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  Killian’s eyes flashed in furious warning. “I said, stay back!” As she turned to him, she heard a crackle of angry energy and he shifted into his even-angrier jaguar. As his own awe-inspiring rosettes appeared, she took a step back, amazed by the ripple of feline muscle. But as Killian stalked in front of her in a defensive stance, she moved around him, determined he wouldn’t put himself on the line for her. He noticed her movements, turned his great head and uttered a low growl of warning.

  Clearly, her man didn’t want her to get involved.

  Well, her man would have to get used to the fact she didn’t take kindly to orders, uttered or growled. She glared back.

  Of course, there was the matter of the two shifters on the other side of the room. The bear turned from her still-unconscious father and regarded her, its mouth dripping saliva. The other jaguar hopped off her mom and the bed with terrible grace and padded toward them. Nina’s mom paused just a second and then hurried over to her husband in a quest to revive him. The shifters paced before her and Killian, snarling.

  They were all so big. She’d seen huge dogs where she worked, but none of them had anything on shifters, not even Mr. Peter’s St. Bernard. These men, while in their animal forms, positively hulked over them all.

  “Nina,” her mom hissed. “It’s like Wild Kingdom in here. Was there some kind of incident at the zoo?”

  “Um, no, Mom. Not quite.”

  She wiped her husband’s brow. “There was a knock at the door. Next thing I know, that bear attacked your father and the leopard jumped on me!”

  “It’s a jaguar.”

  “Really? It looks like a leopard to me.”

  Stifling a groan, Nina looked at Killian. The three shifters circled, eyes burning with hatred. For a second, Killian allowed his gaze to stray toward her. In that moment, the others pounced.

  Nina screamed as the bear and jaguar tackled her new boyfriend. For a moment, she wasn’t sure which jaguar was which. They all rolled, swiping and biting at each other, and all she saw was bits of orange and brown fur, huge teeth and claws. They rolled toward her mother’s dresser. The impact sent all her mom’s prized Royal Doulton figurines careening to the hardwood floor, shattering beyond repair. Down went Joanne, down went Gabriella, their porcelain ball gowns smashing into powder. Oh, God. Catherine followed. Mom would be pissed. She was pretty sure Catherine was discontinued.

  Her mom looked up and shrieked. “We need to call the Humane Society, now.”

  “I don’t think this is a job for the Humane Society, Mom.” The shifters roared past her, banging into the bed, and she sucked in a breath. “Killian, be careful!”

  Her man let loose a fierce growl that shook the modest home.

  “Did that leopard just growl at you, Nina Marie Suzuki? And did you give it a name?”

  She didn’t answer her mother, unable to tear her gaze from the carnage in front of her. The bear was covered in blood, but with whose blood, she couldn’t tell. The other jaguar suffered from a massive bite in his shoulder, but his fury seemed to make up for any loss of vital fluids on his part. And Killian? Well, she couldn’t tell if he had any wounds, he moved so quickly.

  With frightening swiftness, the bear detached himself somehow from the virulent huddle and pounced toward her. As she huddled in the corner, it opened its great mouth and she saw into its throat.

  “Oh, Lord,” she whispered.

  The feline roar that erupted from her mate carried a crazed edge. As the bear lifted its paw, intending to claw her head off, Killian struck, knocking the other animal to the ground. He landed on the bear, sunk his teeth into its skull and tore through brains and bone.

  Nina promptly turned to the side and threw up on the remains of the Catherine figurine.

  Even as she wretched, unable to control her body’s wild spasms, Killian fought on. Spitting out the bear’s remains, he raged toward the other jaguar. They both growled and launched their massive bodies at each other with a dreadful slam.

  There was a flash of light and color and she saw Killian’s face in the mess of fur and muscle. “Who sent you?”

  Another face appeared in the melee in a weird half-shift. That of Angus.

  He growled at his adversary. “Think of me as a mating gift from your parents, Killian. I know I wasn’t on the bridal registry, but oh well.” He shifted fully into his jaguar and slashed at Killian.

  Damn that Angus. She wished she’d never accepted that flute of champagne.

  Nina tried to follow their movements but the jaguar men moved like lightning. Ashamed she couldn’t help, she averted her eyes, but couldn’t look away for long. If she were like Killian, she could help him. But in this miserable, weak form, she was good for nothing.

  He needed to mark her, like yesterday. No more waiting. That is, if they made it out of this mess.

  At one point, she swore the other shifter pinned Killian, its fangs bared and ready to deliver the death blow. However, Killian quickly rallied, growling and snapping all the way.

  “Dear God,” she prayed on a breath. “Please. Please help him until I can.”

  She heard a groan to her right and looked. Her father was beginning to revive. He opened his eyes and looked at her mom in confusion. “Sharon?”

  “I’m here, Bill, sweetheart. I’m here.”

  He nodded over at the shifters, his eyes glazed. “Did we get cats? They’re big suckers.”

  “Not quite, honey. You just rest.”

  Another fearsome roar issued, and Nina recognized it as the agonized shout of her mate. Her eyes darted about, trying to focus on his moving body parts.

  He was hurt. His shoulder was torn open and the other jag’s mouth dripped blood.

  “No!”

  Perhaps he found strength in her cry, perhaps it gave him the power to fight harder. Whatever magic passed in the moment, Killian shouted to the heavens and seemed to grow bigger and wider. He opened his great mouth, snarled, and attacked the other shifter. With devastating finesse, he pierced a second brain and spat out the bits in disgust. Angus fell to the ground, lifeless.

  Killian then shifted and fell back against the bed. Nina cried out upon seeing him. His beautiful face dripped blood, he had scratches everywhere, and the horrible wound on his shoulder made her body heave with fresh spasms.

  She ran to him and embraced his shaking frame. As she held him, he nodded toward the other shifters, who had now shifted back into human form. She shook her head at the sight of Angus and her heart sank even further when she recognized the bear as another worker from the resort.

  She fought the urge to run over and kick their traitorous bodies.

  Killian cupped her face. “The resort’s not safe. We have to warn everyone. And I think it would be best if your parents joined us.”

  “But you’re hurt. Your shoulder…”

  “Will heal. I’ll be okay, Nina.”

  Her mom and dad joined them by the bed. Her mom eyed Killian’s nude body and her eyes widened. “Sweetheart,” she said, her voice trembling. “Is there something we should know?”

  Chapter 10

  KILLIAN didn't think he'd ever endured such a long night.

  It had nothing to do with the fact he'd hurriedly met his de facto in-laws Sharon and Bill Suzuki. Actually, considering the harrowing circumstances under which they met, the Suzukis had been rather welcoming. Even after he and Nina ushered them to Gemini Island, quickly relating the world of shifters and its many wonders. And then, after he'd taken a few moments to ensure Bill his intentions were honorable, asking for his blessing, they'd welcomed him to the family. Despite everything, meeting the folks couldn't have gone better.

  It hadn't been a long night because of the actual attack, even though Killian was man enough to admit Angus and his buddy had almost bested him a couple of times. He'd always known Angus was a bit of a sleaze, but hadn't dreamed the man had been caught up with the Brethren. Despite how much it irked him to kno
w his enemy had been under his nose, he knew he'd get over that particular piece of treachery.

  No, the night had proved interminable because all he wanted to do was hold his mate and sink his teeth into her pretty flesh, marking her forever. He hadn’t been able to do so right away, not with the information about Angus on his mind.

  One of their own.

  Ryland hadn’t taken it well. He’d hired every last person on the island, had always prided himself on having a good instinct for people. However, their bear shifter leader had rallied, as he always did, and the security force was already making adjustments to its plans.

  For Killian, the most upsetting part of the whole night was the fact Nina had been helpless. If those shifters had taken him down, what would have happened to her? He couldn't bear the thought. In marking her, in mating with her fully, he'd be offering her so much more than his protection. He'd be offering her a new strength of her own, a way to defend herself in the worst of situations. He'd be offering her his love in its most potent form.

  His love.

  Shocked at emotions which seemed foreign as well as familiar, he gazed at Nina as she said goodnight to her parents at the lodge. Ryland had offered the Suzukis a comfortable suite, realizing they might need some private time to absorb all they'd seen.

  Love.

  He didn't think he'd ever felt it before. Not when he'd had a crush on his first high school sweetheart, a fellow shifter. Not with the good number of women since. Yes, they'd titillated and teased him, infuriated and inspired him, but not one had made him so desperate to ensure her survival. When he'd sensed the two shifters in her parents' bedroom, Killian had seen white-hot rage. To think anyone would try to harm Nina or her family was enough to make him kill. He killed to keep her safe, would do it as many times as it took to ease his mind.

  He supposed that meant he loved Nina. Surely one wasn't driven to slaughtering his own kind over a mere infatuation.

  And now he needed to mark the woman he loved or he'd never experience a moment of peace.

  Once Sharon and Bill were out the lodge door, accompanied by security, Nina flew to him. He welcomed her with an embrace and she wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling his neck. As if by magic, or guided by an unseen hand, their heads tilted to the perfect angle and he sought her lips. His jaguar panted, and for the first time, Killian fancied he could envision Nina's yet-to-be-discovered jaguar. He could see her spirit animal now, lithe and sleek, with mysterious eyes full of power and desire. Her tongue peeked from between her lips and he sucked it, needing her essence inside him. He held her close against his erection, needing her to know how she stimulated him, how she ruled his heart and body.

  "Nina," he whispered against her lips.

  "Take me home, Killian." She licked at his bottom lip. "Mark me."

  They stole through the darkness, winding their way quickly on the pathway leading to his cabin. Killian rummaged in his pocket for his key and stuck it in the lock while Nina hugged him from behind, pulling his shirt from his waist, sneaking her hands under the garment. He pounded on the door when it stuck and it swung open. Dragging her in behind him, he closed and locked the door behind them.

  He didn't want them disturbed for a good, long time. Maybe forever.

  When he turned to look at her, she was already dragging her shirt over her head. He slid in behind her, unclasping her bra with a speed that ought to be recorded by the Guinness people. Palming her luscious breasts, he kissed her shoulder, letting her feel the scrape of his predator teeth. Tormenting her nipples, he plucked and twisted, all the while getting her used to his animal attentions by nipping her skin wherever he could access it.

  Where to mark her? The choices made his head spin.

  “Killian,” she said, her voice a tantalizing whisper. “You feel so good.” As he caressed her breasts, she put her hands over his. She smoothed them over his skin, causing his hair to stand on end in delight, massaging his forearms.

  “You have the most incredible breasts I’ve ever seen. So full and soft. I can’t believe I get to touch these for the rest of my life.”

  She turned in his arms to face him, giving him a playful scowl. “Just how many pairs have you seen exactly?”

  “A few, but they all pale in comparison.”

  “Yeah, well, this is the only pair you get to see from now on.” Even though she teased, her tone cracked with the slightest bit of insecurity.

  He wouldn’t allow his mate to feel even a hint of insecurity as far as his devotions. He’d spend eternity making sure she knew how much he wanted her. He cupped her cheek. “Nina, you’re it for me. Now that you’re in my life, other women are shadows. I don’t notice them in the background.”

  Her sly grin made his chest swell. “Good answer.”

  “But I won’t lie to you. I like seeing that possessive gleam in your eye.” He undid his belt buckle and unzipped his jeans.

  “Don’t worry. Turn around is fair play. I haven’t looked at any other men since meeting you, not even all the ones running around buck naked on this island.”

  “Very good answer.” He pushed down his jeans and stroked his cock, so hard it appeared to be reaching for her. “Because this is the only cock you will ever taste again. On your knees, sweet thing.”

  She licked her lips and did as he instructed, kissing his exposed abdomen. As she eyed his package, she writhed in her spot, her lips parted with apparent hunger. He watched, his heart pounding out a greedy beat, as she leaned in and swirled her warm tongue around his head.

  “Goddamn,” he ground out, digging his hand into her hair.

  She looked up, mouth open, eyes wide. Then, slowly, as if testing her powers over him, she licked him again. As she dragged her tongue up his shaft he throbbed for her. By the time she made the torturous journey to his tip, he was ready to pound her to ribbons. It seemed impossible this woman could reduce him to a pulsating blob of lust with a few touches, but she achieved it.

  She stared at his cock and gulped. “Jesus, Killian. You’re still growing.”

  “See what you do to me?” He tightened his hold on her hair, giving it a little tug. “Take me right to the back of your throat. Eat me up, sweet thing, before I devour you.”

  She closed her eyes and hummed as she swallowed him, and he knew she savored his taste. As she sucked, her pretty moans fell on his ear and his balls tightened in anticipation. She squirmed some more and he knew she ached for him, ached to feel his fingers and tongue and his hardness inside her. To see her, on her knees and topless, giving him the best blow job of his life, his legs quivered with gratitude and devotion.

  He would do anything for this woman.

  His head spun as he neared his climax, but he didn’t want to come this way. He wanted to come inside her, just as he marked his mate. Loosening his hold, Killian urged her to her feet.

  “But I wanted to…”

  “I want you naked. Now.” He reached for her jeans, fumbling with the snaps, he was in such a hurry to see all her succulent flesh.

  Nina laughed as she finished the job, sliding out of her pants and underwear. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  He looked down and realized his jeans were still around his ankles and he still wore his shirt. Cursing and laughing at once, he stepped out of the rest of his clothes. As soon as they were completely naked, their bodies came together in a crushing embrace. He kissed her everywhere. Along her shoulders, nibbling her ear, and he held her hands out, kissing his way to her fingertips. Only as he made his way back to her face, did he notice her wrinkled brow.

  She stared at his shoulder, where Angus had wounded him. Healed for the most part, it still bore some black bruising and those goddamn teeth marks. He knew they’d fade, too, but Nina might still be coming to grips with his injuries.

  “The marks will be gone by morning, I promise.”

  Her eyes watered. “I wish he was alive so I could kill him all over again for
you.”

  “Oh, Nina.” He gathered her close, turning her head away from his wound. “I don’t ever want to put you in a position to defend me.”

  “I would. I’d do…anything for you.”

  A happy, delicious heat burst into each of his extremities. This was the moment. Poignant. Erotic. Perfect. “And I’d do anything for you, my mate.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat, as his jaguar nuzzled against her. “Nina, I love you.”

  She gazed at him, her eyes dry now, but wide with wonder. Her lips parted but no sound emerged.

  “I know it’s fucking nuts. It’s insane to talk love so early, but in my world…”

  “Killian.” She put both her hands on his face. “I love you, too. Now would you please mark me?”

  “Damn, woman. You know I can’t say no to you.” As he sought her mouth, he nudged her toward the bed and eased her onto it. Her legs parted in welcome. He settled there with a groan, loving the wetness at her seam. His jaguar loved it, too. The animal had been doing a dance of impatience inside his core all night, pacing and sniffing at her feminine scent. She wrapped her shapely legs around him and the jaguar, so famished and lonely, almost manifested in a flurry of teeth and fur. Blinking hard, Killian fought against the beast, telling it to wait.

  It would have its lady jaguar soon enough.

  Hurry, the great cat implored. I would have claimed her on day one.

  Yeah, that’s what makes me part human, you beast. Now give me a minute and let me enjoy this. Our woman just told me she loves me. Let me savor it.

  Nina, on the other hand, didn’t seem in a mood to linger over foreplay. She thrust her hips toward him and pulled him tight against her breast. Her sweet groans grew in volume, tinged with obvious impatience. One of her hands snaked into his hair and she tugged his head toward her neck.

  The little minx. She wanted him to bite her.

  He couldn’t help chuckling in pride and excitement. “Baby. I’m a shifter, not a vampire.”