His Purrfect Mate Read online

  A terrifying snarl sounded again to draw Shannon’s attention. The woman had crouched down, one hand balanced on the floor, which now had long claws instead of fingernails, and her features had shifted enough that a black spread of hair covered her cheeks. Her jaw had elongated into more of a muzzle than a mouth, and very sharp-looking white fangs were revealed more clearly. The woman’s green eyes had narrowed, shifted shape, and the sound had come from her.

  “Move out of my way.” The woman’s voice sounded more masculine than feminine.

  “No,” Anton snarled back, his voice equally as terrifying. “She’s under my protection.”

  Someone pounded up the stairs and then a muscular, burly guy with long hair barreled into the room. He nearly tripped over the half-shifted werewolf woman prepared to attack but drew to a jerky stop just in time to avoid a collision. The new guy looked very similar to Anton with his long black hair, jeans, and a tank top that revealed tattoos spread across broad, muscular arms. Shannon guessed they had to be brothers.

  “I tried to stop her,” he panted. “She didn’t take meeting me well, knocked me on my ass, and she can move swiftly when pissed. It seems she somehow knows what we look like.”

  “Get her out of here, Rave,” Anton snarled. “I don’t care how.” His gaze remained locked on the woman threatening Shannon. “If she tries to get around me it’s going to cause a war between our packs, because I’ll throw her out myself. She won’t enjoy flying out a window or down the stairs.”

  Rave suddenly stopped breathing and his head turned. His dark gaze sought and found Shannon. Confusion reflected on his features and then his eyes widened with shock. He sniffed loudly. “Puma? Seriously? Oh, shit.”

  He didn’t snarl at her or growl. Shannon figured that had to be a plus. He glanced away from her to frown at Anton.

  “Why do you have her here?”

  “She’s under my protection.” Anton snarled again at the woman on the floor. “Do you understand? You attack her and I attack you. You will never reach her.”

  The woman slowly rose up, her terrifying features still in a half-shifted state, and she defiantly stared at Anton. “You dare insult my pack by preferring to fuck one of them over me?”

  “Fuck?” Rave gasped. “Who said anything about that? He said he was protecting her for some reason.”

  “I smell them,” the woman spat. “Sex and desire.”

  Rave sniffed again. He blinked a few times, his gaze passed from Shannon to Anton, and he suddenly laughed. “Oh shit. This is…wow!”

  Anton glanced at her. “Don’t move, Shannon. I’m coming to get you.” He shot a warning look at his brother. “Don’t let that bitch attack. I need to get to Shannon. She’s too close to the window. She can’t control her fear.”

  Rave hesitated and then stepped around the angry werewolf woman to put his body between Anton and her. “Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on here? Deana, I suggest you calm down. I know you’re not happy over meeting with me instead of my brother but you can’t attack someone under his protection.”

  “She’s a puma.” Deana snarled again, growled, and her fingers lifted to display her sharp claws. “They are our enemy.”

  Anton spun toward Shannon and he eased forward. “Easy, kitten. You’re safe. Don’t move, okay? You’re in no danger.”

  Fear nearly overpowered her as she glanced at the window again. A soft sound escaped her lips—a whimper. Anton softly cursed in response.

  “Shannon? Look at me.”

  She did. She took a deep breath, trying to fight the urge to jump away from him. He wouldn’t hurt her, she knew that, yet another snarl from the werewolf bitch had her turning toward the window. The urge became so powerful that her body tensed in anticipation of jumping to reach it.

  Anton surged forward. She hissed when he grabbed hold of her ankle. He jerked hard and she tumbled off the counter. She landed inside the cradle of his strong arms when he caught her. Shannon turned against his chest and clawed at him. He groaned but then pressed her against the wall.

  “Easy,” he crooned. “I’ve got you. Hold on to me.”

  She panted, fought her instincts, and realized what her fingernails were doing. She jerked them away from his skin. The smell of blood filled her nose and she saw she’d drawn it from him. She’d marked his flesh, her nails had pierced him.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him tightly. Hot tears spilled from her eyes.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll heal. It’s nothing. It won’t even leave a scar.” He nuzzled the side of her face. “I’m just happy you don’t have claws.”

  His hold on her changed enough that she could wrap her legs around his hips. It made her feel better to totally press against him. “I’m sorry,” she sniffed again. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “Shush. It’s okay.” He turned his head. “Get that bitch out of here, Rave. Now. Handle it.”

  “I won’t leave.” Deana’s voice still sounded masculine. “She will. If you insult my pack this way, I’ll make sure my father demands retribution.”

  Anton turned, holding Shannon. “I don’t want you. It’s not personal. You’re beautiful, Deana. That’s your name? Any male who wasn’t involved with a woman would be lucky to have the opportunity to test a mating with you, but as you can see, I already have someone.”

  “She’s a cat shifter.” Deana spat the words as if they were a great insult. “That’s sick!”

  “She’s mostly human. That’s why the scent of her is so faint that you didn’t detect it immediately. She can’t shift. She’s no an enemy of mine.” He paused. “She matters a lot to me. I’m sorry that you aren’t happy with being offered my younger brother, but Rave isn’t attached to anyone. He’s a strong male, a prime mate candidate, and he’s the main enforcer of our pack. You won’t find a better fighter. He may appear mellow but you’ve never seen him enraged.”

  Shannon felt safe enough to turn her head to watch the terrifying female werewolf. Deana’s features had shifted back but her fangs still dented her human-looking mouth.

  “You’re the future alpha of this pack. I’m the strongest daughter of the Mortell pack. We would be a good match. I could be your alpha bitch and help you hold your pack when you take control.” She shot a hateful sneer at Shannon. “That is dinner.”

  Shannon trembled from fear. She wondered if the woman meant that literally. Do shifters eat each other if they’re from different races?

  Anton’s arms tightened around her and he nuzzled her cheek with his jaw to comfort her. “She’s under my protection and you will not insult her. This is my home. I’ve offered you the best candidate our pack has to offer who’s available to test a mating with you. Deal with that. I’m taken.”

  “Shit,” Rave rasped. “Does Mom know? Dad?”

  “Shut up,” Anton demanded.

  “Damn. Okay. That’s what I figured.” Rave met Shannon’s gaze and gave her a tense smile. “Nice to meet you.”

  Her mouth parted but no words came out.

  Anton sighed. “She’s terrified. She can’t shift but her instincts are present. Obviously. You saw how fast she can move when fear grips her. Terror makes her climb and try to get away from whatever scares her.”

  “That’s why she’s wrapped around you like a second skin.” Rave laughed. “I guess dating her means you’re going to get laid a lot. You terrify everyone, and with her constantly wrapped around your waist, she won’t be able to get away from you every time you raise your voice. That’s really convenient.”

  “Damn it, Rave. Stop with the jokes. Does this seem the time for them?”

  “Probably not, but damn, bro, you’ve got to admit that this is priceless.” He chuckled. “She’s really cute. Her hair is beautiful and her eyes are amazing.”

  “I won’t be insulted this way!” Deana huffed. “I’m calling my father.” She spun and stormed out of the apartment. Her high-heeled boots struck loudly on the stairs as