by Celia Kyle
“What?” He snapped out the word, fighting to speak through his near-muzzle and elongated fangs.
“Just checking on my girl and dropping off some mail.” The man’s voice was soft.
“Mine.” Elise belonged to him. She’d acknowledged his claim, even if they hadn’t solidified the bond. He’d kept the lion on a tight leash, but the moment she’d agreed, the beast had become fanatical in protecting the woman and making sure everyone knew she was off limits.
Seno’s eyebrows went up so high they nearly hit his hairline. “You okay with that, kiddo?”
Elise stroked Brute’s thigh, and he took comfort in the soothing gesture. “Yes. My fox came out to play and confirmed what I’d been feeling all along. He’s mine. We’re just not totally there yet.”
Brute could feel the heat coming from her blush and he growled. No one should embarrass his sweet fox.
“Easy, big guy.” Elise tried to soothe her mate. “Seno, if you’ll just set the mail on the ground and head out, I’m sure Brute can escort me to my door.”
Yes. He could do that. Make sure his mate was safe. She didn’t need some other male to watch after her. She had him. His lion would decimate anyone that threatened her. He would…
“Sounds good, kiddo. See you in the morning.” The man bent down and Brute heard the soft shuffle of envelopes dropping to the pavement. “And, Brute? I think it’d be good to switch to decaf until you claim your mate.”
Brute curled his lip, exposing a single, white fang and Seno spun on his heel, striding toward a truck on the other side of the parking lot.
A snort followed by a delicate giggle came from his mate and he nuzzled her, enjoying her happiness and feminine scent at once. “What’s so funny, sweet fox?”
Elise snorted. “You. On decaf.”
He mock growled and nipped her shoulder. Fuck, the cat wanted to sink his teeth into her and force the mating bite, but he couldn’t do that to her. Regardless of the fact that her pulse doubled with his gentle nibble and the delicate scent of her arousal suddenly filled the air.
“Come on. Let’s get you to your apartment before we start something we’re not ready for.”
“You mean I’m not ready for?” The sting of pain collided with her arousal.
“Never. I would never say anything like that. You aren’t ready for that step and I’m not ready to even risk upsetting you, sweet fox.”
Elise nodded and eased toward the door. Brute was quick to hop out of his side and rushed to her, snatching the mail Seno had left and then helping his mate to the ground. “Let’s get you inside.”
Brute kept his arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close as he led her to the stairs and then to her front door. Not wanting to start something they weren’t ready to finish, he snagged one of her hands and brought it to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. “Good night, Elise.”
“Good night.” A soft smile touched her lips and the musky fragrance of her arousal perfumed the air, blocking out everything else.
It took every ounce of his strength to step away from her and put distance between their bodies. “Go ahead in. I’ll wait to hear you lock up and head on home.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” She looked anxious, as if he’d leave her alone now that she’d admitted that they were mates.
“Of course. Now, go on in. I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I don’t know you’re safe.” He handed over her mail and watched her tuck it into her purse.
When she returned her attention to him, amusement twinkled in her eyes. “Based on the bat in your pants, I think you’ll need a cold shower, too.”
*
Not waiting for a response, Elise locked herself in the apartment before she could rush back into Brute’s arms.
What a crazy night. She’d been freaked the fuck out at realizing Brute was really, truly, no mistaking it, her mate. Hence, the running. But even that had been over the top. She had to admit, with his frequent visits, she’d suspected that he wasn’t popping by just because he was her friend. And now she understood his behavior.
Mate.
Wow…just…mate.
And sex. Fuck! They’d have to fuck.
The butterflies that always seemed to lurk in her stomach fluttered and flew within her, the imaginary bugs going to work as apprehension and fear coursed through her veins.
Pressing a hand to her stomach, she took a deep, cleansing breath. Brute wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t a Freedom member bent on destroying the shifter hierarchy or one of the furballs who felt raping a woman was their due. Already he’d proven his need to protect. The poor guy at the drive-in hadn’t done anything but been in the wrong place at the wrong time and now had a few claw marks to prove it.
Elise’s fox pushed forward, urging and nudging her, letting Elise know that the beast wanted to claim their mate. Hell if the furball had her choice, they’d be heading over to the man’s home at that very moment.
But she needed to prepare.
Mate.
Stupid fox.
Mate now.
Elise growled. I am not going to mate the man unless I know we won’t freak out half way through it. Stupid, stupid fox.
We won’t.
She rolled her eyes. And you know this how?
He’s mate.
Elise sighed. They’d just go round and round until she lost her patience and snapped at her inner-beast. Considering the fox hadn’t voluntarily come out to Elise in years, she figured a nasty argument would set them back a ways. Shaking her head, she flicked on the living room light and froze.
Adrenaline poured into her bloodstream and the fox, having just barely retreated, shoved forward, lending Elise its abilities. Blood. So much blood coated the wall. Words were etched into the paint in the burgundy liquid…
Whore.
Die.
The furniture was trashed and the TV lay helplessly on the floor.
And so much blood.
Hands shaking, she reached into her purse and dug out her cell phone, not tearing her eyes from the scene before her. The fox catalogued scents, tried to sift through them to discover an interloper, but they couldn’t find anything beyond the blood.
At least it wasn’t human. Or shifter. Fox thought it was cow. Fresh, not frozen and that thought brought a giggle to her lips.
The moment her fingers encountered the metal case of her phone, she tugged on it and poked at the screen. The smartphone jumped into action. Before today, she would have called her brother. Now she had only one person in mind.
In one ring, he answered.
“Brute. I need you. Oh, god,” she stifled a sob. “Please.”
“What is it, Elise?” Brute’s voice held a hint of worry and an abundance of growl.
She could hear the roar of his truck’s engine and the squeal of tires and a snippet of her fear drifted away. Her lion was on his way. He was big and mean and could protect her and…
“I’m inside and… Blood. It’s everywhere, Brute.”
A snarl came over the line. “I’m coming across the lot right now.”
Another squeal of tires was almost immediately followed by the rapid thump of her mate’s boots on the stairs. Wrenching the door open, she threw herself into Brute’s arms, the cat not even grunting under her added weight.
“I’ve got you. Shh…” He stroked her back and she shuddered against him, drawing strength from his embrace.
Elise inhaled his masculine scent, letting his presence soothe the debilitating fear that had arisen. The fox, just as on edge, reveled in the presence of their mate, fur smoothing with his arrival.
A growl from Brute reverberated through her. She realized the tangy scent of blood must have reached him. She soothed him the only way she knew how, stroking his chest and trying to wipe away his anger.
Brute pulled her closer and then swung her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She squeaked in surprise, but readily relaxed into his embrace as he tromped dow
n the stairs and to his truck.
“I’m gonna call Alex, Grayson, Seno and then Sheriff Corman.” Brute sat her sideways in the driver’s seat, staying close while he fished out his phone. “It’s not human or shifter…”
“Cow,” she provided.
“Right. Cow. But it’s a helluva lot of blood.”
Hands shaking, she reached for Brute, needing a connection to her mate. If he was around, nothing could happen to her. He’d protect her, wouldn’t let anything hurt her.
“I couldn’t smell anything other than the blood. But that’s not saying much since I’m not too in-tune with my fox.” A tear slid down her cheek and she hadn’t even realized she’d been so close to crying. “But they wrote things on the wall. I’m scared…” The last was said with barely a whisper, but her mate must have heard it.
Brute squeezed her hand and stepped closer. Releasing his grip, he cupped the back of her head and brought his face to hers, staring into her eyes. “Nothing will happen to you. Nothing. I will die to protect what’s mine and you, Elise, are mine.”
Another tear leaked from her eye and she nodded. “Okay.”
“Good.” He released her, but leaned his hips against her legs, maintaining their contact as he woke his phone and began his string of calls.
By the time he’d finished with the Sheriff (also a shifter, apparently), Alex and Grayson had arrived with Seno pulling in immediately after.
Then growly hell broke loose. It started with Brute, and then the others responding to Brute, and then Brute responding to that until it became a vicious circle of whose dick was bigger.
Still slumped in the front seat of the truck, Elise reached out and stroked her mate’s shoulder, sliding her hand down his back and then up again. Without second guessing herself, tendrils of her power slid into the air and into her mate, petting the lion he held within. The cat’s fur smoothed beneath her ethereal hand, settling as the protective rage left it, and the tension in Brute’s human body eased.
Feeling empowered by what she’d done, and with the fox urging her on, Elise reached toward the others. Joy filled her as she repeated the process on each male, only stuttering when she got to the Sheriff. Hyena… A shudder raced down her spine, memories of the hyena that had tortured her the most, threating to creep in. She shoved the feeling aside. This guy wasn’t Jasper. He was just another hyena and living in Ridgeville with Alex’s permission. She trusted Alex, so she’d trust this guy. Mostly.
The aggression in the air around them nearly disappeared, a general hint of calm filling its space.
Elise bounced, unable to contain her feelings. “I did it! Did you see?” She shook her ass in the seat. “Go me!”
Then the wind changed direction, blowing the stench of blood toward them. The happiness faded, replaced with the fear and apprehension from only moments ago.
Brute retreated from the circle of men and rested his back against her legs, grabbing her hand and pressing a soft kiss to the center of her palm. “I did, sweet fox. I’m so proud of you.”
Elise leaned down and nuzzled his neck, inhaling his scent as she transferred hers to his skin. His fragrance, more than anything, swept away the dread that had threatened to overwhelm her again.
“Can we finish with the lovefest and get to work?” The Sheriff interrupted them and Elise’s fangs pushed at her gums. She wanted to launch her body over her mate and bite the man who’d broken into their time.
It seemed her fox was getting back in the game.
Brute snarled and then filled the men in as she silently listened. Her mate could take care of this, take care of her. Too many thoughts bounced around her mind. Letting her male handle things lifted a weight from her shoulders.
“We need her to come down to the station for questioning.” Sheriff Corman’s voice overlaid Brute’s explanation.
“No.”
“You’re not the law here—”
Brute cut the hyena off. “I’m her mate. I was with her all night and she came back to the mess upstairs. That’s your statement.”
A glance at the Sheriff revealed a set of glowing eyes. “She needs to come down—”
Her mate snarled and, finally, Alex stepped in. “I think the Sheriff can do his work here and Brute can bring his mate in tomorrow to give a statement. It’s late and I’m sure Miss Mara needs to rest after her ordeal.” The Prime’s gaze encompassed them all. “And I want to get back to my mate and cubs. Sheriff, do what you can and then let Seno get a crew in to clean. Any questions?”
Through Alex’s orders, Elise had kept an eye on the Sheriff and she didn’t like what she saw. The man was livid, furious at Alex taking over and issuing orders. A frisson of fear consumed her and she fought back the sensations. He was just another hyena…not the one who’d tortured her. That male was dead, but this one…
She shook her head, clearing those thoughts. She couldn’t harbor prejudice against an entire race for one man. He’d been the worst, but wasn’t the only type of shifter to abuse her. Not by far.
Brute turned to face her. “Scooch in and we’ll get out of here.”
“But go where?”
Her mate cupped her cheek and traced her lower lip. “Somewhere safe.”
Elise wasn’t sure where “safe” ended up being. Not when she’d fallen asleep on the way there. She half awakened to listen to her mate and changed into an oversized T-shirt. Then again when a boxer clad Brute slid into bed beside her.
Bare skin met hers, the hair on his chest brushing against her arm and she instinctively pulled away. Only to be mentally shoved back by her fox. She was torn. The pain of her past collided and fought with the potential pleasure of her future, a future she’d never dreamed to have.
Without second guessing her decision, she eased closer to her mate and right into his arms, allowing him to pull her snug against his body. She melted along his length, laying her head on his chest and resting her hand over his heart.
“Elise?” Brute’s voice was low, soothing as it flowed over her nerves. He would protect her, take care of her and defend her from the world.
She sighed and let her eyes drift closed. “Mate.”
Chapter Seven
“Apparently, surprises are only surprises if she smiles. If not, death looks really, really good.” – Brute Mauer, Prima guard and a total novice at the mate thing.
Elise woke in small degrees, her drowsy mind drawing her toward wakefulness like a gentle breeze.
She first became aware of the musky, delectable scent of her mate surrounding her, then the feel of his arms wrapped around her body and the smooth, hot skin beneath her cheek. She lay in his embrace, absorbing his essence with every breath.
Mate…
The dim light of the room allowed her to see past the shadows and drink her fill. Her gaze traced his nose, along his strong jaw and on to the lips that she ached to taste once again. Reaching out, her fingers followed the same path, absorbing the silky feeling of his flesh.
So beautiful, yet so deadly. She had no doubt that her fierce lion would fight anyone that threatened her. Including the ass that had violated her apartment.
Elise’s fingers continued to drift, over the thick column of his neck and along his chest, tracing the carved muscles of his body. So strong. So…hers. She paused and explored the swirls and lines of his tattoos, the thick expanses of colors and black that peppered his skin and begged for attention.
The subtle change in the tempo of Brute’s breathing alerted her and she glanced at his face. He captured her with his gaze, lust-filled eyes snaring her, and she fell into him. Pure passion lurked in his expression and unknown desire beckoned her. More than anything, she wanted to wrap herself in him and live in his hold.
“Brute…” Elise whispered into the ever stretching silence.
She needed him. The truth of the thought slammed through her. The past couldn’t be forgotten and she’d always have remnants of her history sneaking up on her, but she couldn’t let past exper
iences mar her future. Not when she had her mate so close. The fox yipped in agreement, the little beast anxious to sink her teeth into Brute’s flesh and claim him as theirs.
Pushing onto her elbow, she rose to stare down at her mate and increased the range of her exploration. No part of him was saved from her touch. She stroked his bare chest, slid her hand over his abs and on. A sliver of fear wound its way through her veins, but she shoved it aside.
Brute was not them. Never them. He wouldn’t hurt her in any way and would die to protect her.
While he was shirtless, he still wore boxers, hiding him from her touch. She slipped her fingers beneath the elastic and let her hand rest above his cock, fingers sifting through the cropped hair there, and she willed her body to continue. She teased the base of his shaft, his cock already hard from her ministrations. She shoved away any remnants of her hesitation and encircled his dick, measuring his width. She had no doubt that he’d fill her, stretch her, like no other. Then again, Brute was like no other.
“Elise…” Emotion filled her mate’s voice and the scent of his arousal flowed throughout the room. His large hand wrapped around hers and encouraged her to release him. He brought her palm to his lips and pressed a kiss to her skin. “This will be about you, sweet fox. Let me love you first.” His husky voice sent a shiver of arousal down her spine and she forced herself to nod.
“Yes.”
Brute slid from beneath her and eased her to her back so that their positions were reversed. His large body loomed over her, hovering and covering her like a blanket. A wicked smile split his features as he slid down the bed.
When he’d helped her into bed he’d left her with only one of his shirts and panties. She should be annoyed with him for coaxing her into so little while she was half-dead to the world, but she couldn’t muster the hint of anger. Not when he settled between her spread legs and then flipped her shirt up, exposing the juncture of her thighs to his gaze.