Free Roaring for Him (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Wicked in Wilder Book 1) by Celia Kyle

remained in her feline form. “I’ll take that as a no then,” he murmured. “There’s no road here. Can you make it to the SUV? Or do you want me to carry you?” Another whimper, but she rose to her feet, backing away while she shook her head. “Okay. I won’t carry you. We’ll take the walk at your pace. I’m gonna stay human in case you need me.”
    He just hoped a natural human didn’t come upon them. It’d look real nice through their eyes—a full grown, injured lioness with a naked, blood-covered human at her side.
    His decision seemed okay with Tilly. She slowly turned toward the other side of the creek, her steps careful as she covered the expanse. He was thankful it was shallow at this bend and the water didn’t reach beyond her legs. When they reached the opposite bank and she didn’t bother shaking the water from her coat, he knew she was in a lot of pain. That knowledge had him aching to hunt Seth and finish the job he’d started. But Tilly needed him, which meant he’d have to wait.
    But he couldn’t remain at her side for long. His responsibilities as alpha required he address his pack and tell them about Tilly. Tell them to stay the fuck away from her and get the fuck over the fact that his mate was a lioness. Because if shit like today happened again… he’d kill them.
    Mitchell wasn’t sure how much time passed, how many minutes or hours it took to travel from the stream, but the parking area finally came into sight. The parking area that held more than just his SUV. Kade’s vehicle was situated nearby, the beta leaning against the front bumper while Marcia and Tilly’s sister Phoebe paced. The direction of the breeze altered, sending their scent toward the trio, and as one they focused on her.
    While Kade hung back, the two younger females rushed forward. Their anger palpable, a near physical thing that whipped at him as they approached. Marcia kept her gaze low, attention solely on Tilly while Phoebe’s alternated between worry directed at her sister and pure rage at him.
    He hated himself enough. He didn’t need hers as well.
    “Tilly!” The girls shouted at the same time and he suddenly found himself pushed back as the two teens took over, both leading his mate toward Kade’s vehicle.
    “Where the hell do you think you’re taking her?” he growled.
    While Marcia acted as a wolf should, Phoebe growled—growled!—at him and bared her bear’s fangs. “I’m taking her home.”
    “I’m—”
    “Alpha, we need you at the pack house.” Kade jumped into their conversation. “I was in town with the girls when I got a call from the house. Seth is there spouting a bunch of bullshit about you attacking—”
    “You bet I fucking attacked him!” Kade’s surprise was unmistakable, but Mitchell wasn’t done. “He fucking went after my mate and I’ll be damned if I’ll let that happen without punishment!”
    His beta’s eyes widened, revealing the white surrounding his irises. “Oh, shit. Tilly…”
    “Is my fucking mate and if some asshole thinks…” He fought for calm and found it elusive. “If some asshole thinks he’s gonna fucking touch her and get away with it, he’s delusional.”
    “Shit.” Kade ran a hand through his hair but Mitchell’s attention was torn from the beta by the vehicle door being opened.
    He swung his gaze to Kade’s SUV and spied the teens assisting Tilly into the back. “That’s not happening,” he growled and strode toward the trio. One teen had her arms wrapped just behind Tilly’s front legs, helping her place them on the bumper, while the other supported her hind legs. “What the hell do you two think you’re doing?”
    Mitchell immediately stepped in, easily pushing Marcia back and taking over for the two girls. Tilly grunted as he assisted her into the SUV and she immediately flopped to her side. It was then he realized her wound still seeped blood. He spun and glared at Phoebe. “Why isn’t she healing?”
    “It takes