Read Online Overcoming His Pride by Amber Kell - Free Book Online Page B

lion shifter continued her rant. “Why can’t you do one thing right?”
    “S-sorry, Mistress.”
    “I should’ve known any boy of yours would be as useless as you. We just needed a few more litters to last through the winter. You’ll have to convince him to do the right thing for his family, or I’ll get rid of him like I did the others.” The she-lion growled.
    Chen’s stomach swirled. The picture was becoming clear and he didn’t like it. No matter what Juliet had done, she didn’t deserve this. No one deserved to be treated like that.
    A bear roar reached Chen’s ears.
    “What the fuck is that?” the she-lion snarled.
    Chen heard the door open then slam shut again.
    It wasn’t until the alpha lion’s footsteps faded that Juliet spoke again. “You two watch over James, okay? And Andrew. They both deserve better than what I gave them. I can’t let her do this anymore. I’ve let her torture me long enough.”
    Chen chirped his agreement. They would take care of their mate and his son.
    Marlen added his own song.
    “Good. Andrew will let you out when he comes. I can’t take the chance she’ll see you.”
    The sound of the door opening was followed by the crackle of broken bones. With her injuries, changing from human to lion must’ve been excruciating, but she didn’t complain.
    The soft padding of lion paws headed away from them, leaving them in silence.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Where are they?” Andrew paced back and forth. His lovers had vanished into the motel with Juliet. Talan had grabbed Andrew when he’d tried to run after his mates.
    “We have to be cautious,” Talan said.
    The sound of a roar echoed through the air.
    “I know you’re out there. Come and get your birds if you can,” a woman screamed. Her words ended on a screech worthy of a bird shifter.
    “This bitch is mine!” Lou stripped down then shifted. He let out a challenging growl.
    “Lou,” Talan said.
    The large grizzly turned to face the alpha.
    “Be careful. James won’t like it if you get killed.”
    The grizzly chuffed his amusement.
    “Yeah, I know she’s only a cat.”
    Andrew bit his lip. His mates were missing and James’ mate was going into trouble. He turned to Talan. “What do you want me to do?”
    “Honestly, I want you to stay put. I don’t want the wrens to be upset with me if you’re injured. I like my eyes just where they are. Keep an eye on things. If she has backup, you can start trying out your rifle.”
    “Are you going in?”
    Talan shook his head. “I’m not going to get in Lou’s way. It’s his mate and he deserves to rescue him. If it looks like he’s being overpowered, then I’ll do something.”
    Andrew lifted his binoculars to watch the encounter.
    “I wasn’t sure about you, Doc, but I have to say you’re growing on me,” Talan said.
    “Glad to hear it.” Andrew knew the alpha disliked how he’d managed James’ shifting, but Talan hadn’t been there when his young son had screamed from the pain. Or when James had almost been stuck in a half-shifted shape.
    Talan chuckled and patted Andrew on the back. “You don’t care if I like you or not. You only care how I treat your son. That’s why I like you.”
    Andrew shook his head. He’d never understand shifters.
    Turning his attention back to the trouble at hand, he watched the psycho she-lion transform into her animal form and attack Lou. She had to be crazy. Lions were strong, but they weren’t bear strong. Lou swiped at the lion, sending her flying across the open field in front of the motel. Andrew watched her stand back up and attack again. Another lion emerged from the house and stood between Lou and his opponent.
    Andrew dropped the binoculars and readied the gun. Before he had the sight lined up, the new lion attacked the alpha lion instead of Lou. Andrew’s jaw dropped open as the lions battled and the sounds of low growls and high-pitched screams reached them. Andrew didn’t know which lion he should