Page 73 of Savage Mates

I reveled in them.

But I wasn’t certain I could find the answers they deserved.

“Why did she need to see the cub?” Conall growled.

I threw a look in Thor’s direction, sensing his unrest was stronger than that of Titus and Zeus.

Thor nodded even though every muscle in his body tensed.

“I’m just going to take a fur sample. Nothing invasive. Doing so will allow me the ability to take a few tests. Hopefully, those will provide a few answers. Is that alright?” I knew better than to make any assumptions.

Conall glared at me, utter distrust in his eyes. Yet when the three alpha lions gave him a stern look, he swung his head toward his mate, and I had no doubt they were communicating between each other.

With his chest heaving, Conall gave me a nod.

I pulled out the small bag I’d brought and the pair of scissors. I allowed everyone in the group to see what I was doing. Several bristled, but they dared not attempt to interfere. There was extreme electricity surging through the camp. I was unwanted. They had every reason to remain leery.

What humans had done to them was atrocious. They’d been left confused and aching for a life that would never be the same. Now they were trapped.

With the small amount of fur snipped off and safely placed in the bag, I eased the cub onto his paws. Just before he scampered off, I managed to take a couple of photographs. He headed directly for his mother and the love the two shared was exactly as I remembered from my childhood. No alien lifeform or scientific experiments could alter the love between a mother and child.

I shoved the baggie in the pocket of my cargo shorts, still doing what I could to remain calm. I couldn’t lie that I was nervous. They were powerful animals, capable of killing with a single swipe of their claws if they wanted. Along with already taking hair and blood samples from Thor, Zeus, and Titus, comparingtheir DNA with the cubs could provide some quick and easy answers.

Such as if the double helix structure was the same or completely altered.

The charge in the air increased, the testosterone high.

However, my gut told me the three lions… my mates would protect me.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the playful mother and cub as she grabbed Phoenix around the scruff of the neck, immediately trotting off to somewhere she considered safe.

Conall took that moment to storm toward Thor, who was much larger. The flash of Thor’s eyes was mesmerizing, beautiful in the icy tint of blue.

“Why do you allow her to be here? I demand to know. We all demand to know.”

Conall’s deep voice reverberated throughout the group.

“He’s right,” another said. “We demand to know why you’ve placed our camp at risk.”

“She is working for the same people who turned us into this… abomination.” The third man was puffed out, his eyes piercing mine and I didn’t need to read his mind to know he’d just as soon kill me as receive an answer.

Titus glanced at me before throwing his look toward Thor and Zeus. His powerful voice also resonated in the clearing. “They deserve to know, Thor.”

Exhaling, Thor rubbed his jaw, snarling from annoyance.

“Tell us, Thor. Unless you want us to take matters into our own hands. And we will. We’re not your lackeys.” Conall’s chest was heaving, his hands fisted.

I don’t know what I expected, but not for the man instead of the beast to take three long strides in his direction, wrap his hand around Conall’s throat, and lift him in the air.

“You will not touch her, or you will die! Cross me, Conall. Do it. Don’t come any closer, Alexander.” Thor snarled at the large blond brute inching even closer. The man’s face was twisted in fury.

“Don’t,” I said, automatically placing my hand on Thor’s arm. He bristled, unused to a human interfering. I curled my fingers but refused to back down. “Just don’t. They are your pride. They look up to you. To all three of you.”

The other lions backed away, realizing Conall had crossed the line. They knew their place in the pecking order and wanted no part of infuriating the alphas.

Now that her cub was protected, Skye padded closer. Her canines were bared, her growl coming from deep in her throat. Her body language indicated she was ready to lunge with Thor set in her sights.

“Let him go, Thor. He had every right to question our motives.” Zeus’ voice was deep and soft. And the interference irritated Thor, who snapped his head toward him.