United (The Ushers) Read Online Free Page B

Angelo. No wonder you’re rolling in it.” Kathy sprang at her Alpha in a mock attack, and they were running again. Monica followed Fionn’s scent out into the woods, feeling the echoes of his presence. He’d run hard and fast, like he was running from something.
    “From you, Monica.” Kathy confirmed. “ He was all shook up this morning. We could all feel it. Whatever you said to him knocked him for a loop.”
    Monica tossed her head back in a howl. Fionn was thrown for a loop because she’d forced him to recognize the call between them. It was as potent as anything she’d felt with Robert, her first mate. When Fionn Murphy returned to the compound, she’d lay in an all-out seduction, an assault on his senses. He may not feel ready to claim his mate, but she had every intention of claiming hers. The time for persuasion had passed; now was the time for possession. She would feed herself into his senses until he couldn’t resist her any longer.
    She heard Ellen approaching through the woods.
    “Ell. Do me a favor?”
    “Of course, Alpha.”
    “Change the locks on Fionn Murphy’s room and have his personal belongings brought to my apartment. He won’t be needing his own place anymore.”

Chapter Four
    N ESTLED I N T HE B LUE R IDGE M OUNTAINS , Asheville, North Carolina, was a small city, sparkling with art deco architecture and new-age spirituality. Annie and Fionn drove into town and found a hotel in the bustling downtown area. After checking in to separate rooms, they walked to a nearby restaurant. Asheville was the type of city where shifters wouldn’t attract attention. It seemed to be a refuge for hippies, hillbillies, and retired movie stars. Art galleries and restaurants lined the busy streets, which were filled with an odd mix of business people, street musicians, and giggling college students. Fionn smiled to himself as he looked at the city passing by outside the restaurant window.
    “What?” Annie asked. “You have that look on your face.”
    “I was just looking around, and you know—this place is like an endless parade of freaks. I feel right at home.” He grinned.
    She looked around at the restaurant’s other patrons and smiled back at Fionn. “Yeah, I almost feel like I’m in a required dress code.” She gestured to her flower-child clothing and Birkenstock-clad feet.
    “Annie, you always look perfect.” Fionn smiled at his companion. “And I mean that in a totally platonic, just friends kind of way.”
    “Thank the Goddess.” She laughed. “I’m so glad we’ve moved on, Fionn. It’s so nice to sit and chat with you without that night between us.”
    “Well, you were right about one thing five months ago…you said that when I met my mate, my infatuation with you would fade. I can’t get Monica out of my head.” He thought of that kiss. He’d been so angry with Monica for pushing him to it, but once her lips had softened under his, he’d been lost. The mating hunger rode him hard. He could still feel her hands fisting in the front of his shirt, the sting where her finger caught his nipple ring, the softness of her hair as he sank his fingers into it. He felt the way her teeth had sharpened and she had smiled under his lips. He’d felt a crushing urge to pull her head back by the hair and mark her right there in her office. Just remembering made him hard and hungry. And then Angelo’s confession in the woods, that Monica cried out Fionn’s name when making love?
    His hand formed a fist on the table.
    “Fionn. Don’t do this to yourself.” Annie patted his hand. “You know I can tell what you’re feeling. This self-loathing, it’s ridiculous. You should feel exalted when you think of your mate.”
    “How do I make myself worthy of her?” He met Annie’s soulful eyes.
    Her expression serious, she studied his face. “You’re already worthy of her, Fionn. What you feel now is regret and shame. You feel badly because you rejected her in your first meeting.