Steel Beauty

“Ouch.”

“Speaking of ouch…” She held out her hand.

“Open up.” Rick brushed the pill against her lips, not surprised that her eyes remained green. He didn’t

think he’d get to watch her eyes change for quite a while longer.

She opened and he fed her the pill, holding the glass steady so she could sip through the straw. “Thankyou.”

He decided he couldn’t put it off any longer. “I’ve called a Pack meeting to deal with the Gina situation.”

“It’s a little soon, isn’t it?”

He frowned at her confused expression. “I hardly think so.” Getting Gina off his back would be one ofthe few pluses to what he had in mind.

“Okay. Just do me a favor and make sure you’ve got a first aid kit handy.”

He blinked. He hadn’t thought she’d want to be present for this. “Sure.”

“What time tonight?”

“Ten. I want to make sure the Lodge is mostly shut down for the night. The few guests we have will

understand an emergency Pack meeting.”

She shrugged. “All right, if you say so.” She turned back to her show, but not before her hand burieditself in the strands of his hair brushing against her thigh.

He settled in on the floor and watched her stupid show with her, totally at peace for the first time in threedays as her fingers played with his hair.

Belle hated the outdoor Pack meetings, never more so than now. Pumas did it right; they held themindoors, with wine, cheese, and more importantly,heat  . She could barely stand, even with the help of Rick’s arm, her cane, and the six Ibuprofen she’d gulped on the way out the door. But he was right. Ginaneeded to be dealt with as soon as possible, before she’d gathered too much power. She’d alreadyacquired more than her fair share. “Good evening, my Pack.” The Pack jumped as Rick spoke out loud. Only Dave seemed unsurprised. “I called this meeting to deal with the challenge Gina Maldonado laiddown before my mate, Belinda Campbell.”

The Pack looked back and forth at one another, obviously confused. She knew they were aware of

Gina’s challenge, so she could only assume it was the fact that Rick had chosen to address them outloud.

“Due to the fact that my mate is currently unable to shift, Gina has also issued, as dominant female, a proclamation. If Belle cannot change forms within one months’ time, Gina must be declared Luna of the Pack.”

Ominous silence greeted that pronouncement. Only Gina and her flunkies looked pleased. Gina smirkedat Belle.

Belle smiled back sweetly. Gina’s smirk faltered.

“If Gina was to be declared Luna of this Pack, I would be forced to accept her as my second mate.”

Belle’s smile deepened, showing her suddenly sharpened teeth. She felt her claws rip through the fabricof her gloves.Damn. Those were leather, too.

“In light of the fact that I have more desire to bed a grizzly bear than Gina Maldonado—” Rick ignored

the snickers, and Gina’s fierce frown, “—I have chosen the only course open to me.”

Belle shot Rick a sharp look as his shoulders straightened. Suddenly she knew what he was about to do.

She couldn’t allow that. Rick was the best thing that had ever happened to the Red Wolf Poconos Pack.

She took a step forward, already prepared for what was coming.

“I am ready to face Gina Maldonado’s challenge.”

“BELLE!”

She ignored Rick’s roar as she stepped forward, letting her cane drop to the ground. She heard severalof the Wolves surround Rick, and only hoped they were restraining him. She sneered at Gina, feelingnothing but contempt for the she-Wolf. “I’m ready to bring it, bitch. What about you?”

Gina laughed and stepped forward, her posse right behind her.

“Uh-uh-uh.” Belle shook her finger at the females. “This is between Gina and me. No back-up singers

allowed.”

“Which means your ‘friend’ can’t help you either.”

Belle took a deep breath and removed her coat. “I’ve gotten used to that.”

“Damn.”

Belle shook her head and looked back at Chela. “Down, girl. It’s my turn now.”

“Look out!”

Belle turned and caught Gina’s fist just before it landed on her face. She sank her claws into the otherwoman’s hand reveling in the bitch’s screech of pain. She felt one of Gina’s finger bones snap under thepressure from her claws. “Oh, now,this  looks familiar.”

She smiled wickedly down at the fallen Gina as Sarah’s words in the diner suddenly replayed themselvesin her mind. “Everything is going to be fine. I promise you that.”

Rick relaxed as Belle’s words flowed over him. “Everything is going to be fine.”

He watched as his mate finished undressing. Gina took longer due to the wound already inflicted by

Belle.

“I’m okay.” He shrugged off Dave and Ben, pushing Chela’s hand off his arm. He was so intent on

watching the women strip he barely felt the three of them move behind him, flanking him, protecting him.

When Belle was gloriously naked she waited, hands on hips, tapping a foot in the snow. He nearlywhined at the sight of the new, jagged scar on her hip but stopped himself. He would be strong for her,for what she’d sacrificed to stop Gina’s plans.

Gina slithered out of her panties, stretching, trying to tempt him with a knowing look.

He retched, then spit on the ground. “Sorry. I threw up a little in my mouth.”

Gina gasped, infuriated.

“God, I love you.”

Rick blinked, stunned. It was the first time Belle had thought that. Her thoughts were filled with suchamused affection he couldn’t doubt her sincerity. He wished with all his heart that she could hear hisanswer. “I love you too, my Luna.”

Her breath hitched. The smile she turned on him was smug, cat-like, but she couldn’t hide the happinessshining from her. “I know. You show me every day.”

He blew her a kiss, crossing his arms over his chest as he settled in to watch his pretty little kitty kick theass of one truly obnoxious bitch. He’d figure out how she’d heard him later.

She turned to Gina with a feral grin. “Let’s get this over with. I’m tired of looking at your cellulite thighs.”