Beta’s Challenge by Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell Page A

side. Not saying a word, Toya stepped to the side and let them in. Closing and locking the door behind her, Toya returned to the living room. When she rounded the corner from the foyer, she saw Tara standing on one side of the coffee table in a defensive stance while Gabriel was on the other in a pleading one. Tomas and Adrian, at least she assumed it was them, were standing off to the side watching.
    “Tara, please. Let me explain,” Gabriel started hands held out by his sides, palms up.
     “Explain what. That you like taking dick as much as you like giving it? Is that what you want to explain, Gabriel? And from what I could see the dick you were taking is bigger than yours so your asshole must be on fire right about now,” Tara said now standing tall with her arms crossed over her breasts.
    That statement caught Gabriel off guard and he had to stop for a moment. He knew this was not the time for smiles but couldn’t stop the slight upward curve of his lips at the thought Tara had seen Mikal’s dick.
    “So what were you doing looking at Mikal’s dick?” Gabriel said.
    “That was Mikal,” Tara asked, all anger flowing out of her like a rapid running stream only to be replaced with a fear so profound her knees almost buckled. She ran around the coffee table right into Gabriel’s waiting arms.
    Sensing the immediate explosion had been avoided, Toya, always the voice of reason, motioned for everyone to take a seat. She retreated to the kitchen and retrieved the coffee, cups, cream and sugar, placed them on a serving tray and brought it back into the living room. Once everyone had poured their coffee, Tara looked at the three men and said, “So what is this about you three being werewolves?”
    Gabriel shot a scolding gaze in Tara’s direction.
    “What? I was out of my mind after having just seen the man I love being fucked by another man,” Tara said, with no remorse in her voice.
    “Telling that particular detail…Wait, wait, wait. Did you just say you love me?” Gabriel had to do a mental double take on Tara’s words.
    “Did I…? Oh, shit. I did say that, didn’t I?” Tara, also caught off guard by her words, admitted shyly.
    “Yes, you did,” Toya and Gabriel sang in unison.
    Every set of eyes in the room were on Tara. Gabriel scooted closer to Tara, wrapped his arms around her and held on for dear life. Tara’s mind was the center of a whirlwind with thoughts and emotions. She knew she had to be honest, and this was the time to do just that. Pulling back enough to look Gabriel in the eyes, Tara breathed deeply then said, “Gabriel, this all happened so fast. I am still confused. However, I must admit to myself if no one else, you fill a void I didn’t realize I had. Thinking about it, if I’m to be truly honest with myself, I do love you. Crazy as it sounds, I do.”
    Gabriel grabbed her and his mouth came down on hers as if she were his lifeline. The kiss went on for what seemed like forever until a throat cleared, bringing them both back to the here and now.
    “Others are still in the room, and Tara, you have some more explaining to do,” Toya said, gaining their attention.
    “My apologies, Toya, you’re right. First, let me introduce you. This is Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian.” Tara pointed to each man in turn.
    All attention turned to focus on Toya. Toya nodded and sat back in the chair, crossing her legs.
    Gabriel stood and walked to the end of the coffee table directly in front of Toya. He sat on the edge with his elbows on his knees. He looked straight at Toya and said, “I must ask a favor of you. Please do not repeat anything about our being werewolves to anyone. Our secret MUST be kept. Humans won’t be able to handle the fact that we exist and it could be very dangerous for our kind.”
    Toya, never moving a muscle, look to Gabriel then Tomas, then Adrian then back to Gabriel and simply stated, “That will be easy because I don’t believe it anyway.”
    Gabriel heard a low