Claiming Shayla (19 page)

So this is Yana, Shay mused. She looked like a Playboy bunny: big breasts, small waist, flared hips, pouty mouth, and sultry, tousled brown hair that gleamed even in the hazy twilight.

“Watch out for Yana. She’s had a thing for Rory for as long as I can remember and will make trouble if she can. Yana’s strong. Strong enough to be an alpha’s mate, and she knows it. Worse, she makes sure everyone else knows as well. I’m sure she stepped up to be alpha-fem as soon as the pack realized I was gone.”

“I take it Yana’s one of the many women Rory’s screwed?”

“Worse. They were an item before Rory became alpha. Magnus made no secret that he thought she’d make an acceptable mate for his son.”

“So she’s strong, power hungry, and had your father’s approval,” Shay concluded.

“That sums it up,” Shannon responded.

“She ever try you?”

The laugh Shannon emitted had Shay’s brows rising. “Once.”

Grinning evilly, she asked, “Whipped her ass, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t have any more problems,” Shannon acknowledged, and no matter how much Shay pleaded for the details, that’s all she would say.

Shay tuned in to hear Yana declare, “
I’m
the strongest female.”

“Were.”

All eyes turned to Shay. Yana pushed her way forward until she stood directly in front of Shay. She was a good five to six inches taller, about five-nine or five-ten. “What did you say?” she asked in a dangerously low voice.

In the same quiet but firm tone she’d used before, Shay repeated, “Were. You
were
the strongest female, after Shannon.”

Yana bristled visibly. “You think you can take me?” Her eyes began to subtly glow, and her body seemed to shimmer. Shay could feel Yana’s wolf readying itself.

Looking inwardly at her own beast, Shay was secretly amused and, if she was honest, relieved to feel her wolf yawn and glance disdainfully away from Yana’s perceived threat. Since brawn obviously wouldn’t be needed, she could use her preferred method of dealing with issues—brain.

Shay watched the reactions of the other women as they subtly rearranged themselves, making room. She took note of those who angled closer to Yana in silent support. A few moved closer to Shay, standing slightly behind and to the left. The majority retreated a short distance away, clearly waiting for the outcome before choosing a side.

“It doesn’t really matter what I can or can’t do, now does it? It won’t change your situation or give you what you want. If, by some miracle, you manage to defeat me, Rory still won’t be your mate and he’ll kick your ass for touching me,” Shay announced calmly.

Her direct stare coupled with her ultraconfident manner caused Yana’s wolf to visibly falter. The shimmering stopped, and her eyes seemed to short-circuit as the glow flickered a few times before fading away. Shay, by not responding as Yana so obviously expected, put the woman in a precarious position. Test her and risk humiliation being defeated by a human female? Or prove she was stronger than Shay and have the alpha unleash his fury because she’d touched his mate? Shay watched the battle play out on Yana’s face. The whole time, Shay held her gaze, face impassive, body relaxed, as if she couldn’t care less what Yana decided to do.

Yana glanced uneasily at her friends. As one, they lowered their gazes to the ground. A couple even took a few steps to put a bit of telling distance between them.

Hmm, no help there
. Shay almost smiled.

The silence became awkward.

Another woman, an older one who’d sided with Shay, stepped forward. “Pay Yana no mind. If Rory had wanted her—wanted any of them—he would have chosen a mate. They’re just jealous he went outside the pack to pick a woman, and rightly so. We need new blood,” she declared. “My name is Laurie Bell, and I wanted to applaud you for what you did. Graham’s a fool but he’s my brother. I thank you for saving him.”

Laurie Bell, with her softly lined face, reminded Shay of that saying about southern ladies—a velvet glove encasing an iron fist. Upon closer inspection, she could see the slightest resemblance between the two. Native American like her brother, Laurie Bell’s hair hung in a thick, dark wave down her back, liberally streaked with gray. Her slim body was encased in a pair of straight-legged jeans and a western shirt.

“
Laurie Bell is the pack’s midwife. She delivered over half the pack and doctors the rest whenever there’s a need. Her words have power. Get her on your side and she’ll run interference with the council. Show her respect, but don’t brownnose. She respects people who keep it real
.”

Shay waved her thanks away. “I did it for Rory. If he’d let his anger get the better of him, he’d suffer for it later.”

“Exactly so. You know your mate well. I’m happy to see Rory made such a wise decision in his choice of mate. It bodes well for the pack. Now, let’s settle over here while we wait for the men and you can tell me how you two met and why he hasn’t brought you to see me to make sure your pregnancy is progressing properly.”

At Laurie Bell’s words, several gasps sounded and Shay could literally feel the stares directed toward her belly. Had they not heard Rory’s announcement? Why the big surprise? Disregarding the now chattering women, Laurie Bell pushed through them and went to the knoll and sat, patting the ground beside her. With an inward shrug, Shay ignored the cum still leaking down her thighs and followed.

“It’s not Rory’s fault. My cousin’s mate is an ob-gyn. I insisted on going to see him,” Shay answered. Then launched into the tale of how she and Rory first met.

Laurie Bell laughed merrily as Shay described kicking Rory for invading her personal space, sat spellbound as she described the events of the blue moon, and her mouth literally dropped open when Shay admitted to escaping while Rory was asleep. Laurie Bell’s reactions were so entertaining Shay couldn’t help but tell her about Kiesha’s wedding and some of her and Rory’s more amusing interactions since they’d been back together.

When she finished, Laurie Bell sat wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh my dear, you are indeed a breath of fresh air and exactly what that troubled young man needed. I have no doubt the Creator brought you two together.”

* * * *

Pregnant! That bitch was ruining everything!

Ashley eased away into the woods. Once far enough, she shifted and ran through the woods and upstream a distance before branching off onto a little-known deer track. There she slowed to a walk, listening to make sure no one else was around before coming into a small, heavily thicketed clearing before a shallow cave.

As she sat waiting, another wolf, this one a large male, brown in coloring, approached from the west. He strode confidently into the clearing and entered the cave. After another glance around, she shifted and followed. Wesley had already shifted to human and stood waiting, hands on his hips and wearing a scowl.

“You fucked MacDougal,” he stated coldly.

“Yes, alpha,” she said with eyes lowered. “He came to me. To refuse would have brought unnecessary suspicion on myself, but the whole time he was in me, I thought of you.”

“Fair enough,” he acknowledged. He crowded her smaller, slighter body against the cave’s wall and stuck a hand between her legs, roughly inserting two fingers. “But this is mine. Remember that when others are pawing you.”

“Yes, alpha,” she gasped. Ashley spread her legs and arched her hips, riding his thick digits.

He watched his hand. “Look how nice and slick you are. Your pussy’s always greedy for my cock, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she hissed.

He tormented her a minute more before lifting her by the waist. She eagerly wrapped her legs around his torso. The first thrust nailed her to the wall. Pinning her in place with his body, he slammed into her. His heart beat a rapid tattoo as his hot breath scalded her ear. She squeezed her inner muscles, knowing it drove him crazy.

“Your pussy is the best I’ve ever had,” he murmured. “Hot, tight, and wet. So responsive. I could fuck you all day and night.”

She whimpered and dug her nails into his shoulders. Then she gave little gasping moans, slowly increasing in volume. Following her cues, he increased the pace and force of his thrusts.

“Yes! Yes!” she cried out passionately. “So good.”

Ashley clenched around him, tightening her pussy like a vise, knowing he was reaching his limit and wanting to hurry him along. She moaned again for good measure.

He reached a hand between them and stroked her clit. “Come now!”

On a gasp that was real, Ashley fell apart, coming hard.

He bucked once, twice, then groaned low and long. His muscles slowly lost their tension, but before he collapsed, he lifted and carried Ashley to the sleeping bag they kept in the cave for this purpose. She was too sated to worry that he’d come inside of her.

Lying together, Ashley cuddled close and whispered, “She really is pregnant with Rory’s child. He wasn’t just saying that to appease the council.”

He stiffened, his eyes opened wide, and she could see the shock in them. “She must really be his mate.” There was more silence before he said, “Kill the woman and Rory will be easy. Of course, I’ll have to play with her first. Did you see the way she swallowed him whole? And that ass…” He actually shuddered. “Yes, I definitely want a taste of her first.”

Ashley watched Wesley through narrowed eyes.
Arrogant fool! How dare he insult me like this!
Nothing of her fury showed on her face or in her manner. She was very good at hiding her feelings and lying without a betraying scent. “Alpha”—she almost choked on the title—“touch his mate and he’ll kill you,” she reminded in a soft voice.

“He’ll try,” the braggart proclaimed.

Ashley’s quick, agile mind went to work on this newest wrinkle. “If you really want the woman, I can help.”

“How?” After a moment he asked more suspiciously, “Why?”

She rose gracefully to her knees and bent over, mouth level with his cock. “Whatever you need,” she breathed, watching him stir, “I provide. Whatever you want”—she trailed the vein to the ridge of his penis with her tongue—“it’s my pleasure to give to you.”

While she went down on him, Ashley mentally reviewed her options. Wesley was proving to be a bit unreliable. Typical male. It was time for a backup plan. By the time she straddled his body and took him inside, she had her new strategy in place. As she rode him, Ashley explained how Wesley could snatch the human.

* * * *

Rory trotted into the clearing to find his mate sitting, surrounded on all sides by the women. He tested their bond for any hints of distress emanating from Shay and found she was mostly amused. While she was occupied, he went to where his pants lay, shifted, and dressed.

The other men came and did the same, and soon were leading their mates away.

Figuring he might as well face the music, he strolled over to Shay and Laurie Bell, who were having an animated conversation about graphic art, of all things.

“Laurie Bell.” He nodded respectfully in greeting. Holding out a hand to Shay, he said, “It’s time to go.” She allowed him to help her up.

He reached to do the same for Laurie Bell, but she was already standing. “Rory, you have a lovely mate. I look forward to seeing more of the both of you.” She kissed both of their cheeks and then headed in the direction of most of the others.

Only Rory, Shay, and a few stragglers remained, standing in the weak moonlight of a half-moon.

“So”—Shay began—“color me confused. Have we been officially recognized or not?”

Rolling his eyes, he tugged Shay behind him, waving absently at the chorus of good-byes that rang out. The whole way he wondered how he was going to apologize for doing exactly what he’d promised he wouldn’t—claim Shay in front of the entire pack.

“Have we?” she persisted.

“The council doesn’t matter. The pack does. They’ll have to fall in line.”

He pushed through the woods, moving slowly, aware Shay’s night vision wasn’t as good as his.

“But Shannon said—”

He stopped abruptly and turned to her. “When did you speak to Shannon?”

“Today, while you were gone.”

Tensed, he asked, “Is she okay? Does she need anything?”

Shay gave him “the look.” The one that said he was a few cards short of a full deck. “I called her. She said if the council doesn’t recognize us, the pack won’t either and our child will be considered a bastard.”

He glanced around but, knowing his pack didn’t have to be visible to be able to hear, leaned close to her ear and murmured, “Let’s discuss this later when it’s just the two of us.”

Shay nodded and remained quiet the rest of the way to the truck. She hummed with the radio as they rode home and, as soon as they walked in the house, began stripping. She announced, “I need a shower. I reek.”

“I’m sorry,” he forced out. He detested apologizing but hated more that he’d broken his promise.

She paused with one foot on the stairs, shirt dangling from her fingers, and glanced over her shoulder. “For what?”

“Tonight.”

“You’re not responsible for the way the pack acted. You told me they were jacked up. I sort of expected their response.” She continued up the stairs.

“Not that,” he said, a hint of the annoyance he felt slipping out. Did he have to spell it out? Part of him said let it go. It didn’t seem to be bothering her, so why push the issue? But Rory wanted trust between them. That being the case, just “letting it go” wouldn’t work.

She stopped several steps above him and turned to face him fully. “Then what?” she asked impatiently.

“The sex,” he ground out. “I said I wouldn’t, then did anyway.”

The skin between her brows furrowed. “But I pushed you into it.”

The reminder brought him up short. Confused, he stated, “You did, didn’t you. Why?”

“Can we discuss this in the shower? I’ve been sitting on the ground in the dirt, leaves, and God knows what else. I’m really grungy.”

Knowing if he got anywhere near her wet, naked body, talking was the last thing he’d be interested in, Rory told her, “Go ahead. I have something I need to do down here first.”

Shay ran her fingers through her hair, muttering when a clump of dried, brown leaves fell to the floor. “Fine. What the hell is a city girl like me doing in the woods at night? There’d better not be any bugs in my hair.”