“You’re cringing,” Jared pointed out.
“I can’t help it.” Mark looked around the room, eyeing all the lone wolves. Whispered conversations had already started in pockets. He swung his gaze between the two groups that seemed the greatest danger—the most interested in Tessa or the most disgusted to see a cat in their midst. “Everything in me wants to lock her up and hide her away until I know she’s officially mine.”
“That’s going to go over like a ton of bricks, from what Keri said about her friend.”
“Yeah, she’s…definitely not a wolf.” Mark caught the eye of the pack Alpha, and nodded politely. Keil winked in response then turned his attention to the room, and Mark relaxed a little.
If something did start up, he would defend his mate, but with the Alpha on his side, the rest of the pack should think twice about misbehaving.
Jared chuckled softly. “Don’t try to play any Poker tonight. Your game face is crap.”
“If the shoe was on the other foot, you’d be a nutcase as well.” Mark motioned at the pack member working behind the bar. “Two waters with lemon.”
“I’d be a total nutcase,” Jared agreed. “And drinking something stronger than water.”
“Not until I know I don’t have to fight.” Mark turned to wait, keeping a direct line of sight open to the couch where their women chatted.
“Good point.” Jared coughed lightly. “Not that I think you’ll need it, but in case? I’ve got your back, okay?”
Nice. Up to now he and Jared hadn’t been close friends, just fellow pack mates, but with their partners being bosom buddies, chances were high the four of them would be seeing a lot of each other. He glanced over at the other wolf and held out his hand. “Thanks. Appreciate it very much.”
Jared accepted his handshake. “You’re okay. And since Keri’s already talking about all the barbeques and stuff she’s going to invite you guys to, you may as well know, with your reputation in the kitchen? You’re cooking.”
“With your pocketbook? You’re buying the steaks.”
His new pal laughed. “Deal.”
Mark twisted back to check on Tessa, shocked to discover he couldn’t see her. One of the single ladies of the pack had stepped between them. The tall woman flashed him a sultry smile as she trailed her fingers down his shirt buttons.
“Mark. Haven’t seen you in a few days. Nice you could join us.”
“Linda.” He caught her wrist to stop her wandering hands from going any lower. A week ago he would have welcomed her exploration. Today, her touch made his skin crawl. “What are you doing?”
She took a deep breath, moving in close enough her hips bumped his, the full swells of her breasts pressing against his chest. “Saying hello. You know, you don’t need to go slumming.”
His wolf snarled at the insult to Tessa. He would have pushed Linda away, but he never got a chance.
Tessa was there, slipping between them, her warm backside rubbing his groin. She crossed her arms and used him as a backrest. “Hands off. He’s mine.”
The thrill her words gave him didn’t change the fact everyone in the pack house was now paying attention, from leadership down to the lowest-ranked wolf. Mark rubbed Tessa’s arms gently. “I got this.”
Linda didn’t back off. Instead, she raised a brow. “What do you mean, he’s yours?” She pressed in closer and sniffed. “I smell eligible wolf.”
There were more bodies surrounding them now, and Mark attempted to put Tessa behind him.
She was having none of it. She got right in Linda’s face. “Maybe your sniffer is broken.”
The other woman shrugged, reached past both of them and picked up a glass off the counter. She lifted it over Tessa’s head and tipped it over, soaking her with the contents. Satisfaction poured from Linda as she tossed the glass aside and cockily crossed her arms. “Nope, my sniffer’s working just fine. Now I smell wet cat.”
He wanted to snap at Linda, but across the circle, his Alpha shook her head. Robyn and Keil stood at attention—well aware of what was going down. Mark fought for control, but obeyed as Robyn put a finger to her lips, telling him to keep his mouth shut.
If he’d thought not getting to be with Tessa intimately was the worst possible situation he’d experienced in his life, he’d been wrong.
Not defending his mate was by far the hardest thing he’d ever had to do.
The unexpected cold water made her shirt cling to her, a soft drip, drip, drip falling from her hair to the floor. The entire room had gone silent as Tessa analyzed the situation.
She was no dummy. Tension had been high since the moment they’d walked in. Even as she’d enjoyed chatting with her BFF, she’d been aware of the discussion going down around the room.