by Multiple
“What do you think you’re doing?” Ian crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Mark.
Ivy snuck a peek at Mark’s face from behind her brother. Ivy’s stomach sank to her shoes at the sight of Mark on her porch. His eyebrows were raised in surprise that quickly melted into anger turning his face bright red.
“Get out of my way, Ian.” Mark raised his fists and held them in front of him. They shook slightly and a glimpse Ivy could only think was fear crossed across his dark eyes.
“Like hell I will. You threaten her, you threaten me.” Ian stepped forward onto the porch.
Mark swung his arm toward Ian, the clenched fist aimed for Ian’s jaw. Ian easily maneuvered out of the way, his arms dropped to his sides and his big hands curled into fists. “Last warning, asshole. Leave my sister alone.” Ian’s shoulders visibly tightened, and his face was a cold calm that Ivy had only seen a few times in her life. Ian was ready to kill Mark.
“After what she did? Never.”
Without warning, Ian punched Mark in his square jaw. The skin on Ian’s knuckles hitting the bone in Mark’s jaw made a loud thud sound that made Ivy cringe.
Mark stumbled back, his eyebrows raised and mouth slightly gaped open as his hand flew to his jaw, and then, he fell to the ground. Ian pounced on him landing square on his chest. Mark raised his hands in self defense as Ian’s fists hit Mark’s unprotected body.
Ivy’s hands flew to her mouth as she rushed into the doorway, caught between a gasp of worry and a cry of relief at seeing Ian pounding Mark into the cement.
Ivy stood in the doorway like she had in high school with her breath caught in her throat as Ian pummeled Mark’s face and side.
Mark grunted in obvious pain each time Ian’s fist made contact, blood gushed from Mark’s nose.
Blood scented the air, and Ivy reared her head in bloodlust. She wanted a piece of Mark, too. Ivy panted as the aching pain of the change came over her arms. Ivy cried out as she fought her tiger and orange fur sprouted on her hands and forearms. She groaned as her fingers snapped and popped. Muscle and bone shifted under her skin and her hands rounded into paws.
Icy fear kept Ivy in place staring at her paws. She had never partially changed before and terror of the unknown froze her in place.
Ian glanced over his shoulder.
Mark took the opportunity to sucker punch Ian in the face and roll out from under him. Mark scrambled to his feet and ran off into the dark night. Ian sprinted after him.
“Ivy.” Edge grabbed her half formed hands.
Ivy gasped in surprise as his touch burned over her throbbing hands. How was he here? Her brain couldn’t process him standing in front of her. Ivy’s vision blinked between grey scale and color. She glanced down at her monstrous hands as horror seeped into her brain and her chest constricted her breath. A whimper came out of her throat as she locked gazes with Edge. Her body arched backward and pain shot through her limbs ripping her paws from Edge’s hands.
“Look at me, baby. Calm down, you’re safe.” Edge grabbed her face between his large palms and tried to make her eyes lock with his as if he could will the change away. Ivy couldn’t look at him as she fought for air above her panic. She had to get more air into her lungs.
Ivy cried out as muscles shortened in her arms and legs pulling them closer to her body, her spine snapped and lengthened as she fell to the floor with a groan of pain that pulled her right out of Edge’s grasp. The thick orange striped fur burst from follicles all over her entire body enlarging her pores. She panted as blood rushed through her signaling the end of the change.
“Ivy.”
She whipped her head toward the male voice and growled low in her throat.
He held out his arms, palms facing out and slowly dropped to his knees in front of her.
Ivy bared her fangs at him and pulled her paws under her in a low crouch.
“Ivy, it’s me. Edge. I know you know me. Your scent’s on me.” Edge moved his hands closer to her, and she reared back with a hiss.
Ivy’s heart beat faster, her tiger smelled the blood from Mark’s nose that had dripped onto the porch behind Edge and roared a loud warning growl at him. She recognized Mark’s scent, but ignored her own. All she wanted was to taste Mark’s blood. She tried to dart past Edge and out the door, but he side- stepped in front of her. She swiped at his chest with her paw and snarled baring her teeth in his face. If he wouldn’t move out of her way, she’d make him move. Blood dripped from the scrape she’d made on his chest. Ivy’s tongue lolled out of her mouth for a minute and dripped with saliva. Oh, she wanted to taste hot blood. The need made her insides burn with an almost sexual desire.
She lunged at him, lowering her head and butting him in the stomach.
His arms came around her, then slipped under her shoulders and as they fell, he maneuvered with his legs and ended up above her.
Ivy’s face and front paws hit the pavement, and she groaned at the pain that shot through her head.
Edge pinned her to the ground with his forearm and dug into the fur at the back of her neck. His thighs pinned her shoulders down. Rage made Ivy roar again, and she tried to buck him off her back. She wanted blood and right at that moment anyone’s would do.
He had a fistful of fur and cinched down to keep her in place.
Ivy’s vision was a wash of red as anger made her bare her fangs, her paws scratched at the slippery tile floor trying to find purchase.
Edge planted his hands on either side of her head and she snapped at his fingers.
A whiff of her scent drifted over her senses and something snapped like a twig off a dry tree inside her rioting brain.
Mate. Mine.
Ivy stopped fighting and settled onto the floor as Ian stormed onto the porch.
“Get off my sister!” Ian rushed at Edge dropping his shoulder like a football player and plowing him off Ivy’s back.
Edge’s hand tugged at the ruff of her neck pulling out a small chunk of fur. Ivy growled at the sharp pinch of pain. Edge’s hand slipped from her fur and Ian and Edge tumbled to the floor.
Ivy jumped up onto all four feet and turned quickly toward the scrambling males. She threw her head back and a loud angry roar ripped from her throat grabbing Ian and Edge’s attention like she had doused them both in cold water.
At some point, they had made it to their feet, and Ian’s hands clutched at her mate’s torn shirt. Both males’ eyebrows hovered around their hairlines, both were flushed from anger and exertion, and their mouths gaped at the long feral noise that rent the air around them.
Everyone froze as she forced her way between Edge and Ian. She faced off with her brother, growling at him, she bared her fangs. She kept Edge behind her body by planting herself in front of him and tried to push him back with the weight of her form. The instinct to protect her mate swelled up inside her chest and adrenaline surged through her body.
Edge dropped to his knees next to her. His large hands thrust into the fur at the back of her neck. Ivy purred, keeping a wary eye on Ian and leaned into Edge.
“Sorry, Ian. Bloodlust over came her.” Edge stroked Ivy’s fur and she closed her eyes, allowing his fingers to awaken her skin. Contentment filled her core like sun on a clear day.
“She doesn’t change a lot.” Ian’s gaze roamed over Ivy and Edge while something that could have been awe lingered in his eyes.
“Why?” Edge scratched behind her ears, and she purred deep in her throat as warmth and desire filled her limbs. Edge’s hands were so good grazing through her fur. She could orgasm with him scratching her. The only thing she could even compare the scratching to was when his hands stroked over her naked flesh.
“I can’t tell you that. That’s Ivy’s business.” Ian shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned his back against the nearest wall.
Ivy’s body melted into a puddle on the floor as she completely relaxed and willed the change. She stretched as the muscles o
f her arms and legs lengthened. Ivy’s hip bones popped as they realigned into her female form. Her neck cracked as her spine shortened and reformed. Her fur disappeared back into her skin, and her body quaked with small tremors inside her aching muscles as the changed stopped.
“Ow, that hurts.” Ivy unclenched her sore hands as Edge stripped off his shirt, and she sat up. He helped her pull the shirt on over her head. Edge’s shirt engulfed her small frame. Ivy inhaled the rich spicy smell on Edge’s shirt into her senses and committed the smell of her mate to memory.
Edge pushed her tangled hair away from her face and gazed into her eyes.
She rubbed the sore muscles in her thighs and Edge helped her to stand. Ivy glanced at him.
The caramel skin of his well-muscled chest glowed in the light of the entryway. Edge’s pecs and abs were defined and smooth like someone had drawn them on him. His arms were muscular and thick.
Ivy couldn’t help the warm rush of desire that slicked the folds between her legs. Ivy ran her tongue over her lips slowly wetting them even though she wrapped her arms around her waist.
“Why are you here, Edge?” Ian came to stand beside Ivy and wrapped his arm around her.
Edge’s nostrils flared when Ian made contact with Ivy’s shoulder and tension entered his upper body.
“I was worried about her. I thought you two might need help.” Edge took a step forward.
“We’re not part of your pack.” Ian squeezed Ivy’s shoulder in a firm grip as if reassuring her.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re pack. You’re Were. Pack or not, we’re all part of the same family.” Edge shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. His face was flushed with what Ivy guessed was annoyance, because his eyebrow was arched.
“Thanks. I’m staying the night and I don’t think Mark will come back. I banged him up pretty good.” Ian stroked a hand over Ivy’s shoulder and upper arm.
“Can I have a minute with Ivy?” Edge’s gaze never left Ian, but his gaze seemed to burn her just the same.
She was hyper-aware of Edge’s presence in her home at that moment. Ivy’s chest tightened with now familiar panic at the thought of Mark coming back to her home, but the slickness between her thighs made her remember the small battle she’d had with Edge. When Edge subdued her, Ivy could have orgasmed right there. For some reason, his dominance didn’t bother her. His dominant maleness excited her.
Mate. Mine.
Ian glanced down at Ivy and she nodded. Ian released her shoulder and stepped into the kitchen.
Edge visibly relaxed with Ian out of the room.
He stepped in front of Ivy, and she had to tip her head back to look at him. He hunched over until they were mere inches apart. Edge pulled her hands from around her waist and rubbed them gently.
“Are you okay?” His deep, gentle voice sent goose bumps over her body that heated her blood and her tiger purred.
“I will be.” Ivy’s gaze never left his cerulean eyes.
“I want you to know I’m here if you need me.” Edge’s callused hand caressed hers sending heat licking at her insides. Joy flooded through her body and sealed up all the little cracks of hurt Mark had caused.
“Okay.” Ivy didn’t know what to say. She fell end over end into the smoldering, ocean depths of his eyes. The world around her receded until she and Edge were the only ones left. So much had happened, but he was here caring for her. Edge literally gave her the shirt off his back. She didn’t deserve this.
Mine!
Edge leaned in closer and brushed his lips against hersthe barest of touches that made her body burn into a slow rolling lava flow that started in her core and radiated out into her extremities. Her arms snaked around his neck and hugged him closer.
“Do you want me to stay?” His soft whisper brushed over her lips.
Ivy kissed him quickly and broke away. If she didn’t get away from him, she would never let him go. Her body was ablaze with desire that leaked out of her pussy and slicked her inner thighs. She wanted him to sate that need so badly it was like a roaring train thundering through her body.
“No. I’ll be okay. Ian’s staying.” She clenched her hands in front of her to stop them from reaching out and pulling him back to her needy body.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Edge’s finger brushed across her cheek.
“Yes. Tomorrow.”
Edge walked to the front door and left her standing in the hallway. The door shut and he was gone.
Ivy lifted her hand and her fingers glided over her kiss-swollen lips.
Ian came out of the kitchen, but before he could speak, she did.
“I’m going to bed.” She kissed him on the cheek and then raced upstairs needing to put as much space between her and the hallway as possible. She ignored Ian as he called for her. Instead, she shut and locked her bedroom door.
Ivy fell on the bed and tears of frustration spilled down her cheeks. She had attacked Edge. How was he ever going to see her as a mate? He was so male, strong and confident. Ivy was weak and out of control in her tiger form. She hiccupped through a sob as she mentally beat herself up and prayed for answers. Ivy wanted him so much her heart was near exploding with untapped desire for him. She climbed under the covers of her bed and curled up into a ball as exhaustion finally took hold of her body and she fell asleep.
~~~
Edge spent the next day doing anything and everything he could to distract himself as he waited for eight o’clock. His dreams the previous night were filled with visions of Ivy beneath him, of her soft pants against his ear as he took her over and over.
Edge woke with his body ablaze and the hardest erection he’d ever had. He could not alleviate the strain. Instead, he took a cold shower and prayed for the day to pass quickly.
Edge was busy pretending to sort through paperwork when Ian strolled into The Haven.
“Edge.” Ian placed his hands flat on the counter.
“What?” Edge nearly snapped his teeth at Ian. He hadn’t appreciated the way Ian had come between him and Ivy last night. Edge sure as hell wasn’t happy to see him now. He was an Alpha, and this was his pack territory. Anything that went on with Were-tigers was his business, and Ian had acted like Edge was the one in the wrong. If the Were in question had been anyone besides Ivy, maybe he could have released the anger inside him. Ivy was his mate, and he wasn’t about to allow some other male to handle his mate’s business. Edge really didn’t care if that male was her twin or not.
“I’m here about my sister…”
Edge stopped shuffling and glanced up at Ian. Edge’s eyebrows were creased, his eyes squinted with his aggravation. Edge unconsciously ground his teeth back and forth.
“What about Ivy?” The words came out a raw growl.
“I can’t just let you have her.” Ian leaned his hip against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. He had a grin on his face.
Edge crumbled the papers on the desk into his fist. After everything that had happened last night, Ian dared to come to him like this? The stupid cub had balls this size of grapefruit. Ian knew Edge was the Alpha and he still challenged him? Edge was ready to shred Ian where he stood and carve that damn smug look off his face.
Even so, Edge knew by the tone of Ian’s voice that he would have to prove himself worthy of Ivy. Another part of the dance in the mating ritual. Ian wanted to issue a challenge to prove that Edge was a male worthy of mating with his sister. To be worthy, Edge would have to best Ian in tiger form.
Edge clenched his jaw allowing the muscles there to tick under his skin, but said nothing. He already cared for Ivy, and if this was what Edge needed to do to be with her, then he’d fight Ian. Edge tossed the papers onto the desk as he came around the counter.
“Let’s do it.” Edge headed past Ian.
“Whoa, just like that? Let’s do it?” Ian’s eyebrows were raised and a slight blush colored his cheeks. This pleased Edge and brought his ange
r back down to a gentle rumble in his chest instead of the loud pounding in his ears it had been before he saw Ian’s reaction. So the young cub wasn’t stupid after all, he was a little afraid of Edge. Good.
“Yeah, Ian, just like that.” Edge growled and held his hands out. “She’s my mate and if I have to prove myself to you, I’ll do it. Let’s go.”
“Lead on, my brother. Let’s see what you’ve got.” That phrase made Edge almost turn on Ian. He’d changed his mind…the cub was stupid. Ian followed Edge down the hall.
The training area was the size of a small gym. Edge pulled his shirt over his head as he walked through the doorway and tossed it onto a waiting bench.
“Damn, boy, you are serious, aren’t you?” Ian grinned as he pulled the door closed and locked it.
“I never joke when it comes to something I want. I already care about her, Ian, and tonight’s the mating moon.” Edge unzipped his jeans and pulled off his shoes. After he had undressed, Edge stretched his arms over his head as his bones began to crack and reform into shortening limbs. His body shifted as heavy muscles formed down his hips and shoulders. His claws sprang from his fingertips as they rounded into paws. He groaned as the change came over him. Finally, Edge stood in white tiger form.
He stalked to the far side of the room, head lowered and shoulders tight. While he waited for Ian to change, he took in deep breaths of air to center himself and erase his anger. Ian, being Ivy’s twin, was important to Edge because he was a part of Ivy in a sense. He didn’t want to hurt the cub, just win the challenge and put Ian in his place. At the same time, to do that, he had to have his head on straight.
Ian quickly removed his clothes and shifted. He was a black and orange stripped like his twin. Even their markings were similar.
Ian growled low then worked up into a loud roar of the challenge, loud and long, and Edge responded by doing the same.
The challenge made and accepted.
Edge and Ian walked a wide circle opposite each other around the room, both proud chests puffed up, heads held high while Edge growled low in his throat. Edge’s shoulders were tight with the need to fight and alleviate some of his still burning anger. He planned as he stalked Ianhell, he could take the cub. Edge was faster than Ian, but he needed to allow Ian to think he controlled the challenge.