8
Cullen wantedto sink through the floor. Bad enough manic Micah and Sean, the family clown, were here. Now his mother had arrived, no doubt with Ian in tow.Damn. He’d been doing so well with Sarah, too. Now, because his family couldn’t get along with anyone outside their small family, they’d arrived home early, just in time to scare Sarah gone for good.
He glanced at her, praying she could read his eyes that said, “have patience, please,” and explained what had happened between Sarah and the raptors days ago.
His family—ah, there was Ian, thebaby, just over her shoulder—stood in silence for a minute before everyone erupted.
“That’s bullshit.”
“Five against one. Cowards.”
“I can’t stand Larsen,” Ian added. “And I really hate his mate. She’s got more hands than an octopus.” Which put his mother into a tizzy.
Sheila Whitefeather shouted and swore louder than her sons. Cullen refused to let go of Sarah’s hand, afraid the noise would send her flying into the next county. But a look at her showed her captivated by the high drama.
Eventually his family calmed. He answered his mother’s questions in yes and no answers. Until Sheila turned her ice blue eyes on Sarah.Fuck.
“Well, girl, don’t you have anything to say? You planning to make my boy do your battling for you?”
All eyes turned to Sarah, who fidgeted next to him.
“I’m very grateful to Cullen for his help. Without him I’d be dead, I’m sure. But no, I don’t plan on letting him take the fall for me,” she said, directing her comment to him. “I’m capable of standing up for myself, but I don’t see the need. I’m not sticking around this godforsaken town any longer than I have to,” she ended in a hard voice.
His heart cracked, wishing he’d had more time to convince her to take a chance on him. He couldn’t explain it, but he knew in his heart his place was in Cougar Falls. Right next to Sarah.
His mother feigned surprise, and Sean smiled wide.Hell. What were they up to now?“Are you telling me you’ve been toying with my son’s affections?”
“Huh?” Sarah stared at his mother, confusion darkening her eyes.
“You slept with him, didn’t you?”
“Momma, really,” Cullen interrupted, his cheeks hot. His brothers’ laughter wasn’t helping matters.
“Momma, nothing. Did this woman sleep with you or didn’t she?”
“I did,” Sarah said stiffly. “Not that it’s any of your business. What’s between Cullen and me is personal.”
“He came outta my belly, honey. It doesn’t get much more personal than that,” Sheila snarled.
Sarah choked, and Cullen wanted to strangle his mother.
“Oh, for God’s sake.” Sarah threw up her hands and stood, facing his small clan. “You should be glad I’m leaving. I’m Sarah Duncan. The town whore.”
“Sarah!”
“No, Cullen. Your mother wants to know, so I’ll tell her.” Sarah’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with anger. Cullen empathized with how difficult this must be for her, but at the same time, he couldn’t stop himself from admiring her passion. His eagle fluttered inside his breast, aching with the need to possess this challenging female.
His mother’s eyes narrowed between him and Sarah, an odd expression on her face.
“I made the mistake of falling for a spineless jerk,” Sarah spoke plainly, her hands on her hips. “Three days after telling me he loved me, he announced to the world that he’d married some bright-eyed dodo from Kansas. Call me crazy, but falling for a line shouldn’t make me a slut.”
“No indeed.”
Sarah didn’t seem to hear his mother as she raged. “Then the dickhead had the audacity to tell his buddies he’d gotten into my pants. AndI’mthe one at fault. As if that weren’t all, his friends continue to bother me to this day. One of the raptor clan leaders keeps trying to sleep with me, and his bitch of a wife nearly killed me. Not one of my clan brothers or sisters stuck by me. The only friends I have are a fox and a bear, and I’m not sure if the bear counts, because Mac’s my boss. I’m sick of living this life, sick of being everybody’s punching bag. So if you don’t like the truth, lady, you can kiss my ass!” Sarah ended in a yell, her pupils slit, her body poised on the verge of a shift as her animal spirit struggled to break free, caught in her anger.
Cullen could only stare at his mate, feeling her pain, her rage. But more, he felt sheer admiration for the strength it must have taken to put up with so much by herself for so long. What had she said? That she’d lost her mother years ago? She’d been living on her own for eight long years. Hell, she needed him. Him and his family. And if his mother refused to stand by his mate, Cullen would simply leave.
“Momma,” he began, only to be cut off.
