Already Freakn' Mated by Eve Langlais

reaching for his father. Tears hot in his eyes, Sheng nodded, what else could he do? He whispered. “I promise.” Eyes closed shut in an attempt to stem the pooling moisture , Sheng didn’t need to look to know when his father died. He heard it. Heard the last rattle of breath leaving is body. Heard the heart wrenching screams of his mother. The soft sobs of his sister.
    The weight of his promise hung heavy on his young, narrow shoulders , b ut at the same time, they gave him strength. His father believed in him. He’d live up to that promise.
    If only he could have given some of that will to survive to his mother.
    Shaking his head to dispel the sad memories, Sheng hardened his heart. So what if Chris was possibly Jiao’s mate? Sheng didn’t believe in the mating fever and Jiao’s safety would always come first, whether she appreciated it or not.
    Despite the spark he’d sensed between his sister and the wolf, despite the fact she might resent his actions, Sheng would keep them apart. Keep them from destroying the charade that protected them. Even if it meant dishing out more money and working longer hours for the home gym he’d promised her, a safe place for her cat to exercise away from prying eyes. I will protect her from herself.
    Problem was, when he tried to call the overpriced contractors, not a single one could take the job. One cited a full workload, despite previously claiming he could start within a day. Another had a family emergency. No answer for the third or fourth. As for the fifth, the only other shifter who’d bothered to send in a price? He claimed he’d under quoted and wanted to double the money.
    Fuming, Sheng stared at the only remaining quote on his desk.
    “Why are you trying to set the paper on fire with your eyes?” his sister asked, as she came to stand behind him.
    “I have to go with the wolf if you want the gym by the next full moon.”
    “I want the gym.”
    “Maybe we should wait. One of the guys says he’ll have time in about six to eight weeks.”
    “Two months? No way. You promised me somewhere I could let my cat out. Unless you’ve changed your mind about the woods?”
    “You know we can’t be seen.”
    “Then the answer is easy. Hire the wolf. Get me my gym.”
    “I don’t think hiring him is a good idea.” Every instinct for preservation he owned screamed no.
    “Why not? What’s the problem?”
    “I don’t like him.” Didn’t like the feeling he got that letting Chris into their life would introduce chaos and disruption.
    “So you’ve said. Numerous times and I’m still not sure why. I thought he was rather nice.”
    “Therein lies the problem,” Sheng snapped. He whirled his chair around and glared at her. “I’m not blind Jiao. I saw how you stared at him.”
    Turning away, his sister toyed with the books on the shelf and shrugged before she replied. “He’s attractive. Who wouldn’t look?”
    “You’re married. It’s not seemly for you to notice.”
    “It’s a fake marriage to my brother,” she growled back. “Can you really blame me for admiring a handsome man? Not only do I have eyes, I’m twenty two years old and a virgin.”
    “As is proper for an unwed woman.” Actually, he’d prefer she remained that way permanently. Some things a brother just didn’t want to think of.
    “But that’s just it! How can I get married if I can’t even look at a man?”
    “It’s to keep you safe.”
    “Maybe I’m tired of being safe. Maybe I’m ready to do something dangerous. What was the point of escaping for our freedom if you’ve got me chained up just as tight?”
    Sheng’s lips tightened. Did she really compare his careful protection of her to the monster that held them prisoner? “Well excuse me for everything. If I’d known you’d prefer staying behind and playing brood mare so Kaleb could sell your cubs, then I would have left you to rot in his prison.” No he wouldn’t, but in the heat of anger, the words slipped out. The