Primal Claim by Marie Johnston Page A

Mercury was grateful she gave a friendlier reception, despite the lack of trust, than Mason and Bennett had.
    “Yeah, Mercury,” Mason’s tone dripped deviance, a cruel smile lifting his mouth, “why don’t you introduce your little human to Kaitlyn? I’m sure she can fill her in on aaaall about how to please you.”
    Fuck! Mercury froze midbreath and Dani’s hand stilled midway to her mouth.
    “Aw, Mason!” Kaitlyn said midchew. “You asshole. You know humans don’t understand.” Milk dripped down her chip and with normal Kaitlyn elegance, she swiped at it with the back of her hand. Uncouth was a word he’d come to associate with the new Guardian.
    “Fuck, Kaitlyn,” Mason said, with only a touch of derision and more exasperation. “You eat like a dog.”
    Chewing on another large spoonful, she remained hunched over her bowl like she was afraid it would get grabbed out from under nose and flipped Mason off.
    She looked at Dani with an apologetic smile. “I tend to forget, but as Mason pointed out, I once got in on the action at Pale Moonlight with your dude and the blonde with the stick up his ass.” She winked at Dani. “But it was before I knew I could grow fur and it never meant anything. At least to me.” She leaned over and slugged Mercury in the shoulder. He let out a little oomph and shook his head. Her strength was really coming along. “Maybe this poor bastard can quit pining for me now that you’re here.”
    Trying to gauge Dani’s reaction, Mercury studied her while chewing his bacon. She had a sort of dazed and confused appearance, having gone back to eating her own food, watching everything play out. It seemed like she didn’t know what to make of Kaitlyn. Mercury could empathize. While he was quite fond – not in that sense – of the female, she was an unpredictable, but reliable, force. His empathy also extended to the new Guardian. Watching her trying to understand herself and this new world brought out memories from eons ago when Master Bellamy pulled him from his pack and showed him where he belonged. Only, it took decades to think maybe he did belong, and he often wondered if he hadn’t been better off roaming the wild with his pack of natural wolves.
    Mason stood, snarling something derogatory about humans while he was turning to go, making sure it was loud enough for her ears.
    Mercury flew out his chair.
    “Stop.”
    That one word uttered from his mate stopped him. Mason disappeared, chuckling maliciously.
    “I don’t give a shit who believes me, who doesn’t; who hates humans, who doesn’t; who had their face in your crotch, who didn’t. I really don’t. All I care about right now is this bacon and if there’s any more, because I’m starving. ‘K?”
    Still frozen in his semi-leap position, Mercury was bewildered by her declaration – didn’t know what to make of it.
    “You heard the lady,” Kaitlyn told him. “Get her some damn bacon.”
    Dani gave her a whisper of smile and looked expectantly at Mercury.
    He was dishing up more bacon fresh from the oven when he sensed Bennett enter the kitchen.
    “Kaitlyn, you’re with me today. We’ve got a domestic north of West Creek. Piece of shit keeps beating his mate, turned on his kids.” Turning to Mercury, Bennett continued, “Mercury, Boss wants to interrogate the spy.”
    At the warning growl, Bennett gave him a placating look. “ Dani .”
    All business, Kaitlyn cleaned up her stuff and marched out of the kitchen. Mercury was surprised they were allowing her out in the field since she still passed out after her shifting. Her fighting skills as a human were admirable and would get her by as long as Bennett was there.
    Eyes flicking between the Mercury and his mate, Bennett watched Mercury serve her.
    “Be careful,” Bennett warned.
    Mercury ignored him and sat back down. Almost as soon as Bennett left, he heard the other two newbies to their pack approaching.
    Feminine laughter wafted in ahead of Cassie and