Page 14 of The Russos

“Oh,” Hannah purred out all smiles now that I’d clarified what I’d been doing.

“Definitely oh,” Anton grinned at me, taking a closer look, then pulling me in for a hug, rocking me from side to side. “Well, well, welcome to the family. Let’s get you back to camp and introduceyou to my brother. You are going to be just perfect for him, I can tell.”

There was a rumble from my back, looking over my shoulder at my dad, who was scowling, but Miah was grinning, so I knew whoever my mate was, he liked him, or at least that’s what I thought his grin meant.

Standing aside, when I realised that dad hadn’t been introduced, I let him greet Anton and Hannah. You could literally see my dad soften when his gaze found Hannah’s. My dad was a sucker for females, which is probably how he’d ended up with two girls. Pity my mother hadn’t been a worthwhile mate, and I was forever grateful that she’d left me with my father when she took off. I couldn’t have asked for a better dad.

Introductions over, we made short work of getting to their vehicle and loading up.

It was soon clear that there was no way that Dad would fit in the back—the man was nearly six foot six and towered over most. Anton had looked at his mate when Dad was in the front, not leaving a lot of room between the driver and the passenger seat, and they seemed reluctant to be parted.

“Han?” Anton questioned. They seemed to hold a whole conversation just with one look because suddenly he smiled, and it transformed his whole face as he gazed at his mate with love and pride. I wouldn’t call the male good-looking, more ruggedly handsome. I wondered what the story was between the two of them. As a shifter, I could tell they weren’t fully mated, although with the way they read each other, they’d been together a while. I was guessing it had something to do with the frailty of his female. It showed he had impressive control because not many males would have been able to hold back from the mating call, that he had and for a long time, showed his strength of character.

Expecting that Hannah would sit with us in the back, I was surprised when she jumped lithely into the front and sat between my dad and Anton, who followed her in. It was a tight squeeze, but they managed.

“You good, baby girl?” Anton asked before starting the car.

Hannah smiled at him, “It’s all good, handsome. He feels safe,” she assured him softly.

Dad let out a rumble at her words, “You are safe with me, pretty girl,” he assured her, his eyes a bright gold, not liking that she’d obviously been abused in some way.

“I know,” she smiled up at my dad, “I’m warning you now, though, I’ll probably be asleep on you before we’re five minutes down the road.”

“As long as your mate doesn’t mind, then it’s good with me. Cassie and my niece, Cally, often used me as a pillow,” he assured her.

“That’s good then. Come on, Anton, let’s get the show on the road.”

Her mate chuckled at her, but I was just as impatient. I wasn’t sure if the tingling I felt in my stomach was anticipation, excitement, or just plain terror at knowing I was soon going to meet my mate.

CHAPTER 13

LUCA

Anton and I’d made the decision to split up, and he’d gone with Miah and Hannah to pick up the other two visitors. Drake, Sam, and I continued on to the camp that Hannah had booked for us; we’d been met and made welcome by her friends, who thankfully were also shifters so they’d put us in the farthest tents away from the dining room, giving us privacy and easy access to the bush should we feel the need to shed our skin and go wild.

By the time we’d unloaded everything, a staff member had dropped off a tray with sandwiches and a cooler box full of drinks. I was ready to relax. It had been a long few months for all of us, and I was looking forward to having some time to relax. Bonus was that I was enjoying the company of the two males with me.

It had been a long time since I’d played tourist, and I was looking forward to the long walk along the falls. I know that Hannah had arranged a booze cruise at sunset tomorrow, which I knew our guests would enjoy.

The sun was setting when I heard the sound of Anton’s vehicle driving up the road. Drake and Sam grinned at the sound and both stood up. They’d been telling me all about their teammateand her father, who’d been their commander. I was looking forward to meeting them.

Little did I know that my entire life was going to change, but I should have realised it when Anton got out of the vehicle with a huge grin on his face. Through the windscreen, I could see Hannah, also with a wide smile on her face. Next to her sat a mountain of a man, who I assumed was their old commander. My animal was immediately on alert, which made me twitchy. He was usually quiet and easy-going, only making himself known when I needed him. I started searching the twilight, lifting my nose to sniff the air to find what had disturbed him.

And then there it was, her smell, my mate, an earthy smell with a hint of mint similar to the smell of the first rains. There was nothing to quite describe the smell of my mate. Then there she was. Stepping out of the vehicle, dark hair long and thick, slightly taller than me, large breasts straining against her olive-green T-shirt, narrow waist, and thick hips.

There was no way to stop the growl that rumbled through my chest as I stalked towards her. Ignoring everything and everyone else, my attention focused solely on her. The one that I’d been waiting for. Waiting for what seemed to be years, and now she was here.

“Mine,” I growled. Her brown eyes widened at the sight of me stalking towards her, and a blush rushed over her cheeks, her arousal scenting the air.

I had no idea what she was, her teammates hadn’t been forthcoming, and honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered. She was mine.

Stopping in front of her, I kept my eyes on hers, slowly pushing her back until she was standing with her back against the vehicle, and we were covered by the open back door. Leaningforward my nose close to her throat, I inhaled long and deep of her scent, allowing it to envelop me. My canines dropped, and I knew I had to wrestle some sort of control before I took her here and now, especially as she tilted her head slightly as if she was asking for my bite. My chest rumbled again with a growl, then she smiled, and it was like the sun coming out after the rain.

“Hi,” she whispered softly, resting a gentle hand on my chest but not to push me away. No, her fingers curled into my shirt, pulling me closer.

There was no stopping me now, running my tongue over her lips, I demanded entry. She didn’t disappoint me, opening her mouth to me, allowing me to devour her lips. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her tight into me, never wanting to let her go. Our spell was broken by a deep rumbling, Hannah’s giggling, and Anton’s amused voice in my ear.

“Brother, you may want to let the lady up for air and calm her father down. I don’t think any of us are going to be able to hold back a pissed-off grizzly bear.”

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