They ran off because they didn’t want to fight over her.They ran off because they couldn’t fuck her as their beasts were clamoring at them to do.
The truth was, if he hadn’t trusted El with them before now, he did now.
Those men, did they but know it, had just earned Shawn’s respect and his heart-deep gratitude.
Not only had they not mauled her, but also, they’d told her what the heat entailed.They’d even given her the choice—they could have sex, but if that was the case, they’d need protection.
Considering El was on the pill, he had to wonder at the potency of Shifter seed if that wasn’t enough when she was in heat.
El sighed as she curled upright.She’d been reading a book, but at his words, she caught his glance.
“Do you think they need me?”
“I doubt it.If they do, they’ll come for you, I guess.”
Ironically enough, they came shortly after.
The door opened and the men stood in the entrance like they were being walked to their doom.
Their hangdog faces had Shawn hiding a smile as they shuffled in with the much smaller healer at their back.
In response to the other woman’s presence, something weird happened to El.
She’d been relaxed, loose-limbed and free from strain until she saw the healer.Then, like a live wire, tension strummed through her and she was suddenly on alert.
As little as he knew she’d appreciate the comparison, it reminded him of when a dog lay sleepily in front of the fire.Then, when another dog entered, they’d jump up to their feet, hackles stirred at another mutt’s presence.
El’s hackles were definitely stirred.
The woman, dressed in the blousy kaftan, rolled into the room like she didn’t have a care in the world.She saw El’s tension, even noticed the top-lip curled into a sneer that came shortly after she closed the door behind her, but she ignored it.
Instead, she strode over to the windows and opened them up one by one.Why she’d closed the door but opened all the windows, he wasn’t sure.Still, he assumed she knew her shit, and what the hell did he know by comparison?
The men trundled into the room, heading for the seating area where they’d camped out earlier.He nodded at them when they were seated, and shot them a questioning look that had them just grimacing in response.
Curious as to what was about to happen, he stayed silent.El was presenting in a way he’d never seen before, and his interest was pricked.
She’d never been the kind to bristle when around other women, but it seemed that wasn’t the case now she was this weird dual-natured Shifter.
The healer, once the windows were open, turned to face them with a bright and breezy smile.To him and El, she declared, “My name is Claudia.I’m here to help.”
El’s nostrils flared.“What are you?”
The question was definitely rude, but Claudia didn’t seem to find offense.If anything, her grin widened to mega-watt power.
“I’m a healer.”
“I’m not an idiot,” El snapped.“I can sense that.And I know my mates wouldn’t be foolish enough to bring another female into my suite without your being the woman they said they’d be contacting.But you’re not a Shifter.What are you?”
The warmth in Claudia’s eyes dimmed a little.“I’m Wiccan.”
El’s frown deepened, then she shot the Triad a look.“Seriously?”
Trip held up a hand.“Bear with us, El.”
Ryan nodded.“Wiccans aren’t taken seriously in the human world.”He cut Claudia an apologetic look at the rude statement.“I’m sorry, but we all know it’s true.”
The healer just nodded, a regales to the action that impressed Shawn considering she’d been basically insulted by the Pride leadership when all she was there to do was help.
