Mina took his hand.“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Spark smiled, kissed the back of her hand, and then walked her to her car before climbing on his bike and heading for home.Mina followed, wondering if things were going to fall apart when they reached her house and her brothers got wind of the fact she was mated.Looking back, maybe she should have prepared them.Spark didn’t look like he was in any kind of shape to deflect them right now.
Chapter Five
Sparksippedhiscoffeethe next morning, eyeing the three men at the table across from him.They all resembled their father, but not a single one of them looked anything like Mina.All large men, every last one had Shadow’s dark hair and eyes.He knew they were staring him down in hopes of making him feel uncomfortable, probably hoping he’d blurt out something, but it wasn’t working.Yet.
“Dad didn’t say why he invited a Steel Rider onto our property.Personally, I think you look more like a chew toy,” the oldest looking one said.“But I suppose we should refrain from gnawing on your bones until we know why you’re here.Wouldn’t want to upset a club deal.”
Spark snorted and took another swallow of his coffee.He knew the moment Mina entered the kitchen, but he didn’t dare take his eyes off the three wolves across from him.Her scent teased his nose and the very air shimmered with her presence.He heard her take a mug off the tree and pour herself a cup of coffee, listened as she opened the refrigerator, probably for creamer, and then stirred something into her coffee before closed the refrigerator.
When she came and took the seat next to him, he glanced her way and flashed her a smile.The top she wore covered the bite he’d left on her tender skin, but he knew it was there.Her long, blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, making her look even younger.She took a sip of her pale coffee and then smiled at him.
Her brothers growled.
Mina jerked her gaze their way and scowled at them.“Shut it.”
“Don’t be flirting with the…what the hell are you anyway?”one of the brothers asked Spark.
“Maned wolf.”
The third brother sniffed in disdain.“What a weak ass animal.You’d think your club would have sent a bear at the very least, if they were going to negotiate with Dad.And why the hell he let you stay in the house I can’t understand.Guests are given lodgings away from the house and family.You’re an outsider.”
Mina looped her arm through Spark’s and stared her brothers down.“He’s in the house because I want him in the house.”
The oldest stood, knocking over his chair.“Oh, hell no!You are not to hang around with that mangy cur.You’re going to mate a proper wolf, someone Dad trusts with good standing in the pack.”
“Enough, Jarod.”Mina growled softly.“I’ll mate whomever I damn well please, and you have no say in the matter.I don’t need your permission.”
Another brother opened his mouth, but Mina jumped on him.
“I don’t need your permission either, Simon.It’s my lifem and I’ll do what I want with it.You think I want to hang around and see if Daddy decides to use me as a bargaining chip to sweeten some deal?I want to choose my own mate!”
“Mina, you know we want what’s best for you,” the third brother said.
“Jonathan, it is sweet that the three of you are worried about me and want what’s best for me, but who are you to decide what that is?Don’t you think I’m old enough to decide what’s best for me, to know my own mind and what I want or need?Or do you think I’m still just a child?Because if that’s how you think, I shouldn’t be worrying about a mate at all.”
They gave one another uncomfortable looks then went back to staring at Spark.He quirked an eyebrow at them, but continued to sip on his coffee without engaging them.It seemed his mate had said enough already.He was proud of her for standing up for herself, even if she hadn’t told them she already had a mate.Spark figured that would come in time.She’d confess all when she was ready to, and Spark didn’t see a reason to volunteer the information before then.
“Are you hungry?”Mina asked.“I could scramble some eggs and fry some bacon.”
“I could eat,” Simon said.
“I wasn’t asking you.I was asking Spark.”
Jarod snorted.“Spark.What the hell kind of name is Spark?”
Spark wisely kept his mouth shut.He doubted his mate wanted to hear he’d earned his name by having a way with the ladies.The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings.
Shadow stepped into the room, surveying everyone.“Boys, don’t you have something better to do with your time?Jarod, didn’t I tell you to make sure Striker’s buddies were gone?Just because the ringleader of that train wreck was thrown out doesn’t mean the others won’t try to rise up without him.I want every last bad seed out of this pack, and if they’re patched in, you know what to do.We voted on this last night so no one will stand in your way.”
“Yes, Dad,” Jarod said and quickly walked past his father and out of the kitchen.
“Simon, don’t you have books to work on today?We have bills to pay regardless of what else is happening around here.”Shadow glared at his son.“Leave your sister alone.”
“But, Dad, we weren’t bothering Mina.We were just questioning Spark here.”Jonathan grinned, but it melted off his face quickly under his father’s scrutiny.
“And who are you to question a guest in my home?”Shadow asked.
