A Lamb for the Bear's Appetite by Unknown

feeling the tension coming off of him, but Liam shook his head, stilling his father’s movements. “I understand, but you listen to me very carefully. If you hurt my mate I swear by everything that is fucking holy I’ll rip your throat out.” Liam didn’t miss his father’s surprise over the mention of a mate.
    “Son, I’m not the one Olive has to worry about. I’m the one trying to save her life.”
    Liam clenched his teeth, not about to correct this asshole that he wasn’t his son, and even if Olive had nothing to fear from him, Liam wasn’t picky on kicking ass on anyone that put his mate’s life in danger. For the next five minutes he listened to the man tell him where he needed to be and at what time in order to make sure Olive and her brother were transported safely far away from Kashton and Trent. When Liam finally disconnected the call he sat there staring at his cell, which he laid on the table in front of him.
    “Liam, what the fuck was that about, and what the hell is this about you finding your mate?”
    He didn’t answer his dad right away, couldn’t. Instead, he stood and made his way outside and onto the deck. His father joined him seconds later. Liam leaned against the railing and stared at the thick line of trees surrounding the place he had called home his whole life.
    “I found my mate a few days ago, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me because she is tied to this asshole leopard shifter. He has this debt hanging over her head because of her junkie brother, and she thinks that pushing me away is what is right.” He looked over at his dad, who wore a hard expression. “My mate’s in trouble, and I need your help.”

Chapter Seven
     
    It was dark as fuck outside, and not even the light from the full moon penetrated the thick covering of trees. Liam had arrived a few minutes ago at the spot he had been instructed by Lor to wait for Olive. He knew she had been in trouble with this Trent asshole, but he hadn’t realized it had run this deep until after he had looked into the leopard, and after he got the call from Lor. For one thing, the mansion he passed on his way to the pickup spot looked like some kind of compound or damn fortress, with high walls and even spotlights along the perimeter of the property. This place was still in Kashton city limits, but it was at the very edge of town, at least fifteen miles from the actual heart of the city. His truck sat a few feet from where he stood, and although he was at least a mile away from the almost prison-like house, he could still make out the beams of light that moved right and left over the property.
    He continued to pace, his bear ready to emerge at the slightest provocation. The wind picked up, but he had his dark hoodie on under his black leather. He had the hood covering his head, and with his equally dark shirt and black fatigues, he blended right into the shadows. She should be here any minute, but with each passing second he grew even itchier and less stable. The sound of a twig snapping had his whole body tensing to the point of pain. He stilled and looked around with only his eyes. He sensed his father and Maverick hidden in the trees, ready to be his back-up if need be. Liam could handle his own shit, but in this situation he didn’t know what the hell he was dealing with, especially with the fucking psycho Trent. Again, he heard a twig snap to his right, and he slowly turned in that direction. The wind was blowing in from uphill, making it impossible for him to catch the scent of whom or what was lurking in the darkness. He sensed his father and Maverick move up behind him, their presence powerful and threatening. But soon he didn’t have to wait to learn who was making their way toward him between the trees, because the concentrated scent of his mate slammed into him, and a low growl of possessiveness left him. He also picked up on a male with her, but he could tell they shared the same blood. She’s with her