Roaring for Him (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Wicked in Wilder Book 1) (18 page)

But the bitch had to open her mouth and his wolf was furious at being interrupted.

Tilly held him tightly, her claw-tipped fingers squeezed him, but he wouldn’t
ever
tolerate disrespect in his pack. Tilly hadn’t been raised in a pack where position and respect depended on a wolf’s willingness to defend her place. His mate might not feel comfortable in her new position since she was unclaimed, but this was unacceptable.

Just like he’d fight for her with Verity, he’d sure as fuck fight for her amongst his wolves.

He tore from his mate’s hold and raced to Kade’s mate, Darcy. He didn’t have to go far, not when she was sauntering by as if she hadn’t just insulted the new alpha bitch. He grasped the back of her neck, ignoring the woman’s gasp and squeak as he shoved her against the kitchen island. He forced her to bend over the granite countertop, face pointed toward Tilly. He didn’t hurt her, but fuck, his wolf was telling him he should.

He clung to his control, holding his beast in check while he spoke to Darcy. “Do you see her?” Darcy whimpered, but remained silent and he shook her gently. “Do you?”

When he didn’t back down with her low sound of distress, anger and disgust overtook her. The woman’s true emotions. He knew they hid in there somewhere. Darcy’s birth pack was a group of bigots and general assholes. Somehow they were worse than the wolves in his own pack which amazed the hell out of him.

“Yes,” she spat.

“That is your alpha bitch.”

“She’s not—”

“She so fucking is and until you get that shit straight, you keep your head down and your mouth
shut
.”

“You can’t mate with a—”

“
I can!
” He couldn’t stop the roar that left his chest, the one that vibrated everything on the counters and made the picture frames tremble. “Get this through your head. Tilly is my true mate. Period.”

Mitchell leaned close, lips a hairsbreadth from her ear. “Keep pushing, Darcy. I’m taking it easy on you. You saw what I did to your cousin Seth. You want that?” She twitched and shook her head. “I’m letting you off with this warning. You need to think about whether her sisters will feel the same when they hear how you’re talking. Because sure as fuck, if Tilly doesn’t come after you for being a bitch because we haven’t mated yet,
they
will. How do you think a wolf will handle a tiger? Or a bear? I’ll keep it fair—won’t let more than one come after you for being a bitch—but how do you think you’ll do?”

“Mitchell?” Kade’s voice cut through his rage and he released Darcy, taking a step back as the female straightened. “What’s going on?”

Her narrow-eyed glare met his eyes for a second before she dropped her attention to the tiled floor. She tilted her head to the side, showing her submission, but he knew better. He’d embarrassed her, pissed her off, and he realized he’d fucked up. He went a little too far with it. Shit. He wouldn’t apologize for his actions, though. When it came to his mate, he’d protect her—from words or attack—however the hell he liked.

Mitchell eased backward toward Tilly. When her knee brushed his thigh, he stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. Through it all, his gaze remained locked on the cowering Darcy. “Your mate was telling me how unhappy she is with my lion mate and I was telling her I didn’t give a fuck.”

His wolf rumbled its approval, the sound echoing through his mind. It accepted his actions would strain his relationship with Kade—at least for a little while—but it couldn’t be helped. Kade may be pissed, but he knew the wolf would respect Mitchell’s right and fucking privilege to defend his female and the pack’s alpha bitch.

Darcy’s blazing golden eyes flicked to him for a bare moment, but it was enough. Enough to enrage his beast further and fur slid free of his skin. The hint of his animal sent a whip-fast sting through his blood. His nails ached, fingertips threatening to turn into claws. His reaction was irrational, over the top, and edged close to uncalled for but he didn’t care.

“I see,” Kade murmured and Mitchell raised his attention to his beta. Anger lived in Kade’s expression, but that was followed by sadness and acceptance.

Aw, shit. He knew the two of them had problems. A mating wasn’t always sunshine and roses and sometimes good intentions and emotions didn’t quite sync with a person’s inner-animal. Mates didn’t automatically fall in love. That shit took work.

Darcy spun and spoke to Kade. Mitchell couldn’t see her face, but the venom in her voice was enough to clue him in to her expression. “Are you going to let him do that to me?” Her voice rose with every word, the tone becoming shrill. “Aren’t you going to stand up for me?”

Kade crossed his arms over his chest. “Mitchell is my alpha. Period. I may not like him all the time—” Mitchell could attest to that, “—but he’s fair and honest. You’re my mate, Darcy, and I’ll always care for you and protect you, but we all have to abide by our laws. Just because I’m the beta doesn’t mean you can do whatever the hell you want. Did you insult the alpha bitch?”

“I… I…”

“Exactly.” Kade stalked forward, amber gaze locked on Darcy and Mitchell tensed, wondering if he’d have to break them up. He didn’t think Kade would ever lay a hand on Darcy with violence, but he wasn’t sure
she
wouldn’t go after Kade. “That’s all you think about. You-you-you. You never want to take responsibility for your actions. Your father raised you weak. You’re a spoiled child who isn’t getting away with shit and that pisses you off.” Kade pointed at Mitchell. “That’s my alpha, my brother in heart, and that’s his mate. She’s family. She’s
pack
.”

“But did you see what he did to me?”

Kade raised his eyebrows and Mitchell did the same. Really?

“He made you submit to his authority. You won’t even have a bruise, Darcy. It pisses me off that he had to pin you and my wolf is fucking furious that he laid hands on you, but I can’t decide if I’m angrier with him or you, so try another tactic.”

With a growl, Darcy stomped toward Kade and shoved past him, her shoulder colliding with his beta’s bicep as she disappeared. With her departure, the tension in the room dropped in half, and Tilly relaxed, which had
him
relaxing as well.

Now he had to wait on Kade’s reaction. Were his actions outside his scope as alpha? Had he come down on her harder than he would any other? No. Fuck he’d been downright gentle. But a man and his mate was always a wildcard.

Kade sighed and ran a hand through his hair and Mitchell felt sorry for the wolf. “I’m sorry about that. I’d promise it won’t happen again, but she’s more like Seth than I’d like.” He shrugged. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”

With that, Kade retreated, leaving them alone in the kitchen once again. Alone and—Tilly’s stomach rumbled—hungry.

Her small hand stroked his back, fingers skimming his cloth-covered skin, and he fought the urge to purr. He wasn’t a fucking cat. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but he was a strong and powerful wolf. Not a pussy.

Mitchell turned toward her, carefully snagging those wandering fingers before she could venture farther. Before she could drive him wild with those soft, tentative touches. “You okay, baby? Hungry?”

“That was…” Her eyes were glassy, but not with fear or sadness. No, that was pure passion. He drew in the scents surrounding him, sifting through each flavor until he found her desire for him.

He eased toward her, gently nudging her thighs wide, making space for himself between her legs once again. With her sitting on the counter, her pussy was the perfect height for him to rub his dick against her center. “What was it? Hmm?” He traced her lower lip with a single finger and he swallowed his moan when her tongue darted out for a taste. “Did it make you hot? Your mate defending you?”

Tilly swallowed hard. “You shouldn’t… I shouldn’t feel like this with this mess going on. I…”

He abandoned her mouth and slid his palm down her neck and then he reached behind her, cupping her skull. “I should. I did. She disrespected my mate and I’m the fucking alpha. If you’d tried to defend yourself, it would have opened a can of shit we don’t need right now because you’re not a wolf and we haven’t sealed our mating. But when we do, I’ll let you deal with all that. I’ll be watching though.” He nudged her pussy with his length. “You taking the ladies down a peg or two will get me hot.”

She rolled her eyes. “Violence gets you hot?”

“Nah, just you. The idea of you claiming your place, defending it, making everyone see you want to be mine and you’ll fucking fight to stay at my side. Sexy as fuck.”

Tilly shuddered and he figured she liked the idea just as much as him. That assumption was confirmed when another wave of her sweet musk hit the air. It filled him, the scent sinking into his pores and he memorized the smell. So. Fucking. Good.

Her stomach rumbled once more, the growl cutting through their banked passion like a knife, and he grinned at her. That grin turned into a wide smile when a flush of red stained her cheeks. “Let’s feed you, then.”

Mitchell stepped back. He forced himself to move from her when all he wanted was to slink closer, tear her clothes from her body, and sink into her wetness. Over and over again. But she was quick. Lightning fast she reached for him, small hand wrapping around his wrist and holding him still.

“I don’t think I’m hungry for food.” Her face reddened further. “God, that was lame, wasn’t it?”

“It so one hundred percent was!” Phee chimed in from the living room.

He growled. “Why can’t I get my mate to myself in my own house?”

“I’m guessing you could if you were behind a locked door, but you know, I’m not a genius, even though I’ve got a full academic ride to college. Just throwing out the idea.” Sarcasm dripped from the girl’s words.

“Pain in the ass,” he grumbled and ignored Tilly’s teasing smile.

“Only the good kind of pain. If someone makes you feel the bad kind of pain, you should probably kick their ass. Or pick a safe word if you’re into that kind of thing. I like asparagus. As a safe word, not for food. It makes the guy’s
you know what
taste icky.”

Mitchell squeezed his lips together. He wasn’t going to snarl at the teen for knowing about
safe words
and what asparagus did to men’s
you know what
and he sure as hell wasn’t gonna laugh. It’d only encourage her.

Tilly didn’t have the same restraint and broke out into snorting laughs. “You…” she snorted again. “She…”

He loved the sound of her laugh—even with the snorts—but not necessarily at his expense.

He growled low, only half serious, and narrowed his eyes. “What are you laughing at?”

“Her. You.”

“She knows almost more about sex than I do,” he rumbled.

“And he’s
old
.” Phoebe’s voice cut in again.

“I’m not—” he bit off his growing snarl. “I’m not old and you shouldn’t know about fucking safe words or fucking or anything that involves guys touching you.”

He was too fucking possessive now. In his wolf’s mind, Phoebe was
his
little sister and any who touched her had to go through him. It didn’t give a flying fuck about shifter traditions and acceptable behavior. Verity Collins’ kids were
his
and everybody better step the fuck back.

“What about girls?” Phoebe called back.

Somehow Mitchell had lost control and it wasn’t the first time this had happened lately. At some point in their conversation, he was no longer the grown up and instead was stumped by a mouthy teenager.

“At least girls can’t get me pregnant,” Phee mumbled, but he heard her loud and clear.

“Tilly…” He didn’t know what he was asking, but he was so out of his depth. Hell, even his wolf was ready to tap out and let Tilly handle this.

“Phee, quit giving Mitchell a hard time,” his mate raised her voice. The blush was now gone, replaced with a wide, teasing smile. “You’re gonna give the big guy a heart attack.”

“What. Ever. Keep the house stocked with B&J Peanut Butter World and all talk of vaginas and dicks will cease.”

“Deal.” He was quick to jump on the opportunity to quit hearing about all that. What happened between him and Tilly was
different
. It was… him and Tilly. Phoebe however… He never wanted to hear another sexual word outta that kid’s mouth.

Tilly tugged on his shirt, snaring his attention. “You realize she promised not to
talk
about things and never said a word about not
doing
them.”

“She…” Mitchell ran a hand through his hair.

“Is fucking with you.” She grinned. “Don’t worry about it. Her sexuality, whatever that may be, is hers. I’m not her mother. I’m close, but no cigar. So I do the best I can, educate her, keep my shotgun cleaned, and make sure every method of STD and pregnancy prevention is on hand.”

He stilled. “Shotgun? That idea has merit. I don’t have one, but I can get Kade to—”

Tilly placed her fingertips over his lips and he couldn’t resist the urge to have a taste of her. He lapped at those digits and swallowed the salty sweetness that filled his mouth and he smirked when she moaned. “I was kidding. She’s a good kid. Don’t let her rile you. Think of her as your most deadly opponent and,” she sighed, eyes going serious, “above all, don’t show fear. She can smell it and she’ll go in for the kill.”

If they weren’t talking about a seventeen-year-old kid, he’d be worried. Fuck, he was still worried.

“Are you sure?” He raised his eyebrows.

“About the gun or her threat to you?”

“Both?” He raised his eyebrows in question.

“Oh, yeah. Feed me and I’ll tell you about that time she…”

He was listening, really. Mostly. But when she reminisced and got that soft, sweet smile on her lips, he had a hard time concentrating.

Goddamn she was beautiful. And he was one lucky fucker.

Mitchell gripped the doorframe, fingers digging into the wood, claws scraping and piercing the surface as he tried to restrain himself. What was it with him and bathroom doorways? Twice now he’d nearly crumpled to a heap while clutching the frame and all because of Tilly.