Her Stepbrothers are Saber-Tooth Tigers Read online

  “You’re a cat too? But I’m not like you. I can’t shift—well, at least I don’t think so.” Leta frowned. “How would I even do it, if I can?”

  “I can feel your cat.” Maya frowned and put her dog down, studying Leta. “Do you want to know your cat? Want to try? I can help you, I think.” Maya stood and moved toward her.

  “You might want to put the knives away first and get undressed. Your clothes will shred, depending on how big you are and what kind of cat you are,” Maya said.

  “Well, Dad turned into some huge white cat,” Leta told her, as she began pulling out the knives from their hiding places and setting them on the desk.

  “Was he a tiger? I know humans have bred some white tigers, but I’ve never seen any white tiger shifters before,” Maya said.

  “No, he’s like us, but white,” Zena said, coming into the room.

  Maya stiffened, staring at Zena. “Maya, I have no hard feelings toward you. As a matter of fact, I’m happy you survived.” Tears filled Zena’s eyes. “I just wish your father would have made it. When the boys found him and we buried him, well, it was hard. I know your mother was his mate, but that does not mean my feelings for him stopped; they just changed. I even offered to leave the pack to make it easier for your father, but your mother and he told me to stay.” Zena leaned against the doorframe and smiled. “Your mother was an amazing woman. So damn strong and beautiful, much like you. You favor your father though.”

  “Thank you.” Maya said, frowning. “I’ve never heard of a white male cat before.”

  “When I was a child there were a few, but they hid from the others. They were afraid they’d give away the pact and endangering everyone. They were loners, but always loyal and would help when needed. You’re going to help her find her cat?” Zena asked.

  “Yes, I want her to have every weapon possible at her disposal. We’re going to need everything with this new threat. The human police have been warned in Detroit, and we are working with them.”

  “Then maybe the two of us together might help bring forth the cat, no?” Zena said, holding out her hand to Leta. “Stand, Leta. Take off your shoes, socks, pants, and shirt. There is no reason for you to rip them up.” Zena shut the door behind her with her foot.

  Not one for modesty, Leta stripped and stood in the open area of her room. “Should we move my bed out of the way? We can push it up against the wall,” Leta asked, but Maya was already doing it.

  “If you’re like your father, we’ll need the whole room. The first shift will be rough, but once it happens, it will come naturally to you,” Zena said. “I should warn you, when you shift, the urge to mate with your men below is going to become stronger, as it was for your father. Hence, one of the reasons we didn’t get to inform you till it was too late.”

  “Oh, just great, hormone hell coming up,” Leta sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” Not one to put things off, Leta braced herself as both women moved around her, touching her and whispering words she didn’t understand. Fur covered Maya’s arms, then Zena’s. Their eyes changed and fangs protruded as they partially shifted.

  Before Leta could freak out, out of nowhere something inside of her rushed up and screamed. Her vision changed, muscles stretched, and bones cracked. Talk about fucking hurting. Leta was so going to tell Zena her statement was way off, but she fell to the ground as her body changed.

  One minute she was panting, as pain like she’d never experienced rushed through her body, but what seemed like hours turned out to be only minutes when her focus came back.

  “Damn, she’s a pretty one, white with red stripes.” Maya said and knelt in front of her. “You are small for one of our kind, but beautiful. Shit, your’ men are coming.” Maya jumped back and stared at the door.

  The bedroom door was thrown open and Guryon stepped through first, followed by Drew and Colin. Maya and Zena left her and closed the door, the traitors.

  She must have growled, because Drew knelt in front of her and rubbed his face against hers. “You are stunning, Leta, absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to run with you, but you need to shift back now.”

  There was no fucking way Leta was going to change back and be naked in front of them. Already she wanted to climb into Drew’s lap and there was the pain with the shift.

  She pulled back, but two other set of hands joined Drew’s holding on to her. “Come on, Leta, you can do it,” Guryon said.

  All too quickly, her bones popped and skin replaced fur as Leta shifted. Guryon wrapped a blanket from the bed around her, then lifted her into his arms and sat down on her bed with her. “You were fucking amazing, Little Red. Small and beautiful.” He placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “Thanks, but don’t you guys have some kind of meeting downstairs?” she grumbled and tried to get up.

  “Nope, they have left and will meet us tomorrow when we pull in. We’re going to help you pack and spend the night getting to know our woman,” Guryon said, his lips touching hers right before he kissed her hard, exploring and playing with her tongue.

  She moaned and slid her arms up around his neck, needing to get closer to him. The blanket that covered her slipped away. Another set of lips kissed down her arm, while another kissed down her back. Her stepmother had been right. Her skin burned, and Leta swore she was having little orgasms each time they touched her.

  ***

  His woman tasted sweet, and her small, delicate body cradled in his lap made Guryon realize how vulnerable the three of them were really. Thinking of anything happening to their woman sent a panic inside his head and heart. Guryon broke the kiss, growling.

  Drew’s gaze met his, and Guryon knew he wasn’t the only one feeling overwhelmed. “She will be protected at all costs,” he said, and Drew nodded.

  “You know, I’m not a fragile flower,” Leta mumbled and slid out of his arms while they were distracted.

  “We know, but if something were to happen to you, our lives wouldn’t matter anymore. You’re the one that binds us all together; you carry our hearts inside you. There is a saying that is embedded into our minds. I don’t know how I remember it, but I do.” He held out his hand. “I’d like to share it with you.”

  She eyed his hand, then sighed, coming back over to him, placing her hand into his.

  “We call this...”

  A Warriors Bonding Pledge

  Time has no meaning

  We stand alone, waiting for that light that was meant to be ours

  All is gone

  Where once was a heart

  Now beats as a stone,

  Cold, hard, a Warrior’s Heart

  The night is my salvation

  My dreams hide the passion,

  Love and soul that waits to be claimed

  Strong arms, the breath of life

  Awaken what was once thought dead

  My quest not yet done

  For I am seeking a Warrior’s heart to twine with ours

  Three warrior’s, another night has come; your scent fills the air

  The hunt is on, a Warrior’s heart once of stone

  Now flesh, passion, love slips free of its bonds

  Arms of steel and eyes of the night, you see all.

  You’re our possession of a wall of love, sheltering and protecting you from harm

  Four hearts now one

  A warrior’s heart once stone, not blood and flesh.”

  Guryon recited, never taking his gaze off hers.

  “Okay that is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard, but I have a question. You were out in the daylight?” she asked, and he laughed.

  “Out of all that you were confused about that part?” he laughed. “We can be out in the daylight, but we always prefer the night.”

  “I take it I’m going to live as long as you too?” she asked.

  “Yes, you’ll be like us. There will be three exchanges, one from each of us. Tonight the first exchange will happen, but before that, why don’t we finish packing everything here? Th
en we can relax and I can tell you about our kind.”

  She looked over at Drew and then at Colin. “I take it they are like you too?” she asked, and he nodded.

  “Yes, both Drew and Colin are my mates. It’s rare having brothers as mates, but they are both mine as you are ours. At least they are not blood brothers to you,” he said, earning a moan from Drew.

  “That is so wrong, don’t even mention that.” Drew stood and glanced around the room. “We can have this packed in a few minutes. Have you eaten?”

  “No, but I was going to hit the diner down the street. We love their burgers, plus I usually work later, so it’s an easy fix. You want to go down there with me? I want to say good-bye to Cindy, the owner. She’s a sweetie, and we’ve tried to help her out. Her husband died two years ago. He was shot closing up the diner. It’s kind of where father’s men go to eat too.”

  “This is important to you? You’re not just trying to get away from us?” Colin asked.

  Leta sighed and shook her head. “I’m not stupid. I know there’s something between us. To say I’m in shock would be an understatement. I changed into an animal that’s supposed to be extinct, my father is mated or married, I have two stepbrothers who now claim I’m their mate, yeah it’s a little much.” She held up her hand, stopping Colin. “Just give me some time. I’m not asking to be away from you. I just would like to do something I consider normal with you. Then maybe while we eat, you can tell me about your world? I’m trying to take this all in.”

  Drew sat next to Guryon on the bed, studying her. “Why are you so accepting? I would think you’d be flipping out about now.”

  She turned and went to her dresser drawer, pulling out a couple of sketch pads. “Here, look at these while I pull some clothes on.” Leta handed them to him and moved to her walk-in closet. “I have dreams; had them since I was six. The woman on the front page is my great-great grandmother. She was the shifter in our family—at least that’s what I saw.”

  Leta came out of the closet in a short dress with knee-high black leather boots. “What?” She looked down at her dress. “You don’t like it? I have a red dress, but it’s a little bit shorter and I usually wear it when I go out dancing.”

  “I thought we were going to a small diner? Why are you all dressed up?” Guryon asked, getting up and moving round her.

  “I wanted to wear a dress, and who knows when I’ll be able to again. Of course, Dad always had a fit when I ware this one.” She smiled up at him, and he groaned.

  “She is going to be trouble,” Drew growled. “Those legs...I mean for being small, Little Red is all woman.”

  Leta shook her head and moved to her bedroom door. Opening it, she yelled, “Hey Dad, dinner in 30 minutes.” She closed the door, stepped to the side and held up her fingers. “One, two, three...”

  “You better not be wearing one of those dresses!” Snow came storming into her room and stopped. “Sorry, but she does this to me every week. Leta!” he snapped and spun to see her behind him. “Every time you go into the diner you cause problems.”

  “No, your big mouth causes the problems. If you wouldn’t say a word and would just walk into the diner without growling at every man that looks at us, there would be no problem. Plus, who’s going to hit on me tonight when I walk in with those three?” Leta smiled and nodded to them.

  Her father glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. “She’s your problem now. We’ll see how well this goes over. You know Buster’s men will be there,” her father grumbled and headed to the door, but not before he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “But you are beautiful just like your momma was.”

  Tears filled Leta’s eyes. “I wish I could remember her. We’ll meet you downstairs. I’m almost done packing here. Just the big stuff will have to be moved next. I figured we can camp out on the living room floor tonight.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Zena,” her father yelled, and Colin’s mom stepped in front of the door in a sexy dress like Leta’s.

  “You bellowed?” she said, leaning against the doorframe.

  “What the hell are you wearing?” he growled. “Damn it, woman, I don’t need every man in the diner looking at what’s mine.” Her father scooped Zena up and tossed her over his shoulder. “You did this just to ease the tension with my daughter. You’re not getting points with me, lady!” he mumbled, going down the hall.

  “Ha, your daughter and I already spoke, you big ape. And I’ll wear what I want. You can’t go around telling us what to wear. A girl likes to feel pretty for her man,” Zena said, and Leta smiled, closing the door.

  “She’s never going to change him. He’s always been like that, jealous and possessive,” she said and turned to bump into Guryon’s chest as he had moved to cage her in with Drew and Colin right next to him.

  “Sorry, Leta, but you are also stuck with three men who are very possessive and will not tolerate anyone approaching what is ours. Did you put this dress on for us?” Drew asked, leaning down and nipping her shoulder.

  “I could have worn jeans, but, well look at you three. Any woman out there would make a play for you. I want to be up to your standards. Does that make sense? If I’m really going to be yours, I want you to be proud to have me at your side.”

  Chapter Four

  It took them less than 30 minutes to pack up her room, and ten minutes for them to try to convince Leta that no other woman mattered to them, but she didn’t care. Leta wasn’t stupid. She’d seen the women with her father’s men over the years and watched how they kept their men. No, Leta would not let her men lose interest, ever.

  She smiled, remembering the one night Bess had planned for Tazz. She and Leta had spent three hours at the spa, a girls’ treat. “Some retreat, that fucking hurt,” Leta mumbled remembering the waxing down below.

  “What hurt?” Guryon asked, looking down at her as she put on her leather coat, zipping it up.

  “Trips to the spa hurt. Do you know the hell we go through to look nice for you guys?” She shook her head.

  Zena laughed. “Tell me about it. The first time I went in to get waxed, the lady was lucky I didn’t rip her apart. That shit hurts, especially when they’re touching you down there. But it’s so worth it in the long run,” she purred when Leta’s father wrapped his arm around her.

  “Okay, I so didn’t need to know that,” Leta mumbled, going outside to her bike, but Guryon shook his head as he followed.

  “Nope, you’ll ride with me, Little Red,” he said and led her to his bike, handing her the helmet. “Put it on,” he told her, scanning their surroundings. “This is a nice area. I don’t sense any of our enemies around, which is good, but then again, it’s hard to spot them.”

  “Then how are we going to defend ourselves? I don’t want to kill some innocent person,” Leta said and crawled onto the bike after he got on.

  He glanced over his shoulder at her. “You’ve killed someone?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No, but I’m not going to be a sitting lamb, either. I’ve always been taught to take care of myself, and just because I have the three of you doesn’t mean I’m going to stop. You three will not be with me all the time, Guryon. I need to be able to help, not hinder you. We will be partners in this, whatever this thing is that we have.”

  “You are our wife, mate and of course we will be partners, but that doesn’t mean we won’t protect you, even if you get riled up,” he said, starting the bike not giving her a chance to reply yet.

  By the time they got to the diner, the place was packed. Bikes were parked everywhere in the parking lot. “Wow, this place is never this busy. I’m glad. Cindy will make out like a bandit,” she said, getting off Guryon’s bike.

  “Are we even going to find a place to sit?” Colin asked, coming over and running a hand through his thick, multi-colored hair. “Damn, he’s hot,” she mumbled to herself, but of course he heard.

  “And you’re stunning, baby.” Colin grinned and placed a kiss on her cheek.


  “We have a standing reservation here every week. No one would dare be in our booth. Well, a few would dare, but it’s not pretty when that happens.” She ruffled her hair, getting rid of the helmet head as her father and Zena joined them. A few of her father’s and Guryon’s men followed. “Now, they might have trouble finding a spot to eat,” she said, moving toward the door, but Colin beat her there, stepping inside.

  “This place is massive,” Colin stated as she stepped in next to him, earning whistles.

  “See, this is what I’m talking about,” her father growled and pushed forward.

  “And if you would ignore them, nothing would happen, jeez.” Leta shook her head and met Cindy halfway into the restaurant.

  “I knew you were here, Leta. You never change, Well, let me amend that. Who are the hunks behind you?” Cindy asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

  Leta laughed and looked up as Guryon stepped up to her left side while Colin stood on her right. Drew was behind her. “Aw, it’s a long story, but more or less, these three are claiming me. This is Guryon, Colin is on my right, and behind me is Drew. I had to bring them here to try your famous burgers before we leave.”

  Cindy’s eyes filled with tears. “I heard all of you were leaving me. What am I going to do?” she asked, looking around. “It won’t be the same.”

  At the age of 40, Cindy was a beautiful woman who had many great years ahead of her. “You know you could come with us?” Leta said, looking up at Guryon. “With all the new arrivals, you’ think they’d have a place Cindy could set up a diner? How many are living in Harbor Woods now?”

  “From what my brother told me there are at least 200 warriors coming and going. Plus, others will be coming in. I can ask, if you’d like. I have Talhrn’s personal number now,” he said, frowning. “But you do know what we are. Is she going to be able to handle it?”

  Her father snorted behind them. “This woman can take on the biggest bikers. Believe me, she may be small, but like my daughter, she can handle herself.” Her father rubbed his backside, and Leta and Cindy laughed.