Apologies
Niallgapedathisbrothers and Suzie.Colin was kissing her.
His mate.
“Mine.Mine.Mine!”his bear chanted, and the possessive words held a distinct growl.
Suzie was their mate, so why would she kiss Colin with such enthusiasm, their bodies plastered together, chest to chest?
Niall took half a step, his gaze on the couple.He’d come to find Suzie and apologize because he’d been wrong.Unfortunately, his past had intruded, shoving him to the wrong conclusion.Angus had set him straight and told him Suzie had been genuinely upset.
Suzie hadn’t met anyone other than to say a casual hello and hadn’t made phone calls.Angus had conducted a secondary investigation for him.Suzie was precisely who she professed to be—a shifter from Middlemarch in New Zealand.
Yeah.He owed Suzie a heartfelt apology.But he hadn’t expected to witness her kissing his brother.Devastation filled him.Betrayal.Yes, he’d treated her harshly.However, he hadn’t anticipated her to run into his brother’s arms.
He heard a feminine screech and turned to witness Suzie slapping Colin.Colin bellowed, and fear slithered through Niall, especially when Euan cackled like a hyena.Colin drew back his fist, and Niall started running.He wouldn’t make it in time.He knew it, but that didn’t stop him from trying.
Niall focused on Suzie.She stilled, sensing the danger.He was too far away to help.Colin wouldn’t kill her, but he could injure her.
Suzie murmured something too low for Niall to hear.Don’t taunt him.Colin has no sense of humor.Not a scrap.Not unless he’s carrying out the prank.
Colin released a furious roar and loosed his punch.Suzie dropped, shifting her weight and rocking Colin off balance.His punch skimmed the outside of her arm, and seconds later, Colin fell on his arse.
Euan roared with laughter.Colin cursed up a storm.Niall finally reached the group as Suzie bobbed to her full height and kicked Colin in the ribs.She hadn’t noticed him yet, and he wondered what reception he’d receive.
“Never grab me like that again.I feel sorry for the women in your life because you kiss like a wet fish.”
“Bitch.”
Niall made a choking sound but held his laugh at bay.He did not need to rile Colin any further.Euan didn’t seem to have a problem, probably because he was the oldest brother, and Colin always followed his lead.With a wary gaze on his brothers, he turned his attention to his mate.
His bear hummed a joyful sound, and Niall found his lips curving into a smile as he watched her.He was in awe of her bravery and her cool head.
Suzie picked up her shopping bags and muttered under her breath.He must’ve made a sound because her head jerked up.“Why are you here?”
Niall went with the truth.“I came to apologize and beg your forgiveness.I want you to come home with me.”
“Why the change of heart?”
“I realized I was acting like a fool and jumping to unfair conclusions.You have spent every moment with me.”
Suzie’s brows rose.“Apart from my walk, where I came across two idiots.”
One of his brothers growled, and once again, Niall fought a smile.
“If the cap fits,” Suzie snapped.
“I let my past govern good sense,” Niall said.“I hope you’ll forgive me.At least give me another chance to prove myself to you.”
“Oh, brother,” Euan said.“She has you under her thumb.”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter,” Niall said.“I’m not the same cub you tormented all those years ago.”
Suzie didn’t reply.She picked up every bag and turned toward the castle, her strides brisk.Niall fell into step while monitoring his brothers.He didn’t stop his watchful manner until he and Suzie were halfway back to the castle.
“Are you speaking to me?”
“I haven’t had the best day,” Suzie said.“And I’m rather tired of bossy men placing me in the little lady category.”
