Rebecca looked at her friend. “What’s the matter, don’t you like it here?” she asked.
He looked up, surprised. “You mean you haven’t met Jacinda yet?”
Rebecca shook her head. “Who is that? I thought I knew everyone in town already.”
“She moved in a few weeks ago. Flamingo shifter. And a hussy!” Sebastian spat.
“Sebastian. Language.” Ma called from behind the counter. Sebastian turned to face Ma.
“But, Ma, that is me watching my language, I really wanted to call her a cum-guzzling, mate-stealing whore,” Sebastian hissed.
Rebecca felt her eyes widen.
“It’s true,” Ashby said quietly.
Rebecca turned to her normally sweet best friend, who hated to say a harsh word about anyone.
Ashby twisted a napkin. “Normally I’d just say we were, you know, being a little bitchy. But this woman is nasty. She only goes after mated men or gay men. Mated, gay men are like a special challenge to her. She said that gay men are only gay because they haven’t fucked the right woman yet.” Ashby’s blue eyes took on a decidedly cold look.
“She has flat-out asked Liam and Kent for a threesome. She said she wanted to be in the middle of a lion sandwich, right in front of me, pregnant belly showing and everything. I wanted to claw that bitch’s eyes out.” Sebastian growled.
“I think Gabriel frightens her, but she has made no qualms about coming on to me. Baptista had to physically step between the two of us at Sweet Nothings the other day. She was trying to fish her hand down my pants!” Ashby turned a brilliant shade of scarlet.
Rebecca turned in her chair to face her mate. “Fair warning. You flirt with this woman and I will shoot you. If I think you may be flirting, I will shoot you. If I think, she may be thinking about flirting with you, I will shoot you. If I think, you think, she may be flirting with you, I’ll shoot you.” Rebecca stared up into her mate’s eyes.
“Wait. What! Why do I get shot?” Aleks demanded.
“Because, I technically can’t shoot her without provocation, but I can shoot you all day long. I know, because I checked with the council about that,” Rebecca said smugly.
Aleks nodded and then stopped. “Why would you ask the council about that?” he asked, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint.
“Just sayin’.” Rebecca shrugged.
“No, seriously, Becca. Why did you ask about shooting me?” Aleks asked.
Rebecca ignored him and turned to the table. “So, we’re all in agreement. Jacinda is bad news and we’re on mate watch. If you see her sidling up to one of our mates, we cock block that bitch!” Rebecca shouted, throwing her small fist in the air.
“Can we get in on that protection?” Kaden asked.
“Yeah, I don’t want that woman coming anywhere near me.” Talon shuddered.
“Absolutely! Gotta protect my peeps!” Rebecca nodded.
“Did you guys get a tree yet?” Sebastian asked, changing the subject.
Rebecca shook her head then brightened. “No, but I think I’ll surprise Aleks tomorrow and go out and cut one down. He can drag it in later. I’ve been dying to use my new chainsaw.” She bounced happily in her chair. Aleks wasn’t the only one who turned a shade paler.
“No,” Aleks said simply.
“But.”
“No.”
“But, I wanna.”
Aleks took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and rubbed his nose against hers.
“No, Becca. Tomorrow we’ll go out together and you can pick any tree you want and I’ll chop it down,” he said firmly.
