Roaring for Him (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Wicked in Wilder Book 1) (33 page)

Goddamn, he loved her and wasn’t that scary as hell?

Tilly lifted her head and turned it toward him until she met his gaze. His blood stained her lips, a small dribble dried on her chin, and her eyes had returned to their natural green. “Mine.”

He didn’t think there was a sexier word in the English language. “Yours.”

And in a few hours, she’d be his.

Tilly kept licking her lips, remembering the seductive flavors of Mitchell’s blood on her taste buds. Her lioness purred, pretty damned pleased with itself now that they’d claimed him as their mate. Nerves fluttered in her stomach as the knowledge that she’d become his in the next few minutes bombarded her. At least she wouldn’t have to be naked and he wouldn’t have to fuck her. Wait,
make love
to her. Rough or gentle, fast or slow, it was making love. Apparently. And as much as she wavered on the terminology, the message was the same—they were lovers, they loved one another. Period.

She’d still ask him to fuck her occasionally though. She could just imagine what it’d feel like to be pounded—

A rough throat clearing snatched her from imagining Mitchell bending her over a picnic table and she swiveled her head to find the owner of that sound. She didn’t have to look far. Kade—cheeks flushed red—stood beside her.

“Oh, Kade. Hi.” Her own cheeks heated. “How are you?”

“Good, good.” He nodded and leaned close, lowering his voice. “Maybe you could, uh, keep the naughty thoughts to a minimum while Mitchell tries to convince everyone you’re shy?”

His nose twitched and her cheeks went from warm to blazing hot. She had to remind herself she wasn’t around humans, but other shifters who could
smell
her need for her mate. And she was surrounded by them. The whole pack had come for the full moon run and to witness her mating with Mitchell. The clearing was large with a massive fire pit that occupied the center. There was also a large altar where, apparently, their mating would happen.

She closed her eyes and sought calm, fighting to slow her heart rate while she pushed her cat from the forefront of her mind. “Um, sure. Sorry ‘bout that.”

Kade chuckled. Asshole.

“Hey, baby,” Mitchell’s seductive voice rolled over her and she clenched with need once more.

Which had Kade gagging.

Dick.

Ignoring the beta, she smiled at her mate. “We good?”

Mitchell grimaced. “They’re not happy, but they’ll get over it.” Mitchell snagged her around the waist and tugged her against him.

She allowed herself to be pulled forward and she snuggled along his side, her gaze focused on the scarring on his left shoulder. It was healed now, his pure shifter blood speeding things along, but due to her saliva, the twisted evidence of her claiming remained. And it was hot as hell to see. She stared at the spot, her body heating with the knowledge that Mitchell was
hers
. Her pussy tightened, nipples pebbling, and she couldn’t wait to feel him sink—

Kade groaned. “C’mon, Tilly…”

She squinted and wrinkled her nose in embarrassment. “Sorry. It’s just that he’s
here
and that bite looks…”

It was so pretty. She licked her lips, salivating at the idea of tasting him again.

Mitchell just chuckled and kissed her forehead. “You ready?” his voice was low and for her alone.

Was she ready? How about ready-ish?

“Sure.” She could lie with the best of ‘em. Maybe her arousal would mask the scent of her untruth. At his narrow-eyed glare, she realized it didn’t. Dammit. “I’m as close to ready as I’ll ever be. I’ll be even better when this is done and we can go for our run.”

Her lioness was anxious to run at Mitchell’s side, to feel the clean air rustling her fur as they raced through the forest. Hopefully this time it wouldn’t end with a claw to the back. Her animal growled and told her if someone dared touch them she’d…

“We running this like a normal gathering or skipping to the mating and run?” Kade stopped them before they took a single step.

Mitchell’s brow furrowed. “I’d like nothing more than to mate Tilly right now, but I want to hear them. Anything specific?”

Kade nodded. “Heard some rumblings, but let’s see if she comes forward. If not, I’ll call it to the floor and get permission to handle it myself.”

Kade’s fury enveloped the air and banished the scent of Tilly’s arousal. Damn.

“Okay then.” Mitchell twined his fingers with hers and tugged her toward the center of the circle.

She pulled against his hold, wanting to go back to Kade and find out what the hell was going on. “Wait, aren’t you gonna ask—”

“Nope. The wolf will come forward or she won’t. I can’t force them to ask for my help, but I can give them every opportunity. Like Kade said, if she doesn’t come to him now, he’ll ask for permission to do something.”

“Why can’t he just say something now?”

He jolted to a stop and she stumbled to a halt only to be pulled to his side and snuggled beneath her arm. “Because wolves have to present the alpha with their own problems. No tattle telling from Lynn that Bobbie Sue beat the shit outta Katie which means Kade can’t say anything right now. He has to wait and give the female a chance to step forward.

“That doesn’t mean he won’t step up and ask permission to take care of it if she doesn’t, though. The point is giving them a chance. As for why he’s waiting until the end, the weaker wolves truly do need my help and guidance. They’re more important because sometimes they can’t defend themselves. That makes it my responsibility. It takes a lot to come to me and I don’t want to give them any reason to change their mind.”

“Oh. Like kids.”

Mitchell groaned and she didn’t think it was a sexy groan. More like a “did you really just compare my deadly wolves to children” groan. Yes, yes she did.

“Don’t say that out loud. They’re…”

“Delicate flowers?” She lifted her head and smirked when she met his gaze.

“Delicate
fucking
flowers,” Kade added and she didn’t sense any anger in his tone.

She stuck her tongue out at Mitchell and his eyes flared amber. “Don’t stick it out if you’re not gonna use it.”

“Oh, just wait until—”

“
O-kay,
then. On that note…” Kade clapped and drew everyone’s attention. “Before we get to our alpha’s mating, I’d like to call the gathering to order. If any wolf has grievances, please step forward.”

A timid female wolf eased from the edge of the circle, her gaze darting from side to side as she took one step forward and then another. Now she understood why Mitchell helped those weaker wolves first. If this woman had to wait until everyone else was done, she would have lost her nerve.

Tilly met the female’s gaze and the urge to protect her, shield her, and care for her washed over Tilly. It took everything in her not to go to the stranger’s side and hold her hand, lead her forward with promises that Mitchell’s bark was worse than his bite. She’d leave off the “mostly” part.

Before the small female made it five steps toward them, someone else shoved past her—shoved the timid woman to the ground.

Oh. Hell. No. She might not be the alpha bitch of the pack as far as the wolves were concerned, but just meeting that woman’s fearful gaze was enough for Tilly’s lioness to claim her as her own. Her cat hated anyone hurting someone weaker. Tilly wasn’t an alpha bitch protecting her pup, she was a lioness protecting her cub, and whoever pushed that woman over better—

“I’ve got a fucking grievance!”

Tilly swung her gaze to the owner of the voice and glared. “Really? I mean,” she just stared, “
really?
”

The male raised his voice higher. “I—”

This asshole had attacked her, pissed on her bakery and
now
jumped the line and pushed another wolf down. That made her cat furious. The bitch hated cheaters, meanies, and werewolves named Seth.

Kade stepped forward, but Tilly was quicker, a wolf’s reaction not up to par with a cat’s. And Tilly was all cat now, all spitting feline and deadly claws. She might not have shifted, but the strength and speed were there. She’d told Mitchell that if Seth hadn’t snuck up on her, she would have taken him down. Well, time to prove it.

She met Seth half way between the edge of the crowd and Mitchell, surprising the male and tackling him before he could say another word. It was hard and rough and she didn’t give him a chance to blink. But she was sure he wouldn’t stay that way for long. Which meant she had to make this count.

“Fucking motherfucker fucking with my fucking shit and
mine
,” she grumbled as she shoved his shoulders flat against the ground. She smiled when his grunt reached her.

Seth bared his teeth, canines lengthening before her eyes and his claw-tipped fingers reached for her. One grabbed the hand that was pressed to the center of his chest while the other went for her throat.

“Cunt. You’re nothing. I’ll—”

“I’m your Alpha Bitch, asshole.” Well, mostly. Almost? The cat had been iffy on the idea of ruling wolves, but she’d done just fine with a tiger and a bear. Wolves were cake.

“Not yet. You’re nothing. You have no right to—”

“And you have no right to disrupt my gathering and assault one of my wolves,” Mitchell’s words flowed over her as his scent sank into her skin. He wasn’t angry or upset. If anything, her mate was pleased with her actions. And a little annoyed. But she’d focus on the pleased part. “C’mere, Tilly.”

She didn’t want to go. She wanted to kick Seth’s ass. Especially since he wasn’t struggling anymore. She’d like to think it was because she looked so deadly and badass. In reality, it was probably because Mitchell and Kade were nearby. Dammit.

With a sigh, she released him and pushed to her feet, and Mitchell immediately nudged her behind him.

Overprotective cock blocker
.

She peeked around her mate and watched as Seth stood as well. The male was still just as imposing as before with his broad shoulders and mass of muscles. Damn. But when she let her attention drift to the trembling woman near the edge of the clearing, she realized he wasn’t impressive in the least. Anyone could hurt a woman.

Dickhole.

Seth glared at her and then faced off against Mitchell. She wanted to hiss at him and claw out his eyes. Really, really bad. “I have a grievance.”

“That’s been established,” Tilly drawled, earning her a glare from Seth
and
Mitchell.

Kade looked like he was ready to bust out in a laugh.

She decided she liked him again even if his mate was a little on the bitchy side. Darcy
had
come around in the end.

“I chall—”

Mitchell snarled, his shoulders broadened and he grew in height as the threatening sound rolled through the area. Her mate reached for Seth, his hand darting out and wrapping around the male’s throat between one heartbeat and the next. “You better think about your next words. You attacked my mate, you marked her bakery, and you injured a female in your haste to come forward. Wolves voice their problems to the alpha from weakest to strongest and you violated that. The ice beneath you cracked, Seth. One more word and it will break. Then I will break you.”

“I… challenge.” The words were low, barely a whisper, but they reached their small group. Mitchell released him and Seth stumbled back a few steps. “I challenge Mitchell Blake for his position as alpha.”

Silence descended, every wolf in the clearing staring at their small group in the center of the wide space. Okay, every wolf but
one
.

Darcy.

“Seth!” The woman raced across the glade, hair flying behind her and skirt whipping against her legs as she ran. She slid to a stop beside the male, her small hands grasping his forearm. “What are you doing? This is stupid. It’s finished. Why—”

The rest of her question was cut off when Seth spun and backhanded Darcy. He struck her, sending her collapsing to the ground with a soft yelp.

Mitchell and Kade were focused on Darcy, but Tilly had something else to concentrate on. Her cat was pissed about what he’d done. With her mate and the beta distracted, Tilly pounced. They hadn’t let her kill Phee’s father, but she’d be damned if this asshole went unpunished.

She bolted around Mitchell and went after Seth, lion’s claws digging into his shoulders while her cat’s fangs burst from her gums. She didn’t want to go fully furry merely because sometimes it was more fun to throw a punch.

So when his back struck the ground, she hauled her left arm back, formed a claw-tipped fist, and decked the male. Her knuckles collided with his jaw with a resounding crack that jerked his head to the side. She smiled when his eyes rolled upward and he went boneless beneath her.

“That was anti-climactic.” Tilly frowned.

Mitchell growled.

Kade laughed.

Large strong hands wrapped around her biceps and hauled her off Seth.

“Dammit, Tilly.” More growling from her mate.

“What? He was—”

“
Bitch
,” Seth hissed and she jolted forward once more. Maybe one punch wasn’t enough. It definitely wasn’t since he rolled to his feet and glared down at her.

“That’s
Alpha
Bitch, asshole.”

“You’re not—”

“No, I’m not, but I
am
the one who put you on your ass. And maybe you didn’t notice, but not a single wolf stopped me. I’m not your Alpha Bitch, but
I
claimed
Mitchell
. So bite or not, we’re tied and my cat doesn’t like assholes. You pushing that wolf down put you into the cat’s asshole category. All that other crap you did just makes me wanna kill you, bury you, and shit on your grave because that’s what cats do.”

Mitchell leaned close and lowered his voice. “Do you know how hot this is?”

Tilly rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

“Baby, you have no idea.” He practically purred, which had her cat purring, and then she was a big old ball of fuck me now.

But… Seth.

“I challen—”

Tilly rolled her eyes. “Seriously? What’s your challenge? Because I really wanna get to the mating part of this evening. This really is the cock block to end all cock blocks.”