Claiming His Need by Ellis Leigh Page A

at my packmate. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    He canted his head in Gates’ direction. “That biker trash over there. You’re walking around all googly-eyed and love-struck when he’s already refused you.”
    My back stiffened, and I nearly hissed at him. “He did not refuse me.”
    Chinoo laughed, deep and dark and absolutely infuriating. “Sure he did. The whole damn pack knows he didn’t come for you, even after you two felt the mating bond. All this ‘it’s only because of the danger’ crap is just that. Crap. Once those bikers get their leader back, they’ll ride off into the sunset, and you’ll still be waiting up on that balcony like a sad, lonely Juliet jilted by her Romeo.”
    “You’re wrong.” I moved to leave, but he grabbed my arm and spun me around.
    “Don’t walk away from me, Kaija. You’re beautiful, feisty, and you smell like sex from your upcoming heat. Almost every unmated wolf in this pack would give their right paw to fuck you right about now. And yet, he hasn’t bedded you yet, has he?” He leaned close and sniffed. “But every wolf over there knows what the two of you were doing when you were supposed to be retrieving a cloak for him. We can smell it on you. He’ll let you suck his dick, but he won’t mate with you. You’re just too stupid to see the truth; he doesn’t want you.”
    I fought to hold his gaze, but something in mine must have betrayed me. He tightened his hold, bringing his face closer as his smirk turned cruel.
    “He’ll tell you all the pretty words you need to hear, but in the end, his actions speak the loudest, don’t they? Good enough for a blow job in the closet, not good enough to bond with.”
    I shrugged even as my heart cracked at the thought of being rejected. “Maybe he doesn’t want me. Maybe he’s just here to do a job and will walk away as soon as it’s over.” I jerked my arm out of his grasp and pinned him with my harshest glare. “But until that time, I’m going to treat him as a mate deserves to be treated. I’m going to smile at him and spend time with him. And every day, multiple times a day, I’m going to offer him pleasure. He is my mate, and I choose to treat him as such.”
    Chinoo growled, his expression murderous. I ignored his growing temper and flipped my hair over my shoulder.  
    “Besides, pleasuring him”—I wiped the corner of my lips with my thumb and smirked—“is no hardship for me. He makes it worth my while when we’re alone. The man has seriously talented fingers. And his mouth! Sweet mother of nature, I could ride his face all day long and never tire of the feel of his tongue against me.” I sighed and smiled, selling the lie as well as I could, before scowling at him once more. “But what happens between my mate and me is none of your business. If he rode off tomorrow, I still wouldn’t lay with you.”
    “Fucking whore,” Chinoo spat before he lunged. I dodged and spun, striking with my left leg as I planted my right. The kick connected exactly as I’d planned—a solid shot to the middle of the chest. Chinoo flew backward, past a smirking Gates and a chuckling Sandman.
    “Everything okay over here?” Gates asked as he strolled to my side. I brushed a lock of hair out of my face and huffed.  
    “Peachy. I was just explaining to Chinoo here how what we do in the bedroom—or outside it, as displayed earlier today—is none of his concern.”
    “I like your communication methods, princess. Very effective.” Gates leaned down and brushed a sweet kiss across my lips before pulling back to look me over. You okay? he mouthed. I knew I could say no. The way he stood blocking me from Chinoo spoke volumes. He was giving me the chance to ask for help without losing face in front of my packmate. One word on my part, and Gates would jump in to rescue me. And yet, I didn’t need his rescue. I’d taken care of Chinoo on my own, and I wanted to savor that feeling. So with a smile and