An orgasm burst through her, the sudden violence of it taking her by surprise. Shay screamed even as her wolf howled in delight, her position as alpha bitch secured.
The lower half of her body was lifted higher in the air as Rory’s size and mass increased in a full half-shift. Shay shuddered and braced, her pussy slickening even more to accommodate him. Call her crazy but she loved it when he went werewolf on her. He planted a hairy hand on the ground in front of her face as he bent over her. Anticipating his next move, Shay tilted her head to the side, baring her shoulder.
Pain struck as his canines sank deep. “Shit!”
Her wolf went crazy. Shay’s vision faded to shades of gray and black. Her nails became claws, and her gums tingled. The rich, dark scent of moist soil, decomposing foliage, and surrounding flora filled her nostrils. For a moment Shay feared her beast would overpower her and shift to the forefront, but instead it rode right beneath her skin, sharing the experience.
Rory threw back his head and roared as he thrust one last time, deep inside, holding stiff as if frozen. Inside Shay, his cock gave little jerking pulses as he emptied. Withdrawing, he kicked out of his jeans, shifted to wolf, and howled before running deep into the forest. The rest of the males shifted and ran with him.
Senses wide open, Shay felt Rory’s joy in the night, in running with his brothers. She also felt and for the first time understood his bond, his connection with the Sparrowhawks. She’d been wrong earlier. Instead of a king with his subjects, Rory was a father with his children. He cared for them. Wanted the best for them and felt responsible for them the way a parent feels responsible for his offspring. It was beautiful and hit Shay on an emotional level she’d never experienced.
Her wolf retreated enough for Shay to realize she was still on her knees with her ass in the air. Hastily she straightened and tugged down her skirt. While she untied Rory’s shirt from her waist and slipped it on, the women, in various stages of disarray, crowded around. A quick glance revealed someone had taken the children away. Hopefully before things turned X-rated.
“You took an alpha in full rut,” a young, pretty blonde said, looking and sounding awed.
“Yeah…well…” Off balance and trying desperately not to show it, that’s all she could say.
“Big whooping deal. She can fuck. That doesn’t make her alpha-fem,” another said.
“Yana, you’re just jealous he didn’t pick you,” another stated boldly.
As Yana glared at the girl, Shay rose, not willing to be at a disadvantage.
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.”