“She’s gone,” Jack announced as he stared down at Rob. “The girls got her out.”
Rob roared.
“I know, man, but fight it. This isn’t you.”
“I’m a damn animal. Of course it’s me. It’s all of us!”
“But you don’t want to hurt her. And I can’t let you. I won’t let you.”
Rob hissed because he knew deep down that Josh was right. Rob looked at Jack. He was still pacing as if he were caged.
“He’s wound up, too. That’s Toby’s mate’s sister. Krista is freaking out and Toby will not allow anything to upset his mate. I’m warning you, get control now…otherwise, Toby will rip you a new one. He’s already ready to kill Jack with all the mental screaming and demanding he’s been doing.”
Rob had been so caught up in his own desire, his own need to claim her that he hadn’t paid much attention to Jack. With how possessive Jack was by nature and how he’d acted just by seeing her outside before even meeting her, Rob really shouldn’t be surprised by Jack’s response.
He shifted and Josh followed.
“Fine. She’s not around. I’m in control. But you have to know how much I want her.”
“That’s your animal talking. You don’t even know her.” Josh moved and offered his hand to help Rob up.
“Like you knew Mikaela?” Rob challenged once he was standing.
“Mikaela’s different. I knew that the moment I first smelled her.”
Rob also knew there was something different about Ariel, but he didn’t have to explain that to his brother. There was only one thing Josh needed to understand. “She’s mine.”
Josh sighed, putting his hands on his bare hips. “You can’t decide that for her. She has to leave.”
“No way!” Rob stepped up, ready to battle again. His testosterone, adrenaline, and feline all demanded it. They were not taking her away from him.
Josh’s hands flew up in a surrendering gesture. “Think about it, Rob. She’s not safe here. We can talk to her—as in me and Toby and the girls—and see if there’s a way for her to do her research or whatever she needs to do from another location. We can try to work around this and still get her help.” Rob shook his head, but before he could voice his rejection, Josh continued. “Think about why she’s really here. If she can come up with a way to set you free, then you can have your pick of any available woman. Without taking her by force.”
Rob stared. He knew his brother was being logical.
He didn’t care.
Once he’d set his eyes on Ariel, he knew she was the one for him. He’d never, never, had that kind of reaction toward a woman before. He hadn’t known she was available when he’d first seen her either. For him, that left no doubt.
“You’re right.” Rob still needed Ariel around to do her work. If their father decided it was too dangerous, he might axe the whole idea and Rob would never have the chance to see her again. At least if he went along with the plan, he could figure something out. He glanced at Jack. He’d shifted back, but Toby was in his face, whispering heatedly, stabbing his finger into Jack’s chest.
Jack’s eyes met his over Toby’s shoulder. The challenge in them almost sent him back into an animalistic rage.
Ariel belonged to Rob. Period. And he’d make sure Jack understood that. And Ariel too.
In time.
Chapter Two
“Have you lost your freaking mind?”
Ariel watched as her sister paced manically in the bedroom, waiting for her to calm down and be rational. Ariel had to see what she was working with. Hearing a story about mountain lion shifters was totally different that witnessing the phenomena first hand.
“No, but I’m glad to see you haven’t lost yours. I’d had every intention of making you an appointment with a doctor after I’d come out here. I seriously thought you were nuts.” Well, there was a part of her that had been salivating at the possibility Krista was telling her the truth.
Her sister whirled. “So you thought tempting their beast was the best plan of attack?” she asked incredulously.
“Quickest.”
“You’re unbelievable! And what about Will? Did you ever plan on telling me that little bit of info? Who handled your divorce? Oh my God, Ariel, he could’ve taken you to the cleaners.”
“Dial back the legal crap, Krista. I might not be an attorney, but I can damn well read a decree and decide if it’s fair. We split everything and have no children. Easy cheesy.”
“But you two were so in love.”
“I don’t believe in love anymore. It was foolish to ever believe in it in the first place. It’s a chemical process involving things like oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, vasopressin, norepinephrine, testosterone, estrogen, I can go on and on.” Ariel waved her hand dismissively.