Roaring for Him (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Wicked in Wilder Book 1) (29 page)

It reminded Mitchell a lot of himself when a man reached a tipping point, hovered on the edge, and finally took that leap. He jumped and took his opponent’s head with him. He’d thought Tilly’s actions were gory. Tilly had nothing on Gabe. That’d been some pent up rage.

The growl of an engine reached his ears long before the SUV responsible for the sound pulled into the driveway. It blotted out the sunrise for a brief moment before it rolled to a stop ten feet from the house. His wolf urged him to be wary of the newcomer.

They didn’t know who approached or what they wanted, and they had a little bear inside the house they needed to protect. But Mitchell’s human half saw what was going on. If the visitor wanted to cause trouble, he didn’t think they’d come roaring to the front door. Nah, he would have snuck through the woods and tried to break into the house. He wouldn’t have succeeded, but he would have tried.

He. Yeah, it was a man, the male stiffly climbing from the SUV. Mitchell had to give it to the guy, he didn’t groan or moan despite the fact he had to be in some pain. The stench of blood clung to him, dry by now, but not that old. He stepped away from the vehicle and slowly pushed the door shut, making the sound as low as he could. At least he was smart enough to know the house’s occupants were asleep. Or rather, Tilly and Phoebe were. His sentinels sure as fuck better be awake or he’d kick their asses.

Tilly and Phoebe were his number one priority, which meant they were his sentinels’ as well.

The boy—man?—came forward, his stride sure and strong despite the blood that coated his skin, proof of a recent fight.

Mitchell took a sip of his coffee, letting the heat warm him from inside out. He’d been cold since the moment they discovered the extent of Phee’s injuries and the cause of them. His heart turned into a block of ice, frozen solid by the anger and rage that pummeled him. The only thing that’d dissolved a tiny bit of the block in his chest was Tilly’s words.

“You pushed into my life and now you’re stuck here because I love you. I love that you’re an asshole and sexy as hell and you want me and my family and you’re ready to tear into anyone who hurts us. I love you because… because you’re letting me lean on you and I know you won’t let me fall.”

The man stopped when he neared the porch, resting one foot on the bottom step, and Mitchell put a name to the face.

“Gabe,” he tilted his head in recognition and waited to hear what the man had to say. He’d helped Phee a hell of a lot last night but that didn’t mean Mitchell trusted him. It’d been his father who’d taken Phoebe. Even if the old man was dead at Gabe’s hand, it didn’t instill trust.

“Alpha, actually.” His lips quirked in a small smile, the cut on his lower one splitting and releasing a little blood.

“So they let you have it even if it wasn’t in a proper challenge.”

He and Gabe had something in common now.

“Yeah,” he sighed and ran a scarred hand through his hair. “Yeah,” he swallowed hard and Mitchell saw himself in the bear’s eyes. The pain that attacked him, the guilt that would ride him for days, weeks, years… Fucking hard to let go of. Damn hard. “I, uh, came to check on her.”

Her. Phoebe.

“She’s still sleeping. She…” Damn he never wanted to hear her crying ever again. Once was enough. Every time Tilly’s needle pierced skin, Phoebe hissed. Every time she tied a knot, Phoebe moaned. And when the bandages went on, tight and snug, the choking scent of her agony filled the air. She’d held it in as long as she could and then it just billowed from that small bathroom. “Even with your blood, she had a rough night.”

Gabe cleared his throat and the wind shifted, bringing Mitchell the bear’s emotions on the breeze. Pain was self-explanatory; he wouldn’t have gotten through the battle without injury. But the rest… heartache, worry, bone-deep need…

They were emotions Mitchell was all too familiar with lately. “
Fuck
.” Gabe’s expression didn’t alter a bit with Mitchell’s spat word. “She’s yours.”

Gabe gave him a brisk nod. “I think so.” He rubbed his chest, fist right over his heart. “I dunno. I get near her and…”

“How long have you suspected? Have you…”

“I’m not a fucking pervert. I haven’t touched her. I keep track of her during runs and talk to her. Hell, before last night, I’d never even laid a hand on her.”

Mitchell took another sip of coffee. “You’re a stronger man than I.”

After meeting Tilly, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. The three sisters had been living in Wilder for years and Gabe had known about Phee that long? He was surprised the man hadn’t gone crazy. It explained why he’d gone after his father though. Not many people Mitchell
wouldn’t
kill for hurting Tilly.

Gabe shrugged as if that many years of restraint wasn’t impressive as hell. “My bear wants her like no other, but she’s young. She still has some growing up to do. I know she has plans. I don’t pretend to know everything about her beyond what little she shares once a month for a few hours, but it hasn’t been easy for her. So if she has things she wants to do, to accomplish on her own, then I want her to. And maybe, when she comes back, we can see if she really is mine.” He shook his head. “I did some research. She’s a half-shifter—” At least Mitchell wouldn’t have to kill Gabe for calling her a halfer. “—and she hasn’t gone through her first heat. So neither of us knows for sure. I’m just drawn to her.”

“You’re being honest, aren’t you? You haven’t pushed or even brought it up?” Mitchell shook his head when Gabe nodded. “Definitely stronger than me. I met Tilly and that was it. She’s mine. Full stop and in my bed.”

Mostly. He’d get her there fully soon, though.

Gabe grimaced. Maybe talking about a bed and a seventeen-year-old girl the man couldn’t claim was a bad idea.

“Mitchell?” The soft voice that reached for him soothed his animal. Hell, he hadn’t even realized he was on edge. Tilly’s scent grew stronger as she approached, and it wasn’t long before her head peeked past the edge of the screen door. “What are you doing?” Her gaze met his then flicked to Gabe. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” the bear supplied the answer before Mitchell could. Of course, he had to be a dumbass and come up the steps, his hand outstretched and smile on his face. “Nice to meet you properly.”

Nope. That male wasn’t getting anywhere near his unmated mate. Especially not when a friggin’ dimple appeared on his cheek.

Mitchell set his coffee aside and bolted to his feet, cutting Gabe off before he could lay a finger on Tilly. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the male, his wolf coming forward as it sensed the threat Gabe posed. He and Tilly weren’t mated yet, there was still the very, very slim chance she could have her head turned by a pretty face. He’d rather cut the man off than have to beat on that pretty face for touching what belonged to him.

“You can say ‘hello’ from over there.” He tipped his chin toward the small circle of patio chairs. Gabe smirked, but it vanished beneath Mitchell’s glare. It didn’t transform to fear—nothing like it—but there was a good dose of concern.
Concern
.

“I actually came to talk to Phee, if she’s up.” He tilted his head, cocking his ear as he sought any noise from within the house and Mitchell did the same. “Which she is. Tilly, can I—”

“Um…” Uncertainty lingered in that single hesitation.

Yeah, Mitchell was feeling the same way. Their girl was still injured and Gabe’s father had… But when he met Gabe’s intent stare, took a breath and scented the male’s emotions, he knew the concern was pointless.

“He’s not gonna hurt her, baby. He’s…” It was Mitchell’s turn to hesitate. Did the bear want everyone knowing what Phoebe meant to him?

Gabe handled the problem by leaning around Mitchell and speaking to Tilly directly. “She’s… something to my bear, Tilly. I just…” There was no missing the frustration in his tone. “I need to see her.”

“But—”

Mitchell cut off whatever she was gonna say by snatching her wrist and tugging her with him as he stepped aside. “It’s okay, baby.” The man killed his own father in retribution for Phoebe’s injuries. He didn’t think Phee was in any danger with him. Except… When Gabe moved past him, he stopped the male with a few words. “That fucking door remains open and your hands stay to yourself.”

Gabe growled low, brown fur rippling over his skin, but Mitchell didn’t give a fuck. “I’m not— She’s—” Another growl. “I’m not some sick fuck going after a kid.”

“In some states, she’s not a kid.” And a lot of men would capitalize on that technicality.

“I need to see her before I tear my own bears to shreds for not doing anything when they knew what was going down. I need to see that she’s well. I
need
it.”

Surprisingly, Tilly came to Gabe’s defense. “Mitchell, let him.”

Mitchell’s wolf wanted to kick the bear’s ass for even thinking about going near Phee. She was too young to be mated—if he even was her mate—and this male…

“Mitchell?” Aw, she had to go and use that pleading tone. He knew if he turned around he’d see her sad kitten eyes.

“Damn it,” he growled. “Top of the stairs, first on the left.” The male strode past him, but he placed a hand on Gabe’s shoulder to stop him. “I mean it about the door.”

“You think something like that would stop—”

Tilly rushed forward and shoved the bear, pushing him away from Mitchell before Mitchell could get a claw into him. “Okay, that’s enough. I intervened once for you and now I’m doing it again. Try for a third time and you’re on your own.”

Gabe moved away with a chuckle, a real smile on his lips, and Mitchell didn’t relax until the single male was out of sight. Sure, he was still edgy about an unmated man in the house with his mate’s sister, but that male wasn’t near
his
mate, which made the wolf feel better.

“Is he really…” Tilly’s voice was soft as she eased toward him. He gathered her close and breathed deeply, reveling in her sweet scent.

“Her mate?” She nodded. “Possibly. He’s older, so he’s more apt to scent it when she can’t. But it’s not a sure thing because she’s only half-shifter and hasn’t gone through her first heat. So, maybe?”

“When do you think she’ll know?”

He shrugged. “She may know now and is just avoiding it. Your sister has plans, remember? Is she stubborn enough to deny her mate?”

Tilly groaned. “Maybe. Probably.”

“Then that’s something they’ll have to deal with. As long as you’re not denying
me
, I gotta say I don’t care about Gabe’s feelings at the moment.” He buried his face in her hair and nuzzled her head. “Speaking of feelings. You started a conversation last night.”

Last night while they both watched Phee fall into an uneasy sleep.

“You pushed into my life and now you’re stuck here because I love you. I love that you’re an asshole and sexy as hell and you want me and my family and you’re ready to tear into anyone who hurts us. I love you because… because you’re letting me lean on you and I know you won’t let me fall.”

She winced in his arms and uneasiness clouded her voice. “Yeah…”

This wasn’t a conversation he was having without her settled on his lap and her eyes locked on his. He scooped her into his arms, cradling her close as he ignored her squealed protest. A half dozen steps had him back where he’d started and he lowered into the chair, Tilly still clutching him as if her life depended on it. As if he’d ever drop her. He mentally snorted.

He held her sideways on his lap, her ass snug on one of his thighs, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted her attention, he wanted them staring into each other’s eyes and not distracted by their surroundings. He wanted to be the center of her universe for the next five minutes. Just like she was since they’d met. Without a word, he repositioned her again, the sudden move yanking a giggle and outright laugh from her lips.

Damn, that sounded good.

“You done moving me around, now?” Her eyes twinkled and a smile graced her lips. Not one that was forced or tinged with worry… a pure smile.

And he found himself mirroring the expression. “Dunno. Who knows what position I might want next?”

Like
that,
her switch flipped. Her bright eyes glowing while her nipples hardened within her thin shirt. Hot. Damn. He was one lucky son of a bitch.

“Mitchell,” she murmured his name and wiggled her ass, her pussy snug against his dick. He hardened beneath her, his cock more than ready to find home inside her over and over again.

Soon,
he reminded himself.
Tonight
.

Low whispers came from deep within the house, a soft feminine tone followed by Gabe’s deep baritone.

Or not. He couldn’t ask Tilly to leave Phee for the night. Not with her hurt and healing. Not with their mother on the loose.

“Mitchell,” his mate’s hands gently glided over his chest and he tore himself from his disappointing thoughts. Tonight wasn’t the night and his heart squeezed while his wolf howled its objection. They’d always have next full moon. They had full moons stretched out before them for the rest of their lives. “What’s wrong?”

He forced a smile to his lips. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

She shook her head and tapped her nose. “You’re lying. You went from happy to sad, disappointed. What is it?”

He placed his hands over hers, retaining her touch when she would have pulled away. “It’s nothing, baby. Not a thing.”

“God doesn’t like liars and I like ’em even less. What gives?”

He sighed. “You’re gonna think I’m an insensitive asshole.” She shrugged as if to say “and?” He hated that he really was generally an insensitive asshole. Fuck. “I hate that we’re not gonna get mated tonight. That’s all. But we have another full moon in—”

“Who said you’re not getting mated?” The voice was hoarse and scratchy, but he was glad he heard it. The screen door squeaked as it was nudged open and Phoebe shuffled into view. Slowly. Very, very slowly and with Gabe at her side. He glared at where the male touched the young woman. His hand rested on her lower back, probably one of the few spots not injured, while he clutched her fingers with his free hand. He guided her onto the porch, carefully leading her toward their small circle of chairs. “Of course, you’re getting mated.”