open and lost a lot of money due to repairs.”
Shannon gave him a curious look.
“We get pretty aggressive when we’re horny. Not a good mix when you’ve got a bunch of single werewolf males with fewer females to try to impress enough for them to want to allow the males to f*ck them. We also get a lot of out-of-town visitors from smaller places who are looking to find women to hook up with during the heat. There were a lot of fights. I’m running things now and have decided to close the bar once the mating heat starts. They can battle it out in the woods instead of inside.”
“Don’t the humans around here notice anything weird or suspect what you are?”
“It’s an annual thing that has gone on forever. They just assume it’s a busy tourist season. They sure don’t mind the money it brings in. We eat a hell of a lot and fill up the motel down the street.”
“A rowdy tourist season.”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “But we keep away from the humans for the most part. I will have to work a few nights during the heat but I won’t be gone long.”
“You have another job besides running the bar?”
“I’m a Harris and this is our pack. We patrol at night to make sure no visiting weres go after any local human women. It’s been known to happen despite it being against our laws. We’re never to do anything to risk humans discovering what we are. My brothers and I have split shifts with some of the pack enforcers. Of course, we own a lot of land that is private property for the runnings, to make sure humans don’t accidentally stumble into that.”
“What are those?”
He hesitated. “I don’t think you want to know and I’m not going to be a part of it so it’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Now I’m really curious.”
He picked up his fork, his attention on his food, and took a bite. Shannon waited, not eating, for a response. She watched his throat work as he swallowed.
“That bad, huh?”
He finally looked at her. “It’s for single weres. At night they go into our woods and run.”
“That’s not so bad.”
“To f*ck.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks warmed. “Got it. Kind of like chasing a female.”
“Kind of. Yeah. Chasing goes on. Fights.”
“And? I suspect it’s more than that.”
“It’s a free-for-all, okay?” He finally met her gaze. “Think werewolf orgy.”
To avoid his gaze, she focused on her food as she picked up her fork. “Do you ever attend them?”
The silence stretched. “I went to a few before I was expected to find a mate and that shit with my father started when he made up the schedule for me to meet women from other packs.”
“I see.” She really didn’t. The idea made her a little sick at heart of him going to a running. It sounded a little disgusting to her way of thinking.
“It’s a good way for males and females to hook up, test each other out to see if they are possible mates. Humans have spring break. Tell me a lot of sex isn’t going on then.”
“True.”
“Ever go to spring break?”
“No.”
They ate in silence until Anton stood. “I have to go to that pack meeting and then I have some errands to run. Yon will bring you lunch in a few hours if I’m not back yet. I’ll give him the door code. I trust him, but don’t talk to him.”
She gaped at him.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. He’s starting to feel the mating heat. He’s not hooked up with anyone either. He knows I marked you but hormones make any male stupid. I just don’t want you to be polite to him and have him believe you would welcome any advances. We’re not human. Remember that.”
“I promise to glare at him.” She smiled. “How is that?”
Anton surprised her by leaning over to brush a feathery kiss on her forehead. “Perfect. You’re safe here. Make yourself at home. I have cable and every channel. Just don’t leave.”
“I won’t.”
He backed up, studied her closely, and then seemed assured she meant it. He spun away and walked to the dresser. She watched him pull on a tank top and socks. He sat on the edge of his bed shoved his feet into his boots. He grinned at her before he strode out the door. Shannon’s shoulders slumped after he left. She closed her eyes, trying to determine if she felt any different since she’d been marked. It obviously affected Anton but she didn’t sense any changes.
* * * * *
Anton snarled at Carl, realized he held the pup above the floor, and everyone inside the room watched him in stunned silence. “I told you to leave her alone.”
The pup paled. “She’s justˉ”
“Under my protection,” he snarled, shook the pup, and slammed him against the wall. “I see your friends aren’t here. Were they too frightened to face me?”
The pup frantically nodded, his eyes wide with terror.
“They should be. I want you, them, and the rogues you took to her place at the pack meeting tree in an hour. If you make me hunt you down, I’m really going to be angry. You don’t want that. I’m just going to yell, issue orders, and make threats. Make me track you down and there will be blood. Am I clear?”
“Yes,” the pup whined.
Anton dropped him. “Run. Find them and be there.”
Elroy Harris prowled closer to his son, a look of danger glinted from his dark gaze when Anton faced him, but curiosity showed as well.
“What was that about, son?”
“Could we talk alone?”
Elroy frowned. “No. You just threatened to bloody a pup in a room full of pack. If he’s done something that drastic we all need to hear about it.”
“F*ck,” Anton hissed. “This is a private matter.”
“Not anymore. You made it public by grabbing him here.”
“Fine. The pups kidnapped a woman and took her into the woods to hunt her.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shot a glare around the room. “I came across them after they’d treed her.”
Gasps and shock reflected on a lot of faces. Elroy cursed. “Is she well?”
“She’s fine. She’s a good climber and I got there in time. I warned them to stay away from her. I discovered Carl and a few of the pups disobeyed me by entering her home with a few rogues. They totally destroyed her apartment.”
“Apartment? They have no privacy or seclusion from humans. Why would a female be living in one? Does her pack own it? I am going to need to contact her alpha to make peace. When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” Anger made Elroy growl the words.
Anton hesitated, hated to admit this to his father, unsure of how he’d react. “She isn’t a werewolf.” He hoped that would be enough but doubted it. His father was thorough about learning every detail when an incident took place with a pack member. “There’s no alpha to calm.”
“Shit!” Elroy spun to glare around the room. “We have pups going after humans? Who hasn’t taught their young not to do this?” He shot a particularly cold look toward Carl’s uncle. “Do I need to take this up with your brother, Ed?”
The guy paled. “We taught our young to follow the rules. I don’t know why Carl did it but it won’t happen again.” The guy bolted from his chair. “I’ll see he’s at the meeting tree myself.”
Elroy spun. “Is the human well? How much did she understand? What did she see? Is she going to contact the police or did you have to kill her to assure our safety?”
Shit! Anton took a deep breath. “She’s human but not totally.”
“What does that mean? She’s a partial were? Where is her family?”
“Her father was half human and half shifter. He died when she was a small child and she’s been raised by her totally human mother. She can’t shift. She just faintly carries the shifter scent. It’s why the pups attacked her and kidnapped her to hunt.”
“I am going to kick their asses. We don’t force females to have sex even during mating heat. That’s pack rule.”
Anton knew he couldn’t avoid it any longer. He was surprised his father hadn’t already heard the complaint from the Mortell alpha after he’d spurned his daughter’s advances in favor of Shannon. “They didn’t want to f*ck her. They wanted to kill her.” The shocked look on his father’s features assured him he needed to keep going. “She’s part puma and…under my protection,” he added quickly. There. I said it. He waited for the explosion from his father.
It only took a few seconds for Elroy to recover from the shock. “What?” he yelled.
“She’s mostly human, Dad. Helpless. She can’t shift. She’s without anyone to protect her. It seems cats kill half-breeds so her father had to flee his pride. She didn’t ask for trouble. Our pups accosted her in the parking lot of a grocery store, kidnapped her, and wanted to kill her. She’s this tiny thing, sweet as hell, and didn’t ever do anything to deserve that shit.”
Elroy paced, rage gripped his features, and claws shot from his fingertips. He halted finally and gave Anton a grim nod. “I understand. So the pups went against your order to leave her alone? Did they harm her when they showed up at her apartment?”
“She’s fine. She wasn’t home when they tried to find her.”
“You said rogues?”
“Two of them were inside her apartment with our pups. It seems they are hanging with a few of them.”
“Unacceptable!” Elroy shot another glare at the pack members assembled inside his living room. “Rogues are lawless. What are pups doing hanging out with them? See the trouble this causes? They defied a direct order from their future alpha.” He glanced back at Anton. “Give me her address and I’ll post one of the elder mated wolves at her place until we deal with this situation to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We also need to determine if she’s at risk from these rogues. They may have told others. I will assume she’s hiding in the outskirts of our territory since I’d know of her presence otherwise.”
“It’s been taken care of,” Anton hedged. “She’s safe.”
“Who did you assign? He’ll need to be old enough not to be affected by mating heat.”
Damn. Anton groaned silently. “I didn’t. She’s staying with me.”
Dark brown eyes widened and Elroy’s lips parted. “What?”
Anton squared his shoulders. “You heard me. She’s staying with me. She’s under my protection, inside my home.” While he was admitting things that would send his father into a rage, he may as well confess the rest. “I marked her. She’ll be staying with me through mating heat.”
Elroy lunged. Anton tensed but his father didn’t attack. Instead he grabbed his son and shoved his nose against his throat, inhaled deeply, and then snarled as he leapt back, releasing him. Pure rage transformed his father’s features as his shifter genes took over. Fangs elongated and the shape of his eyes narrowed enough to show his wolf. The brown of his irises turned completely black.
“I smell her on you. Even that damn cologne can’t camouflage it. You really marked a puma? What the hell is wrong with you? That’s just…” he obviously grappled for words.
“Sick,” a pack member hissed.
“Demented,” another added.
“She must be a hot piece of p-ssy,” someone snorted.
A few laughs sounded. Elroy snarled and shot a warning glower around the room before he glared at Anton.
“Why would you do that? Explain to me how you could do such a thing?”
Anger boiled inside Anton when he took a threatening step toward the male who’d insulted Shannon with the p-ssy remark. He flashed sharp fangs at the man and allowed his claws to slide out. He knew his face changed enough that fear etched on the other man’s features.
“Anton!” Elroy snarled.
It halted him from going after the male to softly growl at his father. “You don’t have to like it or agree to it. I don’t need your permission to find a female to spend my mating heat with. Rave has agreed to take over the schedule you set in place with the females from other packs. If anyone goes after Shannon, threatens her, or insults her in front of me again,” he shot the offender another murderous look, “there will be hell to pay. She is under my protection and I’ll kill anyone who poses a danger to her.” He met his father’s stunned gaze. “Anyone.”
Elroy tensed. “I’m your alpha and your father. Are you threatening me?”
“She’s under my protection.” Anton didn’t bother to try to mute the anger in his tone. “She’s mine. That’s all I’m saying. Anyone who attempts to harm her will deal with me.” He took the time to meet every gaze in the room. “I’ll kill for her.”
“It looks like you were remiss in teaching your sons not to f*ck the enemy,” one of the pack members muttered.
Elroy moved before anyone could react. He took the male who’d spoken down to the floor, tore into his arms with his claws, and the man howled in pain. Elroy snarled, inches from his terrified face.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing,” the bleeding male whined. “I’m sorry, Alpha Elroy. It was just the shock.” The male twisted his head to reveal his throat, the only sign of submission he could offer while pinned flat on his back. “My humble apologies.”
Elroy released him and stood, wiping the blood from his claws on his jeans. He kept away from Anton. “Go. We’ll discuss this later. I’m sure your mother will have some things to say as well.”
Anton flinched. His mother made his father seem as though he were a lovable little puppy. He fled the house he’d been reared in to go meet the pups at the woods. If they didn’t show, he’d tear them up. The urge to harm something hummed through his veins. Mating heat was growing strong inside him, turning him more aggressive, and he’d even threatened his father. They both realized it.
An image of Shannon flashed through his mind as he started his motorcycle. She’d gotten under his skin, into his blood, and had become an obsession with him. He wasn’t sure it was just because he’d marked her. There was just something about her that called to every part of him.
Would I really kill someone I love if it came down to protecting her? The question formed in his thoughts and so did the answer. In a heartbeat. He groaned, pulling away from the curb. I think I’m falling in love, damn it.