Chapter Fifteen
Ezra
Ismell the change in her scent. She’s ready to be mine.
Unfortunately, I have to try my best to ignore her needs until the night is done.
My sister would understand if I walked out now, but I need to spend some time with her.
Rylee’s family wouldn’t care, yet we need to at least speak to those we haven’t spoken to.
The night was my idea, and I’ll follow through, give my mate time to make sure she wants the next step.
I want to complete the bond, but I don’t think she’s ready for it.
The song ends, and I hold her a moment more before easing back. My sister announces a short break, so I need to catch up with her.
“Go,” Rylee whispers, squeezing my forearms. “I’ll be fine.”
“I won’t be long.” I hate being away from her, even if it’s across the room. She smiles and walks away. I find Heath in the crowd and nod toward my mate. He returns my silent demand and stands. Her family would never hurt her, but I don’t know the new band member.
“You’ve got it bad,” Issy whispers.
I shake my head and focus on her. “Yeah.” Denying it would make me a liar. “Let’s step outside.” I move toward the front door. Holding it open for Issy, I glance at Rylee before I follow her out. I lean against the windows, keeping an eye on everyone inside.
“She’s not going to disappear,” Issy snorts.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, ignoring her comment. I want to know about Bode.
“I knew you would react how you did,” she sighs, facing me. “I should have.”
“How long have you known him?”
“He joined the band a few months ago. We decided to add another guitarist. He’s good, and the guys like him. Bode can be trusted.”
“Does Raven like him?” I ask.
“She isn’t close to him.”
“Why?” Perhaps I’m overthinking.
“I don’t know. Raven lives in her head. She needs time to adjust to new people.”
I look inside. “She seems to be adjusting to Sally.”
“I’ve only known the rabbit for an hour, and I know that wouldn’t take much,” she says dryly.
“True,” I mumble.
“Brother, you have to move on. Every lion isn’t like Dennis.”
“I know.” I run my fingers through my hair. “It’s my first reaction to the species.”
“Have you told her?” she asks softly.
“No. I will.”
“I’m sure she has questions.” She glances at the other lions in the room. “Did you react the same to them?”
“Yes.” I was cold toward them, and I feel bad.
“They wouldn’t allow anyone in their group if they weren’t trustworthy.”
“How do you know?” I ask, smiling.
“I can sense it.” She lifts her chin. “You don’t have to know them long to see what they’ve built here.
They respect each other. It’s quite the sight to see.
I never thought a rabbit shifter could be the social butterfly to a group of shifters and vampires.
The coyote shifter is gorgeous. She tamed that vampire. The group seems to trust her.”
“It is unusual,” I say, shaking my head. “I would hardly call Micah tamed.”
“I like the dynamic. Rylee’s lucky to have them. Mom is going to love them all,” she chuckles.
“I’m betting she’s going to be best friends with Sally within an hour,” I say dryly.
“Shit, ten minutes,” she snorts, and we laugh. “I’m happy for you. You can’t look away from her.”
“You see her. How could I?” I track her progress through the room. She stops by the lions, and I have to control my reaction. “It’s not just her appearance. Everything about her makes me want to be better.”
“You’re already the best,” she says softly.
“You are biased,” I say, leaning toward her.
“I have good reason to be.” She hugs me briefly. “She watches you, too.”
“Yeah?” Warmth rushes through me.
“Yuck…love,” she says, wrinkling her nose.
“Just wait until your turn.”
“Shut your mouth,” she hisses.
“I’m going to give you so much shit when it happens,” I promise.
“Hey,” she says, smacking my arm. “I’ve been very nice.”
“You have. Thanks, Sis.”
“Let’s go in before you sprain your neck keeping her in your line of sight.”
“Fuck off,” I laugh.
My laughter trails off as we return to the group, and Rylee is still with the lions. Issy slaps my back and heads straight to Sally. I want to be beside my mate, so I have to confront my issue.
“Your sister is talented,” Breeane says as I join them.
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately,” I say, and shake off the tension. Sliding my arm around Rylee’s waist, pulling her close.
“I heard what you did at the club,” Logan says.
“It was nothing.” I meet his gaze.
“Not true,” he replies, tilting his head. “Have we met?”
“No.” I don’t sense anything malicious, and I have to explain. “I had a bad experience with a lion shifter. I apologize for the tense greeting. It has nothing to do with you.”
“I think we can understand that,” Las says.
“We’ve all had bad experiences,” Lucas adds, glancing toward Heath. “I used to fight for Heath. I thought he was a bad guy.”
“He kidnapped me,” Breeane says lightly. “He had a good reason and didn’t want to hurt me.
“We had to move past that,” Las says dryly.
“He meant something to Quinn and Micah, so we tried to understand,” Logan says.
“Heath would never hurt someone who didn’t deserve it,” Rylee says firmly.
“We didn’t know that at the time,” Las says.
“Our point is, everyone has something in their past that affects them,” Logan grumbles, grabbing Breeane's hand. “We didn’t take it personally. As long as it wasn’t directed toward our mate, we can move on.”
“I admire what you’ve built here.” I look around, noticing a group of black panthers I hadn’t noticed before. “It’s unusual, but I respect it.” I focus on Logan. “I realize I haven’t dealt with my experience yet. I’ve avoided interacting with lions.”
“We would never hurt Rylee. She’s one of us,” he says.
“The group respects the bond, and we’ve heard good things about you.
Protecting the family the first night you met them is a good way to get all of us on your side.
Our family is yours, if you welcome it.” He holds out his hand, and I don’t hesitate to clasp it.
“Thank you.” I can sense the relief in my mate.
“Hey, man.”
We turn as a group to face Bode. His expression is confident, and I want to pull the knife I hid in my boot. I have no proof that he is a bad guy. I won’t be friends with every shifter I meet, but my animal is cautious of the lion. I can’t tell if my judgment is from my experiences.
“Bode,” I say, nodding.
“Issy’s told me all about you,” he says.
“I can’t say the same,” I grit out.
“She didn’t tell me about you.” He tilts his head, staring at Rylee, and lifts his arm.
Before he can make contact with her skin, I curl my arm, wrap it around her waist, and push her behind me. When she is hidden from his gaze, I slide out my knife and press the tip against the middle of his chest.
“She is my mate,” I growl.
“You’re not mated.” He glares at me.
“She’s standing beside me.” I lean close.
“Pressed against me. I’m sure Issy explained why she was coming, and you heard her speech.
Any shifter that respects the bond would realize what she means to me.
You are a guest here in a room full of mated shifters and vampires.
I would think that, at the very least, you would be cautious.
Even if you didn’t know we were together, never touch a woman without permission. Especially if that woman is mine.”
I apply pressure.
“I could kill you now. My blade is sharp, and with one little push, you're gone. My sister doesn’t share everything about me. Don’t think I give a shit that you are a member of her band.
” His anger leaks through his scent. “I don’t care what kind of animal you are.
I’m not afraid of anyone. No one here will lift a hand to help you.
Do you see the snake shifter?” Heath is close, ready to step in.
Bode’s eyes flicker toward him. “He would help me dispose of your body.”
“Alright.” He licks his lips. “I didn’t mean anything. You can back off.”
“I don’t like you.” I narrow my eyes. “I think Issy can do without you for the night.”
“I can,” Issy says softly. “I think you need to go. Cool off. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Fine,” he hisses.
“If tonight affects my sister, you won’t like what I do,” I threaten.
“I said fine,” he snaps.
“Don’t test me.” I wait for his nod and withdraw my blade. “Go.” I exhale roughly as he stomps through the room. He slams the door as he leaves. I roll my shoulders, sheath my knife, and turn. Rylee is staring at me, her heart pounding.
“Damn, just when I thought nothing exciting was going to happen,” Sally says, jumping from her seat. “Who knew a badass fox was going to join the family?”
“You’re excited by violence, rabbit,” Bash rumbles.
“Well, yeah,” she snorts. “Especially when it happens defending a mate.”
“Ezra,” Issy whispers.
“I had to, Issy,” I say, staring at Rylee.
“I know. Are you alright?” she asks my mate.
“I think she’s more than alright,” Sally whispers.
“Yep,” Daisy mutters.
“I’ve seen that look before,” Serenity adds.
“I think they forgot we are in the room,” Haven murmurs.
Rylee blinks. “Uh…” She focuses on my sister. “He didn’t touch me.”
“He didn’t have a chance,” Heath mumbles, slapping me on the back.
“Shit, these parties are the best,” River drawls.
“Right?” Sally chuckles.
I ignore all of them and pull Rylee close. I intended to defend my mate.
Her desire is just a bonus.
I made it forty-five minutes before the crowd, and Rylee’s simmering desire made me drop hints about leaving. It took fifteen more minutes for the round of goodbyes. I settle Rylee in the passenger seat, and my tension remains. As I drive away, I decide to share my experience with a lion.
“Ezra, what’s wrong?” she asks, curling her hand over my thigh.
“I need to explain.” I clear my throat.
“About the lions,” she guesses.