Free When a Beta Roars by Eve Langlais Page B

She’ll stay here with me where she’s safe.” Hayder crossed his arms over his impressive chest, looking much too determined—and sexy.
    A certain brother wasn’t impressed. “As safe as she was last night?”
    Hayder rolled his eyes. “Oh please. What part of ‘we had the situation under control’ can you not grasp? Leo, tell the wolf that Arabella was never in any danger.”
    “I don’t lie to my friends,” Leo said as he re-handed Arabella her coffee. She took a sip of the hot brew and sighed as she listened to the arguing. When Leo patted the stool beside him, she hopped on.
    For such a big man, he offered a strangely calming effect. On her at least.  Hayder and Jeoff, on the other hand, just couldn’t stem their tirade.
    “I was wrong to stick her here. So you can forget I asked.”
    “Too late. She’s part of the pride now.”
    “She’s a wolf, or have you forgotten? She belongs with her own kind.” Jeoff crooked his finger at her and inclined his head to the door. Arabella didn’t move, more because Hayder’s next words froze her.
    “She belongs with me. Arabella is my mate.”

Chapter Eleven
    As conversation stoppers went, it was a good one. The words, ‘my mate’, hung in the air, and it took a moment for Jeoff and Arabella to explode.
    “Hell no!” the wolf yelled.
    “No I’m not,” Arabella added.
    “I think I arrived just in time,” Leo announced a second before he grabbed a swinging Jeoff. Leo plopped Arabella’s brother onto the couch. “Stay or I’ll sit on you.”
    A wise man—some of the time—Jeoff didn’t budge.
    “You were told,” Hayder taunted.
    “Don’t make me duct tape your mouth again.” Count on Leo to take the wind out of Hayder’s sail.
    Few people argued with the massive man. Nor did anyone ever tell him to leave, even if Hayder really wished both Leo and Jeoff would go so he could resume the interesting moment he’d shared with Arabella just before all hell broke loose.
    Alas, judging by Arabella’s guarded expression, that sensual moment was gone. He’d have to find another way to recapture it.
    But first he needed to convince Jeoff to let her stay, as well as get Leo to depart—without enforcing an omega-calming moment—and have Arabella lose the rounded shoulders as they fought over her.
    Poor baby. How overwhelming this must be for her. How upsetting. And partially his fault.
    Shit.
    Ignoring the others, Hayder dropped to his knees in front of her. “I’m sorry, baby. Don’t get upset. I promise to behave. After all, it’s normal your brother would want to protect you, and I shouldn’t have beaten the hell out of him for it.”
    “I think it was the other way around, cat,” Jeoff muttered.
    “Shhh!” Leo said in a loud whisper. “He’s apologizing. Don’t ruin it.”
    Arabella’s gaze briefly met Hayder’s. “It’s okay.”
    “No, it’s obviously not. I can see you’re disturbed. You know I didn’t mean for that to happen. I never meant to upset you.”
    “I’m not upset about the fight.” Her lips twitched into a small smile. “Boys will be boys, my mom used to say. I’m just sorry to cause all this trouble. Jeoff’s right. I shouldn’t be here.”
    “Ha. Told you so.” Jeoff crowed in triumph.
    “And I shouldn’t be with his pack either. With this danger hanging over me, I should flee the country and keep my problems away from all of you.”
    Leave? He meant to say no, but his lion spoke first. More like rawr-ed.
    And in reply? She sneezed. A few times as a matter of fact.
    “What’s wrong with you?” Jeoff asked his sister.
    “Stupid allergies,” she grumbled.
    Jeoff snickered. “You still suffering from those? That’s hilarious. And yet the cat thinks you’re true mates?”
    “She’s mine, and a little sneeze and spit won’t change that.”
    “Is he completely insane?” Jeoff muttered.
    “Utterly, but the doctors say he’s not a danger to himself or the pride. But I wouldn’t push him. And