Fox locked eyes with Tucker and nodded. “You heard right. Why? Is that a problem?”
Tucker’s mouth puckered, his nose crinkled also as if he’d smelt something utterly disgusting and Sheba had to force herself to stay in place and not smack him in the face. “Our Alpha here should have a Wolf by her side.”
“Is that right?” Fox sneered. “And why is that? Because you’re bigger, badder, stronger? Is that what you think? ‘Cause if that’s what you think I’m pretty fucking sure I can change your mind, Tucker.”
Sheba’s eyes were locked on the two of them but she sure as hell heard the heartbeats of others that had arrived to watch the spectacle unfold. Obviously, word had gotten around about Tucker’s ideas about her mate and as soon as he’d approached, everyone had been expecting a showdown. Well, now they were gonna get one!
Tucker took a small step forward and that’s when Fox released her hand and she stepped away, not only that but she turned to the people behind them and motioned them away. “You better get back guys.”
They looked at her a little confused but did as she said as Fox started to undress. “You want to see who’s standing by your Alpha’s side, Tucker? Well, lemme show you! And if you want to show me your Wolf too, then go ahead and we’ll see who’s fit to be by Sheba’s side!”
Sheba suppressed her smile, keeping her face neutral as Tucker pulled off his own clothes, anger on his face as he did so. She heard more than a few comments from the now large crowd regarding Fox’s naked body, her head spinning and a few snarls erupting in the general direction of said comments to shut them up. Until both men stood naked and Fox waved Tucker back.
“Sorry, but I need some more room. You’re forgetting something, Tucker, I’m not a Wolf. I’m a fucking Lion.”
Tucker frowned but did as he was told before they both initiated their transformations. Fox’s was seamless, beautiful, glorious and Tucker’s took longer, but in the end, there stood a large grey Wolf and an enormous and outstanding Lion with claws that were larger than the Wolf’s paws. Tucker’s beast backed away, cowering in fear, tail tucked between its legs as it slinked further to the ground.
Fox’s Lion lifted one huge paw and brought it crashing down to the ground, claws out and digging into the earth to send great clods of dirt to fly up all around. The crowd gasped, some even screamed, with others yelling and clapping, and the best was yet to come. Sheba’s hands shot to her ears, covering them as Fox’s head reared back, his magnificent mane flying all around and let out a mammoth roar that shook the nearby trees branches, causing birds to take flight in fear and terrifying those closest to him. Some even dropped to their knees and trembled. And as for Tucker? Well, he turned tail and raced away as if the Devil himself was chasing him.
Sheba couldn’t help but grin, looking over to see Ray leaning on the side of a cabin, arms crossed and smiling so wide his pearly white teeth were shining as bright as the sun. Dion was beside him, his eyes wide as saucers and his mouth hanging wide open until Ray reached over and chucked under his chin, closing Dion’s mouth as he laughed loudly. That’s when Sheba saw her mother and Ari standing on the porch, both of them smiling, and Ari clapping her hands as if she’d just been to the dang circus.
As the noise of the crowd settled down Sheba walked over to her mate, running her hand through his mane. “Now, guys, if anyone else has a problem with Fox, please step forward and I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to deal with you.” She paused. “What? No? Nobody else? This is your one, your only chance, because if I hear of any other bullshit I won’t be happy and I’m pretty sure Fox won’t be either, will you, darling?”
Fox played his part, pulling back his lips and allowing everyone a good view of his gigantic teeth. Ones that could rip any Wolf in two easily. “See, that was easy. Now, let’s get back to what we were doing before Tucker was so dang rude!”
People started to disperse, although some hung around, watching as Fox paraded around for a few moments longer until Sheba gave him a tug on his mane. “I think you’ve made your point, but I’d rather you didn’t transform here. There’s too many waiting to see your naked body again and I’m feeling a little possessive right now. Why don’t we go somewhere more private?”
She picked up his clothes and started to walk toward the forest but he nudged her thigh. “What?”
His large head spun around toward his back and then nudged her again. “What? You want me to ride you?”
Fox’s mane shook as he dipped his head in assent. Sheba shook her head. “No, don’t be silly,” she said, even as her heart sped up at the thought of doing so.
Again, he nudged her, refusing to move. “Really? You want me to get on your back right here in front of everyone?”
Yet again, he dipped his head. “Oh hell.” She looked at him, the sheer size of him and lowered her voice. “You’re fucking huge. If I make an ass of myself in front of everyone I’ll kill you.”
As soon as she spoke he dropped down, lying flat so that his back was now level with her hip. Damn, he was immense. “I’ll be holding on to that mane of yours, so if it hurts it’s your own fault.”
Placing his clothes on his back, she then tied the laces of his boots together and placed
