Page 5 of Beta's Virgin Bride

“You owe the lady an apology.”

I saw the meanness then. The narrowing of his eyes even as he sucked in air. The tensing of his hands and the way his gaze flicked to Ivy. I stepped over, blocking his view and freeing the rumble of displeasure from my chest.

“Apologize.”

“Ivy knows I didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t you, Ivy?”

“You don’t say her name.” I stepped in close again and almost snickered at the way the two guys with him quickly scrambled backward. “You don’t fucking speak to her.”

“Kind of hard for him to apologize to me then.”

I couldn’t help it. I grinned like a lovesick fool, which was fitting. The more I was around her, the harder I fell. And her sassy mouth. Yeah. I really liked a sassy mouth.

“He can say it to your mate.”

I heard several indrawn breaths, and though my gaze was forward, my focus was on the one behind me. My blunt statement was followed by Ivy mumbling. I heard her slide off the hood, the sound of her feet hitting the ground, then the strike of her footsteps as she walked toward me.

“For the love of God, Cyan, I’m not your mate. This.” She stopped beside me, waving one hand back and forth between us. “Isn’t happening.”

Then she turned, dismissing me as she stomped closer to the prick on the ground. My muscles tensed in preparation. One false move from the three yahoos and I would rip them apart.

“As for the three of you, go home, and sleep it off.”

“I wasn’t aware you could sleep off stupid,” I drawled, earning a snicker from my mate—and Ivy was my mate.

“I can see you don’t know the Dalton family. Daltons don’t take mates. Isn’t that right, Ivy.”

“You shut your filthy mouth, Austin Mickel, before I shut it for you.”

She vibrated with anger. So much so that I expected her to launch herself at the man still kneeling on the ground. The skin on her hands was white from how tightly they were clenched. I wanted all that pent-up emotion spent on me. Preferably while we were both naked and I was inside her. Fuck, the woman had given me a one-track mind.

“Where’s Jasmine at tonight?” the one she’d called Austin inquired. “Leaving her all alone while you go out drinking?” His gaze flicked to me. “Probably a good thing Rowan isn’t here to see how far you’ve fallen.”

“You son-of-a-bitch!”

She launched, and I barely snagged her from midair before she hit him. He’d managed to ignite her temper; so much so she’d failed to spot the glint of the blade I saw him palm. I didn’t know the history, had no clue what he alluded to, but I’d get the answers later. From the only person I consider a reliable source. Ivy. For now, blood would be shed. His. He’d sealed his fate when he’d slid a knife into his hand.

I placed Ivy carefully behind me then caught Mickel midrise with my boot. He flew across the lot, and now, the other two seemed to have found their courage. One began shifting while the other now had a blade in his palm. I could have easily called out, and any number of my pack brothers would have been there instantly. But these idiots were mine no matter the skin they were in. They’d baited my mate with words then dared to draw weapons in her presence with the intent to cause her physical harm.

I stepped forward again, my focus on them as Mickel wasn’t moving so easily this time. They attacked simultaneously, but I’d expected no less, easily engaging with them. I felt a brief burn along my right bicep but ignored it. It was a paltry injury at best and of no concern at present. I lashed out with another kick and was rewarded with a yelp of pain from the mongrel snapping at my heels. Then it was on.

I love a good fight. Revel in the adrenaline rush that takes over. I felt my wolf pressing, a merge of animal power with the strength of the man I am. I was revved to put on a display for my mate, to show her how great of a protector I’d be. It wasn’t much of demonstration though. A few punches and another well-placed kick and none of them were rising.

It had been a sad show of strength and made me understand why the Rigton pack had come looking for a new alpha. I wasn’t sure what type of force Rowan Byrd had had while he’d been in command, but I knew the majority of the group had left in the aftermath of his death. Grief did many things to people, and though I strived not to judge, leaving your pack unprotected in such a time seemed unforgivable to me.

I caught my breath and realized I awaited a pithy remark from Ivy, something filled with sarcasm and sass. Actually, I anticipated it, but one glance around told me she wasn’t there. Had there been more than these three? Had I been so focused on the battle I’d missed another enemy in hiding?

“She left.” Simon’s voice, off to my left. “While you were fighting. She said something about getting out of the cesspool of testosterone. Any idea what she meant by that?”

The laughter in his voice was hard to miss. I snorted. There was the comment I’d awaited, though the delivery left much to be desired.

“Grab a few of the others, and confine these three until I’m ready to deal with them again.”

Simon didn’t question. He merely nodded then moved to follow my order. I turned back to my SUV then paused. I wasn’t sure where Ivy had headed. Home, maybe, but I didn’t know where that was. I glanced at Mickel and his buddies, thinking I could demand the information from one of them, but they were all out cold. It appeared I’d been too efficient.

“She probably headed home.” The voice was soft, shaky, and feminine.

It took me a moment to locate the woman it belonged to. She seemed to cling to the shadows, almost as if she wanted to be absorbed by them.

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