The Mane Attraction
Page 100
Sissy shook her head and walked off. Mitch, after one more careful look around, followed.
Chapter 28
Ronnie saw them first, probably because she hadnt taken her eyes off the woods since shed heard Mitchs roar.
When her friend came out, Mitch behind her, she ran to Sissy. By the time shed put her arms around her, Sissy had shifted back. Ronnie held her and fought back tears. Shed honestly feared shed never see Sissy again. There had been those whod gone up the hill without invite, without permission, and theyd disappeared or theyd come backwrong.
The power that old woman wielded rivaled most, and she hated everybody.
Its okay. Were okay.
Ronnie pulled back. She let you go?
She didnt have much choice.
It was a simple sentence, but it resonated through the She-wolves. They understood its true meaning. Sissys power would never be questioned again. And only the bravest would ever challenge her for the position of Alpha.
Ronnie grinned. Proud. Sissy had come a long way from that little three-year-old who told her one day, Well be friends now. Youre not as pretty as me.
Im glad youre okay, Sissy.
Yeah. Me, too.
A naked, rushing Mitch walked past them, grabbing Sissys hand as he did and dragging her toward the cars. Come on. Weve gotta go.
Go? Go where?
The game!
Sissy frozethey all didand gawked at him. You cannot be serious, Sissy barked.
Mitch faced her. Baby, Im the wide receiver. The team is depending on me.
Ronnie stood behind Sissy and said what they were all thinking, Oh, my God. Hes one of them now.
Where the hell have you been? Travis demanded. His entire right leg was in a cast, and his mate had put him in a wheelchair. Sissy had a hard time not giggling.
Hell be ready in five. She and Dee rushed to get his jersey over his shoulder pads.
He better be. The games about to start.
I know. I know.
Once she had him ready, Sissy handed him his helmet. Tragically, it was not the one shed used on her brother. It would have definitely been cool for him to wear that helmet. You ready, baby? she purred.
I was born ready, baby.
Would you two stop it! Travis snarled.
Whats the matter, Travis? Sissy asked, her lips pouting in fake sympathy. Your pain meds making you a little cranky?
Get off the field, Sissy.
Im going. She went up on her toes and kissed Mitch.
Behind her, Bobby Ray griped, Stop maulin my babysister.
Sissy laughed and started to walk off the sidelines with Ronnie and Dee when the team coach for the bears, Collintowns seven-foot-eight librarian, barreled forward. Theyre not playing.
Travis looked at Mitch and Brendon. Theres nothing in the rules that says the cats cant play for us.
Im not talking about them. We told you before, Smith, we wouldnt play if herhe pointed at Sissyor herhe pointed at Ronniewere playing.
Mitch looked at her. UhSissy?
Sissy rounded on the coach. I cant believe you are still holding that against us. Its been years!
He was in traction for three months. A shifter! In traction!
He was in my way!
Travis motioned Sissy toward the bleachers. Go. He looked at the coach. Theyre not playing. Theyre only here to watch.
That better be true. If theyre on the field at any time, you forfeit.
So, Mitch said, clearly enjoying Sissys high level of annoyance, you hate the game not because its boring or stupid as youve always said. But because the big boys wont let you play.
Big boys? More like big babies.
Brendon watched the bears watch Sissy and Ronnie. What exactly did you two do?
Sissy started to answer, but Bobby Ray shook his head. Remember what you promised as part of the lawsuit settlement?
Settlement?
Oh, forget it! She turned on her heel and stomped to the bleachers.
As they got comfortable, Dee laughingly reminded Sissy, Told you those bears would never let it go.
That bear hit him so hard Mitch flipped right into the end zone, the ball tight in his arms. He knew from the roarand howlsof the crowd that hed scored the winning touchdown.
A big hand reached out for him, and he grabbed it. Brendon hauled him to his feet and slammed his hand against his shoulders. In some cultures, it might even be considered affectionate, in others, it was just assault.
Nice, little brother.
I cant see straight. But thats okay.
That bear was gunning for you.
And where the hell were you?
Taking out the other bears gunning for you. Brendon grinned. I knew I had some skill.
As long as we keep a ball out of your hands.
Eat
Brendon never got to finish his insult as Sissy ran up and threw herself at Mitch. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, she kissed the helmet since he hadnt taken it off yet.
Chapter 28
Ronnie saw them first, probably because she hadnt taken her eyes off the woods since shed heard Mitchs roar.
When her friend came out, Mitch behind her, she ran to Sissy. By the time shed put her arms around her, Sissy had shifted back. Ronnie held her and fought back tears. Shed honestly feared shed never see Sissy again. There had been those whod gone up the hill without invite, without permission, and theyd disappeared or theyd come backwrong.
The power that old woman wielded rivaled most, and she hated everybody.
Its okay. Were okay.
Ronnie pulled back. She let you go?
She didnt have much choice.
It was a simple sentence, but it resonated through the She-wolves. They understood its true meaning. Sissys power would never be questioned again. And only the bravest would ever challenge her for the position of Alpha.
Ronnie grinned. Proud. Sissy had come a long way from that little three-year-old who told her one day, Well be friends now. Youre not as pretty as me.
Im glad youre okay, Sissy.
Yeah. Me, too.
A naked, rushing Mitch walked past them, grabbing Sissys hand as he did and dragging her toward the cars. Come on. Weve gotta go.
Go? Go where?
The game!
Sissy frozethey all didand gawked at him. You cannot be serious, Sissy barked.
Mitch faced her. Baby, Im the wide receiver. The team is depending on me.
Ronnie stood behind Sissy and said what they were all thinking, Oh, my God. Hes one of them now.
Where the hell have you been? Travis demanded. His entire right leg was in a cast, and his mate had put him in a wheelchair. Sissy had a hard time not giggling.
Hell be ready in five. She and Dee rushed to get his jersey over his shoulder pads.
He better be. The games about to start.
I know. I know.
Once she had him ready, Sissy handed him his helmet. Tragically, it was not the one shed used on her brother. It would have definitely been cool for him to wear that helmet. You ready, baby? she purred.
I was born ready, baby.
Would you two stop it! Travis snarled.
Whats the matter, Travis? Sissy asked, her lips pouting in fake sympathy. Your pain meds making you a little cranky?
Get off the field, Sissy.
Im going. She went up on her toes and kissed Mitch.
Behind her, Bobby Ray griped, Stop maulin my babysister.
Sissy laughed and started to walk off the sidelines with Ronnie and Dee when the team coach for the bears, Collintowns seven-foot-eight librarian, barreled forward. Theyre not playing.
Travis looked at Mitch and Brendon. Theres nothing in the rules that says the cats cant play for us.
Im not talking about them. We told you before, Smith, we wouldnt play if herhe pointed at Sissyor herhe pointed at Ronniewere playing.
Mitch looked at her. UhSissy?
Sissy rounded on the coach. I cant believe you are still holding that against us. Its been years!
He was in traction for three months. A shifter! In traction!
He was in my way!
Travis motioned Sissy toward the bleachers. Go. He looked at the coach. Theyre not playing. Theyre only here to watch.
That better be true. If theyre on the field at any time, you forfeit.
So, Mitch said, clearly enjoying Sissys high level of annoyance, you hate the game not because its boring or stupid as youve always said. But because the big boys wont let you play.
Big boys? More like big babies.
Brendon watched the bears watch Sissy and Ronnie. What exactly did you two do?
Sissy started to answer, but Bobby Ray shook his head. Remember what you promised as part of the lawsuit settlement?
Settlement?
Oh, forget it! She turned on her heel and stomped to the bleachers.
As they got comfortable, Dee laughingly reminded Sissy, Told you those bears would never let it go.
That bear hit him so hard Mitch flipped right into the end zone, the ball tight in his arms. He knew from the roarand howlsof the crowd that hed scored the winning touchdown.
A big hand reached out for him, and he grabbed it. Brendon hauled him to his feet and slammed his hand against his shoulders. In some cultures, it might even be considered affectionate, in others, it was just assault.
Nice, little brother.
I cant see straight. But thats okay.
That bear was gunning for you.
And where the hell were you?
Taking out the other bears gunning for you. Brendon grinned. I knew I had some skill.
As long as we keep a ball out of your hands.
Eat
Brendon never got to finish his insult as Sissy ran up and threw herself at Mitch. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, she kissed the helmet since he hadnt taken it off yet.
