Page 4 of Beta's Virgin Bride

“Cyan, I—”

I stopped talking, angling my head as best I could when Raina darted across the lot, stopping at the edge of the grass and stripping. I noticed all the men who’d come with Cyan and Bastion turning their backs and making sure everyone else did, as well. I saw the smile on Raina’s face and didn’t worry when Bastion followed her.

“Doesn’t look like Raina needs you to save her.”

No, she didn’t. It looked as if Raina would be just fine. That made me smile. She deserved to be happy. She deserved a man who’d appreciate her. One who’d value her strengths. If that wasn’t Bastion, I’d help her hide the body when she killed him.

“I’m getting lightheaded here,” I mumbled when Cyan remained stationary.

I found myself maneuvered so I was cradled against his chest. I wrapped one arm around his neck and glanced up to meet his gaze. There was something in his stare that made my heart flutter. There was promise there, and I shook my head in denial even as he traced my cheek with his fingertip.

“I want to know you, Ivy. What makes your heart speed up with excitement? What’s your favorite food? Favorite color? What music do you dance to when no one’s watching? What book do you read over and over again, imaging it’s you between the pages?” His thumb brushed over my bottom lip. “How do you like to be kissed? Caressed? When I bring you to orgasm, will you scream my name or moan it?”

“Cyan.”

“God, I love my name on your lips. I want to taste you.” His head dipped toward mine. “One taste to tide us over for now. Until we can be alone.”

He brushed my lower lip with his top, rubbing it slowly along mine. His tongue brushed the bottom curve then flicked up, sliding along the seam, seeking entrance. I opened on a gasp, and he tilted his head, his mouth taking full possession of mine. He consumed me, tasting and exploring until I clung to him, my hands buried in his hair, urging him closer. My breasts were crushed against his chest, my stiff nipples poking his muscles. I wanted to rip off our shirts just so I could feel him skin-to-skin. Who was this man that he made me want him so easily?

“Would you look at that? Rowan barely gone, and she’s already spreading herself for another. Hell, Ivy, if I’d known how desperate you were, I’d have taken you to my bed.”

I tensed against Cyan. He’d achieved the impossible. For a moment, I’d forgotten who I was in our pack. I’d thought the little group of assholes who’d eyed Raina and me at the bar had dispersed after Cyan had thrown one of them into the wall. Looked like they were outside, lying in wait instead.

The snide words were followed by snickers. Then one of the others whispered, “Apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

I stiffened immediately. I heard the censure. Even more, I heard the meaning behind the words. I wasn’t surprised by the three assholes who stood watching Cyan and me. Or the fact it was Austin Mickel who’d spoken. He’d tormented me since my teens. And with him were the Dempsey brothers, who were rarely far from his side lately. They were troublemakers. Ones Rowan had kept firmly in place while he’d been alive.

Before I could engage my brain and come up with a pithy reply, I found myself seated on the hood of an SUV with a very pissed off Cyan towering in front of me. In the blink of an eye, he had one big hand wrapped around Austin’s throat, lifting until the other man was on his tiptoes.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t rip out your fucking throat right now?” Cyan thundered.

“Cyan—” I began, but he cut me off.

“If you even think about saying anything to defend this asshole, I’ll take you over my knee and paddle your ass,” Cyan warned.

I didn’t know what was more ludicrous, the idea of me defending Austin Mickel or that of Cyan paddling my ass. Neither would ever happen. I kept silent, crossing my arms over my chest while I watched him. I’d been ready to give in. Hell, to beg Cyan to take me. The man’s kiss had rattled my brain. I almost felt as if I should thank Austin for intervening, and if that wasn’t ludicrous after the hell he’d made my life, then nothing was.

Chapter Three

~ Cyan ~

“Nothing to say?” I sneered the question at the fool dangling from my grip. No man would ever hurt my mate and walk away. Hell, they’d be lucky to crawl. Most likely, a body bag would be needed.

I’d felt Ivy stiffen, felt her hurt as if it were my own. I’d delve into the words spoken and what they meant later. After I’d dealt with the trash, which was what these three were.

Every pack had them. Except ours. The James pack took out the trash. You didn’t follow the rules, you found somewhere else to call home or we found a permanent one for you. Six feet under. Harsh? Yes. But it was the only way to handle a wolf with a violent or mean streak. Right now, these three were idiots, but I sensed the meanness in them.

“Cyan.”

I almost groaned but managed to turn it into a growl I wasn’t sure fooled anyone. The breathy way my woman said my name turned me inside out. I couldn’t wait to hear her scream it while I pounded into her, to hear it released in a low moan while I gave her orgasm after orgasm.

“I don’t think he can breathe.”

Ivy again, sounding annoyed and maybe a little bored. I glanced back and barely suppressed a laugh at her nonchalant pose, reclined back, glancing at the nails on one of her dainty hands. Jesus, I wanted to wear the marks of those fingers on my skin.

“Fuck, dude. Put him down before you kill him.”

I turned back when one of the guy’s buddies spoke. They didn’t look so brave now that they’d been confronted by me instead of my tiny mate. The one I held really was turning a deep shade of purple. I tossed him to the ground, watching as his friends rushed to him, helping him sit up.

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