‘Bear claimed a fledgling Green.’
Oxley turned to his friend. ‘I heard. Wanna talk about it, bro?’
‘Nope. Just felt sorry for her.’
Both Wynter and Oxley furrowed their brows, Oxley running his hand across the long scar on his right cheek.
‘Well, I think she hates you,’ said Wynter. ‘I know I would if someone claimed me.’
Raven came over, all smiles for his fiancée. ‘What’s with the scowl?’
‘Ask my brother.’
‘Oh, is this about the claim?’
Oxley tutted. ‘Can’t believe I missed it. That’s what I get for taking my time in the shower.’
Raven frowned, looking half amused. ‘You know you’re the only one allowed to take their time in the shower.’
One side of Oxley’s mouth quirked. ‘Mr Kane likes me to.’
Wynter clenched her fists. ‘Forget Mr Kane’s fascination with Ox’s ass, you need to talk Bear out of bringing people into our group.’
Raven peered over her head at Scarlen. ‘She’s tiny, like you. How much trouble can she be?’ His wink at Wynter was slow and seductive, causing her to narrow her eyes in a mock glare.
Oxley chuckled.
‘Be serious for a moment. We can’t have her hanging around.’ Wynter looked at her brother, but his gaze was still firmly on Scarlen.
‘You want me to feed her to the monsters, Wyn?’
‘Of course not.’
Sighing heavily, Bear met the concern in his sister’s expression. ‘She reminded me of you, that’s all, and I opened my mouth before thinking.’
‘You have never in your life opened your mouth before thinking.’
‘True,’ added Oxley, earning him a quick glare from Bear.
‘Does it matter? We’ll be gone soon, and by that time, Judd and V will have moved on to someone else.’ Bear tipped his chin up. ‘I’m pretty sure she’s not the type to want to join a gang, anyway.’
‘We’re known as Rebels. She’ll think we’re a gang, like everyone else does around here.’ Wynter huffed, folding her arms. ‘I wouldn’t mind, but it’s only us four in here they call that name.’
Bear flashed a roguish grin. ‘Looks good I’m expanding then, doesn’t it?’
Raven agreed. ‘He has a point. We don’t want to start looking weak.’
Wynter pulled down the neckline of her sweatshirt and tapped the white Ring hanging low around her neck. ‘We’re shapeshifters, and some think our kind are demons. We hardly come across as weak.’
‘I can’t undo it, and she’ll stay away. I saw nothing but pure hatred in her eyes, sis.’
Oxley dramatically cleared his throat. ‘And that’s exactly what’s marching this way.’
Bear watched Scarlen stomping towards him, her sage-green eyes narrowed, lips pursed, hands clenched. ‘Give us a minute, yeah?’
Oxley and Raven walked away, but Wynter dug her heels in, showing she wasn’t going anywhere.
‘I found out what claiming means,’ were the first words out of Scarlen’s mouth. ‘And you can fuck all the way off if you think you own me.’
