His Purrfect Mate

"No, I don't have a mate."
"You're sure old enough for one. Is it because you're defective?"
Some of her fear left to be replaced by anger. A lifetime of being deemed a freak haunted her and made her defensive. "Are you mated?"
"No."
"You're sure old enough. Are you defective too?"
The arm tightened around her waist and a soft growl rumbled from his parted lips. "Careful, kitten. Don't insult me."
Fear flashed inside her and it cooled her temper. She wasn't lipping off to just some random guy. This was a real werewolf. "You insulted me first. You should have seen the look on your face, the disbelief, and you smirked."
"Did I?" His mouth twitched and humor lit his dark gaze. "It surprised me." His gaze lingered on her mouth, slid to her hair, and then returned to stare deeply into her eyes. "You're attractive as hell."
Mute again, she had no idea how to respond to that, never expecting a compliment from him. He took another deep breath, watched her, and then cocked his head.
"Someone is coming. Are you calm enough now for me to put you down without you trying to climb the nearest tree, or me, again?"
"I don't know. My instincts kind of take over when I'm super scared and then it's a blur until I find myself in bad places like the top of a tree." She glanced down at his broad chest. "You're the first man I ever climbed, if that helps any. But, in my defense, you wouldn't let me go. Something inside me wanted off the ground."
"Instincts can be a bitch." He turned his head slightly to peer into the woods. "Hang on to me then. You're about to be terrified. Four of my pack mates are approaching."
He moved when she buried her face against his skin again, closed her eyes, and wrapped both arms around his neck to hold on to him tightly once more. Her back gently brushed the trunk of the tree she'd abandoned and he pinned her there, inside his embrace. She heard leaves crunch nearby and sucked in Anton's masculine scent. For some strange reason it helped her not freak out when the first growl of alarm sounded once his pack mates saw or smelled her.
"That's far enough." Anton's voice came out deep and commanding, harsh. "Go home."
"Cat," a male snarled. He growled louder. "Toss her this way. I want a bite. She smells sweet."
Anton's entire body stiffened. He felt similar to the tree trunk pressed against her backside. The terrifying snarl of rage near her left ear had her holding back a whimper. Instincts flared to life again and it took every bit of concentration not to struggle to get out of his arms. She wanted to run or climb a tree but definitely not be in that clearing near a werewolf who wanted to make a snack of her.
"Back off," Anton roared. "She's mine."
"Fuck," another voice grumbled. "What happened to sharing a fresh kill?"
"Whoa," another male gasped. "I don't think that's what he's got in mind for her. Shit. Sorry, man. I know you like pussy, but hell, that's as literal as it gets."
One of the werewolves snorted. "You're going to fuck her and then kill her? I'm an admitted asshole but that's harsh even for me."
"Leave," Anton snarled, his voice a terrifying sound.
"Okay," one of them muttered. "Tell me how it is later. You're the man, Anton. Really. I wouldn't let one of them near me. Watch her teeth and claws or she's going to tear you apart."
They retreated and Shannon's fear eased when the man pinning her relaxed and stepped away from the tree until her back wasn't touching it any longer. She lifted her head and saw anger still etched on his features. He breathed a little heavily but then his gaze softened when he stared at her.
"Jerry will bring me clothes and he'll drive my truck closer. He'll park it not too far from here. I'll get dressed and take you home."
She hesitated. "They stole my purse. My keys, identification, and money are inside it."
Irritation flashed on his handsome face. "I'll get it back and make sure they didn't take a dime from you."
"Thank you." She meant it.
"I'm going to have to call your father and smooth things over with him. I don't want this starting a war between our people."
A new sliver of fear sliced through her. "That's okay. Don't worry about it. I won't tell him what happened."
"He's going to know the second you walk in the door. He'll smell me all over you and your terror is really strong. I take it you didn't inherit a keen sense of smell? You reek of it."
"I live alone."
His dark eyes narrowed and he studied her. "You do?"
"Yes. I'll shower when I get home and clean my clothes." She paused. "I'm sorry I smell." The guy was hot, he said she stank, and she hated that he had to be the best-looking guy she'd ever been that close to. She inwardly winced at that little bit of life's irony.
The silence grew uncomfortable between them and Shannon had to look away from his intense gaze, wondering why he stared at her in that odd manner. It was as if he were trying to read her mind. Her legs around his waist started to ache and she relaxed a little, her body slipping down his torso a bit. His hands suddenly slid from their hold on her waist to cup her ass and lifted her higher.
Shannon gasped. "Do you want to let my butt go?"
"If you slide any lower it's going to embarrass one of us. I'm holding you up, that's all."
"Embarrass?"
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Fear turns me on and so do you."
It took a few seconds for his words to translate into meaning inside her brain. Shocked, she twisted, her head swiveling enough to glance over her shoulder and down their bodies. The movement pressed her lower half tighter against his stomach but she got a glimpse of verification that one turned-on male held her. The sight made her snap back around and her hair slapped him in the face. She gaped at him.
Anton blew her hair away from his mouth and one eyebrow arched. "You had to look, huh?"