“What do you want?” Brand made sure Charma’s body was hidden by his own.

Braden’s eyes widened as he gawked at them. His gaze darted to Charma and he swallowed hard. “I thought you were under attack. I heard furniture breaking and you yelled.”

Charma cleared her throat. “I take it this is your cousin? Don’t move unless you make him turn around first and hand me something to wear, please.”

Brand muttered a curse. “Turn around, damn it. Stop gawking at my mate.”

The guy actually blushed and spun on his heel. “I’m sorry. I thought someone broke in. I was coming to save you. Shit.”

Brand regretted withdrawing from Charma’s body and having to release her. He grabbed a pillow, held it up, and she clutched it against her body. He got off the bed, shot another glare at his cousin’s back and picked up the sweats from the floor where he’d dropped them earlier to yank them up his legs.

He tore open drawers, removed a T-shirt and threw it at the bed. A pair of drawstring shorts followed. He walked to his cousin, slapped a hand over the curve of his shoulder and pushed him forward into the hallway. He would have closed the door but it was broken from Braden’s entry. He settled for pulling it near the busted frame to give Charma some privacy.

“What did I say about not coming up here?”

Braden sighed, turned his head and met his gaze. “I’m sorry, man. I really thought you were in trouble. It sounded like all hell was breaking loose.”

Brand released him. “I appreciate the concern but as you could see, the only one in danger is you.”

“Me?” Confusion clouded Braden’s features before he stumbled back a few steps. “Hey, that’s not funny. I thought I was coming to the rescue.”

“Tell you what, don’t do it again unless I yell your name.”

“Your neck is bleeding.”

Brand grinned. “I know.”

“Freak.” Braden backed up more. “You let her bite you? Really?” He stared at the marks. “She’s got smooth teeth? I thought she was half shifter.”

“She’s my mate.” He touched the tender spots. “Wait until she’s in heat.” His grin spread. “It’s the only time she grows fangs.”

“She doesn’t totally shift?”

“Nope.”

“I guess that’s good. I mean, that would be too weird if you tried to fuck out of skin. I don’t even think that would be possible. It would be—”

“Shut up. You’re rambling.”

“Sorry.” Braden sniffed. “Lucky bastard,” he whispered. “I need to go to the running. I need a woman.”

“No, you’re not going.”

“My hand is tired and you only gave me three porn videos. I’ve watched them a dozen times.”

“Switch up. Remember what I told you? It will help you keep your muscle tone balanced in both your arms.”

“That’s not funny, damn it. You’re getting some. Why can’t I? I’m—”

“Not going out,” Brand ordered him. “Rave specifically told me to keep you in. Charma said the prides have called a joining.”

“What the hell is that? It sounds kinky.”

“It’s where the prides get together to pool their resources and they plan to attack us tomorrow night.”

“No shit? Why would they do that? It’s stupid.”

“They are angry that we took Shannon back and killed some of their males in the process.”

“They shouldn’t have taken her.”

“I agree.”

“They were going to do some seriously fucked-up shit to her. That’s not cool. Only a douche bag would force a woman.”

“The prides are angry that we killed them. They don’t know it’s mating heat and probably the worst time ever to pull this stunt. Charma came to warn us. She thinks they will hit town tomorrow but you’re not going anywhere without me. That’s why you’ve got to stay inside.”

“Fine but I can handle some pussies.”

“They are sending a few dozen and I’m betting they’ll stick together. They know we’d win in a fair fight.”

“Great.” Braden grinned. “I can at least fight if I can’t fuck.”

“I hear you, man. I was really happy to get the call there was trouble in town.”

“You should have taken me with you.”

“There wasn’t time and besides, you’re the baby.”

“Screw you.” He frowned. “I’m twenty-five years old.”

“I know, Braden, but that’s young. You’re still learning how to control your aggression and it’s so much worse now. We sometimes need to knock some heads together but you might end up killing someone by accident. Trust me when I say you have no idea how easy it is to lose control.”

Braden hesitated. “Your back?”

“My back,” he confirmed, turning enough to show his cousin the scars. “This was youth and stupidity. I’m lucky to be alive after taking on that group of rogues. I’d have been dog food if Rave hadn’t shown up when he did.”

“Fine, but can I at least have more porn flicks?”

“Hang on. I’ll grab my favorite five. I kept those for myself.” He grinned widely. “I don’t need them anymore. I have a mate.”

“Fuck you,” Braden muttered. “No need to rub it in. I can smell how hot she is and it’s torture. I swear I’m going to find a girlfriend before next year so I don’t have to go through this heat alone ever again.”

“You’re too immature to mate.”

“I said a girlfriend, not a mate. I don’t want one of those until I at least try to have a long-term relationship first.”

Brand snorted. “Good luck finding a real girlfriend. The women you spend time with are into screwing almost every guy in our pack and all the surrounding ones. They aren’t settle-down types if you want to try your hand at a monogamous relationship. In other words, that stunt you pulled playing stripper wrecked your chances of any serious woman giving you the time of day. You mocked the system by fucking those three women at that party. No one is going to forget that any time soon.”

“They were hot and depressed. I just wanted to cheer them up.”