Mitch had no idea why his Alpha had sent him to the Silver Streak Pack, on this day of all days. On a trumped up trip if ever there was one. He was Beta. He should’ve been by his Alpha’s side when they’d gone hunting rogues, but no, here he was standing talking to the Silver Streak’s Healer about some nonsense or other and trying to be civil.
He’d barely managed to stop himself from growling several times when she’d prattled on about what he’d given her from their own Healer. Her eyes widening before she’d scowled up at him and waggled her finger. “Now that’s no way to behave, boy. You’re here on, now what was it Chad said? A goodwill inter-Pack visit . . . so I think good manners should be high on the agenda. Don’t you?”
Mitch cracked his neck, exhaling loudly. “My apologies, Caitrìona, but I fail to understand why I’m here. I’m a Beta and have no knowledge that can possibly help you. I should be with my Alpha, not here with you. No disrespect intended but everything you’ve just said has gone right over my head, and meant nothing whatsoever to me, and I can tell you, hand on my heart, that I’ll have forgotten every dang word by the time I get home.”
Caitrìona gave him a smirk, a cheeky glint in her eye. “There has to be a reason, Mitch Mackay of the Blue River Pack. Don’t you think your Alpha has a reason? Or do you think you know better than your Alpha? Is that it? You’re a cocky young pup that knows better than their Alpha?”
Mitch bristled, his Cougar anxious at being away from Jonson at such a time when they were out hunting rogues. “I’m neither cocky nor a pup. I’m a Cougar so if I were a youngster I’d be called a cub or a kitten, not a pup. And the reason I’m antsy is, as you are well aware, there is a rogue hunt today and my place is at my Alpha’s side. My beast is not best pleased to be standing here doing nothing when it should be protecting my Alpha.”
“I know you’re no Wolf, and that’s interesting, Mitch. Tell me, how did a Cougar become Beta in a Wolf Pack? That’s a little unusual, is it not?”
“Unusual maybe. But I’ll humor you.” Mitch shrugged. “I was on my own for a long time. We’re solitary by nature so that’s not unusual, then a few years ago, I was injured when I had a fall off a ravine. Jonson found me and took me back to his camp. Once I was healed he talked me into staying for a while . . . that while ended up being permanent. Turns out Wolves aren’t so bad, well, not when you can stand up for yourself and I sure as hell can do that. Didn’t take me long to become Beta and I’ve been at his side ever since.”
“You’re big, even for a Wolf, so I can see how you’d fit right in.” Caitrìona tilted her head. “I’ve never seen a Cougar shift.”
“I’m not a circus act,” Mitch snapped back. “I shift when I need to, or if I want to, I don’t do it just because someone hasn’t seen a damn Cougar Shifter.”
Caitrìona’s head fell back as she started to laugh, her hand reaching over to pat his arm. “I like you, Mitch. Not many would answer me back like that, boy. Not many would have the balls to.”
“Was that some kind of test?” Mitch cocked an eyebrow, glaring down at the small woman.
“You could say that,” she admitted. “So, do you think we could figure out what the hell’s going on and why you’ve been sent here? Because I have to admit, it’s annoying the hell outta me too.”
A soft growl flew on the air at the same time as the scent of something . . . sensual, erotic and downright . . . his.
Every muscle in his body tensed, his senses on fire, Caitrìona’s eyes widened as she saw the change in him, her mouth opening in a perfect circle as she took a step back. His Cougar chuffed in his head, pawing at the ground, his skin prickling as he fought for control. The scent invading his very being and forcing his head to swivel toward the source . . . his eyes searching for the source of the torment that was assaulting his body.
And there he found her . . . a lone female standing as if in shock, with long flowing dark hair, with just as dark pools for eyes that he locked his with. Hers were full of shock but he saw the recognition as his honey met her chocolate, but then he saw her body quiver, her legs shake and he moved.
His Cougar aiding him to reach her with lightning speed to catch her before she ever touched the ground. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”
Her eyes wide, shocked, body trembling against his as she whispered, “Who are you?”
“I’m your soul-mate,” he told her truthfully.
No point in sugar-coating things. It wasn’t his way and going by the way she’d reacted to him, surely she knew it too. Didn’t she?
“What? No, don’t be stupid . . . I don’t even know you!” She gasped, her hands grasping his shirt as her head shook side to side.
Caitrìona catching up to them and taking it all in. “Aaah, now this is a turn up for the books. You two better come inside quick, before something happens . . . you know . . . like another man comes along and looks at her.”
Mitch couldn’t help himself. His reaction was instant, a snarl erupting from deep within, his teeth already elongating in his mouth and his razor sharp fangs erupting at the perceived threat to his mate who was now starting to fight him.
“Let me go! Immediately. Let me go or I’ll knock you on your big fat ass!”
Caitrìona held up her hands, shushing his mate. “Shush, I mean it, Cyndi, shush up now! The two of you follow me. Right this second.”
The Healer’s voice changed. It was now one that was powerful and full of command, one that you did not want to argue with and right at this moment all Mitch cared about was getting his mate away from prying eyes . . . before his Cougar came out and did something that they’d both regret.
“Let me go!”
Mitch held her tighter as he inhaled her scent, a soft moan escaping him. “I’m sorry. I cannot.”
Caitrìona addressed him directly. “For goodness sakes, pick her up and follow me. Now. Before anyone sees this spectacle and things get out of hand. Because trust me, Mitch Mackay, things will get nasty if the Pack sees a stranger manhandling one of their own. They’ll come to Cyndi’s rescue and we all know that isn’t going to end well. So, move quickly before it comes to that.”
Cyndi’s eyes flew to the Healer. “What did you just tell him to do? Are you kidding me, Caitrìona? You’re ordering a complete stranger to . . .”
Mitch cut her off, scooping her up in his arms, gently cradling her soft body against his chest and taking the opportunity to inhale her scent once more at the same time as savoring the feel of her against him. Her aroma was pure nirvana . . . as if he were in heaven itself. His Cougar purring with joy as he strode after Caitrìona who was running back to her cabin at full speed, her head spinning back and forth checking to see if they’d been seen.
Luckily the camp was eerily quiet and they made it to the cabin unseen with his mate’s grumbling going unheard. Caitrìona threw open her door and he ducked down to enter with her following, closing the door then pacing back and forth as she stared at him.
A hard punch to his chest and a shout from his mate brought their attention to the woman in his arms. “Put me down!”
“Cyndi, you need to stay calm,” Caitrìona stated firmly.
“Calm. Calm you say. I’ve been manhandled by a complete stranger and you stood by and watched! How dare you. How dare both of you! What the hell is going on?”
Mitch still held her firmly against him, his eyes raking over her face, taking in every minute detail . . . noticing the flecks of lighter brown in her dark eyes and the auburn in her chestnut hair. Damn, she was the most gloriously beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on. “You’re a beauty, glorious and wild. I didn’t hurt you . . . did I?”
“What?” she asked quietly, her breath hitching as she looked up at him.
He could hear her heart picking up speed, her face flushing and . . . shit, yes, he could scent her arousal wafting up his nostrils. A growl escaped him as he leaned down, his lips softly whispering against hers to taste his mate.
“Oh hell,” Caitrìona exclaimed.
Cyndi’s hands wound up, tangling in his hair for the briefest of moments as she lost herself in their kiss . . . then she pulled back. “Wait . . . stop. What are you doing? Who are you and what makes you think you can just do that?”
Mitch’s lips tugged up as he nuzzled her hair, his beast desperate to implant every scent of hers inside him. “I told you . . . I’m your soul-mate.”
Cyndi gasped, struggling in his arms forcefully, her hands punching and legs kicking to be free so he reluctantly placed her on her feet. “What the hell? Caitrìona, what’s he talking about? And please, will someone tell me who he is? What he’s doing here and what the hell he is? He’s no Wolf that’s for sure but I’ve no idea what he is.”
She backed away, her eyes wide and terrified, arms crossed over her chest that was heaving as she took great gulps of air inside. Her face white and pale as her eyes spun back and forth between him and the Healer.
Caitrìona held her hands up as if trying to calm a wild animal. “Cyndi, you should sit down, sweetie. After your ordeal last night and now this . . . you really need to . . . oh shit, she’s going to faint. Grab her!”
Mitch saw it coming, darting forward, and snatching her up once again in his arms before she hit the floor.