Page 2 of Beta's Virgin Bride

Bas appeared beside me, and when Raina backed toward me again, she ran into her mate. I heard them speaking but couldn’t care less what they said.

All I knew was the woman meant for me was acting as if I weren’t in the room, as if she hadn’t felt that surge of electricity between us. I knew better. Thankfully, she wasn’t that good of an actress, but it stung that she was trying.

“What kind of man do you think I am?” Bas’ words echoed my thoughts, and my woman spun back around.

“Don’t answer that,” she commanded Raina.

Bas turned his head and growled at her. Both woman responded before the rumble building in my chest made it past my throat.

“Don’t growl at her,” Raina said, smacking Bas hard in the chest.

“Don’t growl at me, wolf boy,” my woman agreed, but I noticed she didn’t try to touch him. It soothed my wolf just the slightest bit.

“Ivy,” Raina snapped. “Let me deal with this.”

“Ivy.” I purred the name as so many things about the plant filled my mind. “Perfect.”

Ivy’s gaze snapped to mine, her eyes deep, dark pools of chocolate. The woman was like a walking dessert with caramel curls, chocolate eyes, and creamy skin. It made me eager to taste her on my tongue. All of her. Repeatedly.

“Listen, beast boy. Take your pal there, and get the fuck out of our way.”

My lips twitched. I planned to show her just how much of a beast I could be. But only with her.

“Why is her name perfect?” Raina demanded, and I barely contained a laugh.

“Ivy’s a clinging vine, right?” I didn’t wait for agreement. “Which is perfect since she’s going to be wrapped around me for the rest of her life.”

Ivy’s mouth dropped open, her eyes widening at my bold proclamation. Even better, her nipples tightened and poked against her shirt in an invitation that had my mouth watering. I could scent her lust, and by the flare of her nostrils, I knew she wasn’t missing mine either. She was mine. By night’s end, I planned to explore every inch of her, and when the light of dawn came, there wouldn’t be a part of her I hadn’t claimed as mine.

“Take her,” Bas said, and I moved.

Ivy gave a sexy squeak as I bent and scooped her up, tossing her over my shoulder as I headed toward the door. I wrapped one arm around her legs and cupped that perfect ass with my other palm. I had no idea where I’d go, but one thing was certain. She was staying with me until death tore me from her side.

Chapter Two

~ Ivy ~

I nearly swallowed my tongue when the man of my dreams scooped me up and draped me over his hulking shoulder. I automatically reached out to brace myself and gripped his hips, noting his ass wasn’t flat like so many men’s were. His was firm and round, and I wanted to nip it with my teeth.

I shook my head. No nipping. Definitely no biting. Absolutely no mating. Mating wasn’t in the cards for me. Not with my family history. That was something certain members of our pack enjoyed reminding me of whenever the opportunity presented itself. I hadn’t shared their taunts with Raina since she’d been back. Besides, tonight had been about recent complications in Raina’s life. One of which held me over his shoulder.

“Put me down.” I meant for the words to be firm, authoritative, but they came out slightly breathy. I blamed it on my upside-down position.

The Neanderthal wolf carting me around like a sack of potatoes ignored me. He moved with a fluidity I refused to appreciate or imagine in other ways.

“Hey, Cyan. Where’s Bas?”

Cyan as in sigh and moan? I shook my head. There would be no sighing and moaning. I needed to get that thought out of my head right now.

“He’s inside with his mate. I need you to stay here. Watch his back while I’m gone.”

I heard the other man clear his throat at Cyan’s command.

“Um, Cy. She’s a tiny little thing. Are you sure she’s full grown?”

“Put me down,” I growled, my back arching up as I gripped Cyan’s hips and pushed away. “I’ll show you grown.”

Cyan chuckled, and I seriously considered sinking my claws into him. I wouldn’t bite, but claws were always an option. Small! I growled again as disgust hit me anew. I’d been the same height since I’d turned thirteen. When you’re small, you learn to fight any way you can, and dirty is just another way to say survival as far as I’m concerned.

---