Read Online The Sweetest Mercy (Sexy Shifter Shorts) by amanda bonilla - Free Book Online

mountain lion clawed at the ground, sending bits of turf into the air and Reece chuckled as he choked up on the knife, pressing it into Kiera’s windpipe. “He’s lost one mate already,” he whispered in Kiera’s ear. “Killing you would more than likely send him over the edge. He won’t recover from it.” A warm trickle made its way down the column of Kiera’s throat. “When a lion like Carter goes mad, the animal takes over. He’ll no longer be a man and Logan will be forced to put him down. Killing you is the best punishment I can think of,” Reece seethed. “Funny how one dirty little wood nymph could affect so many people.”
    Anger pulsed hot and fast through Kiera’s body and the tang of adrenaline burned in her throat. Reece’s obsession with vengeance had made him careless, and Kiera would use his foolishness to her advantage. She dug her heels into the ground and shoved backward with all of her strength. Reece stumbled, and Kiera rolled away and the knife cut down, biting into her flesh as he fell to the ground. She bent and retrieved the trap, swinging it with every ounce of strength she could muster. The open mouth of the trap bit into Reece’s stomach, the C clamps keeping it from biting down, but Kiera hoped the silver would at least weaken him enough to give Carter the edge. Scrambling to safety, Kiera watched as the lion sprung into the air, crossing the distance between them in a single graceful leap. He pounced on Reece and Kiera looked away as Carter bit and tore at her kidnapper until his gurgling screams grew weaker, and then, eerily silent.
    Eyes squeezed shut, Kiera flinched when a large, boxy head nudged at her arm followed by an anxious chuff of breath. She opened her eyes to find Carter using his nose to bump her hand away from her wound, sniffing and cautiously lapping at the laceration that thankfully hadn’t cut very deep. She might need a few stitches, but she was alive and so was Carter, and that’s all that mattered. “I’m all right,” she said, reaching out a tentative hand to stroke the lion’s silky coat. He purred contentedly and she smiled. “But I think I’m going to need a vacation.” Carter rubbed his head against hers, the deep rumbling in his chest growing louder. “You’re invited too, you know,” Kiera said as she nuzzled him right back. “I’m going to need someone to wash my hair.”

    Carter squeezed Kiera’s hand as she climbed into his Jeep and buckled her seatbelt. The drive to Logan’s would only take fifteen minutes as opposed to a two hour hike and Kiera was anxious to see her sister. Logan would be pissed that Carter hadn’t brought Reece to him alive as requested, but Carter would deal with Logan’s wrath after Kiera was reunited with Erica. Logan may have wanted to mete out justice on his own terms, but Carter had done what was necessary to defend his female and he would never, ever apologize for that.
    “Ready?” Carter asked as he pulled out of his driveway onto an old dirt road.
    “More than ready.” A sweet smile curved Kiera’s lips and it was all Carter could do to keep from pulling over and taking her right then and there. Maybe Logan had a guest room they could use… “I can’t believe Erica is getting married. Or… mated. She’s only known Drew for a little over a week.”
    “Is it so hard to believe?” Carter asked. He’d only known Kiera for a couple of days, but already he couldn’t picture his life without her.
    “I guess not,” Kiera said, placing her hand on Carter’s thigh. He swallowed hard, lust knotting in his stomach from nothing more than a simple touch. “We’ve only just met, but I can guarantee you, Carter, you’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me.”
    Carter jerked the wheel and pulled off to the side of the road. He unbuckled Kiera and pulled her onto his lap. Screw the guest room. They’d just be a little late. “You’re not going anywhere any time soon.” Carter placed a