Be Were (Southern Shifters) by Eliza Gayle Page B

pack politics, the dissent with her former clan, or dealing with females who attack with poisonous claws. He'd never met such a resilient woman.
    "Maybe," she said.
    "Saucy wench." He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. She smelled so good he did it again, letting the kisses evolve into a series of bites he knew would get to her.
    Yes, she was strong, but that didn't mean he wanted her getting involved in more danger if she didn't have to. As the alpha female of the pack, her role was meant to support their pack and their way of life. And right now all eyes were on them to see if their unusual pairing of a wolf and a cougar could produce new offspring. Not all pack members were as curious and understanding as their former Alpha had been when he'd given his blessing to Rafe and Kitty. It was almost a guarantee that if she didn't get pregnant, challenges would come for his leadership position.
    As for Kitty, he doubted she realized yet how much control she truly had, despite the sometimes erroneous legends that males held all the power in a shifter society. When a strong alpha female emerged in a pack, it wasn't uncommon for her to take the top dominant role. Kitty's sigh of pleasure pulled him from his wandering thoughts. Her fingers were still sitting on the keyboard, but they'd stopped moving. He had her hooked now all he had to do was reel her in. If he distracted her long enough, maybe Bhric and his crew would take care of their business without his mate interjecting.
    A knock sounded at the door, pulling both Rafe and Kitty away from the direction they were headed. "Dammit, Simon."
    Kitty laughed. "Serves you right for trying to distract me from my plan."
    "Your plan? No, don't tell me yet. I'm not sure I want to know." He strode to the door and opened it to his best friend and second in command.
    "This better be good."
    "I interrupted again?" Simon chuckled as he stepped into their cabin. "The natives are getting restless. Word's gotten out about one of them white felines being pregnant and a lot of people are congregating in the town square demanding to know more."
    "What?" Kitty jumped from her chair and joined them in the living room.
    "Dammit to hell. I thought we'd have more time to figure this all out before any news broke. Who the hell opened their fat mouth?"
    Simon shrugged. "Haven't gotten that far. But word currently spreading through the pack is she's either an abomination or the savior to our breeding problems."
    "Oh for cripe's sake," Kitty said. "She's a hybrid just like any other. And not the first to get pregnant. I'm going down there to straighten this out." She grabbed her jacket and put it on as he and Simon watched. As he'd thought, she might not realize how much control she possessed, but it came to her naturally. Fucking turned him on too.
    "Jesus, Rafe. Can't you keep it under control for even a minute?" Simon had scented his arousal and reacted.
    "It's not like you do. How many women has it been this week?"
    "None of your damn business."
    "Then stay the hell out of mine." He clipped his friend on the shoulder. "Stay the hell out of mine," he said again.

 
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    Dean rolled over in the bed and placed his palm on Niki's belly. He was torn between going for round three or getting his ass in gear to start protecting his mate and child.
    "Have you felt him move yet?"
    She opened her eyes and turned to meet his gaze. "Not so sure it's a him, and no. No movement yet."
    "Either way is good for me. Girl or boy I mean."
    "Mmmhmm," she said, purring. The sunlight pouring in through the window highlighted her nearly translucent skin to an almost ethereal appearance. With her white blonde hair fanned across the pillow behind her head, she resembled a goddess more than a stone cold killer. It was difficult to reconcile that. He couldn't wait to see her belly rounded with his child. His instincts told him that, thanks to her own unconventional birth and upbringing, she'd take to