Page 13 of Claiming Claire

“It depends on the day, really. During the summer I head a tour up to the old gold mines that ends in river rafting. It’s a big hit.”

“Are you shirtless?” I asked.

“Ah, yeah.” He looked at me questionably.

“That’s why it’s a big hit.”

A rumbling laugh escaped his lips, “You like what you see, then?”

“Very much so.” I was suddenly feeling shy, and I buried my head against his arm to hide my face.

He let go of my hand, and pulled my body into his, wrapping his arm around me. I had to be a good foot and a half shorter, but he didn’t seem to mind the height difference. We passed a few storefronts before he reached out and pulled open a door and nudged me inside.

The store was a bright clothing boutique with rows and rows of gorgeous dresses and unique tops. The saleswoman looked up as we entered, her eyes growing wide for a moment before she stated, “Gabriel! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He nodded, “Honestly, I hadn’t planned on coming.”

“Yet here you are. How're your brothers? I haven’t seen them around in quite some time.”

“They decided to take the winter to recoup in their cabin before the next wave of our tourism hits.” The woman, Tiana, nodded enthusiastically, her focus entirely on Gabriel. My wolf stirred in agitation, wanting me to state my claim and show that woman who his mate was, but I pushed her down.

“It’s a shame, it’s such a sight when all of you boys are milling around town.”

“Yeah. Glad, we can be of entertainment, I guess.” He reached up and scratched his neck awkwardly, and Tiana’s eyes followed. She gasped and took a step back.

“You’ve mated.” Her eyes landing on me as if she saw me for the first time.

“We have.” He reached out and snagged my hand. “This is our mate, Claire.”

She gasped again. “Our. You all found a mate to share? That’s so . . . rare.”

What she meant was, nearly unheard of. A wolf did not like to share his mate, and a relationship between five people was asking for trouble. “Our wolves accept it.”

She held out her hand to me. “Nice to meet you, Claire. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know if I should congratulate you or give you pity. A little wisp of a woman like yourself bound to those four grumpy wolves. You’re stronger than I am.”

I shook her hand. “Thanks.” I think.

“Well, why don’t you look around? Let me know if you need help with anything.” She shot Gabriel an approving look and walked toward the backroom.

“Brothers?” I asked as I walked down an aisle, my finger grazing the row of soft fabric.

He pulled a flowy blouse off the rack and held it up. “Two. Try this one, I like blue.”

“You just grabbed it off the rack, you don’t even know if it’s my size,” I objected, and he just shoved the garment at me.

“It’s your size.” He reached for another top. “Vix likes yellow, try this one on.”

“What if I don’t like yellow?”

He shrugged. “Do you not like yellow?”

I let out a sigh. “I do like yellow. But I don’t really like to be told what to wear.”

He stepped forward and took the clothes out of my hands. “Sweetheart, suggesting you try something on is not demanding you wear it. If I am stuck shopping, a hobby which I most definitely do not enjoy, the least you could do is pacify me by trying on something that I know would appeal to one of your other mates or me.”

I hated that he was so logical. “Fine.”

I turned on my heels and stalked toward the back dressing room as he filled his arms with clothes as he passed. What was the point of me actually looking when the big oaf was going to do it all for me anyway? “I see someone woke up on the wrong side of the massive bed this morning.”

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