Releasing the Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (The Callaghan Clan Book 2) by Meredith Clarke, Ashlee Sinn

one questioned in awe.
    “His name is Mikey,” Scarlett said.
    Major glanced at her and then back to him, never answering his question. “Mikey, huh.” The tiger sauntered closer to the man. “What is she talking about?”
    When he finally snapped out of his trance, he shook his head and shrugged. “We saw the video, and we want to be like you.”
    “What video?” Major asked over the top of my growl.
    Mikey pointed at Scarlett. “The one where she changed into a wolf and fought with the grizzlies.” As though realizing my presence for the first time, Mikey’s eyes widened with excitement again. “You were there too, weren’t you?” he asked me.
    I took a few steps closer to him. The men on the ground scrambled back against the wall, but Mikey actually leaned forward.
    “What are you doing, Mikey? Jesus Christ, it isn’t worth it,” Todd whimpered. “He already killed my brother.”
    Mikey tilted his head and studied me. “I’m not afraid,” he whispered.
    “You’re fucking crazy, man,” Todd shouted, then he looked at Major. “Please. Please don’t hurt us. This was a dumb idea. I don’t want any part of this anymore.”
    “Too late,” Major said, and the temperature in the room dropped. The scent of fear filled the space, and the distinct aroma of a large cat overpowered my nose. Major looked over his shoulder at me. “Do you want to change?” His words were soft, not a demand, but perhaps a suggestion. A suggestion from someone who oversaw all of the shifter relations.
    Scarlett reached through the cage and brushed her hand along my side. “It’s okay,” she whispered.
    I huffed and jerked my head toward the lock on the door. Major understood and picked up the cattle prod. He aimed it at Mikey. “Unlock it.”
    Mikey complied but opened the gate slower than was necessary. Scarlett didn’t move until he was finished. I wasn’t sure how she could show so much self-control at a time like this. I guess being the second and the enforcer had helped her learn how to control her anger. But when she passed him and found herself free of the cage, she immediately turned and attacked. With one massive punch, she nailed Mikey in the side of the jaw hard enough to knock him to his knees. She bent forward and grabbed his greasy hair, yanking it back and putting her face directly in front of his.
    “You are disgusting,” she said.
    But once again, Mikey didn’t show the appropriate response. Instead he smiled, blood trickling from his lip. “And you are amazing.”
    Scarlett pulled her arm back in preparation for another hit, but Major stepped in and held her steady. With a shake of his head he reminded her that one scratch, one small exchange of blood, could give these assholes exactly what they wanted.
    I could smell her anger and her wolf, but she kept both under control. Scooping up her tank top and panties, she joined my side and got dressed again. The two little men wouldn’t even glance in our direction, but Mikey had a look of lust on his face that needed to be wiped clean.
    Or destroyed.
    “Brennan?” Major asked. “Will you please change back?”
    A favor. I heard it in his voice. Why would he want me to change so badly?
    Then Major started to take off his clothes. Scarlett and I looked at each other, understanding now what he was asking for. His slow, purposeful movements enthralled all of the men. This act of power definitely leading to something they would not want to see in a few minutes. Major looked at me again, eyes pleading for compliance.
    With a nod, I closed my eyes and coaxed my human back to the surface. The bear didn’t want to go, but with the aroma of Major’s dominance wafting through the room, he didn’t fight too much. A minute later, I stood next to Scarlett, completely naked yet happy to have her in my arms again.
    Major had folded all of his clothes in a nice little pile and set them on top of his shoes. Picking it up, he walked over to me. “Maybe something