Lifting her tired body, Liam swept her up in his arms and stepped off the stage. Amber curled into his hold as he headed for the exit. With a second though, Amber covered their bodies in coats as they stepped outside in the snow.

  Chapter Two

  Amber stayed in Liam’s lap all the way back to her cabin. Lux drove as Otis rode in the passenger seat and Amber sat with Liam in the back seat. They pulled into the driveway.

  “Do you want to take a run with us before we go into the cabin?” Lux asked.

  Amber smiled up at him and nodded. Liam opened the back door for her.

  She knew it was going to be cold at first when she shifted. She didn’t want to ruin her dress so she waved her hands, sending her clothes into the cabin while she shifted to her wolf form. She watched her men do the same and send their clothes also.

  Liam and Lux’s wolves were almost identical. Black as night, but Lux was twice the size of Liam, built solidly with muscles covering his body. Liam’s body was lean, but still huge compared to her small size. Otis’s coat was white as the snow except for a black front paw, and he was the same size as Liam. Lux nudged her head, urging her to run, and so she did. Amber took off with Lux and Liam running beside her and Otis behind, protecting her.

  Amber’s wolf smelled a rabbit and took off after it. Her mates nipping at her butt trying to turn her around to head in another direction. She growled, but went where they pushed her. Amber jumped out ahead of them, leaping onto a fallen tree and watching her mates run towards her. She was laughing inside when something knocked her off the tree and growled at her. She looked up into the face of a leopard. She knew who it was from her smell, even before looking up. Jack’s mate, Belinda.

  Amber slipped out of the feline’s grasp, but not soon enough. The cat’s claws ripped into Amber’s shoulder. Burning pain and blood oozed from her wound.

  Amber shifted into her beast form knowing her wolf form was no contest for a leopard, swiping Belinda in the face with her claws and sending her flying back into a tree. Jack jumped in front of his mate in his human form, growling at Amber, while Amber was pushed behind Lux, and his beast forward ready to attack Jack.

  Amber shifted back to her human form, dressing herself even though her arm was killing her. “Lux, please let him calm down,” Amber begged, holding onto his waist, hugging his back. “Let him take her home. We’ll deal with this later. I’m tired, Lux.

  Take me home,” Amber whispered, finally feeling Lux relax.

  Jack turned his back on Lux, picked up his mate as she shifted to her human form, and cradled her body against his. Her head rested on his chest as she stared up at his frowning face.

  * * *

  Lux swung his mate up in his arms and glared at Jack’s retreating back. He would love to go rip his heart out, but knew Amber was fond of him. He turned and nodded to Liam and Otis as they took off running to the cabin.

  Amber whimpered in his arms as they neared the cabin.

  “You’re hurt. I can smell your blood. She should be dead!” Lux growled, as the door flew open to the cabin.

  Mila was there, lighting candles. Lux watched her carefully as Amber looked around the cabin, her expression shocked when she saw the candles, rose petals scattered all over the floor, and the fire blaring. She turned her gaze up to Lux and caressed his cheek.

  Lux carried her over to the fire and gently laid her down on the big down comforter. He stood back and watched as Mila came over and whispered something to Amber. Amber’s top disappeared when Mila knelt and inspected the wounds.

  She growled, looking up at Lux. “Who attacked her?”

  “Jack’s mate got to her before we could do anything. That bastard Jack even growled at Amber!” Lux snarled as Liam and Otis paced back and forth.

  Mila sat quietly for a moment, and then she nodded her head, working on Amber’s wound.

  “My son and alpha Teddy is on his way and he’s furious. He will take care of Jack and his mate. This will be dealt with tonight,” Mila snapped and pulled out a bottle of some stinky stuff, pouring it into Amber’s wound.

  Lux wanted desperately to pick Amber up and hold her, but knew he would only hinder the healing process. When Belinda had attacked Amber, he could have sworn his heart stopped when he realized what would happen if he ever lost her.

  “Damn, that hurts!” Amber flinched, and tried to move away from Mila.

  “Hush, now shift to your beast and it will heal. Then we need to talk.” Mila stood back and watched as Amber shifted. When Amber shifted back to her human form, she clothed herself in jeans and a sweater.

  Lux moved to gather her in his arms, but Mila held up her hand, stopping him.

  He frowned, but held back.

  “Amber sit, we need to talk.” Mila paced back and forth in front of Amber’s chair. “What you did tonight to her was uncalled for. I mean, come on, telling her that you could take her mate away earlier just added to the problems. It’s no wonder she attacked you. I’d do the same if you threatened to take my mate!” Mila yelled, glaring at her.

  Amber looked at him, but they didn’t say a word.

  “So, I was supposed to say nothing, while she attacked me in my own home? Plus, I thought all that was behind us when we talked afterward,” Amber grumbled, staring back at Mila.

  Lux turned as Teddy stormed into the cabin with Cassy. Cassy ran to Amber. “Are you alright? Did you give that bitch some shit?” she asked, her eyes roaming over Amber’s her body, checking her.

  “I’m fine Cassy, she got my shoulder, but Mila already healed it. Right now, I’m getting yelled at for my behavior earlier when we were all here in the cabin.” Amber snarled at Mila. But the older woman just stared back at her.

  Lux didn’t know if he liked anyone yelling at his mate. He could feel Amber’s pain and hurt as Mila disciplined her, but she was right, so he kept quiet for now.

  “You’re an alpha. You need to start acting like one and ignore little nibs like that. You’re not a teenager. We’re talking about mates. You know how you felt when you saw your mates with that other woman. Well think about how Belinda must have felt!” Mila demanded.

  There was silence for a moment, then Mila asked, “Did you hurt Jack’s mate when she attacked you?”

  Lux flinched as Mila yelled those words.

  Liam’s thoughts snapped into Lux’s head. Damn it! Did she have to remind

  Amber of our biggest mistake? We’re trying to make it up to her. We don’t need it flung in her face.

  Lux nodded, but kept his gaze on his mate.

  “What was I supposed to do? Let her rip me apart and hurt my baby?” Amber got up, shouting back at her. “Of course, I hurt her, but it could have been worse. I was easy on her! She’ll have some marks on her face, that’s all.” Amber growled. Her beast was close to the surface. Lux had had enough. He stepped close to her and pulled her tense body to his. He wrapped his hands around her and hugged her.

  “You did nothing wrong out there, baby. I’m proud that you protected our child. I know you held back,” Lux whispered. He turned, looking down at Mila.

  Suddenly, a pounding on the front door broke the tension. Now what the hell!

  His mate tensed and she sniffed the air. Crap, Belinda.

  Amber growled against his chest when Teddy threw open the door, snarling. “What the hell have you two done?” Teddy yelled, staring down at Jack. His mate stood next to him, holding her face, blood dripped down her fingers.

  “I didn’t know Belinda was going to attack. We were running when she took off. I didn’t mean to ... well you know what I did,” he said, staring at Lux.

  Lux growled and would have rearranged his face, but he held onto Amber and kissed the top of her head. Liam moved up next to them and kissed her cheek. All three of them wanted everyone out of the cabin, but he didn’t see it coming anytime soon.

  “Are you going to just let us stand out there? I need Mila to heal me here!” Jack’s mate growled, glaring at Amber.

  Lux and Liam tried to hold their mate back, but it was impossible. She ripped

  out of their arms and stalked to Belinda. He sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to be good.

  “Okay, that’s it. First, she comes into my home, then she attacks me, and now she comes here and growls at me again, demanding to be healed.” Amber sent her powers out, throwing Belinda back into the snow with Jack.

  Lux followed her outside, making sure no one touched her.

  Jack jumped in front of his mate, growling, but Amber wasn’t having any of it. She picked him up with her powers, setting him away from her, holding him there. She advanced on Belinda, snarling.

  Lux stepped up when others from their pack came out of the woods, growling. She stopped, staring at them all. Amber turned to Teddy. He shook his head, stepping up to her. He stood straight, his gaze never missing anything, always alert to protect those in his pack.

  “What were you going to do to her, kill her?” Teddy demanded. Amber backed away from him as Lux stepped up and wrapped his arms around her, supporting her. He snarled at the other leopards, his glare fierce. They hesitated and turned to look at Teddy.

  “No, I would never do that to Jack. I was just going to have it out with her. You know, try and get to the bottom of this. It has to stop. Jack is like family to me,” Amber whispered, lowering her head, and showing her respect to Teddy.

  Lux watched as Teddy pushed his hand through his hair. He looked down at Jack’s mate, growling at her. He reached down and picked her up off the ground.

  “Go into the cabin, Belinda, and wait,” he said looking at his mate, Cassy.

  As the female leopard shifter walked toward the cabin Teddy spoke to Amber. “If you

  want to end this, then do it civilly. No attacking, talk to her. She’s nice Amber. You would like her if you talked to her. We’ll all wait out here. We won’t interfere unless we hear furniture breaking or screaming.”

  Pulling out of his arms, Lux let her go, knowing she needed to settle it.

  “If Belinda harms one hair on my mate, I will personally take it out on you, Teddy.

  She’s carrying our child!” Lux growled, and stepped into Teddy’s personal space.

  Teddy nodded, but he pushed Amber towards the cabin.

  Lux stood out in the snow with his wolf mates and watched his mate enter the cabin facing her attacker.

  * * *

  Amber closed the door and stood watching Belinda sitting by the fire. Without a word, Amber walked into the kitchen, grabbed a dish towel and wet it. She strolled back into the living room and handed the wet towel to Belinda, then sat down across from her, and stared at the fire.

  “I apologize for what I said before dinner. I would never try to take Jack. He loves you. Anyone can see that. Belinda, he’s family to me, like a big brother.” Amber glanced up at her. The leopard shifter held the dish towel to her face.

  “Teddy tells me that I would like you if I got to know you. I would like that. I have a feeling I’ll be coming around here more now that we’re going to add on to the cabin and I don’t want to interfere with your clan. I have my two clans to deal with at home,” she sighed, and shifted in the chair.

  Belinda stared at her for a moment. “I don’t know what to say. Maybe I was a little harsh earlier, and I’m sorry about that. All Jack has been talking about is you. It hurt. I guess I let my pride get in the way.” She pulled her legs up into the chair. “I’m willing to try, Amber. I’ll even talk to the other woman of our pack and have them back away. I’m sorry about the incident at the club. I didn’t know she was going to proposition your mate.”

  “I never blamed you for them, Belinda. Matter of fact, I couldn’t wait to meet you when Teddy told me about you, but when you said those things, and the other women were all over my mates ... I guess I kinda felt like you did.” Amber got up and went to the door. She turned around, smiling at Belinda, and opened it.

  “Hey, Mila, you want to come in here and heal Belinda while we talk.” Amber grinned and walked back to her seat, curling her feet under her.

  “I think I ruined your night with your mates. I’m sorry for that.” Belinda glanced around the room, seeing the candles and the rose petals all over the floor.

  “It’s okay. We both screwed up, it’s over and done with.” Amber shrugged as Mila came in and took the cloth away from Belinda’s face. She poured the stinky stuff on the dishcloth, and then rubbed it on her face.

  Belinda flinched. “Damn that stuff stinks,” Belinda snapped, shifting to her beast form, and then shifting back. Her wounds were healed. Amber waved her hand, dressing her in a pair of jeans and a sweater.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee? I think our men are probably freezing outside.” Amber laughed, strolling into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. She heard the men coming into the cabin with Cassy. Amber knew Cassy was coming straight for her.

  “Well, are you okay?” she asked, coming in and grabbing the coffee pot from her hands. “You get the cups.”

  “Yes, I think everything will be fine.” She walked into the living room with Cassy. Otis walked up to her, kissing her cheek, and taking the cups from her, putting them on the table. Both Jack and Belinda came up to her, lowering their heads.

  “I’m sorry about earlier, Amber.” Jack’s voice was hoarse with emotion. “I couldn’t lose her. She’s all I have and she means the world to me. I’ve been a fool lately and have a lot to make up to her. I shouldn’t have put you in this position, please forgive me?”

  Amber smiled, hugging both of them. “Jack, you’re like a brother to me, as Teddy is. I hope in time that Belinda and I will become friends.” Amber stepped back, bumping into Lux again, who surrounded her with his arms. He rested his head on her head, his hands skimming her belly.

  “I think we should leave,” Belinda said to Jack, with a twinkle in her eye. “We have already interrupted their night.” Belinda stepped up, hugging Amber. “I’ll talk to that woman tomorrow. Maybe we can all get together later in the week and have a big dinner while the men work on the cabin. Again, I’m sorry for what I did,” she whispered into Amber’s ear and stepped back into Jack’s arms. Teddy opened the door and the couple left, heading home.

  Teddy came up to her next, looking down at her. “I’m proud of you, you did well. We’ll see you tomorrow. Cassy, you ready to go?” Teddy asked. He kissed Amber’s cheek in farewell and then nodded to Lux. Amber smiled at Cassy as she went into Teddy’s arms.

  “Yes, I grabbed some clothes while I was here. They’re in the bag by the door.” She kissed Teddy’s cheek and then he hugged her.

  Liam walked up to her, hugging her. “Are you sure?” Liam asked, looking into Cassy’s eyes.

  “He’s my mate. We found out earlier tonight.” Cassy smiled up at Liam.

  “I’m proud of you, baby girl. I’m sad you’ll live so far away, but we’ll be back every summer to visit. And I expect the both of you at our wedding.” Liam kissed her forehead, stepping back, smiling at Amber.

  Amber patted Teddy’s cheek. “I told you, Cassy. I knew it the way Teddy was all over you from the first time he saw you.” Amber reached up and kissed Teddy’s face. “Keep my sister safe, she’s my best friend.” Amber whispered into his ear.

  She stepped back into Lux’s arms as Liam and Teddy shook hands. Liam walked them to the door and stared out as Cassy got into Teddy’s truck and waved her hand at them.

  Mila stepped in front of Amber’s view, looking at her.

  “I want to say I’m sorry about my yelling earlier, but you have to learn to control your temper, daughter. You have a lot of power stored in you that hasn’t even been touched. You could easily hurt someone without meaning to. Tomorrow we can set up a time to work on your powers and your self-control.” Mila pulled her into a hug, holding her tight. Amber wrapped her arms around her. So, this is what it feels like to have a mom. Tears threatened to come but she held them back.

  “I’m sorry too, Momma, I shouldn’t have snapped at you, and I look forward to working with you. You and Ben are going to come to our wedding also, aren’t you?” Amber looked up at her when the older woman pulled back.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. The whole family is going to come.” Mila smiled as Ben kissed Amber’s cheek, and then they walked out. The candles flared to life as they shut the door.

  Amber laughed, gathering the dishes and taking them into the kitchen. Liam came into the kitchen, immediately pulling her away from the dishes.

  “We can do them later. Our evening was interrupted, and we promised you a night of hot sex.” Liam growled and picked her up. He carried her to the living room. All the lights were off, and the pillows and blankets were spread on the floor. The furniture had been pushed back so they could have enough room. Amber felt like a caged bird waiting to be pounced on by the cat, or rather, wolves, three of them, named Lux, Liam, and Otis.

  Chapter Three

  Amber rolled over, looking up at the ceiling and saw that she was in her room. The last thing she remembered was being downstairs with Lux and Liam. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand, and then jumped out of bed. “Shit!” She was sore and it was late. Everyone would be here in an hour to start working on the cabin.

  Amber jumped into the shower. The hot water eased her aching muscles. She could remember each moment with them. Otis, his gentle hands touching every part of her body and his tongue following suit. She had cried when he entered her, it was so beautiful. Amber felt the tears coming again as she remembered the love in his eyes shining down on her as he made slow love to her. Her heart was so full and she was so scared something would come and ruin what she had found.

  “Hey Amber, you in there?” Cassy yelled, knocking on the door.

  Amber dried off, slipping on her jeans and a t-shirt. She was burning up. She opened the door to smile at Cassy. “Kind of slept a little late and the big dummies didn’t wake me.” Amber laughed and sat down on her bed to slip on her socks and boots.