Free Amazon (The Ushers 1) by Vanessa North Page A

Claiming her with a bite was a technicality. And just like that, he clearly wasn’t about to let her play coy whenever Sara walked into the room.
    “Oh, well, I hate to interrupt, but I need to send the housekeeper in here to clean up. Do you think maybe you might want to take your liaison upstairs to your room?” Sara grinned back at them.
    “No!” Bianca said swiftly, shooting her friend a loaded look. It stung a little that Sara didn’t seem more upset to find her in Jack’s arms. She blushed again as she realized Sara would know through their connection what she was feeling.
    “Lovely, you and Jack are going to be mated. Jealousy on my part would be futile. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you and treasure the time we had together.” Sara approached and ran a hand over Bianca’s hair, a soothing gesture. “My needy little lovely,” she teased.
    Jack growled under his breath.
    “Sara. Please,” he said, his voice gravelly. “My wolf is pushing hard right now.”
    “I’m sorry, Jack. Hands off, I promise.” Sara laughed.
    “Jack?” Bianca prodded him. “We need to go. Monica is expecting us.”
    “Let’s go.” He took one more heated glance at his mate before striding out of the room, tugging his shirt down to hide his erection.
    She smiled, glad to see him as affected as she by the moment they’d shared.
    “Sara…” Bianca started, trailing off as she realized she had no idea how to express what she was feeling.
    “Go, lovely. This is important. He needs to meet Monica. He needs to understand what you’re asking of him when you ask that he join the pack. He needs to know what he’s gaining in exchange for what he gives up. This is part of your life’s work. Go. I’ll see you there.”
    “I think you were right.” Bianca kissed Sara’s cheek. “I think you always are.”
    Sara’s dimple flashed as she grinned at her friend.

Chapter Six
    T HEY P ULLED O UT of the parking lot of the cell phone store with Bianca driving, the top down on her dark blue 1970 s Mercedes SL that Jack could tell had seen far better days. In spite of its ragged appearance, the classic car suited her.
    He put the SIM card in the new phone and dialed his brother.
    “Murphy,” Patrick’s voice came on the line.
    “Paddy, it’s me. How is everything there?” Jack said, looking over at Bianca in the driver’s seat. With large dark glasses protecting her sensitive eyes and a scarf around her hair, she looked like a silver-screen icon. He tucked a flying curl back behind her ear, meeting her glance with a smile.
    “Fine. Ted is handling your duties well, Fionn hasn’t knocked anyone up this month, and business is good. How are things there? How much longer do you think you’ll need to be there?”
    “I’m on my way to meet the Alpha. Bianca and I have pretty much nailed down territory lines should we officially recognize them and endorse their petition for status among the other packs. They tend to stick to a pretty isolated part of the Berkshires, so we’re not likely to run into issues.” He watched as Bianca took her lower lip into her mouth, sucking on it thoughtfully. He vowed mentally to do the exact same thing just as soon as he got a chance.
    “Good. Call me when you get back to your hotel.” Patrick huffed. “And Jack, keep your dick in your pants.”
    “Fuck you, Paddy,” Jack snarled, hanging up on his brother’s laughter. Patrick should know better than to poke at him like that, but ever since they were kids, Patrick had enjoyed stirring his brothers’ ire, knowing he was untouchable, groomed for Alpha status from childhood.
    “What was that about?” Bianca asked, glancing his way.
    He was scowling furiously, though he tried to get it under control.
    “You’re pretty hot when you scowl, you know.”
    “He felt the need to reinforce his order not to claim you,” Jack snarled. “In other words, he’s being a dick just because he can.”
    “Ah, brother stuff, then.” She nodded