Sissy shook her head and walked off. Mitch, after one more careful look around, followed.

Chapter 28

Ronnie saw them first, probably because she hadn’t taken her eyes off the woods since she’d heard Mitch’s roar.

When her friend came out, Mitch behind her, she ran to Sissy. By the time she’d put her arms around her, Sissy had shifted back. Ronnie held her and fought back tears. She’d honestly feared she’d never see Sissy again. There had been those who’d gone up the hill without invite, without permission, and they’d disappeared or they’d come back…wrong.

The power that old woman wielded rivaled most, and she hated everybody.

“It’s okay. We’re okay.”

Ronnie pulled back. “She let you go?”

“She didn’t have much choice.”

It was a simple sentence, but it resonated through the She-wolves. They understood its true meaning. Sissy’s power would never be questioned again. And only the bravest would ever challenge her for the position of Alpha.

Ronnie grinned. Proud. Sissy had come a long way from that little three-year-old who told her one day, “We’ll be friends now. You’re not as pretty as me.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, Sissy.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

A naked, rushing Mitch walked past them, grabbing Sissy’s hand as he did and dragging her toward the cars. “Come on. We’ve gotta go.”

“Go? Go where?”

“The game!”

Sissy froze—they all did—and gawked at him. “You cannot be serious,” Sissy barked.

Mitch faced her. “Baby, I’m the wide receiver. The team is depending on me.”

Ronnie stood behind Sissy and said what they were all thinking, “Oh, my God. He’s one of them now.”

“Where the hell have you been?” Travis demanded. His entire right leg was in a cast, and his mate had put him in a wheelchair. Sissy had a hard time not giggling.

“He’ll be ready in five.” She and Dee rushed to get his jersey over his shoulder pads.

“He better be. The game’s about to start.”

“I know. I know.”

Once she had him ready, Sissy handed him his helmet. Tragically, it was not the one she’d used on her brother. It would have definitely been cool for him to wear that helmet. “You ready, baby?” she purred.

“I was born ready, baby.”

“Would you two stop it!” Travis snarled.

“What’s the matter, Travis?” Sissy asked, her lips pouting in fake sympathy. “Your pain meds making you a little cranky?”

“Get off the field, Sissy.”

“I’m going.” She went up on her toes and kissed Mitch.

Behind her, Bobby Ray griped, “Stop maulin’ my babysister.”

Sissy laughed and started to walk off the sidelines with Ronnie and Dee when the team coach for the bears, Collintown’s seven-foot-eight librarian, barreled forward. “They’re not playing.”

Travis looked at Mitch and Brendon. “There’s nothing in the rules that says the cats can’t play for us.”

“I’m not talking about them. We told you before, Smith, we wouldn’t play if her”—he pointed at Sissy—“or her”—he pointed at Ronnie—“were playing.”

Mitch looked at her. “Uh…Sissy?”

Sissy rounded on the coach. “I can’t believe you are still holding that against us. It’s been years!”

“He was in traction for three months. A shifter! In traction!”

“He was in my way!”

Travis motioned Sissy toward the bleachers. “Go.” He looked at the coach. “They’re not playing. They’re only here to watch.”

“That better be true. If they’re on the field at any time, you forfeit.”

“So,” Mitch said, clearly enjoying Sissy’s high level of annoyance, “you hate the game not because it’s boring or stupid as you’ve always said. But because the big boys won’t let you play.”

“Big boys? More like big babies.”

Brendon watched the bears watch Sissy and Ronnie. “What exactly did you two do?”

Sissy started to answer, but Bobby Ray shook his head. “Remember what you promised as part of the lawsuit settlement?”

“Settlement?”

“Oh, forget it!” She turned on her heel and stomped to the bleachers.

As they got comfortable, Dee laughingly reminded Sissy, “Told you those bears would never let it go.”

That bear hit him so hard Mitch flipped right into the end zone, the ball tight in his arms. He knew from the roar—and howls—of the crowd that he’d scored the winning touchdown.

A big hand reached out for him, and he grabbed it. Brendon hauled him to his feet and slammed his hand against his shoulders. In some cultures, it might even be considered affectionate, in others, it was just assault.

“Nice, little brother.”

“I can’t see straight. But that’s okay.”

“That bear was gunning for you.”

“And where the hell were you?”

“Taking out the other bears gunning for you.” Brendon grinned. “I knew I had some skill.”

“As long as we keep a ball out of your hands.”

“Eat—”

Brendon never got to finish his insult as Sissy ran up and threw herself at Mitch. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, she kissed the helmet since he hadn’t taken it off yet.