Page 30 of Chomp's Challenge

I can still feel her heart racing and it bothers me that I wasn’t here watching over her, but after Kodiak’s texts, I had to check it out. What I didn’t tell Ariel is that the scent at her old place is now stronger, and it’s practically saturated in the ground outside. Whoever is watching her is living in that fucker’s house, so I’m going to need one of my brothers to stake it out because I need to keep Ariel safe. I’m worried about the fact that my gator splintered the front door to get to our mate, but I’ve come to realize that when it involves Ariel, he simply doesn’t care who he has to mow down or what he has to destroy in order to get to her.

I do find it intriguing that she wasn’t as afraid of him as she was the night we met. Granted, I wasn’t ripping limbs off some stupid fuckers, but still, I’m pretty sure she has PTSD from that event alone. I wish he wouldn’t go overboard the way he does, but sometimes, he takes over and I’m just a bystander. He stubborn as fuck and I know it won’t change.

“So, about the front door,” she starts, “where on earth will you find the supplies to fix it tonight?”

“The club owns a construction company. I’m pretty sure, since this is a basic door, that we have some on hand. I’ll call Spike and check with him as soon as you’re settled,” I assure her.

“Um, Chomp? You realize you’re naked, right?” she asks, a pink flush staining her cheeks.

Reaching up, I swipe away the tears still clinging to the soft skin of her cheeks and smirk. “Yeah, baby, I know. That’s one of the downsides of being a shifter. When we come back to our human form, we’re naked.”

She snickers then says, “Guess you need to start leaving clothes strategically placed. Not sure the local law would appreciate any of y’all running around in the nude.”

Before I can reply I hear, “Knock, knock” and Kodiak walks through the door, a bag in his hand. “Here, fucker, cover that up. Nobody wants to see your junk,” he taunts, tossing the bag in my direction.

I don’t remind him that his fucking bear enjoys being out in the nude, especially in the cold, and that his junk shrivels up when he shifts back. It’s one of his biggest complaints.

“We knew your gator would overreact,” Spike adds, walking through what’s left of the front door. “So, we stopped by the warehouse and picked up a new door. Why don’t you go get dressed? Ariel, can you make a pot of coffee?”

She nods, sliding off my lap, which causes me to grimace since it feels too good. Standing, I put the bag in front of me, causing Kodiak to snicker. “Be right back and I’ll help.”

“We got it,” Kodiak replies, “but we do need to talk.”

I head to the bathroom, uncaring that I’m unclothed for my brothers as well as my mate. At this point, we’ve all seen one another in various stages of undress, so if my bare ass or swinging dick is an issue, it’s theirs, not mine.

We don’t want her seeing the others, my gator hisses as I enter the bathroom. Rolling my eyes, I quickly dress then head out to where my brothers are finishing putting the new door up.

“We lost his scent thanks to the fucking rain,” Spike rumbles, smoke puffing from his nostrils.

Fuck. I was afraid of that.

“But we’ve got Fang and Phoenix watching Perry’s house since the scent is now fresh versus how it was when we were there getting Ariel’s things. We will find this douche canoe and then interrogate him to find out why the hell he’s stalking her,” Spike decrees, then huffs. “Dammit, because of the rain, I can’t just take this shit outside and burn it like I want to do.”

“We brought the work truck,” Kodiak reminds him. “We’ll just stack what’s left in the back and you can have a bonfire once it dries out.”

“I’m staying with Ariel,” I tell them as we carry the remnants of the first door out to the truck. “I don’t trust whoever it is not to show up again. I never want to hear her scream that way ever again.”

Except in pleasure, my gator says with confidence, and she will.

Ariel pokes her head out of the kitchen. “Coffee is ready. I’ve set out mugs and creamer for everyone.”

Spike nods. “Thanks, Ariel. Appreciate it.”

Spike and Kodiak go claim their cups as I stand still, opening my arms as an indication that she can come to me, run toward me, walk, or shake her head. The choice is up to her. Always.

She doesn’t hesitate to rush into my embrace, sliding her arms around my waist as I fold around her. “He won’t come back if he sees you, right?”

God, I want to let my gator rip apart this man for scaring her. “I don’t think so, baby.” I won’t promise her he won’t. I can’t do that. “I won’t leave your side. Not for a minute.”

She snickers. “There’s some things I have to do alone, ya know.”

Oh. Right. “I suppose so,” I agree with humor.

Her amusement fades. “I don’t know what he wants.”

“Motivation doesn't matter. He won’t get close enough to spook you again.”

She snuggles into my chest and rubs her cheek over my heart. My gator’s contentment matches mine. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Even if Ariel’s affection comes from our protection, it still means she trusts and needs us. That’s enough to build a solid foundation.

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