Mating Behavior (6 page)

Alan closed his eyes and tipped his head to
meet her hand. The corner of his mouth pulled up just enough to
reveal he enjoyed her touch. “Mmm, I should go set rabbit traps, if
you want to eat.”

She skimmed the pad of her thumb over his
lower lip and when he shuddered, Katie went to her tiptoes. “Yes.
You should, but you should also know I’m not eating a bunny.”

“Didn’t think you would.” Alan yanked her to
him and kept his eyes closed, only serving to excite Katie more. He
slid his hands around, cupping her neck before lacing his fingers
through her hair. Alan drew in a deep breath and a low, steady
growl emanated from the back of his throat. Her inner thighs
dampened at the sound and she raked her nails down his neck
lightly—leaving only faint red lines in her wake.

The next thing Katie knew, Alan had his
mouth pressed to hers and his tongue was doing an erotic dance
around her own. Stunned, she opened her mouth wider, giving him
full access. He took all that she offered, tipping her head back
and devouring her mouth. The moment was one she’d always wanted to
happen, but had never dared to dream truly would.

He bit at her lower lip as he pulled away,
but remained close enough to rub noses with her. “Katie,” he
whispered. “I’m sorry.”

She tensed, waiting for him to tell her
their kiss was a mistake. He’d already told her he needed space.
Sure, Alan had taken back his words, swearing he didn’t mean them.
If that were true, why did he bother saying them at all?

As his lips crashed down on hers, Katie put
her hands on his chest and pushed. “Alan, no.”

“No?” he asked, his breathing labored.

“I can’t take this roller coaster ride with
you.” She steeled her resolve. “I could do it with anyone else, but
not you. Our friendship means everything to me.”

From the low, long puff of breath he let
out, she knew he wasn’t pleased with her declaration. It had to be
said. Her heart wasn’t a toy and Alan was the only man in her life
she was positive could break it in two without ever really
trying.

Alan cupped her cheeks and nodded as he
averted his gaze. “I don’t need space, Katie. I need you.”

I need you.

His words tugged at her heart strings,
threatening to make tears fall should she dwell on them. A knock on
the door caught her off guard and saved her from having to say
anything back to Alan.

Alan went ramrod stiff. His nostrils flared
as his facial expression took on a predatory look. “Go to the
loft.”

“Alan?”

He centered his heated gaze on her and the
weight of his stare made Katie take a step back. “I said, go to the
loft.”

She nodded but had no intention of doing any
such thing. Alan stalked to the door and threw it open. A tall man
with shoulder-length black hair and green eyes stood there. His arm
was draped around a leggy blonde who immediately trained her gaze
on Alan. Jealousy flared within Katie. Each looked to have been
dunked in black leather—odd for being in the middle of nowhere.
What was even stranger was the fact they were there at all. She’d
assumed the cabin was in a secluded portion of the mountains.

The man’s gaze shot to Katie and he didn’t
bother to hide the fact he was checking her out. She half expected
the man to make a “V” with his fingers and wiggle his tongue
obscenely. The man was certainly easy on the eyes, as buff as Alan,
but with a dark edge to him. His look also screamed, “I could be a
dickhead if I wanted to be".

He smiled and Katie shivered. “Hello,
neighbors,” he said, staring at her.

“Neighbors?” Alan asked, his voice hoarse
and his fists clenched. She’d never seen him greet anyone in that
manner. Normally, Alan was the one keeping her from yelling at
solicitors or neighbors with noisy dogs.

The man extended his hand. “I’m Bersh and
this is my girlfriend, Noelle.”

The blonde flashed a smile in Alan’s
direction before letting it fade as she looked at Katie. “Nice to
meet you.”

Alan glanced over his shoulder and his face
held nothing short of rage. He didn’t need to voice his anger. She
already knew he was pissed that she didn’t go to the loft. She also
knew he’d pull away again after saying even more hurtful things. It
was Alan’s way of coping. It was also the last thing she wanted him
to do.

Mustering up her courage, Katie approached a
very pissed off Alan with a smile on her face. The blonde watched
her closely, before letting her gaze linger over Alan’s
mid-section. Knowing the chick was checking out Alan’s package only
served to tick Katie off more. She put her hand on Alan’s back and
ran it up his spine, coming to rest on the back of his neck. She
rubbed soft circles there. “Mmm, baby, we have neighbors?”

Alan shrugged her off and Katie had to bite
back tears at the humiliation of being rejected by him yet again.
This time she even had an audience.

Noelle peered down her nose at Katie. Bersh
gave Noelle a squeeze before letting go and putting his hand out to
Katie. Part of her didn’t want to make any sort of contact with the
man. The rest of her overpowered her better judgment and she
accepted his hand. For a split second, she could have sworn Alan
growled.

Bersh and Katie ignored him. Bersh stepped
into the cabin and towards her. Alan made a move, planting himself
between her and the man. “Thanks for stopping by,” he ground out.
“It was great meeting you both. Now, if you’ll excuse us—”

“Alan,” Katie said quickly, unable to
believe how rude he was being. “Sorry.” She locked gazes with
Bersh. “We just got in and Alan swears there are basic necessities
stocked here. I could try to—”

Alan took hold of her and dragged her
against his chest. The look on his face scared her. She stepped
back and tripped over Bersh’s foot. Bersh was suddenly there,
cradling her body as she stared up at Alan, shocked by his
behavior.

“You okay?” Bersh asked, putting his mouth
close to her ear. He gave her hips a light tug, pulling her back
against his thick erection.

Drawing in a sharp breath, Katie’s gaze shot
to Alan, who still looked as if he wanted to rip someone’s head off
with his bare hands. She did the unexpected, she snuggled back into
Bersh’s embrace, somehow knowing he would keep Alan’s temper in
check if need be. The last thing Katie wanted to do was use her
power against Alan. She’d rather see him end up in a fist fight
with another guy than to see him hurt by her magik.

Alan’s rage subsided as he sensed the fear
radiating off Katie. At first, he wanted to believe she was afraid
of Bersh, as she should be, but he knew better. She was afraid of
him. He reached for her and she drew back. The action pained him
beyond words.

Bersh quirked a mocking brow and it was all
Alan could do to keep from striking the man where he stood. How
could she seek comfort from a man willing to do her harm?

Because she senses how on edge you are,
asshole. Doesn’t help that you blew her off when she tried to show
you affection in front of Bersh.

Closing his eyes, Alan harnessed his rage
and let a mask of serenity fall over his face. When he looked out,
he smiled warmly at Katie and Bersh. “It’s been a long hike up.
Sorry about my mood. Katie’s right, I did have the cabin stocked
about a week ago for our visit. Anyone want a drink?”

He wasn’t sure who was more shocked, he or
Bersh. Bersh’s girlfriend was staring intensely at Bersh’s hands
which were planted on Katie’s hips. Noelle’s jealousy was thick
enough to smell. Alan had little doubt his would be too if he
wasn’t working overtime at keeping it under his thumb.

Katie seemed to relax, taking a step away
from Bersh. She smiled. “So, you said we’re neighbors. Where is
your cabin?”

Bersh met Alan’s gaze as he answered, “About
a quarter mile from here. Quite a few cabins now reside on this
side of the mountain. All of us are close, personal friends, so if
you need anything,” the threat was there, “one of us is just a
stone’s throw away.”

Alan put his hand out to Katie and much to
his surprise, she came instantly to him. The look in her brown eyes
warmed him as she stared at him with pride. “It’s good to know
we’re not totally alone, but I think Alan has everything under
control. He’s one of those men who plan for just about
anything.”

But I didn’t plan on werewolves.

He swallowed hard and drew her into his
arms. “I don’t know, honey.” He leveled a heated look at Bersh. “I
think there are a few things that got by me.”

“Honey?” Noelle asked, perking up. “Are the
two of you married?”

She knew damn well they weren’t and was
fishing to see how far the relationship had progressed, if any.
Alan had never wanted to slap a woman before, but he did want to
hit Noelle. He opened his mouth to answer only to find Katie doing
it for him.

“No. We’re not married.”

“Yet,” he said quickly. “We’re not married
yet.”

Katie turned slowly to face him. “Alan?”

He pleaded with his eyes for her to leave
well enough alone. If a window of opportunity was there, Bersh
would use it to attempt to claim Katie for himself. Alan had no
doubt the man’s motives were steadily shifting. The way Bersh
continued to stare hungrily at Katie and from the livid expression
on Noelle’s face, it was becoming serious. No longer was the
situation about Bersh watching Alan take Katie. No. Now it was
about Bersh wanting Katie for himself.

Over my dead body.

Turning his attention to Katie, Alan
caressed the back of her arm. “Honey, are you feeling okay?”

She nodded as she continued to stare at him
dumbfounded. Katie twisted into his embrace and Alan took advantage
of the opportunity by dipping his head and planting a kiss on her
sweet lips. As he parted his lips and let his tongue trace a line
around her mouth, she whimpered. The sound was music to his
ears.

A quick slap to her ass and a wink later,
Alan drew back and laughed at the shocked expression on Katie’s
face. “I’ll get those drinks.”

Katie blinked and touched her swollen lip.
“Uh, okay.”

“Bersh, would you like to join me?” he
asked, wanting Bersh alone so he could tell him exactly what he
thought of him showing up unannounced.

“What the fuck are you doing, showing up
here like we’re going to be the best of friends?” Alan demanded,
backing Bersh up against the exterior of the cabin. The beast
within surged to the surface, causing hair to sprout on the back of
Alan’s hands. His skin rippled and for a split second, Alan thought
he might accidentally do a full shift. Somehow he managed to
control himself enough to maintain human form.

Bersh, clearly amused, laughed and seemed
unaffected by Alan’s show of power. He pushed Alan’s hand aside and
withdrew a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket. Under normal
circumstances, Alan would have been repulsed. Smoking wasn’t his
thing. Now he held back from asking for a cigarette of his own.
Bersh lit up and took a long drag before paying any mind to Alan,
only serving to piss Alan off more. The man acted as if nothing was
out of the norm, all the while Alan felt his life as he knew it
slipping away.

“I’m changing the rules of the game,” Bersh
said evenly. “I want you to watch me fuck Katie.”

Alan saw red as his anger overtook him.
“Like hell!” he shouted, his voice full of nothing but contempt.
Alan went to charge him, but Bersh motioned towards the cabin.

“Nah, ah, ah.” He shook his finger back and
forth in a corrective manner. Alan instantly wanted to snap the
finger off. “Noelle’s itching for a reason to kill her. Attack me
and your bitch is as good as dead.”

Alan’s entire body was rigid. The need to
strike out and cut Bersh’s head from his shoulders almost
outweighed Alan’s common sense. Noelle was still in the cabin with
Katie. It would only take a fraction of a second for a shifter such
as Noelle to kill Katie. There was no way Alan could take out Bersh
and make it back in time to protect Katie.

“You’re not touching Katie. She’s mine and
I’m not into sharing or wife swapping,” Alan said, doing his best
to remain in control of his beast.

Bersh took another hit off his cigarette and
exhaled in Alan’s direction, making Alan cough slightly. “Wife
swapping? How can we label it that when you’re not mated to her,
city boy?”

“You know what I meant.” He wanted to bash
the man’s face against the cabin until it was unrecognizable.

“Do I?” Bersh’s expression was one of
taunting. “You can have Noelle. She means nothing to me. I just
want a night with your bitch. One night and I’ll allow the two of
you to leave this mountain unharmed. I’ll make it pleasurable for
her. I promise.”

Alan’s rage was cut short by a sharp gasp
from the back porch. He looked up to find Noelle there, her face
was pale and jealousy crept into her eyes. She glared at Bersh
before a sick smile curved her lips. “I mean nothing to you?”

“You know as much,” Bersh said as if he
didn’t care a bit for Noelle’s feelings.

He doesn’t give a shit.

Noelle continued to smile. Something about
it made Alan’s stomach churn. She was up to no good. Considering
who her on-again, off-again boyfriend was, Alan wasn’t
surprised.

“You want the human instead?” she asked.
“They break so very easily, Bersh. Consider yourself warned.” With
that, she shifted into wolf form, her clothing ripping away as she
raced off the back porch and into the woods.

The distinct smell of blood filtered from
the cottage. Alan rushed forward, followed closely by Bersh. He
burst into the main room and found Katie at the sink, holding a
dish towel over her hand.

“Katie?”

She jerked around and exhaled slowly. “Oh,
Alan, I didn’t hear you come in. So do you?”