Page 548 of Love Bites

Carly

Sitting at the head table,I’m comfortably full of delicious food as I watch the crowd. A group of eligible men are fighting to catch fish with their mouths when girls throw them. Apparently the winner gets to kiss the single lady. I have no doubt from the musky smell of arousal that is floating in the air that this game leads to much more than a kiss.

The ringing sound of cutlery clinking on wine glasses gets everyone’s attention, and Keith stands to make a toast. “As most of you know, Brady is like a brother to me. I’ve seen quite a few women try to tame Brady over the years, but none could.” I smile as he gazes at me. “Some would say he was unbearable.” Groans and chuckles erupt.

“But seriously, from the moment he saw you, Carly, Brady was head-over-heels in love.” He raises his glass. “To a lifetime of happiness as true mates.”

We all drink, and Brady kisses me. As he takes it to impolite levels, he asks,“How much longer do we have to wait until I can take you upstairs?”

I move my hand high up on his thigh, knowing the tablecloth keeps it discreet. Remembering my embarrassment earlier, I reply, “You keep this up, and everyone will smell what I’m thinking. Then it won’t matter.”

After a few more humorous toasts, Brady and I are called to the dance floor for the first dance. Last week Donna gave us a quick lesson, and we found we move seamlessly together without much practice. Of course, Donna says that's a mate thing.

Brady's strong arm pulls me tight against his chest, and our bodies meld. His large, warm hand envelops mine, and he tucks it against his heart. Adele's “Make You Feel My Love”begins to play, and we let it lead us in our dance. Our bodies move fluidly as if they're one. And for this moment in time, we are.

Unspoken words flutter in our hearts as we feel each other's muscles flex with the beat. When the song ends, Brady speaks in my mind. “I love you, Carly.We are one from this day forward. You are mine, and I am yours.”

I reply,“Always yours, Brady, always. I love you.”

The tempo of the music picks up, and people swarm to join us. We're stolen from each other to dance with different partners. Brady has so many friends that after a few songs I let him enjoy them and seek out Sierra.

Wind picks up and blows a strand of hair into my mouth. I glance at the darkening sky, wondering if another storm is coming. When I spot my friend, she's dancing with a bunch of girls, and Victor is trying to get her attention. I shudder and watch from a distance as I slowly make my way over. When he takes her arm and leans into her neck, my anger surges. A rumble erupts from my chest, and I broadcast my communication. “Youbastard. Get your hands off my friend.”Fabric tears as I shift, and various growls sound in my head.

I move more quickly and notice his hands turn to claws. I’m upon them in a split second, but it's too late. Victor's fangs are dripping with blood, and Sierra has a bite on her shoulder. With strength beyond anything I've ever known, I throw him off her as my ears ring with my roar.

Sierra's face is ashen, and she begins to whimper. I catch her as she falls. "Carly, it burns. Oh God, it burns."

“Brady! He's trying to change her and make her his mate!”I place my snout over her shoulder and suck with all my might. The metallic flavor of her blood fills my mouth as I spit and suck in hopes I'm taking away Victor's venom. Brady's voice speaks in my head. “We're here.”

I lift my head and bark out an order. “Keith, bite her mark. Now!”

Keith’s claws rip her dress from her breast, and he sinks long white teeth into her flesh. Sierra shrieks in fear and probably pain. My heart clenches. Oh God, I should have protected her. She’s the only human here, and I knew Victor was dangerous.

I hear Brady order Keith to bring her to our room. Annie speaks in my head. “What can I do?”

Rage threatens to blind me as I reply,“Find Victor but don't kill him. I want to tear his heart out.”

Brady growls to us both.“I’m going to rip him apart limb by limb.”

I hear Brady call to Laurent and the other warriors, and I’m tempted to join them on the hunt. But Sierra needs me. She's about to go through hell, and I want to be there for her. My claws clatter on the kitchen floor as I lumber inside. Bones crunch while I move, and I’ve shifted by the time I’m upstairs. My dress is in tatters, and pieces of fabric flap against me.

By the time I get to my room, I’m trembling with rage and fear for Sierra. Keith has her on the bed, and she's thrashing. Her screams hurt my ears. He's shifted back too, and his naked human form struggles to keep Sierra still. I find his shredded shirt on the floor, and fabric rips when I make strips to tie her down.

My heart is in my throat as I remember what being restrained felt like. But her claws will come out and tear at her skin any moment now. She'll want to scrape away the pain the way I wanted to. While Keith does his best to keep her safe, I tie her ankles to the end of the bed and her wrists to the sides.

I sit beside her, and Keith steps away. Moments later a shirt Keith threw hits my side and startles me. I take it in my hands and clutch it as I make soothing noises. Sierra's body is flushed with the changing and struggling to reject it. She passes out, and it's suddenly quiet.

The worn cotton of Brady's tee slithers over my body like his embrace when I put it on. I imagine how awful it must have been wondering if I would die when I went through this. It's a small comfort to know Sierra will live, although she may wish she hadn't. I stroke her arm while I wait.

Sierra is conscious again, and the bed groans as she begins to struggle. Her skin ripples with the bones growing underneath. Shrieks slice into my heart, and I wish I could endure the pain for her. Keith flinches at her cries.

I offer him a solace.“She’s a fighter. She’ll get through this.”His brow furrows as he gazes at Sierra’s muscles flexing in what I know is torturous cramping.“If you need a break, I can do this alone.”

Keith shakes his head with a small growl.“I need to be here for her.”

Pride surges through me at his strength, and I think he joins me in silent prayers to the gods to end Sierra’s change.

When she passes out again, I rise to pace. The music from the band has stopped, and growls are interrupted by occasional howls in a near-deafening roar. The party is over, and every able-bodied werebear is on the hunt for Victor.

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