Free Southern Shifters: Impawsible (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Buchanan Clan Book 1) by Celia Kyle Page B

steaming coffee. Another glare. “I know it’s frou-frou coffee, but I didn’t know you were coming. Next time I’ll grab some of the cheap stuff from the grocery story.”
    He couldn’t stand “premium” blends. He wanted plain, regular coffee that the working man could afford, not something that was fifteen dollars for a tiny bag of ground beans.
    More huffing and he lowered his head, lapping at the hot liquid. He took a few sips, flicking the coffee into his mouth with his tongue, before leaning back and resting his chin on his paws.
    That was when he stared at her shoulder and glared at her wound. Dammit, she should have worn something other than a tank top. His narrowed yellow eyes met her gaze and he gave her “the look.” The one that said he wanted explanations. That there would be some talking about that now and not later.
    “It wasn’t like he had any time to talk to you, Daddy.” Her father was old school and even if the matings were destined, he still wanted to get to know the male before he got his fangs into his little girl. Daddy’s words, not hers. “Your visit was a surprise, plus there was the whole Jaxson issue.”
    She was downplaying the issue, but she was done talking about it.
    He rumbled. That wasn’t enough.
    “He already saved me once. He proved he could take care of me and took out the threat. You know he’s a good protector.” That earned her a feline snort. “He’d caught a nice plump deer. If I actually ate meat, he would have provided me with food, too.” She fought not to gag when she remembered the animal’s blood coating Carter’s snout.
    This huff told her she’d made her point. “And he’s strong. One bite, Daddy.” He responded with a grumble. Agreeing with that. “And he’s got a good job. Between the two of us, we’ll have more than enough to support ourselves and our kits.”
    He raised one eyebrow, attention flicking to her stomach and then her eyes. “No, I’m not saying I’m… I’m saying someday in the future we’ll raise kits and be financially stable and capable.” He curled his lip, probably thinking about her and Carter making the kits. “Daddy,” she sighed and rolled her eyes. “We’re growing up. It was bound to happen eventually.”
    The floor vibrated as Carter stomped down the hallway and his annoyance reached her before he actually came into view. And what a view. Bare chested and wearing nothing but a pair of loose boxers that sat low on his hips… She remembered tasting his abs, then the carved lines at those hips before finally getting her mouth on his cock.
    She couldn’t wait to do it all over again.
    But based on his deep frown and narrowed eyes, she didn’t think she’d get the chance anytime soon. Plus, there was her father.
    “What’re you doing—” His nostrils flared, her mate catching her father’s scent, and then he spun to face her dad. “Bethie, why do you have a lion in your kitchen?”
    “It’s Daddy.”
    Carter breathed deeply. “I know that, but I don’t understand why he’s here like that .”
    Her father rumbled a low, threatening growl. Carter of course returned it with one of his own. Bethany hissed at them both, her bunny lunging forward and pushing that small sound past her human lips.
    Both males—massive predators who could kill her with one nibble—flinched and shot her an apologetic look.
    “Oh, you did learn something from me, didn’t you?” Bethany sighed and prayed for patience as her mother, smiling widely, entered through the back door. She was followed by Katie and Hannah, both clinging to cups of Furbucks Coffee from town. Mom waved at Bethany and then made her way to Dad. “Good morning to you, too. We agreed we wouldn’t start trouble this morning.”
    Her dad grumbled and lowered his gaze, pouting as he focused on the bowl of coffee. The leader of the clan… pouting.
    Her sisters mumbled hellos and made their way to the kitchen table, both of them folding their arms,