A Lamb for the Bear's Appetite Read Free Page B

her brother, because Trent would take it out on them. Slowly she turned and looked at the bear, and of course he had his penetrating green eyes trained right on her. “What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Those words were a haggard gasp from her. She had a lot of emotions tumbling through her right now: anger, fear, hatred, and relief. Anger took the forefront though, and she curled her hands into fists and took a slow, deliberate step toward him. “You have no idea what in the hell you just did.”
    As she looked at Trent again, her fear sprang up, and she swallowed roughly. No, she couldn’t let that emotion take over, or she wouldn’t make it. Looking back at the bear all she could see was her mate, but she pushed away the instinct to go into his arms and let their connection fill her, and focused on finishing out the last week with Trent and getting the hell out of Kashton with Holden. She slammed her fists against the bear’s chest, over and over again, but he didn’t move an inch.
    When her arms were tired and the tears had stopped falling down her cheeks she took a step back and looked at the main floor. The music still played, but the commotion had moved them enough that they were in clear view of everyone. All eyes were on her, and humiliation, fear, and anger had her turning on her heel and stalking back to where Trent lay. He was coming to and was on his feet a few seconds later. She stared up at him, but there was no denying the retribution he wanted, and what he would deliver unto her.
    “Come here, mate.”
    Olive was exhausted and closed her eyes and hung her head, but when she sensed the bear come close she spun around and snapped her eyes open. She didn’t bother hiding her rage.
    “Just leave.” Whispering the words, she watched the emotion play across his face. “I don’t want you as a mate. You’ve done nothing but ruin my life, and I’ve only known you for ten minutes.” Olive refused to cry any more. Turning back to Trent, she lowered her eyes and breathed out. “I’m ready to go.” There was a low, shocked growl that left the male fate had deemed as hers, but Olive’s life wasn’t meant to have that. She had too much riding on what she did and how she acted right now, and until she could make sure that her brother was safe and free of being in debt to Trent, she would have to play by the leopard’s rules. Olive didn’t miss the self-satisfied smirk Trent threw toward the bear, and when she looked at him once more it was to see him barely restraining himself. The scent of his regret, rage, and need to possess her was strong and coated her like a suffocating blanket. Trent grabbed her arm, but right as her mate let out a warning sound she shook off Trent’s hold and continued down the hall and away from temptation, and what would surely be the death of her brother.

Chapter Two
     
    Trent watched her from across the seat of the limo, his grin greasy and making her feel like she needed four winter jackets just to feel safe from his slimy gaze. “You know,” he ran his thumb over his split eyebrow, courtesy of the bear, and a dark mask momentarily covered his face. “I don’t think that is the last time we will be seeing that shifter, Olive darling.”
    “He won’t be an issue.” She didn’t waver from his stare. “And he won’t ruin what we have going on, Trent.”
    His grin widened. “I know, darling, but I don’t think he knows that. In fact, I’m pretty sure he will continue to make foolish mistakes all in the name of claiming his mate.”
    “I really don’t know what to say, or how to react to what happened back there. I didn’t plan that.” He smirked, and she could see in his eyes that he wasn’t about to let her off the hook regarding him getting his ass kicked. “Listen, I only have to be in your presence for one more week, and our little arrangement will come to an end.” That had excitement and relief flowing through her, but she kept that in