Page 47 of Shifters Unifying

“No,” she countered. “But this will help me protect you, Logan. If our attackers know we’re bonded, then they’ll know we can communicate with each other.”

“And they’ll know the easiest way to hurt us,” I rasped.

“It’s done,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. “And we no longer have to hide it.” A moment later, she relaxed, and her hands fell to her sides.

When I laced my fingers through hers, I was surprised to discover she was trembling. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her to me. “Emma, you understand that I never wanted to hideyou, only meant to hide the surest way to hurt both of us.”

“The clans need to understand our connection, and it was the only way to explain how you could summon them in my name.” Her voice sounded muffled, and her breath feathered over my chest. “It made the most sense. Now they know, and they won’t despise you for your closeness to me. Or maybe they still will, but they’ll understand it.”

“True, all true,” I said, smoothing my hands over the softness of her back. We stood, relishing the intimacy of being in eachother’s arms for long moments. “We should return to our bedroom. It’s been too long,” I groaned.

“When we leave here, we’ll go back to Six-Mile where I intend to demand a fucking from my fated mate,” she purred, low enough for my ears alone.

“Do you know what you do to me?”

“You mean the hard-on you’ve had since I strolled in?”

“That would be the one.” My dick bobbed in agreement.

“May I have a word with you, Multimorph?” Marcus’s voice cut through our reverie, and I stiffened.

Emma sighed and stepped out of my arms, the absence of her warmth sent white hot fire coursing through my veins. I spun toward him, baring my teeth, and I pulled my right fist, ready to throw it at Marcus’s face.

“I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp, you asshole,” I barked.

But Emma stepped between us and placed a hand on my chest where her cheek had been only moments before. “I’ll be happy to speak to you, Marcus. I’ve heard you have some information for me. Please lead the way.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Here?”

She crossed her arms, and her eyes flashed with lesser fury. “I don’t trust you, and I’m in no mood to invite you anywhere. So, this is your chance. Now or never.”

“Very well.”

But I stopped her.

She frowned. “As the multimorph, I must take the time to hear what the shifters have to say, and I have a feeling he and I have some things to discuss. Let me do thismyway, Logan. Give us space.”

At that, Marcus extended his arm, and they moved toward the front of the amphitheater. As they stepped up onto the platform, Emma waved her hand.

Almost immediately, Marcus began speaking. The more he talked, the wider Emma’s eyes grew. Tears flooded her eyes, and she furiously dashed the drops away. Anguish spread through our bond.

A lap around the milling attendees didn’t help leach the energy from my limbs. Neither did ten more. Or twenty. Finally, huffing, I leaned against the council table, glowering at the conversing duo.

Olivia stopped beside me. “You doing okay?”

“What do you think?”

Inside the magical column, Marcus reached for Emma, and I lunged toward them, biting back a roar. The cat alpha was hurting my mate.

Olivia caught my elbow. “Easy, Alpha. They can’t hear you.”

“He’s trying to touchmymate,” I snapped. “She belongs to me.”

“Oh, come on.”

“He’s dangerous, and I must keep her safe.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Put your alphahole dick back in your pants. No need to measure. Emma knows yours is better.”