Werewolf Rage Book #2 in the Taming The Wolf Series by Katie Lee O'Guinn Page B

were wondering Ava, you’re free too. How about it?”
    Perry made a strangled sound in her throat and whispered her brother’s name. Ava laughed and shook her head. “Cole, get it through your head. I love Cyrus . He didn’t pick me for a mate. I chose him. I don’t need you to save me from anything or anyone. Sorry to disappoint you. Let’s just focus on Perry okay?”
    Cole stared at her for a moment silently before he sighed. “Fine, we’ll focus on Perry, but you can always change your mind you know.”
    Ava closed her eyes and shook her head. “For once and for all Cole, no . My answer is no.”
    “ That’s a relief .”
    Ava whipped her head around, her mouth falling open as she stared at Cyrus standing in the doorway to the kitchen, looking furious. She jumped up from her stool and ran to his side.
    “ Cyrus , how much of that did you hear?” she demanded, glancing over her shoulder at Perry, who looked sick to her stomach and terrified now. Cole just looked hopeful. She glared at him warningly before turning back to Cyrus.
    Cyrus looked down at her, his pale blue eyes seething with emotion. “I walked in at the part where you said, would you stand up to Cyrus if I wanted to be with you ?”
    Ava closed her eyes and groaned. He had walked in at the very worst moment possible and how was she going to explain that?
    Perry stood up and walked over to stand in front of Cyrus. “Cyrus, I know that sounded bad, but Ava was just trying to make a point. She doesn’t want my brother. I can tell. Any werewolf can sense how she feels about you. My brother is a passionate, loving man, but your mate is safe from him. He knows her heart belongs to you. We’ll leave now. Ava, you have my permission to tell Cyrus what I’ve told you,” she said with quiet dignity and then looked over her shoulder at Cole.
    Cole stood up, picking up an extra grilled cheese sandwich in one hand as he walked around the counter to stand by his sister. He looked at Cyrus with cool green eyes before glancing at Ava. “Don’t give her a hard time. She’s been good to my sister. I don’t want you to take out your jealousy on her,” he said warningly, his eyes narrowing.
    Cyrus tilted his head as he stared back at Cole. “I want you to remember that I let you walk out of my house tonight without killing you. Someday you’re going to repay the favor.”
    Cole nodded his head silently and then left the kitchen. Perry glanced at Ava with soft pleading eyes and then followed quickly, leaving her alone in the kitchen with Cyrus.
     

Chapter 5 – Withdrawal
     
    Ava heard the front door shut moments later as she stared up at Cyrus. Cyrus had crossed his arms over his chest and was staring at his feet, unmoving and still as a statue. Ava reached out a hand and placed it on his arm. Cyrus stepped back and turned away from her, letting her hand fall as he walked over to the fridge. He opened it and looked for his favorite soda. Ava winced as she realized that Cole had probably taken the last one. Cyrus shut the door without getting anything and turned to face her as he leaned up against the fridge.
    “ Why Ava?”
    Ava copied Cyrus and crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorway. She watched Cyrus and knew she needed to be patient and understanding. But she hadn’t done anything wrong. She didn’t deserve to be treated with suspicion.
    “Why what Cyrus?”
    Cyrus’s eyebrows came together and his mouth tightened. “Why did I come home to find you cooking for Cole? Why did I come home to find you talking to him about challenging me for you? Why Ava? Is that what you want? You want to see me and Cole fighting each other to the death in the park? Wasn’t getting a machete in the side enough for you?” he asked bitterly.
    Ava’s mouth fell open in shock. “You’re being such a jerk,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I told you it was nothing. It meant nothing. Perry told you it meant nothing. Even Cole, who