Free Lycan Alpha Claim (#2) by Tamara Rose Blodgett, Marata Eros Page A

stifle the groan.
    Merck's gaze finds me in the corner, huddling against Arden.
    Fear scorches me. It mixes with my lust in an intoxicating rush of I want him .
    His eyes remain the same. I'd know them anywhere. He's the one that protected me from Jamie Duncan.
    He's also the one who was staring at me through my office window.
    Adrienne steps between us, blocking my view of this luscious wolf-man. Werewolf.
    Lycan.
    “I can't have you taking out a client, wolf.”
    I can see the corners of his elbows around her body as he folds his arms in a very human-like gesture. “I have no intention of harming Talyn Phisher. You, of all people, should understand my intent.” He sounds like he has a speech impediment, of the growling variety.
    Adrienne's men stay close but don't try for Merck again.
    “The humans are just getting used to us being in the picture, we don't need the complication of introducing the entire supernatural underworld in all its stunning variety to them.”
    “I don't give a damn about political correctness or the humansʼ sensibilities. I have a change, and by moon, I'm going to transition her.”
    I frown, bristling. Oh really?
    “Adrienne said you need to sex her,” Arden says unhelpfully, and I elbow him.
    “Ouch! Damn —Tal, he's not going to beat on us.”
    “And you're sure because this is so normal ?” I swing my palm at the four dangerous supernaturals, a busted up house filled with estrogen, testosterone and everyone on edge. Odds are high for more violence. “I'd like to say something.”
    All eyes turn to me, reflecting in the gloom of my place. The undercabinet lighting seeping from the kitchen is just enough to make out their shapes as the sun sinks for the day.
    I push myself up on my butt, and lean against the underside of my kitchen peninsula, shoving a bar stool out of the way. The hard wood behind my back feels good. Solid. “Enforcer Adrienne just told me I'm,” I feel utterly ridiculous articulating the whole thing but what the hell, I have three vampires and a were-something in my house—it can't get much stranger, “a hybrid-Lycan woman.” I suck in a cleansing inhale. “I haven't asked to be one. I have a normal life and was happily living it.”
    Adrienne's lips twitch.
    I narrow my eyes on her. This situation is a lot of things but funny it's not. “What?”
    “It's just the same song and dance I gave the guys.” She jerks her thumb behind her at the huge vampires.
    I ignore that. “We are different women with divergent life circumstances.”
    It's Adrienne's turn to shoot me a glare. “Not so different. I bet you look at this as a robbery of your independence.”
    “Of course,” I bite back.
    “It doesn't have to be. I'm still working.” She lifts an eyebrow.
    I snort. “Look at you.”
    Merck steps forward, and the vampires turn to him, hissing—talons tearing out of their fingertips.
    I might make a tiny mewling sound.
    The image triples in my vision and I start sucking deep breaths again. Heat climbs from my feet and I smack the surface behind me before I pass out.
    He holds up his long-fingered hands, talons clicking with the movement. “Hang on.”
    I choke back bile.
    “Nice right hook, Lycan,” Adrienne says without rancor.
    He nods as though she's an opponent on a Judo mat, his eyes steady on her face, while his body holds the tension of a possible fight. “Excellent reaction time, Enforcer.”
    They stare at each other after their mutual admiration moment.
    She steps back.
    Her retreat leaves Merck wide open to our mutual perusal. Cold sweat beads on my forehead and I mark each breath. In. Out. In. Out.
    The silence stretches between us seemingly without end as we check each other out.
    Finally, his nostrils give a hard flare and he stretches out his hand in my direction. “You're degrading. My job is to transition you, female.”
    My face jerks back like I've been hit, the warmth of my lust cools. The panic.
    Merck just absolutely dismissed what