Island Stripe Pride - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

“Really? She’s my sister!”
He flicked his tail at her, wrapping it around her neck as he used his massive, thousand-pound body to shield her from the volatile Wolf pup. Alex hissed at the growling youngster, and she whined appropriately.
Maggie was persistent, though. She crawled to his side, and his beast preened at the fact she seemed to trust him. Her hazel eyes wide with wonder as they flitted from his Tiger to her sister’s Wolf.
“I can’t believe this. You’re like her, but different. And she’s, she’s so calm with you,” tears glistened in her eyes, and Alex’s heart could hardly stand it.
His Tiger moved without permission, licking her cheeks with his sandpapery tongue. The sound of her resulting laughter was reward enough for his forward actions. She reached out a hand and ran it across his head, then neck and shoulders. Her eyes went to her sister once more, and he could see what she wanted, but it was too soon. He really needed to be in his skin to explain.
But getting his Tiger to withdraw when she was stroking his fur so softly, was easier said than done. Finally, he convinced the beast she could be harmed if he didn’t relinquish his hold on his shape. A moment later, Maggie squeaked when her hands stroked warm skin instead of striped fur.
“Oh! I am, um, that is, sorry,” she swallowed hard, but her hands hadn’t moved.
Alex purred as they remained on his shoulders, and he stood up, pulling her with him. Maggie bit her lip, turning her head when she noted that part of him that was stirring under her stare.
“It’s okay, Maggie. Shifters are used to nudity,” he explained, but reached for the throw blanket on the couch and tied it around his hips.
He’d wrapped his fingers around her wrist the second he changed back, and though she tugged on his hold, he was not ready to let go. Not yet. Not ever.
“Um,” she began, but he was already pulling her closer.
“You know, you smell like sea salt caramels. So sweet and savory. Making my mouth water,” he growled, dipping his head to take a deep breath of Maggie-flavored air right at the base of her neck.
“What? Oh, um, oookaaay,” she said, and giggled when his nose touched her skin.
Fucking hell. He was glad he’d grabbed the blanket. The last thing he wanted was to be standing there naked with a hard on in front of her sister, Wolf or not.
“Um,” she cleared her throat, “Why can’t I touch Jo-Jo? Like I touched your, um,” she smirked, “Cat.”
His Tiger chuffed. Sister or not, he wanted her hands on him alone. But he ignored the silly feline, pushing his need to be physically close to his mate aside.
It was not easy considering she was so close. Her scent was intoxicating. Alex was desperate to roll in it, coat himself with the delicious flavors of her and transfer some of his own spicy musk onto her.
It was a Shifter thing, he shrugged mentally. She smelled exactly like his favorite candy. Sinfully delicious and perfect to snack on.
Yum. The Tiger growled softly at the prospect. He licked his lips and tried to focus on her question.
“Joelle is new to her Shift, isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” she nodded, “Her first one was a few months ago.”
“And you’ve learned the history, I assume? Wolf Shifter lore, and all that?”
“I know that Werewolves, or Shifters, suffered unjustly under the Curse of St. Natalis which bound their Shift to the phases of the moon for a thousand years. I also know that a few years ago, a teenager named Grazi Kelly broke the curse. She was a Jersey girl too,” she added proudly.
“Very good. She is quite famous now in Shifter circles,” he nodded, “Did Joelle’s Alpha explain anything else?”
“Yeah, I mean, Mr. Maccon is great,” she said, and he couldn’t help the growl that slipped through his lips at her description of the other male.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, sorry,” he smiled.
“Anyway, Rafe and Charley Maccon have both been good to us. His sister Cat runs the teen outreach program here, and she’s spent time with Jo-Jo as well.”
“Well, Tiger Shifters didn’t have a curse to contend with, but growing up with a dual nature isn’t easy either way. Joelle is volatile at this stage. She is still learning her Wolf, and that can be dangerous for non-Shifters-”
“Jo-Jo would never hurt me,” she gritted her teeth, chin jutting forward as if she dared him to argue.
“She would never want to, sweetheart, but she’s still learning. Like a toddler who bites his mother without meaning to hurt her. Only, your sister is capable of serious damage,” she stepped back, dropping her hands from his shoulders, and he allowed it this time.
“Joelle needs extra help, and it is good she’s getting some from the Pack. But I imagine she still feels the pressure of all this every hour of every day. It is not something that she can handle on her own. Her Wolf is wearing her down, scratching at her skin, wanting out. I don’t think I can explain it any better than that.”
“Bullshit. I’m her sister, and I know her better than anyone. Don’t you dare presume to tell me-”
“Hey now, easy. I would never do that, Maggie. I think you’re doing an incredible job. Joelle is happy, healthy. I only meant to say if she needs help with her Shifts, I can do that.”
“Great. First, you waltz in here and announce your little hostile takeover plan. Now what? You can help my sister better than me too? I’m going to have to look for a new job, a new place to live-”
Joelle whined and his eyes flashed to the Wolf who was reacting to her sister’s obvious upset. Alex growled and she quieted again.
“Don’t you growl at her,” she said and flicked his nose.
Alex gasped. Then he laughed. She was spunky! And brave. And so fucking hot.
“Sorry, kit. Let me explain? You see, dominance isn’t all about being the boss. It is more about letting others know that someone is there to take care of them. I am just letting her know it is okay. You see, she can sense your agitation and it is making her tense,” he said and found himself rubbing her shoulders in an effort to calm her.
“Where did you learn that?” she asked, hazel eyes on her sister, who seemed to sleep peacefully in her fur now.
“Dean, my Neta, that is a Tiger Shifter’s word for Alpha. He taught me that.”
“So, what does that make you?”
“I am the Pride Beta, and I am here to help.”
“Yeah, to help yourself to our hotel,” she growled.
“You got me all wrong, Maggie.”
“I do?” she backed up some more, and he followed.
“Hell yes, you do,” he walked into her space, backing her against the wall while maintaining about a foot between them.
She looked so good like that. Cheeks flushed. Eyes flashing. Hair tousled in big honey-colored curls on her shoulders. She looked good enough to eat. And wasn’t that a fine idea?
“First, I am not here to take over. I am here to help. Second, I realize you think you know a lot about Shifters, but there are some things you seem to take for granted.”
“Like what?” she snapped.
“Like the fact, we’re dangerous,” he took a step forward.
“Ha,” she raised her chin, eyes wide, practically daring him to steal a kiss.
Alex took another step and laid his palms flat against the wall on either side of her head. They were both breathing heavy. The air was thick with the scents of their heightened emotions. Alex’s beast growled softly. He had her in his sights, and he wanted nothing more than to stake his claim.
“What else?”
“What?” he asked, having forgotten what he was saying in the wake of her hazel-green gaze.
“What else am I taking for granted?” she asked.
“The simple fact that you’re a woman Maggie Flint, and I am a man.”
“So?”
“So, I want you, Maggie, and I will have you,” he growled so softly so as not to disturb the resting Wolf.
“What?”
“I. Want. You.”
“Well, you can’t have me,” she replied, one eyebrow raised.
“I wasn’t asking, kit, merely stating a fact.”
“Hey guys! I changed back quicker this time!” Joelle came racing into the kitchen with one of the curtains wrapped around her body.
“Oh, dang! What did I miss?” she grinned from Maggie to Alex and back again.
Her Wolf seemed to wink at him from inside the girl, and he was glad to see he had an ally in this.
“Nothing, Jo-Jo. Are you okay?” Maggie pushed against Alex’s chest and he allowed it, only because then she’d have to brush against him to walk past the table.
Yes, he was an asshole and not above copping a feel from his sexy as fuck mate. Plus, the contact would allow him to transfer some of his scent onto her. That would soothe his beast while he bid his time.
The woman was going to be his, whether she believed it or not. He just had to learn some patience.
“So?” Jo-Jo interrupted his train of thought, “We don’t have to move?”
“Of course not. And I am taking the room next door. Be ready to work Tomorrow, Maggie, nice and early,” he winked, and left their little apartment.