Page 20 of Love Bites Hard

She squeezed my hand again before slipping away with a promise that other wolves would be bringing me gifts too, to express their thanks. Then, she rejoined a few other women nearby.

I expected to be growled at for my remark, but Porter surprised me by not saying anything.

Huh.

He even loosened his grip on my waist after she left.

A smallish man with bright red hair came up to me next, holding a gift of his own. It was in a smallish, square box that made me a little nervous. If he broke out jewelry, I was pretty sure Porter would want to kill him.

“Curtis had me locked up for refusing to join the group that attacked your sister and the vampire king,” he said, and I noticed the ashen tone to his pale skin. “I would’ve died in prison if not for your deal. Thank you, Alpha.” He handed me the box.

I gave him a quick but genuine smile as I opened the lid.

Relief washed over me when I found what looked like a large bath bomb inside.

No jewelry.

Porter’s grip tightened a little more anyway.

“My sister made it with peppermint oil and leaves,” he explained.

I thanked him for his thoughtfulness, and he slipped away.

Porter’s grip didn’t ease.

“It’s just a bath bomb,” I whispered.

“He was picturing you bathing with it,” Porter gritted out. “Loudly. I need to claim you.”

“You already did.”

“I need to claim youbetter.”

He was talking about sex.

I couldn’t help but flush a little.

“I don’t have to use it, but I’m not going to refuse a gift. Sirens are targets. The more your people like me, the more protection I’ll have,” I whispered.

“You don’t need their protection.”

“Like hell I don’t. I’m mated to someone who doesn’t even want tofeedme.”

His grip tightened even more. “Of course I’ll feed you. I just don’t want you catching me off guard with it.”

“When I get hungry enough, I literally can’t control it.”

“I won’t let you get that hungry. You need to feed twice a week, right?”

“To stay strong, yes.”

“I’ll put it in my calendar.”

“Romantic.”

“More romantic than watching me kill someone for lusting after you.” He grabbed the gift box and set it down on the dirt next to our chair.

“Peoplearegoing to lust after me, Porter. It’s the nature of my power, and it’s unavoidable. You’re the one who wanted a siren.”

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