The Mane Attraction

by Shelly Laurenston

  “She didn’t have much choice.”

  It was a simple sentence, but it resonated through the She-wolves. They understood its true meaning. Sissy’s power would never be questioned again. And only the bravest would ever challenge her for the position of Alpha.

  Ronnie grinned. Proud. Sissy had come a long way from that little three-year-old who told her one day, “We’ll be friends now. You’re not as pretty as me.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay, Sissy.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.”

  A naked, rushing Mitch walked past them, grabbing Sissy’s hand as he did and dragging her toward the cars. “Come on. We’ve gotta go.”

  “Go? Go where?”

  “The game!”

  Sissy froze—they all did—and gawked at him. “You cannot be serious,” Sissy barked.

  Mitch faced her. “Baby, I’m the wide receiver. The team is depending on me.”

  Ronnie stood behind Sissy and said what they were all thinking, “Oh, my God. He’s one of them now.”

  “Where the hell have you been?” Travis demanded. His entire right leg was in a cast, and his mate had put him in a wheelchair. Sissy had a hard time not giggling.

  “He’ll be ready in five.” She and Dee rushed to get his jersey over his shoulder pads.

  “He better be. The game’s about to start.”

  “I know. I know.”

  Once she had him ready, Sissy handed him his helmet. Tragically, it was not the one she’d used on her brother. It would have definitely been cool for him to wear that helmet. “You ready, baby?” she purred.

  “I was born ready, baby.”

  “Would you two stop it!” Travis snarled.

  “What’s the matter, Travis?” Sissy asked, her lips pouting in fake sympathy. “Your pain meds making you a little cranky?”

  “Get off the field, Sissy.”

  “I’m going.” She went up on her toes and kissed Mitch.

  Behind her, Bobby Ray griped, “Stop maulin’ my baby sister.”

  Sissy laughed and started to walk off the sidelines with Ronnie and Dee when the team coach for the bears, Collin-town’s seven-foot-eight librarian, barreled forward. “They’re not playing.”

  Travis looked at Mitch and Brendon. “There’s nothing in the rules that says the cats can’t play for us.”

  “I’m not talking about them. We told you before, Smith, we wouldn’t play if her”—he pointed at Sissy—“or her”—he pointed at Ronnie—“were playing.”

  Mitch looked at her. “Uh ... Sissy?”

  Sissy rounded on the coach. “I can’t believe you are still holding that against us. It’s been years!”

  “He was in traction for three months. A shifter! In traction!”

  “He was in my way!”

  Travis motioned Sissy toward the bleachers. “Go.” He looked at the coach. “They’re not playing. They’re only here to watch.”

  “That better be true. If they’re on the field at any time, you forfeit.”

  “So,” Mitch said, clearly enjoying Sissy’s high level of annoyance, “you hate the game not because it’s boring or stupid as you’ve always said. But because the big boys won’t let you play.”

  “Big boys? More like big babies.”

  Brendon watched the bears watch Sissy and Ronnie. “What exactly did you two do?”

  Sissy started to answer, but Bobby Ray shook his head. “Remember what you promised as part of the lawsuit settlement?”

  “Settlement?”

  “Oh, forget it!” She turned on her heel and stomped to the bleachers.

  As they got comfortable, Dee laughingly reminded Sissy, “Told you those bears would never let it go.”

  That bear hit him so hard Mitch flipped right into the end zone, the ball tight in his arms. He knew from the roar—and howls—of the crowd that he’d scored the winning touchdown.

  A big hand reached out for him, and he grabbed it. Brendon hauled him to his feet and slammed his hand against his shoulders. In some cultures, it might even be considered affectionate, in others, it was just assault.

  “Nice, little brother.”

  “I can’t see straight. But that’s okay.”

  “That bear was gunning for you.”

  “And where the hell were you?”

  “Taking out the other bears gunning for you.” Brendon grinned. “I knew I had some skill.”

  “As long as we keep a ball out of your hands.”

  “Eat—”

  Brendon never got to finish his insult as Sissy ran up and threw herself at Mitch. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, she kissed the helmet since he hadn’t taken it off yet.

  “You were so hot!”

  With one arm under Sissy’s ass, Mitch used the other to pull off his helmet. “Kiss me, baby.”

  She did, and all his aches and pains and exhaustion from the last few hours faded away. Her hands dug into his hair, and she pushed her body against his.

  “Could you two do that later?” someone complained, but Mitch didn’t know who or care.

  Still, Sissy pulled back a bit and smiled at him. “I need to get you to a bed.”

  “Who needs a bed?”

  “I’m gonna be sick.” Smitty pushed past them. “And I’m tellin’ Daddy!”

  Before Mitch could torture Smitty a little more, he spotted Dez on her cell phone, and she was running her hands through her hair. She seemed frustrated and worried. When her gaze rose to his and then quickly looked away, Mitch knew they wanted him back to testify.

  He knew Sissy understood that, too, when she whispered against his ear, “It’s time, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, baby.”

  She took a deep breath, her arms and legs tightening around him. “But we have tonight. And all day tomorrow.”

  “We have tonight. And tomorrow.”

  Resting her forehead against his, she sighed out, “All day tomorrow ...”

  Chapter 29

  “Get up!” Mitch tried to wake up, decided not to, and turned over.

  “Get. Up!”

  “What?”

  “You need to move ... now!”

  Clothes hit him in the face. “Get dressed and get out.”

  “Is this how you treat all your men, Sissy?”

  Ronnie appeared in the doorway. “Why is he still here?”

  “ ’Cause he won’t move!”

  Mitch sat up. “What the hell is going on?”

  “Daddy.”

  He frowned. “Don’t start calling me that, Sissy. I’m not one of those guys who finds that hot.”

  “Not you, you idiot. My daddy.”

  “What about him?”

  “They’re coming home.” Ronnie picked up the clothes Sissy had thrown at him and threw them at his head. “Our parents will be home in an hour. So get your ass up.”

  “Brendon and you will clean Ronnie’s house. We’ll clean this one.”

  “Ladies ... aren’t you a little too old for this?”

  The two She-wolves rounded on him, and he held his hands up before they could start swinging. “Fine. Fine. I’m going.”

  All furniture was put back in its proper place and anything damaged during the fight between the lioness and Dee fixed or hidden. Sheets were changed, nearly every available surface had been scrubbed, and any signs of feline DNA had been removed. Sissy was just flipping over the couch cushions to hide the claw tears when she heard the truck pulling up.

  “They’re here!” Ronnie flew down the stairs, Dee behind her. “They’re here!”

  “I know! I know!” Sissy pushed the cushions in and adjusted them until they looked perfect.

  Car doors closed, and she could hear her daddy’s low voice complaining about something and her momma’s responding laugh. As their footsteps made it up onto the porch, Sissy scrambled back, her eyes searching the entire room, looking for anything that could tip her momma off.

  The family room door opened, and Ronnie and Dee lined up next to her. He
r momma stepped in and stopped when she saw her daughter standing there. Her eyes narrowed, and immediately, her accusing gaze swept the room.

  “Move, woman. I’m exhausted.” Bubba Smith stepped into the room, but he stopped when he saw his daughter. “Sissy Mae?”

  “Hi, Daddy.” She quickly moved over to him and threw her arms around his shoulders. “Did y’all have a good time?”

  Bubba grunted. “I’d rather have stayed home.”

  “You can stop saying that now that we are home.” Her mother dropped her purse on the table. “Ronnie Lee, your parents are back at their house ... where you should be.”

  “Uh ... well ...”

  Janie blinked. “Good Lord ... Dee-Ann?”

  “Hi, Auntie Janie.”

  “Lord, girl! Come over here!” Dee went into her aunt’s arms. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Me, too.”

  Janie pulled back. “What happened to your face? And why are you limping?” Her lips pursed. “What did Sissy drag you into now?”

  “That’s it. I’m leaving.”

  Bubba took hold of his daughter’s arm before she could storm off. “Y’all stop it right now.” He pulled Sissy in front of him and chucked her under the chin, his eyes warm. “So why don’t you tell me what’s going on, Shug?”

  Mitch took the sweet tea Ronnie’s mother handed him. He gave her a smile that she didn’t return. She picked up her own glass and sat down on the opposite couch from him and Bren.

  “So where is she?”

  “Over at Sissy’s.”

  The woman let out a long sigh. “Typical. Over there with Sissy, but not over here to see me. Or to see her daddy.”

  Mitch opened his mouth to defend Ronnie, but Bren lightly banged his knee against his brother’s.

  “You two hungry?” Bren nodded, and Miss Tala let out another sigh. “Fine. I guess that means I have to cook y’all somethin’ since that daughter of mine ain’t here to take care of her man.”

  Again, Mitch went to tell her she didn’t have to do anything, but Bren’s elbow slammed into his side.

  Pushing herself up, she gazed down at the two cats. “Steak all right with you two?”

  The brothers nodded.

  “The boys are out back with their daddy. Guess I gotta make enough for them, too.” She shook her head and walked out of the room.

  “Bren—”

  “Not a word, Mitch. Not a word.”

  Bubba walked his baby girl to the rental car. She’d told him everything ... well, she’d told him enough. Enough to know that he could have lost her.

  Enough to know she was madly in love with a damn cat. She hadn’t said the words, but Bubba knew the signs. He didn’t blame the cat—it just meant the feline had good taste. But he’d always hoped Sissy would find a nice wolf to settle down with. In the long run, though, all he cared about was that his baby girl was happy.

  And because she was a lot like her momma, it wouldn’t take just anybody to keep her happy.

  “So he testifies tomorrow?”

  “There’s some prep or whatever, but pretty much.”

  “You’ll be there with him?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And after?”

  “Daddy ... I don’t know. I love him.”

  “I know.” Bubba kissed her forehead. “But don’t forget, Sissy Mae, your Pack needs you. But you need them more.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and gave him one of her warm hugs. “I know, Daddy.”

  “I love you,” he reminded her gruffly and stepped back. “Now you better get out of here. You got a long flight ahead of you.”

  Bubba stood on his porch and watched his baby drive away while Dee-Ann waved and headed by foot into the woods back toward Eggie’s place.

  “It’ll be all right, darlin’.” Janie slid her arm around his neck. “Don’t you worry now.”

  Bubba brushed his head against Janie’s cheek. She still had the softest skin.

  “I’m going inside and taking a good look around,” she said. “That daughter of yours was hiding something.”

  “You know,” he said after kissing her cheek and watching her saunter away. “I noticed something when Sissy was telling us what had been going on around here.”

  “Oh?” Janie said, opening the screen door. “What?”

  “I noticed that what she was telling us you seemed to already know. And you got quite a few calls from your sisters the last day or two.”

  His mate paused outside the door, smiled, and stepped into the house.

  Chuckling, Bubba put his hands on his hips and looked out over his territory. He was so glad to be home. You could keep those boats and tours and cruises—waste of time in his estimation.

  His brothers walked out of the woods, already shifted and wanting a good hunt. Smiling, Bubba pulled his clothes off and began to shift.

  “Goddamnit!” he heard Janie yell from the family room. “What the hell happened to my couch cushions?”

  She stormed back onto the porch, the couch cushion in her hand, but when she saw Bubba trotting down the stairs toward his kin, she snapped, “And I better not find out y’all are playing tug again with that damn crocodile!”

  Chapter 30

  “You ready?”

  Mitch nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

  They’d been back in Philly for three days, his testimony pushed off until this morning. Just as she’d promised, Sissy came with him.

  He pulled at his tie again, and Sissy playfully slapped his hands away. “You’re gonna end up strangling yourself.”

  “I hate wearing these things.”

  “I hate you in them. But you’ve got to look respectable.”

  He looked outside the windows of the SUV the cops had used to transport him here. It had started raining last night, and it didn’t seem to show any signs of stopping soon.

  “Want to just get this over with?”

  “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  He knocked on the window, and one of the police escorts opened his door. He walked around the vehicle and found Sissy already getting out before anyone could open the door for her.

  She took his hand in hers, and they walked into the courthouse.

  Sissy knew something was up when that cranky cat ADA came up to them. “I need to talk to you and to her.” She walked off, Sissy and Mitch following. She entered a room and waited until they were inside, then she slammed the door shut.

  “Who? Who was it?”

  Mitch glanced at Sissy before giving the female a helpless shrug. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jen.”

  She flung a file at the enormous table that took up most of the room. It flipped open, and photos sprayed out across the wood.

  Mitch leaned over, moving the pictures around with the tips of his fingers. “It’s O’Farrell.”

  “What’s left of him,” Jen snarled.

  After a few moments, Mitch blinked and stood straight. “Wait. Do you think I had something to do with this?”

  “Detective, everyone knows about your mother.”

  “My mother? You’re blaming my mother?”

  “And then there’s your new girlfriend—Huckleberry Hound!”

  “Watch it,” Sissy sneered, “or it’s time for a declawing.”

  “She’s got an uncle in prison,” the female damn near snarled.

  “In Tennessee. And he don’t get friendly with Yankees.”

  Mitch held his hand up. “Everybody stop.” He looked at the ADA. “So now what?”

  “What do you mean ‘now what’? There’s nothing now. It’s over.”

  “Really?” Mitch glanced at Sissy and shrugged. “That’s kind of a letdown.”

  “You know what I find truly fascinating?” Jen rested back against the table, her arms crossed over her chest. She seemed to have calmed down suddenly, even had a smile on her face, but Sissy didn’t buy it for a second. The woman was pissed off. “I find the fact that the bounty on your head is a
lready gone fascinating.”

  “Yeah, but with O’Farrell—”

  “And it’s actually rumored that you’re untouchable.”

  Mitch looked like he wanted to loosen that tie again. “Sorry?”

  “In fact, it’s rumored—and, mind you, I’m just repeating what I’ve heard—but I have heard it rumored that if you’re killed or hurt or even touched in any way, whoever did it will be killed in retaliation.”

  “Jen—”

  “No. Wait. It gets better. Apparently, this is all coming from Pete O’Farrell. Not Petey. He’s dead. But his son, who you would think would still want you dead, if simply on principle. But no, he seems to want you alive and well for years to come.”

  “Uh ...”

  “Oh, and people in your old neighborhood are afraid to walk past your mother’s house.”

  “Jen, I am really—”

  “No, no. Let us not speak of it.” The angry cat pushed herself off the table and walked around it, picking up the file and putting the pictures back. “It is funny, though. How one can get so close to their goal, only to have it snatched from them.” She shoved the file into her briefcase.

  “All that work. All that effort. Gone.” Both her hands on the briefcase handle, she stood in front of Mitch, looking up at him. “So tell me, Detective, are you planning to stay on the Force?”

  Mitch cleared his throat. “No. I was going to resign at the end of the trial.”

  “Oh ... well, isn’t that lucky? Now you can go and do it today. Everything seems to be falling into place for you. Your life is just turning out so well.” She spit out the last part of that sentence between her teeth before she walked out of the room.

  Mitch looked down at Sissy. “Tense girl.”

  “Is she coming back?”

  “Somehow I doubt it.”

  After several minutes of awkward silence, Sissy asked, “What do you want to do now?”

  “Well, I ...” Mitch shook his head. “Forget it.”

  “Say it.”

  “It’ll just annoy you.”

  “Just say it, Mitch.”

  “Okay. I’m hungry.”

  “Mitchell.”

  “You asked. I’m hungry.” His grin was wide and adorable. “Feed me.”