The Master Shark's Mate (Fire & Rescue Shifters 5)

“I apologize for his bad manners,” Martha said to the snake. “I should have taught him better. But he’s my youngest son—my baby boy. Think how worried your ma would be if you disappeared. Surely you can be neighborly enough to point us in the right direction?”

The snake shifter spat in the dirt. “Told you all I know. Now get out.”

Her sons’ growls kicked up a notch. Martha could tell just as well as them that the rattlesnake was lying through his fangs. He did know something, and he’d rather bleed on the sand than tell it to her.

Heaven save us from insecure young alphas itching to prove themselves.

Of course, thirty years back she’d been that rash young pup desperate to keep face in front of her pack. It had taken an all-out war to knock some sense into her fool head.

She could only pray that the young rattlesnake was a faster learner than she’d been.

“I don’t want any trouble between our people,” she said, letting her voice harden. “Your old man, God rest his soul, kept his side of the treaty, and I aim to make sure my pack keeps ours. But in order to do that, I need you to cooperate with me.”

The rattlesnake showed his fangs again. “Don’t you threaten me, you old bi-“

Fortunately for the snake shifter, his words were cut off by Nita’s sudden shriek. “Roddie!”

Martha whirled, rattlesnake forgotten as the wind carried her baby boy’s scent to her too. A second later, his gangling, hangdog form stepped round the corner of the 7-11. He wasn’t alone, either. A copper-skinned girl with waist-length black hair clung to his arm, a defiant look on her face. And behind them-

“Finn?” Martha gasped.

He loomed behind the sheepish pair like a cop bringing a couple of juvenile delinquents home to face the music. Martha could scarce believe her eyes…but her nose didn’t lie.

His fierce salt scent filled the gaping void in her heart. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been hurting, until she wasn’t.

“Oh, Finn,” she breathed.

She would have run to him despite her goggling kids, but the rattlesnake shifter moved first. He pelted for the girl, all cool forgotten.

“Celia!” he yelled, his voice cracking with relief. Half a dozen snakes poured after him, emerging from under dumpsters. “You’re okay!”

“More than okay,” the girl said, holding up her left hand. A wedding band glinted from her finger. “I’m married.”

“You’re what?” The snake shifter whirled on Roddie, fangs bared. “What the hell have you done to my little sister?”

“What the hell have you done to my little brother?” Nita yelled at the girl.

In all the fuss and confusion, Martha only had eyes for one person. Finn circled unnoticed around the arguing snakes and coyotes, moving silently to her side. He stopped slightly out of arms’-reach, as if he was just a casual acquaintance.

“Hello,” he said quietly.

Something about his appearance struck her as utterly ludicrous. She had to gape at him for a moment before she worked out what was different about him.

“You’re wearing a shirt,” she said, stupidly.

His teeth gleamed. “I could remove it, if you prefer.”

“Yes, please. I mean, no. Later. What?” Her human mind was moving like molasses, while her coyote was mad with joy. “Finn, what are you doing here?”

He tilted his head. “I decided to take another vacation.”

“So soon? Your Empress didn’t mind? How long can you stay?”

“Forever.” His voice was the barest breath. “If you will have me.”

“And what about him, Roddie?” Nita was demanding of her brother, as she jerked her thumb at Finn. The rattlesnake shifter was also eying the massive shark shifter warily. “Why’s he with you?”

“He tracked me and Celia down in Vegas, by following our blood-scent or something. He made us come back.” Roddie grimaced. “He’s kind of hard to say ‘no’ to.”