Free Mandy's Story by D'Elen McClain Page B

of the bet and until you
do, you’re not going anywhere.”
    At the same time, Honey’s eyes hardened
as he glared at Patreous. “What did you call me?”
    The bear’s head dropped further. “Umm…
I… I’m sorry, sir.”
    Honey turned hard eyes to his mate, but
Mandy smiled without remorse. “He introduced himself as Patreous,
Son of Tyboll the Terrible, so I gave you a title, too.” Without
missing a beat, she continued, “I beat him back to the cabin, so he
gets a haircut.” She turned and gave Patreous a “don’t mess with
me” look.
    The bear’s head continued to hang
low.
    “ Shift, Patreous, and take
your punishment like a man.” Honey didn’t sound happy.
    Mandy’s eyes snapped to her mate’s, but
he ignored her. When the young boy stood before him, Honey turned
without another word and entered the cabin. Mandy looked at
Patreous and noticed tears welling in his eyes. Here she was,
having fun, and now a young child was upset. “Come on. Your haircut
won’t be that bad and you’ll still be stinky after it’s done. I’ll
make cookies tomorrow, and if you run with me I’ll let you have
some.”
    Patreous didn’t say anything, just
shuffled inside behind her.

Chapter Sixteen
     
     
    Patreous sat still as Mandy cut his
hair and Honey looked on. Crossing his arms, Honey let his mate
know his displeasure through eye-speak with every minute that
ticked by. She started humming and refused to acknowledge the
trouble she caused.
    Mandy whipped the towel off the bear’s
shoulders. “You look much more handsome, but a good bath would help
with the smell,” she teased.
    “ No, ma’am, I’ve paid my
wager.” He wouldn’t look at either Mandy or Honey.
    Honey spoke quietly, “Go home and
report this to your father.”
    “ Yes, sir.”
    It took all of thirty seconds after
Patreous left the cabin for Mandy to explode. “What was that all
about? Report what to his father?”
    Honey approached until he stood
directly over his mate. “There will be consequences for him losing
your bet. He knew that when he agreed and now he must pay the real
price for losing.”
    She shook her head in frustration and
then glared at him. “What kind of consequences?”
    “ His father will probably
beat him.” Honey let her know his displeasure by giving a slight
rumble to the words.
    “ You’re joking.” A silly
smile curved her lips.
    “ Bears do not lose. When
we do, it could mean our life. Patreous knows the
rules.”
    Her smile turned into a frown and
horror replaced her grin. “You’re not joking, are you?”
    Honey’s steely eyes glared into hers.
“No.”
    “ Well, of all the…” The
words were mumbled under her breath as she turned to the
door.
    Honey reached out and grabbed her
shoulder in a solid grip. “You’ve done enough. We need to discuss
your actions.”
    ***
    He watched as Mandy looked at his hand,
and then her eyes ran up his arm past his bulging muscles until she
made eye contact. “Take. Your. Hand. Off. My. Shoulder.” She grit
out each word.
    He tightened his hold.
    He wasn’t sure what happened, but her
movements flowed seamlessly as she stepped in, dipped her shoulder
while grabbing Honey’s pinky finger, twisted it, and then tossed
him over her body. His finger dislocated, but that wasn’t why Honey
let out a roar of rage. She made her leap as he landed on the
hardwood floor. She shifted to wolf and took off through the front
door.
    He ignored his throbbing finger,
shucked his clothing, and shifted to beast form. Tyboll would kill
her. The man was barely sane as it was. Honey knew Mandy could run
unbelievably fast, so he notified Dmitri of the circumstances. His
damn mate would be the death of Honey and he knew it. At least his
father, though crazy, kept himself on a tightly controlled leash.
Tyboll did not, and if he harmed Mandy, Honey would kill
him.
    Honey stretched his large muscles and
put on a burst of speed. Dmitri’s exasperated voice sounded in his
head.