He gulped and sat down at the table with less grace than he’d planned. “I thought I heard a mountain lion the other night.”
She nodded. “Remember Belle? She’s a Puma. There’s a town a few hours away that’s run by Pumas, and it has a college campus nearby. Several different types of shifters go there, as it’s one of the few campuses in an area that’s shifter-run in the United States.”
“How many of you are there?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. That’s not one of my jobs, you know? But probably more than you’d believe, less than you fear. We’re just people, Steve, trying to live our lives like everyone else.”
“No, I meant how many different kinds? Wererabbits? Weresharks?” He shivered. “Weredinosaurs?”
She picked up her knife and fork, gesturing for him to do the same. He did, trying to ignore how badly his hands were shaking again. At least he didn’t think he was in danger of passing out this time. “Well, there are Wolves and Pumas, Foxes, Bears—”
“Bears? Like, grizzlies?”
“And black, and kodiak, and Kermode. Yup.”
He wasn’t certain he wanted to hear any more, but he got the feeling he’d need to. Now that he knew about Ben and the rest of them, he had to know. “And?”
“Lions, Tigers—” He felt himself sway a bit in his seat, “—Cheetahs, Coyotes. There are a lot of us, but we all seem to be predators of one kind or another, and always mammals.”
“So no werebunnies.”
“Nope.” She tilted her head and smiled. “Unless they’re Bear bunnies.”
“Do I want to know?”
She took a bite of steak and moaned. “One of the Pack members living in Halle is mated to a Bear whose nickname is Bunny.” She shrugged. “So. Werebunny.”
He actually laughed a bit at that, but he was feeling overwhelmed. He took a bite of steak, hoping to distract himself.
It worked. He moaned at the flavor that burst across his tongue. “Oh my God. I think I’m in love.”
She growled, the sound inhuman. Wolfish.
He carefully put the knife and fork down. “Or maybe not.”
She winced. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just… You’re my mate, and I don’t like hearing you say you love someone else.” She shrugged, blushing darkly. “Or something.”
He blinked. “Mate.” He’d heard that term before, and been way too wigged out to think about it much. And he’d had enough girlfriends to understand what that term meant.
She bit her lip and nodded. “Mate.”
The next thing he knew, his head was between his knees and Graciela was begging him to breathe.
Chapter Five
Okay. So maybe this wasn’t going quite the way she’d hoped it would. She’d planned on answering all his questions, yes, but she had hoped she wouldn’t terrify him.
Again.
Damn it.
Why had he followed them the other night? The man should have stayed inside and sipped hot cocoa laced with Tia Maria or something; anything but see something he wasn’t quite ready for.
Gah. What a mess.
“Steve?”
He looked up at her, his face pale, his eyes wild. “Mate?”
She nodded. “We know the moment we hear your voice, get a whiff of your scent. It’s…” She breathed deep, his musky scent wrapping around her like a warm cloak. “It’s delicious.”
He shuddered, the ever-present hint of fear spiking again. “I’m gamey. And stringy. And have I mentioned I taste like ass?”
She bit her lip, trying to hold back her laugh. “Tasted a lot of asses, have you?”
The color came flooding back into his face, embarrassment pouring off him in waves that nearly made her dizzy. “That’s more Ben’s kink.”
Her laugh broke free, and she could feel his delight, his happiness. He liked making her laugh, and the knowledge gave her hope. “If it makes you feel any better, Ben and Dave are mates.”
That quickly his pleasure disappeared. “I feel like I’m in a dream, and I can’t decide if it’s a nightmare or a comedy.”
She schooled her features as best she could. “Definitely comedy. Think Keystone Cops.”
The small smile she received wasn’t what she’d hoped for, but she’d take it. “I could see Dave wearing one of those stupid-looking domed hats.”
“And Ben falling all over himself and everyone else.”
“And Rick yelling at all of them?”
She nodded and helped him up. That little dose of silliness had gotten him over at least some of the fear, and he no longer looked ready to pass out at any second. “The food’s getting cold.” Above all else, the urge to take care of her mate was strong.
“Yeah.” He picked up the knife and fork and eyed her warily. “Are you going to get pissed if I moan?”
She shook her head, trying to appear small and unthreatening. She even hunched in her seat a little. “No.”
He sighed and took a bite, but some of his enjoyment seemed to have disappeared. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
She sat up straight. “Not you, your reactions. I don’t want you to be scared of me.” Not now, not ever. She’d defend Steven Hoode with her very life. She bit her lip and hoped she wasn’t about to push his boundaries too hard. “I could prove that we’re mates.”
“How?”
She watched him take another bite, enjoying his reluctant shiver of pleasure. Her mate was a sensual creature. She’d enjoy feeding him in the future. “If I give you the mating bite, you’d feel the pull.”
His eyes went wide. “Bite?”
She nodded.
“Um. If you bite me, will I change into…?” He waved at her, and she understood.
“Yes.”
“And if I’m not your mate?”
He was remarkably patient, her mate. He only tapped his foot as she rolled on the floor, laughing her ass off. He didn’t once yell at her to get up or anything.
She wiped a tear away from her eye as she took her seat once more. “Trust me. We’re mates.”
Thank God amusement seemed to be taking over from the fear. Apparently he found her funny. “And this bite will prove it?”
“Yup.”
“And your Alpha approved this.”
“He already accepted you. You’re one of us now, a protected member of the Pack.” Mate or not, the moment Rick had howled his recognition, Steve had been theirs. Rick would eviscerate anyone who tried to harm him without a second thought.
“So…one of you would be biting me anyway to change me.”
Oh, he was bright once he got over his fear. She liked that, even if some of his questions made her want to laugh. Silver bullets? Really? “Ben would probably do it, since he’s the one who first petitioned for you to become a member.”
He blinked, his expression utterly horrified. “I’m not his mate too, am I?”
Again, all he did was tap his foot while she laughed hysterically.
“I’m glad you think this is funny. No, really. Seeing Ben’s hairy, naked ass the other night wasn’t traumatizing enough, now you have to tell me he could bite me and make me crave cock.” He gagged, making her laugh harder. “No offense to Ben or Dave, but I really like boobs. They’re soft, and squishy, and the owner makes such interesting noises when you—”
“Steven!” He’d cupped his hands in front of his chest, his fingers flexing, and she couldn’t stop laughing.
“What? This is important. The last thing I want to do is look at Rick and think mmm, redhead.”