Read Online Mating Dance by Bianca D'Arc - Free Book Online Page A

emotionally and physically. I’m afraid
sometimes, that my strength and size is too much for her, but she
promised to let me know when I go too far. As of this morning,
she’s only had to do that once.”
    Tom frowned. What had Brody done that his
mate objected to?
    “She doesn’t like the teeth every time,”
Brody explained without Tom needing to ask. He pointed to his own
neck. “She said she’s proud to wear my marks, but not every single
day. And she did have a good point about not knowing who might
wander into the bakery. She can’t pass in the human world with bite
marks on her neck very well, and this town is open for visitors,
even if we still control who stays.”
    “Wise decision,” Tom agreed, seeing the
logic of Nell not wanting to wear visible bite marks that would
raise questions if humans saw them.
    Brody stood, collecting his trash. “Are you
going to John’s for the planning meeting?”
    “Yeah, I was just about to head over there.”
Tom stood also, noting the way the business in the bakery had
picked up in the past few minutes. “I’ll go with you,” he told
Brody, since they were headed in the same direction.
    Not wanting to interrupt Ashley’s work, he
waved to her as he walked toward the door with Brody. Ashley smiled
and waved back, even as she waited on a customer. Tom went out the
door with a feeling of joy in his heart. She had put it there.
Ashley. His mate.
     

Chapter Ten

    The planning meeting was something they held
every week. It usually started just before noon and went on most of
the afternoon. Tom’s date with Ashley wasn’t until later. He
calculated he’d have just enough time to drop by the fish market
and pick up the salmon from Sig before picking her up.
    They discussed the applications for business
permits that had come in over the past few weeks and the plans for
further construction John had initiated. They were going to do most
of the building themselves, but for the new town hall, John had
sought proposals from two different construction companies, both
shifter-owned.
    They discussed the two approaches, and Tom
wasn’t surprised when the better design proved to have come from
Redstone Construction. Those werecougars had a top-notch operation
and a well-earned reputation. If it was solely up to Tom, he’d give
them the contract and be done with it, but John liked to think his
little town was something of a democracy with a benevolent Alpha
running the whole thing. He was putting it up for a vote next week
after the two plans had been discussed and dissected to his
satisfaction.
    They were winding down the meeting when
Brody’s radio squawked.
    “Sheriff, there’s a situation at the
bakery,” came Zak Flambeau’s disembodied voice over the
walkie-talkie.
    Tom stiffened. Ashley was probably off-shift
at this time of day, but it was still her family’s business, and
her sisters were there. If there was a problem, Tom needed to know
what it was, so he could help.
    Brody looked upset as he keyed the mic on
the radio. “Sitrep,” he ordered, falling back on their military
training.
    “A reporter was just in, asking a whole lot
of questions. Nell called the station, looking for you, but when I
told her you were in a meeting, she hung up. I ran over to the
bakery to find out what was going on, and now, I’m calling
you.”
    Tom knew that when Zak said he’d run over, he meant it literally. The sheriff’s office was only a few
doors down from the bakery on Main Street.
    “Good man,” Brody commented. “Stay there and
keep watch. I’m coming.”
    Tom stood as Brody nodded at John. “I’m
going too,” he said to the room at large, nodding as well to the
Alpha.
    “Is there something I should know?” John
asked, some of the Alpha tone of command entering his voice.
    “Yes,” Tom answered without hesitation. “But
it’s complicated. And it’s not really my secret to tell, though I
don’t think the ladies will mind now that they know about us. But