Roaring for Him (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Wicked in Wilder Book 1) (34 page)

“You are such a
cunt
,” Seth spat.

“You know what?” Rage suffused her, pure molten anger. The emotions welled, grew, and filled her. The pain of his initial attack, the drama from what he’d done to her bakery, and the shitstorm she’d experienced yesterday finally rose and swamped her with fury.

She was done. She was over shit happening
to
her. Now she was gonna happen to everyone else. “I issue you a challenge, asshole. Right here, right now. I’ve got some aggression to work out and you seem ready to throw down. Paws or human claws?”

“Tilly…” She ignored Mitchell’s growl and simply stared at Seth.

Fur slid free of the male’s pores, gradually coating his tanned skin until his face was suffused with gray. Then the first snap of bone reached her, followed by another, and then another. His height slowly lessened as his wolf gradually took over.

“Paws it is.” Tilly reached for the hem of her dress, unwilling to shred even more clothing with an impromptu shift.

But Mitchell stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “I love you for trying to do this, but as your mate and the pack’s alpha, he’s mine.”

Tilly opened her mouth to object, to tell him to step away from the soon-to-be dead man, but Seth struck before she could get the words out. He pounced on them, jaws wide and claws aimed for her. Mitchell shoved her out of the way and a rumbling, animalistic snarl escaped his mouth. She slid across the ground thanks to his push and by the time she stopped skidding across the ground, her mate was a wolf.

And pissed.

The last of his clothing fluttered to the ground, his rapid transformation shredding the fabric as his dark gray and black fur sprouted from his pores and covered him from nose to tail.

Mitchell growled low and spun as Seth darted forward. They collided in a mass of flashing fangs and deadly intent. Seth’s mouth was wide, jaws searching for purchase while Mitchell did the same, claws digging in where they could.

They bit and scratched, scraped and dug into flesh. Their growls suffused the clearing, rumbling and echoing around the space. Their barks and snarls were the only sounds while each spectator remained silent as the battle raged.

More biting. More blood. A bark from Mitchell. A whimper from Seth. A growl from her mate. A whine from his opponent.

It was a red-coated dance of claws and fur, each male dancing to his own beat as they fought to destroy each other.

Seth wanted a challenge and it seemed her mate was more than willing.

Unfortunately, the dumbass wolf didn’t realize what he’d asked for.

Seth pounced, flying through the air and he landed on Mitchell with a thump. The attack had them both rolling across the ground. Her mate’s strength had him easily rising to four feet once more while his opponent struggled to get upright. He had several large wounds that slowed him, flesh and fur dangling from his side where Mitchell had gotten in a good strike.

But Seth wasn’t done. No, he tried again. And again. And again. He wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t submit to his alpha no matter how many times Mitchell put him down.

The ground was stained, the liquid soaking into the dirt, darkening it until it looked almost black. She wondered how much more Seth could lose before he finally relented, before his body gave up and shut down. She had to give it to the male, he had a set of balls on him…

Mitchell darted forward, jaws locking around the male’s throat. He dug his claws into the earth and a great heave flipped Seth to the ground, belly bared and vulnerable. Her mate should take the killing blow, should take this chance to end the threat to them, their pack, their mating. Seth had…

Mitchell squeezed tighter, and tighter, and tighter again until Seth gasped.

Seth would submit or pass out.

But he didn’t stop, he didn’t give up and submit.

Good. She wanted Seth gone. Didn’t she? He was an ass and he hated his alpha’s mixed mating and he’d attacked her and—

Dex had deserved to die. Phee’s father had deserved to die. Half the shifters her family had come in contact with should probably die.

But Seth was just a bigoted idiot.

“
Fuck
.” Tilly growled and glared at the two men doing their best to rip each other apart.

She stepped forward, throwing off Kade’s hold. His grip on her had grown steadily harder, but he wasn’t expecting her to resist. So when she pulled, she got free. She darted to the males. She stayed just out of reach, but close enough to be heard.

“Submit, asshole, or he’s gonna kill you.” Mitchell growled and Seth glared at her. “Look, I don’t give a shit, but you really wanna die because you’re a bigoted dumbass? You want Darcy to have to deal with your death? She’s retired her bitch hat; why can’t you? Give up.”

Seth’s snarl was weak, but still there.

“You can recover from this, Seth. I get it—I get that you hate me—but you can hate me and be alive to bitch about me, or you can be stupid and die, and I’ll piss on your grave. Those are your choices.” Tilly ignored Mitchell’s glare and kept her attention on Seth’s furious amber eyes. “Live or die.”

The two males remained locked, Seth unmoving while Mitchell continued to hold him captive. They stayed that way for one heartbeat… then two… then…

Seth finally relaxed, finally gave in and let his body go lax beneath her mate. Mitchell didn’t retreat right away and instead remained poised, his bite just as restrictive. They remained frozen, balancing between life and death.

Then Seth whimpered, a low sound that begged for forgiveness and understanding. A sound her alpha mate couldn’t deny. Mitchell released him and immediately came to her, his massive body urging her to step back and she didn’t put up a fight. He was still concerned, but in Tilly’s heart, she knew Seth was done. Whether he remained with the Wilder pack or went elsewhere, this fight was at an end.

Seth remained in place, chest heaving as he fought for air and she noted that some of his wounds were already healing. Not quickly, but they no longer bled freely. The snap and crack of bone brought her attention to her mate, to his body rapidly transitioning from wolf to man. Sexy as hell man. The second he had human arms and hands, she found herself in his embrace.

He hugged her tightly, squeezing her until it hurt a little, but she didn’t utter a single protest. Not when she wanted it just as much as him. “Damn, baby. I’m gonna spank your ass for that shit. You can’t put yourself in danger like that.”

Tilly shook her head, rubbing her nose against his shoulder. “I wasn’t in danger. You had it handled. I knew my mate wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

He pressed his forehead to hers and they rubbed noses. “Don’t care. Don’t do it again.”

A low whimper from Seth had them focusing on the gradually shifting male and Tilly nudged Mitchell. “Help him.” Her mate gave her a look that said she was crazy. “I mean it. Alphas can do that. Help him.”

“Tilly… He tried—”

“He’s your wolf. He’s a speciesist jerk, but he’s your wolf until you kick him out or decide to let him stay. Help him.”

She ignored his grumbles about women being crazy as he crouched beside the wounded wolf. He gripped Seth’s snout and forced the male to focus on him.

Then he released a single, deep word that overflowed with power. “Shift.”

Tilly almost came in her non-existent panties. That was hot as hell.

Seth’s shift was slow and painful until the fur fully receded and they were left with a battle-worn human male. His gaze slowly left Mitchell and gradually made its way to her. She saw a
thank you
in his expression, but the words didn’t pass his lips, which was fine. A girl didn’t need to be told she was right. Especially since she knew it already.

Mitchell remained focused on the wounded male. “You’re here right now because of her. For some reason, she wanted to save your ass even though you hurt her. So you can leave and find another pack, or you can stay and take whatever punishment I give you. You’ll be under watch for who knows how long and you won’t be able to piss by yourself, but you’ll be alive.” Mitchell raised his attention to the gathered wolves. “Cooper! Get over here and keep an eye on him. Feed him.” He looked at Seth once more. “You have tonight to make your choice. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Seth nodded and remained quiet, only groaning when Cooper helped him to his feet. Cooper led the limping Seth to the edge of the clearing and then the duo was swallowed by the crowd.

Which left them with a group of wolves intent on watching them bang.

Yeah, no.

The silence reigned, not a single soul raising their voice so Tilly did it for them. “Okay then, that was fun in a not-fun way.” She clapped her hands and made sure she had their attention. “So, here’s the thing. I’m gonna mate with Mitchell tonight. But you don’t get to watch. I think we kinda proved our mate worthiness with all the crap we’ve been through the last few days. That means we can all run and play in furry form. Ladies, if you have an issue that needs attention, come to the house tomorrow.” Tilly focused on the female that’d been shoved aside by Seth. She noted the woman’s trembles and hated every one of them. “I mean it. Tomorrow. The pack house. We’ll chat and figure shit out.”

“That’s not tradition,” Mitchell murmured, but his eyes sparkled with a smile.

“Yeah, well, mating a lion isn’t either, but we’ll deal. Our wolves shouldn’t have to wait a whole month to bitch.” She turned back to the crowd. “So, first come, first serve, but everyone will be talked to. I can’t promise to fix your problems, but I can promise to listen and kick assess if necessary. Anybody got something to say about it?” No one said a word. “Good.” She turned to Mitchell. “Let’s go. I’m ready to get fucked and mated.”

Mitchell knew exactly where he’d take her. His body ached and wounds from the fight throbbed in time with his heart, but that wouldn’t deter him. Tilly would be his. Tonight. And without interruptions or blatant onlookers. He didn’t doubt that one or two wolves would drift close, but he’d be damned if they stood around and got their rocks off two feet from his nude female.

Which was exactly why he led her to his favorite spot.

Tilly kept pace with him, her lioness running at his side as they traversed the forest. She took his direction with ease, turning with him, leaping over logs when necessary and slipping past clumps of bushes the closer they drew to the creek. When they reached the sandy, wet coast, he headed north. Their feet sank into the mud, staining their fur, but he didn’t care. Not when it’d be washed away soon enough.

He drew them around the next bend and slowed until he slowly approached his destination. Without fail, he dropped his nose to the ground and scented the area, searching for any smells that didn’t belong. Some of his wolves had enjoyed this secluded spot in the last few days, but none had been by since the gathering broke into the run.

Good. They were alone—for now.

Howls reached them, his wolves—their wolves—shouting their happiness to the moon. He’d be doing that soon enough… when he came deep within his mate.

He let his shift wash over him in a gentle wave. The wolf happily retreated, knowing what was to come and anxious to finally claim Tilly as their own. The remaining wounds healed further, the skin knitting together yet the pain remained. The beast could only do so much and he was thankful he no longer bled. He’d take the lingering ache any day.

His fur gradually receded and left skin in its wake. As the shift continued, he carefully rose to his feet and stared down at his feline mate. Blood and grime still caked his body, but the slow creek would easily wash it all away. Now he needed Tilly.

He held out his hand toward the lioness. “C’mon, baby. Lemme make you mine.”

She whined and padded forward. She nudged his outstretched arm with her nose and then lapped at his fingers. The rough, scratchy texture of her tongue scraped him and he realized she was trying to clean him.

Sweet, crazy mate.

“Gonna get washed up in the water. There’s a little pool past the bend. Get you there, get you clean, and claim you.” He lowered to her height. “But you gotta shift first. You’re hot as a cat, baby, but I’m not into bestiality.”

Tilly huffed and rolled her golden eyes before she stepped back. Where his transition was gradual, Tilly’s was whip-fast, her lioness retreating in less than a second and then she was on two feet. He didn’t hesitate to draw her close, to yank her against his body. His wolf needed her more than air and he couldn’t spend another moment without her against him, their skin touching from shoulder to thigh.

His cock stirred, length growing and shaft thickening with her nearness. He lowered his head and captured her lips, lapping at the seam until she opened for him. Then he delved into her, probed her mouth as he gathered her delectable flavors. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her seductive taste. After tonight, he’d have her for the rest of his life.

Which each slide of his tongue against hers, each suckle and flick, he grew harder. His cock pulsed with desire, the soul-deep need to possess her, and he knew he needed to be inside her. Now. He gradually eased their hungry kiss, slowly withdrawing and lessening his sensual strokes until their mouths were no longer connected.

“Baby,” he whispered. Tilly wiggled against him, her stomach stroking his dick and he shuddered with pleasure. “
Baby
. Need in you. Wanna make you mine.”

“I already am yours,” she murmured.

“Want my mark on you.” Wanted it all over her body. Wanted to sink his teeth in and give her more than one mating mark. Wanted everyone to look at her and see that she belonged to him.

Tilly whimpered and the scent of her arousal—her need—permeated the air. Yeah, she wanted it too.

He forced himself to step away, lose the feel of her lush body against his. She whined with the loss, but he wouldn’t be distracted. They’d enjoy one of his favorite places in the forest and he’d claim her. Even if they were stumbled upon, most of her would be hidden from view by the water. He would get his slick, delicious mate and any onlookers would see nothing but her pleasure-filled expression.