His inner-beast clawed at him, furious he’d let Scarlet’s protection fall to another.
A rough nudge had him turning his attention to Keller.“Chill.We’re having dinner with her tonight.Probably more.Then we can both watch over her.”
Madden knew he’d been at Keller’s side since they were young, but it still creeped him out when the man read his mind.
“I know.”Knowing didn’t keep the wolf calm.He practically vibrated with the need to hunt and protect her.She was so small and sweet and—
Keller snorted.“Small, maybe.I don’t think our mate exudes sweetness.”
Fucker had weaseled into his head again.Madden growled at the other wolf.The beast wouldn’t tolerate anyone, not even Keller, speaking badly about Scarlet.“She was protecting hers.She—”
“Alphas.”
He turned and snarled at the wolf who’d interrupted them, then drew the sound back.He was on edge, would be until Scarlet carried their bite and they both came deep within her body, one in her ass, the other in her pussy.
There was no reason to snap off Albert’s head.“Sorry.”
Keller strode past him, hand patting Madden’s chest.There wasn’t a sexual relationship between them, but time brought easy familiarity and comfort most human men shunned.“Don’t mind grumpy here.What do you need?”
Madden needed Scarlet, but it didn’t look like he’d get his way any time soon.
“The Marked have all checked in, though we still have a few Alpha pairs yet to arrive.I have confirmed they’ll be here by morning.”
“Thank you, Albert.”Keller gave the man a small nod and the wolf scampered away.
Keller, eyes dancing with mirth, turned to Madden.“That wasn’t very nice.”
“Shut it.You know you feel the same way; you’re simply nicer about it.You want to hunt her, too.”He narrowed his eyes.“Maybe we should have picked her guards ourselves.I’ll go find the Captain—”
His partner chuckled.“Come on, we still have a few duties to complete before we can meet our mate, and I’m sure the Captain has selected the very best to watch over the sisters Wickham.”
The wolf growled but felt the truth in Keller’s words.
He just didn’t like it.
ChapterThree
The closer she drew to the restaurant, the hotter her Mark became.It sent pulses of arousal thrumming through her veins.With every step her pleasure grew, body heating, and her doubts about Keller and Madden melted away.The first response was the gentle tingles, the hum to signify her mates’ closeness.Then she’d become aroused, burning with need until they completed their bond.It increased until she was desperate for their bodies.
The only good thing about the process was that the wolves would feel the same.Their need would mirror hers, and a burning sensation would pierce them in the identical place as where she carried her Mark.
They’d all be a bubble of arousal until they finally broke.
Yum.
The only thing marring her impending mating was the fact that she still hadn’t hunted up the Ruling Alphas to sort out Whitney’s situation.Plus, there was some guy with a gun on his hip following her.
She seriously hoped she wasn’t about to be involved in another incident like the one in the ballroom.One confrontation a day was enough for her.Really.
Scarlet tugged on the hem of her skirt, nudging down the edge.She never should have listened to Gabby.The darned thing rose with every step.She wobbled a little on her high heels, the four-inch, strappy stilettos making it difficult to walk.Ugh.
Plus, what had been up with her sister?Gabriella had been giving her extra-wide smiles and battering her with taunting questions.
“Isn’t it great that your mates aresostrong?”
“I bet they’re as strong as the Ruling Alphas.”
“I wonder if…”