Page 28 of It's Kind of a Bunny Story
“Stop being mean,” Charlee scolded, adding a little growl.
Since when did she growl?
Mate so cute.My wolf practically gushed.
Hades! What was going on? My bunny mate was snarling like a pup, and my wolf was about a minute away from offering to make friendship bracelets with her.
Copeland continued to laugh, but Charlee wasn’t having it. “I bet you’d like being petted too!”
“Little rabbit, there isn’t a chance that’s going to happen.” He shook his head.
Charlee slid off me and stood. “I’d like you to shift. Now.”
Copeland raised an eyebrow. “Sugar, you can’t be serious.”
“The hare I am!” Crossing her arms over her chest, she pinned him with a stern glare. “Shift. Please.”
Copeland threw back his head and laughed. “Little mate, my wolf will never degrade himself like that.”
My wolf thumped his tail against the floor, thoroughly delighted at our mate’s bossiness.
“Should we do something?” Fletcher whispered, his gaze darting between the pair locked in a stare down.
If I’d been in my human form, I would’ve suggested making popcorn.
The silence stretched until Copeland threw up his hands. “Fine, but only because you said please.”
“Thank you!” Charlee beamed at him.
My best friend shifted. It took him longer than me to complete, but it was far smoother than most of the packs’ shifting ability.
“Good boy. Now roll over,” Charlee ordered.
Surely she hadn’t just called him a good boy? Belly rubs were one thing. Being a good boy was another.
My wolf rumbled with wicked delight while Copeland snarled in displeasure.
Instead of backing down, our petite princess lifted her chin. “You are welcome to complain about it, but I want you to roll over.”
Copeland stalked toward her, closing the gap between them in seconds. He stared stubbornly at her with glowing gold eyes.
I thought she’d back down. Her inner beast had to be begging her to run. Instead, she stepped forward so that the pair were nearly touching noses. Other than the slight hitch in her breathing, she showed no sign of fear while facing off with a predator.
“Charlee, maybe it’s best you don’t antagonize him.” Fletcher caught her hand, trying to tug her away from the glowering wolf.
I didn’t blame him. Copeland could be goofy one minute and intimidating the next. He wasn’t an alpha, but his confident swagger definitely gave off powerful vibes—something he enjoyed flexing. I was several years older than him, but because of being less outgoing, I blended into the shadows while he drew the attention. Even now, the rabbit shifter had his back turned to me while focusing his full attention on Copeland, wrongly assuming I was less of a threat.
“Linc?” Charlee glanced over her shoulder at me, then pointed at Copeland. “Pin him for me.”
My wolf chortled in glee.
Our mate knew who held the real power here.
Copeland didn’t stand a chance.
My muscles tightened as I sprang forward, taking the wolf down in a single smooth move. His back collided with the hardwood floor. Locking my jaws around his throat, I dug my razor-sharp canines into his skin, warning him of the consequences of fighting against me.
“Thank you, handsome.” Charlee kissed the top of my head, then bent to stare Copeland in the eyes. “We’re still getting to know each other, but I need to be clear about something.”
