Scorch: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Tribe Series) by Terra Wolf, Ally Summers Page A

you’ll have family. You’ll have me. You’ll have the Tribe. You do belong, Francesca. With me. Always with me.”
    I sighed. He was right. I was going to belong to a line of cat shifters. There was a place for me. I just didn’t expect that place to be with an unusually hot pack of alpha jaguars. One look at Case and then Noah and I realized there was something different about the Tribe. They were built like gods. Hot, sexy, chiseled, athletic gods.
    I wrapped my arms around his neck again. “I don’t want you to leave tonight.”
    He chuckled. “Darlin’, believe me. There’s nothing I’d rather do than carry you into that bedroom and make you mine right now. It’s all I can think about. But the guys are waiting. And it’s bad luck to see the bride on our wedding day. I think that’s a tradition for every being. Humans and shifters.”
    “Tomorrow seems like a long time away when you’re standing in front of me right now.” I tugged on his neck. “Five more minutes?” I pleaded. “We can do a lot in five minutes.” I ran my fingers around his waist and drew a line under his belt.
    He groaned, loosing control of his restraint. His mouth moved over mine roughly and urgently as if he was kissing me goodbye forever. Tasting every part of my mouth. Remembering the way my lips felt. Stroking the side of my face. Tangling his hands in my hair.
    Eventually, he pulled away, panting from the charge between us. “I’m going to walk down these stairs and get in my truck.”
    I nodded, biting my bottom lip.
    “And I’m going to drive to the hotel.”
    I nodded again.
    “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you so badly, my jaguar is about to crawl out of my skin.”
    I giggled. “That bad?”
    He growled. “That fucking bad.” He started to back away.
    “Good night, Drew.” I giggled, knowing I had made it almost impossible for him to leave. I didn’t want him to go, but I understood. This would make tomorrow night all that more special.
    “I’ll see you at the altar.” He winked.
    I waited until his taillights had disappeared around the bend. I sat in one of the chairs on the porch. I didn’t want to walk inside. Somehow it would make it feel like the night had ended. I touched my lips, tender from his teeth and mouth. I didn’t know kisses could be like that.
    I didn’t know attraction could be this strong. I didn’t know need and love could be so tangled I couldn’t tell one from the other. What I did know was that tomorrow I would link my life to Drew’s.
    I sat and rocked, watching the moon sink lower.

19

Drew
    I pulled the starch collar against my neck. Who in the hell invented tuxedos? I looked at the guy in the mirror getting ready to marry the shifter of his damn dreams. How did I get this lucky?
    “Hey, little brother.” Case strolled into the room where I was getting ready. He held a drink in his hand.
    “How does this look?” I turned for him to give me a full inspection.
    “Like you’re about to take your first mate.” He grinned. “I’m proud of you. Very proud. Your duty to the Maddox line is being fulfilled. Can I get you a drink? Something to celebrate this occasion?” He walked over to the bar and poured something dark brown into a glass and handed it to me.
    I needed a little courage for what I was about to ask him. “About that…”
    “I wish Dad was here to see you. See this. What we’ve accomplished. The lands we’re inheriting. The territories we’re building. He’d be proud.” He slapped me on the back. “You are a true Maddox, Drew. Dad would want to be here.”
    “Well, he’s not.” I threw back the bourbon and felt it burn inside my throat.
    “Listen, Case. I need to talk to you about my list. About the whole thing.”
    After leaving Francesca on the porch last night I had decided I had to bring this issue to the king. The council would be next. But what I felt for her wouldn’t be destroyed because of shifter history. I wanted to make my own