Her Protective Mate (The Ward Wolf Pack Novella Series, Book 3) by Theresa Hissong (books for students to read .TXT) 📕

“I missed you,” he whispered in her ear, inhaling the mating scent she put off. It may have only been a few hours since he’d last seen her, but it felt like days.

“I want you to meet everyone,” she offered, giving him a stern look. “The bears are our allies now. I’ll explain everything once we head to my cabin.”

“Explain?” he asked, but was interrupted when her two brothers approached.

“Booker,” Nash said, holding out his hand. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you,” he replied, giving the leader’s hand a firm shake. Aspen’s other brother didn’t look as happy to see him, but he knew it was the normal big brother posturing. He’d dated a girl back in high school who was the baby sister to five brothers. He guessed it didn’t matter what species you were…a baby sister was always cared for, and the shifters were no different.

“Mason,” Booker said, holding out his hand. “You can save the big brother speech. I already love your sister, and I would kill myself before ever bringing harm to her.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” Mason replied, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lip. “Come inside and meet everyone. Since you are now a part of this pack, you need to meet the bears.”

“Things are a little exciting around here,” Aspen whispered as they headed back toward the terminal where several men were waiting. “We’ve never been around others like us, and knowing we aren’t the only white wolves in existence is giving us hope.”

“Okay,” he said. “Lead the way. I’d like to meet them.” He was gladly going to support her and her pack, but Booker was still pissed about the attack and message they’d left in Charlie’s leg. They could’ve done it another way.

Yeah, he understood their ways a little more after Charlie’s explanation, but it still bothered the fuck out of him that they could so easy harm a female. And if any of them hurt Aspen, he’d fight to the death to avenge her.

“Booker, I’d like you to meet the Duncan clan,” Aspen began, pointing to a tall, dark-haired male. “This is Isaac Duncan. He is their leader.”

“Nice to meet you,” Isaac announced, making pleasantries. There were three other males behind him, and Aspen went through their names. They were all related, and they looked nothing like the Ward pack. Instead of naturally yellow eyes, the bears had dark brown eyes, and every so often, a flash of gold would sparkle in one of their eyes before disappearing.

“Liam,” the last one said, reaching out to shake Booker’s hand. The youngest one of the bunch was still in his mid-twenties, but there was something about the male that Booker immediately didn’t like. The next time he spoke, it was obvious why. “Sorry about the arrow, but I’m sure the pack has told you how we do things.”

“So, you’re the one who harmed the human female,” Booker said, pulling Aspen to his side and back a little so she was protected. He didn’t miss Nash’s eyebrow raise at his words, either.

“No harm done,” Liam promised.

“I’d advise you not come close to my mate with that weapon in the future,” Booker said, forgetting any reasoning when it came to Aspen.

“You sure about that, human?” Liam growled, flashing his canines. The male was trying to assert his dominance, but Booker had faced off with natural grizzlies before. That bear didn’t scare him.

“Well, you’re a black bear, and last I checked, black bears were the pussies of the bear breeds.” Booker was livid. This son of a bitch had come on the Wards’ land and shot at two of them…one of them being human. “Stay away from my mate, and we won’t have a problem.”

And it could’ve been Aspen.

There was a beat of silence before the entire pack and clan burst out laughing. Isaac slapped Nash on the back and shook his head. “I like this human. Your sister has great taste.”

Chapter 9

Aspen moaned as her mate rocked inside her, coming down from their lovemaking. She wanted to feel his bite more than ever, and every single time they’d come together since he’d arrived earlier in the evening, she yearned for him to sink his teeth into her skin.

But that wouldn’t happen until he became a wolf.

“What’s bothering you?” he mumbled in her ear.

“I want you to bite me,” she begged.

“Like this?” he teased, nipping at the spot where a male would mark his mate.

“And more,” she whispered.

“Do you want me to become like you?” he finally asked as his cock slid free of her body. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

She’d been trying to keep her mind on the sex, but she probably gave it away every time she pulled his face toward her neck while he fucked her. “You can’t blame me for wanting you to be like me.”

“I want to be like you in all ways, Aspen,” he admitted, nipping at her skin again. “If it means we are connected completely, then that’s what I want. I’ve never felt as whole as I am with you. I love you. More than I think you know.”

“I love you, Booker,” she breathed.

It was true. She really did love him, and she’d known it probably since the first time he had stepped foot in the terminal at Ward Air & Transportation. Her wolf knew, and she shouldn’t have hidden that realization from herself.

“I know you do, honey,” he said sweetly. “Charlie told me that we wouldn’t be able to make babies unless I was a wolf.”

“That’s true,” she blushed. “Wait? Do you want children?”

“With you, I do,” he admitted. “I want to raise children in the wild. Now that