“Oh, then thank you.”
“No problem. Damsels in distress are my specialty.” He wags his brows playfully.
“Shut it Kid,” Shyla rolls her eyes. “Most everyone else is out back. Come on.” She ushers me outside. The fire pit is blazing, and people are sitting on the metal chairs around the fire or standing. Two men are manning the grill, the tantalizing scent of meat wafting on the breeze.
“Killer and Big Bry are over at the grill,” she nods first to an older man with gray hair and beard and then to a mountain of a man with skin the color of coffee with cream. Killer points his tongs in our direction, receiving a chin lift from Kellen.
“That’s Rooster and Stonewall sitting by the fire. Holliday and Demon are on the other side of the fire.” Her gaze shifts to the right at two females walking towards them. Her eyes narrow, lips curled in a sneer. “And those two are the club bitches, Cherry and Trixie.” Disgust fills her tone as she turns her back on the women. One blonde and one with bright red hair saunter towards them, all sex and smiles. The red head, Cherry I’m sure, looks me up and down before dismissing me.
“Slash, where have you been. I’ve missed you,” she pouts as she sidles up next to him. My feet move backwards away from the stunning woman, unease warring in me. Kellen brushes her off and draws me close.
“Cherry, I’d like you to meet my mate Molly.” Her quickly indrawn breath has her looking down at me.
“Mate? You’re kidding right?” She scoffs. “She’s a fucking human!” She snarls, hands transforming into claws.
“Human or not, she’s mine. Back off, Cherry,” Kellen snarls. I snuggle closer, a shiver of fear coursing through me. Shadow walks up bedside Shyla as they stand with us. Shyla growls, low and threatening.
“Fine,” Cherry huffs. “Come on, Trixie. The other guys will appreciate our attention. See you later Slash,” she coos running a bright red nail down his arm.
“I hate that bitch,” Shyla murmurs watching them walk away.
“Come on, babe. I want you to meet Wraith.” Kellen clasps my hand in his and walks me over to a man standing over to the side. His piercing blue eyes rove over me before he crushes the beer can in his hand, tossing it near a trash can. His mouth presses into a flat line the closer we come.
“Slash,” he nods. “Introduce me to your mate.”
“Wraith, this is Molly. Molly this is Wraith, President of the Dark Leopards MC.”
“It’s nnnice to meet you,” I stutter withering under his heavy gaze. Kellen growls from beside me. Wraith breathes deep, and the tension drops from his shoulders. His eyes lighten as he reaches for my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you to. Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.” My hand trembles in his big paw.
“It’s not everyday someone meets their mate. Congratulations you two.”
“No change from this morning?” Slash asks, pulling to his slide and slinging a heavy arm across my shoulders.
“No, we’re still good.”
“What’s good?” Curiosity gets the best of me.
“Club business,” Wraith barks out. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Foods ready, let’s eat.” He claps Kellen on the back as everyone moves to the grill. One table too loaded with an assortment of sides as we load up our plates and sit at one of the picnic tables. Shyla and Shadow sit on the opposite side of us, but Cherry sits directly behind them so every time I look up, she’s who I see. And the daggers she’s glaring at me do not bode well. The afternoon flew by with a lot of laughter and raunchy jokes and comments. Even as scary as the guys are, I sit comfortably at Kellen’s side.
“Hey Kellen, where’s the bathroom?”
“Through the door on the right. Want me to go with you?” He moves to stand I place my hand on his arm.
“I think I can manage. Be right back.” I quickly kiss his scruffy cheek before heading inside. I take a minute to adjust from the bright sunlight outside to the dim interior of the building.
“Look Trixie, it’s the human bitch who thinks she’s going to take my mate,” Cherry snarls coming closer until she looms over me. Her eyes full of hatred as they narrow. “Pathetic fucking human.”
“Your mate?” I whisper.
“Yes bitch, he’s mine. Slash hates humans. He’ll never tie himself to you. Everyone knows it and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll disappear from his life.”
“Cherry,” Trixie whispers harshly, “what are you doing?” She backs away, looking outside.
“But he said—”
“What he said,” she mocks. “Fuck that noise. He’s mine.” She raises her hand I can’t help but flinch. Her claws scratch down the side of my face, hard enough for me to feel them but not draw blood. “Do you know what these claws can do to human flesh?” She laughs low when I shake.
She stiffens when a set of claws wraps around her throat.
“Do you know what my claws will do to you if you ever threaten my mate again?” Kellen snarls out, his voice deadly with intent.” She whimpers as a drop of ruby red blood drips down the side of her pale neck. Behind them, Trixie makes a break for it, and she runs outside.
“Slash,” she whimpers, gripping his arm with her hands. He lifts her until her feet are dangling above the floor. “Please.” her faces reddens before darkening to burgundy.
With a grunt, he lets go, and she drops to a heap on the floor, gasping for breath.
“I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but Molly is my mate. Not you. Never you. And if you ever come near her again, I will fucking end you.” He leans down, looming over her as she presses closer to the concrete floor. “Do. You. Understand?”
“Yes,” she whines.
“Get the fuck outta here and don’t come back.”
“But,” she looks up at him with tear-filled eyes, “the club.”
“You
