Primal Claim by Marie Johnston Page B

Jace’s arrival. Jace had a shit-eating grin on his face, gave Mercury a quick nod, and went to gather breakfast for his own mate.
    Cassie sat where Kaitlyn had just been, knowing better than to sit next to the woman with the shady past.
    “Dani, right?”
    “That’s right. Apparently, this is the meet and greet.” It was a statement, said with no sour notes in her voice.
    Cassie laughed gently. “Busted. I’m Cassie. Look, while you’re here, you’ll need some clothes.” She started digging in the monster purse most women insisted on carrying around. But Cassie also needed hers to conceal a gun and knife since she was also “only” human. Being bound to Jace came with the usual perks of quicker healing and longevity, but Sigma would not hesitate to snatch and grab her again.
    Producing paper and pen, she slid them over to Dani. “Write your sizes and any special requests. We’ll get you enough to get by.”
    “Oh. No. You can’t. I mean, I don’t have any money or anything to pay you back.”
    Cassie gave her a reassuring look. “It’s all right, it won’t be that much. It’s not like I’m bringing back designer labels. I get you’re not a typical guest, but you can’t be running around barefoot, drowning in Mercury’s clothes.”
    Dani still hesitated, obviously uncomfortable with the charity.
    “I’m sure we can find some chore for you to earn your keep until we get things figured out. You’ll also need at least need conditioner, probably even shampoo. Am I right? Jace had next to nothing in his bathroom. I mean, I’m not high maintenance, but a girl needs something pretty smelling.” Leave it to Cassie to figure the girl out; it’s what she did for a living.
    Coming to a resolution, Dani scribbled some things down. Mercury didn’t care if she hung out in his shirts all day. And slept in them, letting her scent permeate every fiber. He never wanted to wash the shorts she was in as it was. But she would feel better in her own stuff, and if he wasn’t thinking with his dick, it’d be harder to hide weapons in the more form fitting women’s apparel.
    “Cassie, Jace, I need your input,” Mercury debated on bringing it up here, but he had to know what they might be up against, and he wanted to bring it to the commander as soon as possible.
    “Sure,” they said in unison.
    Would Mercury and Dani ever be like them – happily mated? First, they had to find out more about the baby and if Dani was who she claimed.
    “You said you could feel Madame G’s presence when she mated you.” Mercury began. Dani looked at the pair, eyes widening. So she knew the story.
    “I couldn’t,” Jace replied. “I know our natural mating bond feels better, but overall, not much different.”
    “I felt tainted, slimy,” Cassie added. “Like I had to get her out of me.”
    “How did she incorporate herself into something like a mating bond?” Dani asked quietly.
    “Blood and some fucked-up ritual,” Jace answered.
    “Why? Do you feel something off about the pregnancy, Dani?” Cassie asked.
    “Not other than an unnatural taste for bacon.” Dani’s brows furrowed, her gaze dropped to the tabletop. “But it’s so early yet.”
    She glanced up to Mercury with a questioning look. He shuttered his face, unwilling to tell her what he’d felt earlier in front of Jace and Cassie.
    “We’d better get going. I’ve gotta shadow Cassie while she’s working in case Sigma tries anything again,” Jace said, grabbing their food containers and to-go cups.
    Even as the couple left, Dani didn’t look away from Mercury. She didn’t seem as fatigued and drawn as last night. Despite the nightmares, the food and rest did her good though it was a short night and early morning, a healthy glow lit her from within.
    “What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.
    “What aren’t you telling me?” he countered.
    Setting her jaw, she looked down at her plate. “Do you think that madwoman has somehow tied herself