Free Claiming Shayla by Zena Wynn Page B

giving me orders?” she questioned, hands on her hips. “Do I look like a dog? Oh wait! That’s you .” She snapped her fingers. “Here, boy. Here, boy. That’s a good boy.”
    Rory growled, and she swore she saw a hint of fang.
    “Thanks, Shayla Nei, but I don’t need you deflecting attention away from me. I’m more than capable of protecting myself from these pups,” Conor stated.
    Shay jumped. Damn, Conor read her like an open book. Actually she really was curious, but she had better manners than to ask someone their age. Her real purpose had been to protect him. She hadn’t liked either the growing crowd or the way the male shifters in the room glared at Conor when they’d realized what their idol was.
    When she looked in Conor’s direction, he bared his teeth at her. Shay stared in horrified fascination as they began to change. There were fangs, but nothing like she’d ever seen. These chops would have done a saber-toothed tiger proud. She felt movement and noticed quite a few of the people backing away.
    “ What the hell is he ?” someone asked.
    Nikolai took up position in front of Conor. “He’s one of the ancients, a rare breed. Breeds like him are the reason for the vamp-shifter wars of old.”
    Conor did something else, something that caused the noses of those gathered to twitch.
    “He smells like a shifter,” someone muttered.
    “How can that be? He’s a vamp!” someone else said.
    Rory pushed Shay behind him. She tried to shove him out of the way, but he held her in place. Pinching him on his side, she scolded, “Quit that. Conor’s a friend.”
    “I don’t know what the hell he is, but until I do, you’re staying where it’s safe.”
    Shay sighed. “Again with the commands.”
    “Why don’t we all sit down while Nikolai—or Conor—explains,” Alex suggested. The ones Shay identified as pack immediately complied.
    Rory led Shay to the table, giving Conor a wide berth. Shay looked over her shoulder and winked at Conor. When she noticed Nikolai watching, she crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. Nikolai was so dignified and formal in his old-world way, Shay couldn’t help but try to loosen him up. Shannon burst into laughter when she saw.
    “What are you doing?” Rory asked.
    “Nothing,” Shay responded innocently. “You know since he and Nik are family, that means Conor’s related to you as well, don’t you?”
    “Shay…not another word.”
    “I’m just saying…”
    “Shay!”
    She hummed the theme to The Addams Family under her breath, smiling wickedly when Rory’s chest rumbled with a low growl. He pulled out a chair, sat, and tumbled her into his lap, snarling when she tried to scoot into the empty seat next to him. Figuring she’d done enough for the moment, she subsided. Besides, he smelled really good. Shay turned her nose into his neck and inhaled, then licked the skin for good measure. Rory was instantly hard beneath her hip.
    “Shayla, behave, please .” Rory sighed. “I’d like to hear this.”
    She muttered under her breath but settled down. Now that her belly was full and bladder empty, another need was making itself known. She felt her sex clench. This Conor thing better not take too long.
    When only Conor remained standing, he asked Alex, “What is it you would like to know?”
    “How is it that you’re able to identify potential true mates?” Alex asked.
    “And why do you smell like a wolf-shifter when you’re a vamp?” Rory added.
    “He was talking to Alex, not you,” Shay couldn’t resist pointing out.
    The man shushed her. Shay would have commented, but Kiesha was glaring at her. Okay, so this whole thing might be a little important. She could tangle with Rory later. Shay wrapped an arm around his neck and leaned against him, squirming as she tried to get comfortable. Sitting on Rory was like sitting on concrete. There was no give, no softness in his body. He shifted until she was held securely in his arms with her back