Page 12 of Doubly Claimed

“Fucking hell,” he growled deep in his throat, the sound seeming to reach the other two men.

He recognized them as an Alpha Omega pair out of New York. Darren Greasley and Michael Bertoni. A fucking Coyote Shifter Alpha and his Black Bear Omega. Those two were dicks, and they were encroaching on Misha’s and Ross’ female. The Kodiak Island pair walked forward.

“Oh, um, no thank you,” their sweet mate said. “My sisters went to get our drinks, so I am all good.”

She was trying to graciously decline the New York pair’s offer, but Misha could see the Alpha was not happy. He growled again, and the fucker had the nerve to smirk at him.

“But you’re wearing a bracelet—”

“What?” She looked down. “So? What does that have to do with anything? Haven’t you ever heard the word no before?”

“You should be honored to be among the women here chosen for this,” the Coyote dick said.

“Dude, I am on vacation. I am not here to be harassed by either of you. Now I said no, why are you still standing here?”

“Why you—”

“Is there a problem?” Ross stepped forward and looked down at his mate.

He couldn’t see them before, but now when her warm brown eyes landed on his, the breath left his lungs. Her nervousness angered Misha and agitated his own Elk, but he was quick to push a little of his calming aura toward her. Almost immediately, she seemed less tense. Her smile faltered as she exhaled, then she looked at the New York pair and back at him and Misha, her body swaying unconsciously closer to the Kodiak Island pair.

That was good, he thought. She was already receptive to them. The gorgeous redhead shrugged with a shy smile on her lips. Even so, she shook her head.

“Oh, I don’t think so. These men were just asking me if I wanted a drink, and I declined. They were leaving now. Weren’t you, boys?”

“You shouldn’t decline so quickly,” growled Darren. “You don’t know what we offer, baby.”

The use of the word made the usually clearheaded Ross see red. His Elk growled, and he leaned forward, catching the other Omega’s eyes in his own unblinking stare.

“Easy,” Misha said and put his hand on Ross’s shoulder, pulling him back.

“I believe she said no,” the Alpha Kodiak said, and the growl that followed his statement was much deeper and longer than the New York Alpha’s.

“This isn’t over,” he said.

“I think it is,” Ross countered, and arrowed his eyes at the other’s Omega.

“No sweat. There are other ladies here, better ones than this, for consideration, Darren,” the Omega said, and the Black Bear Shifter put his hand on his Alpha’s shoulder and tugged the guy away.

Ross flashed his teeth at the two and Misha almost went after them, but a small hand on his forearm stopped him. Heat and desperation flowed over their connection and Ross looked down to see the woman had given Misha only the slightest touch. Looking down, he saw her jump, removing her hand from his skin as if he’d burned her. Fuck, he missed the feel of her already and he’d only witnessed it through his bond.

“Sorry,” she said, cheeks burning, “but I don’t want you to waste your time on them. They’re just bullies is all.”

“Sorry you had to go through that,” Misha said.

“Oh, well, thank you for your help.”

“You never have to thank us, love.” Ross smiled charmingly at the gorgeous female and she relaxed.

***

That was good, Misha thought. He knew he was intense, and Ross was just what she needed to be at ease with them. Her laughter rang out like silver bells in the air, and both men sucked in deep breaths. Allowing her flavors to coat their senses and wash over them. Misha’s Bear rose once more.

Mine, the beast said. Mate, he added, confirming what the men thought.

Yes, echoed Ross.

His blood roared in his ears with the force of his heartbeat. It was like lightning striking. The Elk stomped his feet, pawing at the ground and bringing his full head of antlers down low as if ready to charge. The enormous animal waited impatiently in that metaphysical plane where his animal lived, waiting to be called, and Ross puffed out a quick breath of air.

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