Beast Behaving Badly
Page 47

He shot out the door, and Blayne went after him. She was way faster than him and slammed into him before he got ten feet from the kitchen. The problem wasnt catching him, it was taking him down. She wrapped her arms around his head and her legs around his chest.
Stay away from him! she screeched. Its not what you think!
Like hell its not! Im gonna rip that fuckers lungs out! No one takes advantage of my Blaynie!
Blayne knew Mitch was serious. Knew he planned to go over to the sports center and confront a man who could crush him with his pinky.
So Blayne did what she had to do. What she always had to do when it came to fighting Mitch ONeill Shaw.
No, Blayne! No! Not the hair! Good God, woman! Not the hair!
Spending most of his time in a house filled with wild dogs had taught Smitty a few things: Dogs never shut up; there was not enough chocolate in the world to satisfy them; why speak quietly when you can yell your conversation; they all howledbadlywhen any fire trucks went by; and anytime of the day or night, if there was weirdness to be found, the dogs would find it right in their own kitchen.
This time, however, he found it in the hallway outside the kitchen. And although the wild dogs werent at the heart of it, like usual, he wasnt surprised to see who was.
In retrospect, he said to his baby sister, her pretty little face buried in her hands as she stood next to him, do you think you should have rethought picking yourself an actual wolf to be your mate?
She didnt answer, but Sissy Mae didnt have to. Then again, where would Smitty find his fun if not for the big-haired lion male desperately trying to pry a crazed wolfdog off his back? It still amazed him how the Smiths had such a bad reputation when, in fact, they were probably the sanest among the packs, prides, and clans. Then again, when they went outside their own to mate, this is what happened.
He got a sobbing female who, while pregnant, couldnt have any sharp objects within five feet of her, and his sister got a lion who couldnt bat off the unwanted attention of an incredibly sweet wolfdog.
Get her off me! Mitch yelled. Get her off me!
Since no one else was doing anything and Smitty knew hed eventually need to learn to handle these kind of wolfdog issues on his own for when his baby wolfdog was born, he walked up to the tusslin pair and grabbed Blayne Thorpe around the waist, holding her nice and tight.
A month back, Smitty had gone with Jessie Ann to a birthday party thrown for Blayne. Hed been thinking hed rather set himself on fire, but it turned out to be a really nice affair at a Van Holtz restaurant. At the party hed met Blaynes daddy, Ezra Thorpe. Also a former Navy man, they got to talkin, and Smitty had immediately likedthe older wolf. And Petty Officer Thorpe was nothing but helpful once he realized that not only was Smittys mate a wild dog but that she was about to have their first child. A daughter. Smitty had learned a lot from the man in a few hours. And the most important thing hed learned was that No matter what anyone says, wolfdogs dont suddenly go postal and attack for no reason. The reason may not seem logical, hed added, but theyve got a reason. As long as you know that much, you can control the situation before law enforcement has to get involved.
Keeping that firmly in mind, Smitty said, What did you do to her, Shaw?
As soon as Smitty asked that, Blayne released the death grip she had on Mitchs hair.
The lion, now free, spun around and said, Me? I didnt do anything!
You all right, Blayne?
I am not having sex with Bo Novikov!
Not the answer Smitty had been expecting, but . . . all right then.
I see. Smitty placed her on the floor. And youre telling me that because . . .
Because hes about to do something really stupid! Not exactly new for Mitch Shaw.
Massaging his damaged scalp, Mitch moved away from Blayne and hid behind Sissy like a two-year-old. I was only going over there to talk to him. I was bringing Sissy for protection.
Sissys eyes crossed, and Blayne said, I know you, Mitchell Shaw. First you tell Sissy. Then Ronnie and Brenthen your mother.
We only want to protect you.
I dont need protection from Bo Novikov. You guys just misunderstand him. Hes really sweet!
Oh, Lord.
See? Mitch crowed. Do you see?
Shut up, Mitch! Hes been great. Helping me with derby, making sure I eathe even cleaned my apartment.
Smitty immediately locked gazes with his sister. Theyd always been close and understood what the other was thinking without actually having to say the words.
Um . . . Sissy began. Why now did he clean your apartment?
It might have been a little messy . . . and I was passed out on the couch.
Suddenly getting worried, Smitty asked, What do you mean you were passed out on the couch?
It was after the badger attack
Sissy raised her hand, cutting Blayne off. Badger attack?
Theyre trying to destroy me.
Sissys entire body jerked. Badgers?
Dont judge me! Blayne yelled seconds before she burst into tears and ran back into the kitchen, the wild dogs following after her.