Free Love at First Roar (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Werebear Romance) (Grayslake Book 4) by Celia Kyle Page A

bitchy female.
    Ebenezer kept up his rolling growl, the threat more than evident in the animal’s stance and each step he took toward the she-bitch.
    “Itan!” Vanessa released a warbling scream. “Help!”
    He suppressed his snort. Barely. Vanessa was pulling Ty in as the official leader of their clan, not as Isaac’s brother. Over what? A dog scaring the shit outta her? Seriously?
    Isaac sensed his brother’s approach, Ty’s dominance pushing forward like a bulldozer pounding down everything in his path. Kira leaned into him with a low whimper and the sound had Ebenezer snarling once again, the growl louder than before.
    “Kira. Call off Ebenezer, for now. I’ll take care of it.” He turned his head and pressed a kiss to her crown. “I’ll keep you safe.”
    “Ebie, come to me.” Kira’s whisper was low, but it had an immediate effect on the dog. His growling threats immediately ceased, and the animal slowly backed toward them, moving until the furry ass brushed Kira’s leg.
    Vanessa snorted. “Take care of it? Your brother is gonna kick—”
    Isaac leveled a black gaze on the woman and allowed it to transform into an evil smile, one that made his scars stark white against his tanned skin. “The Itan is going to make a judgment on one of his bears. A bear who attempted to attack an invited guest.”
    He noted his father’s strength and mother’s calm easing close as well. He knew Ty would kick Vanessa out of the gathering, but it was his mother’s opinion that would put the nail in the bitch’s coffin. He reached behind him and eased Kira to his side, Ebenezer shifting his position to match her movement.
    “Who invited her? You?” Another snort from Vanessa. “Who are you ? You might have been somebody, but you’re nothing now.”
    Thankfully, Mom burst onto the scene a bare moment before Ty and Dad, and she was sharp as a tack. In one glance and hearing those few words, his mother became the protective Momma Bear he’d grown up with. At six, it’d been stifling, at sixteen it was embarrassing, over thirty it was welcome.
    “ I invited her, you two-bit-hussy of a bear. You are looking at my newest daughter-in-law, and so help me, I will have George put you over his knee if you even think about being nasty to her. Your momma raised you better.” Mom advanced on the woman and Isaac almost felt bad for her. Almost. “Just wait until I tell her how you’re acting. You. Just. Wait. Now, get out of here.” Mom waved her hands in a shooing motion. “ Get .”
    “Mom.” Ty’s long-suffering sigh overrode their father’s grunt.
    “Don’t you ‘Mom’ me. Vanessa is leaving. I heard enough to know she went after Kira, our guest. Look at that poor pup. He’s still got his fur on end.” His mother bent down to Ebenezer. “You’re a good dog, aren’t you? Trying to protect Kira.” Mom straightened. “Your father and I invited her and I will not have a guest treated that way. I’m sure as heck not having my daughter-in-law treated that way.” Mom bustled forward, arms outstretched for Kira, and Isaac made sure his grip remained firm. His intention to keep her at his side was reaffirmed by her threading his fingers with hers and squeezing tight. Good, he didn’t want to let her go.
    Isaac met Ty’s gaze over her head, his brother’s eyebrow raised in question and Isaac shrugged. His mother had invited them, and well, he wouldn’t be upset to have Kira at his side for the rest of his life.
    In fact, his bear thought that was a very, very good idea.
    Now he just had to figure out if Kira agreed. And if she didn’t, how hard would he have to work to change her mind?
    *
    The whole barbeque-meeting-family thing had been a very, very bad idea. Huge. Because if she wasn’t pissing off other bears— good going Kira —she was embarrassing herself in front of Isaac’s family. Who, apparently, were her new in-laws-to-be. Which… she wasn’t sure if she was excited, scared, or about to