Zena Wynn - Mary and the Bear

"No, I'm not hurting anywhere. I mean, my stitches are all healed and everything's working just fine. It's just that, well, this is going to sound really strange. I think something is going on with me, inside my body. I don't hurt or anything. I just feel off. I can't put my finger on it or pinpoint anything in particular. I just know that something is wrong."

Alex tried not to show how concerned he was. “I don't think it's strange. You know your body better than anyone else. If you think something is wrong, we definitely need to check it out. Call the office on Monday and tell the receptionist I said to fit you in as soon as possible. I'll examine you, possibly run some tests and see if we can determine what's going on inside."

When Shannon's face fell and her shoulders slumped in disappointment, he became suspicious. “What aren't you telling me?"

After a quick look around, she lowered her voice and leaned close. “I can't sleep at night. I've only been getting about three to four hours of sleep a day. I'm restless, moody and irritable. My body is so sensitive that sometimes I can't stand anything against it. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I was going into heat, but that's crazy. I've already had my season this year."

Alex felt his pulse racing. “Forget Monday. You come into the office tomorrow morning. The practice doesn't open until noon. You be there at nine."

While Alex was waiting for Shannon's agreement, Mark rushed into the kitchen, interrupting them. “Alex, we have a situation. Carol's water broke. Kiesha just took her into the guest room to lie down. The fool woman's been in labor all day and just now decided to tell me."

Sharing a sympathetic look with Shannon, he placed his hand on Mark's shoulder in a calming gesture. “I'll be right there. Let me go and get my bag."

"Carol's already got it. The woman's in nurse mode. She's already got the room set up for delivery. Would you mind telling her to lie down like a normal woman? The only reason she went into the room is because I threatened to carry her. She wanted to avoid making a scene."

Laughing because he knew his beta, Alex refused to make any promises. “I'll see what I can do. Shannon, tomorrow morning at nine. Don't be late."

"I'll be there. Go see about Carol.” She could tell Mark was about at the end of his rope. She watched them walk off. She hoped Alex could discover what was wrong with her. The stress of not knowing was getting to her. The last thing any of them needed was a stressed out wolf, especially when that wolf was an alpha like herself.

Mary Elizabeth danced with a man named Eric. He was tall, built on the lean side, and handsome in that preppy, college-boy kind of way. He was a too young for her taste, but he was a really good dancer. He held her close, but not too close. From the way he was looking at her, she could tell he really liked the outfit she had on, or more specifically, the cleavage she was revealing since his gaze rarely traveled above her chest.

She didn't really pay much attention when she felt someone come up behind her. It was a house party after all, and space was limited. Then someone placed their hands on her hips and a very aroused male body pressed against hers. His action pushed her against Erik, whose hands were already on her waist. Erik took advantage of the situation by pulling her in even closer, until with each movement, her chest brushed against his and his erection rubbed against her stomach.

She'd never been sandwiched between two horny males before, but she was handling it fine until she felt Erik's hands began to inch toward her breast. At the same time, the hands on her hips glided toward the hem of her skirt. Oh, boy! Things were getting out of hand. What to do now? Babs would know what to do, she thought sadly. She was so out of her element. Sliding her hands from around Erik's neck, she brought her elbows down in an attempt to force some space between their bodies. She'd barely finished when the male body plastered to her back vanished.

She heard a low, menacing snarl behind her that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. At the sound, Erik turned sickly pale and jerked his eyes from her chest and his hands from her body. He held his hands up in the universal symbol of surrender to show he was harmless while backing slowly away. Once he had enough room, he turned and disappeared quickly into the dancers crowded on the floor.

Not really wanting to know who or what could cause that kind of reaction in a grown man, Mary Elizabeth took a step forward only to be pulled up short by the big, heavy hand that landed on her shoulder. Really not wanting to know who was behind her, but recognizing that she didn't have a choice in the matter, she slowly turned.

Hugh was standing behind her, but it was Hugh she'd never seen before. He was larger, more aggressive, almost scary looking in his anger. And what was with the growls rumbling from his chest? The hand on her shoulder slid to her upper arm and spun her the rest of the way around. His other hand dropped to her hip and jerked her forward into his body. “What the hell are you thinking?"

Any gratitude she might have been feeling toward him for getting her out of an awkward situation disappeared when he yelled at her. “Excuse you?” The ice in her tone should have given him frostbite. No one spoke to her this way, except maybe her mother.

"And what the hell are you wearing? Where are the rest of your clothes? What, you advertising now? How much for an hour? Maybe we can deal."

She sucked in her breath sharply, his words shocking her. “Are you implying that I look like a hooker ?” She put both hands against his chest and shoved hard, while at the same time twisting her body out of his grasp. The combination of actions caused his hold to loosen enough for her to get away. “Screw you!” She turned and stalked off, not noticing the attention they were drawing.

Cursing violently, Hugh came after her. Reaching out, he grabbed her hand and pulled, using her momentum to swing her body around and into his arms. He locked an arm around her waist and slid his hand into her hair, using it to pull her head back. Then he kissed her. Well, some might call a kiss. She called it a macho, he-man stamp of ownership. She hung there limply in his arms while he pressed his mouth against hers.

When he tried to force his tongue into her mouth, she got violent. She pulled back foot, and kicked him in the shin—hard. She was really glad she'd let the sales lady talk her into these boots. These bad boys were capable of doing some serious damage.

Hugh jerked his mouth from hers. “Ow! What was that for?"

"For manhandling me. I'm surprised you didn't just whip out your penis and pee on me. Put me down. Now!” What was it with men? First she had to deal with Charles, and now this.

He loosened his hold and she slid down the front of his body before her feet touch the floor. He allowed her to take a step away from him but his arm around her waist kept her from getting too far away, and he still had his hand in her hair. “Manhandle? All I did was kiss you. I was trying to apologize."

"No, that wasn't a kiss. A kiss is what happened between us last week. This was you pissing on me like a dog marking its territory. You men are driving me crazy! First Charles went off the deep end, and now you!"

"Charles! Who the hell is Charles?” He was shocked into releasing her.

"None of your business.” She turned on her heel to stalk off, but that was as far as she got before Hugh grabbed her again.

"Who is Charles?” He all but roared the words at her, his grip on her arms tight enough to prevent her from walking away before he had an answer to his question.

"What business is it of yours? It's not like we're involved or anything. Now let me go. You're causing a scene.” This last part was hissed at him as she noticed all of the stares directed toward them.