Tobias leans forward, not stopping until he’s right in my face. “I. Don’t. Care. That’s not our problem.”
I narrow my eyes on him, then lift my chin. “I’m making it my problem. I didn’t save them just for them to die now.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw when he clenches his teeth, the asshat not backing down even an inch, and I throw up my hands in exasperation. “What’s wrong with you?”
A beat of silence follows, then Castle purses his lips and takes pity on me. “We’re wolves. We’re territorial creatures. The cat touched you.” His voice drops and gets all growly. “He had no right to touch you.”
I run a hand down my face, both flattered and exasperated at the same time. “So let me get this straight. Because he touched me, he must die?”
“Yes,” Castle and Tobias answer simultaneously, total conviction in their voices.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, searching for patience and finding none. I glare at the two mates in exasperation, struggling not to yell, but the last thing anyone needs is for me to set them off again, so I speak in a deceptively soft voice. “I was able to take out a whole vampire nest on my own. Without help. If I wanted the cat dead, don’t you think I would’ve done it?”
If I expected them to shift uncomfortably or lower their eyes, I was doomed to be disappointed. Instead, both idiots straighten and lift their chins. It’s Tobias who speaks first. “We’re your mates. It’s our job to protect you now.”
A snort escapes me before I can stop it. Their confusion would almost be cute if I weren’t so annoyed. “Are you telling me that I’m nothing but a mate to do as you bid? That I shouldn’t worry my pretty little head about my own safety and things that pertain to me?”
An uneasy look passes between the guys. I can see from their eyes what they want to answer, but self-preservation finally kicks in. Castle is the first to answer, and he rubs his hand across his mouth before he attempts it. “No, of course not?”
My eyebrows lift when his voice rises in the end like it’s a question.
Tobias quickly takes over, as if finally realizing how big a hole they’ve dug themselves. “I saw you on the floor, and I reacted. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same.”
I purse my lips, because he’s not wrong.
But he’s not exactly right, either. “And when I told you to back off?”
Bryce clears his throat and enters the fray. He’s either very brave or very, very stupid. “If a shifter sees their mate being pinned to the floor, their beast would take over. It’s instinct. No one can resist the primal need to protect their mate.”
Some of my ire calms at his explanation. “So you’re saying shifters are possessive dickheads?”
His lips quirk in amusement, and a dimple flashes in his cheek. Now that he doesn’t look like he wants to murder me, I can admit that his rugged good looks are attractive, if you love the dangerous, bad boy vibe. “Now you’re getting it.”
I snort, my eyes accidentally drop, and I cringe when I’m reminded that he’s still buck ass naked. Not that he isn’t gorgeous, but it’s like catching a glimpse of your brother’s dangly bits. Both Castle and Tobias growl. My Viking takes a threatening step in his direction, while my barbarian strides toward me, then grabs my chin until my gaze is on him.
My eyes widen in surprise at his furious expression, and I gently place my hand on his very naked chest. “You have no reason to be jealous.”
“He touched you.” His gruff voice hits my lady bits hard, and I barely resist leaning into his body and rubbing up against him. Then his eyes darken, his hold slipping from my chin to my throat, and his grip tightens. “And you let him.”
Logically, I know I should be afraid, but I find myself relaxing into his touch, knowing he would rather cut off his own hand than hurt me.
“Is that really why you’re upset? Because I didn’t kill him?” I ask gently, and something dark flickers in his eyes. My heart sinks when I realize I hurt him.
I’m such a shit mate.
I drop my gaze to his chest, absently rubbing my fingers right over the image of a ferocious wolf tattooed right above his breastbone, as if I can soothe him. “You have to remember that this is all very new to me. I’ve only been a vampire for a few months. I’ve never met a shifter before this week, and I didn’t even know mates were possible until today. You have to be patient with me as I try to learn everything.”
A little grumble fills his chest, the vibrations rumbling under my fingertips, and I edge closer. Not a second later, Castle presses against my back until I’m sandwiched between the two of them.
They lower their heads, nuzzling either side of my neck, and the rumbles coming from them are enough to turn my insides liquid. They both inhale sharply, my lust hitting them like a drug, and it’s all I can do not to succumb and let them have their wicked way with me.
A movement over their shoulders reminds me that we’re not alone, and I reluctantly pull back. Thankfully, Bryce wrapped one of the discarded dust sheets around his waist while the guys were distracted.
At least the guy has some sense of self-preservation.
Castle and Tobias allow me to slip away, but they watch me like I’m a delicious morsel they want to consume. My skin suddenly feels too tight, aching for their touch, and I glare at them. “Stop it.”
Which only makes them smirk. Tobias lifts a mocking brow and taunts me further. “Stop what?”
