Ben and Eileen were asleep when a knock sounded from the front door. It took them both some time to wake up, but when Eileen's fear scent hit is nostrils, Ben instantly went on alert.
"What? What is it?" he demanded, already on his feet and looking around with his claws extended.
Eileen couldn't help but giggle, "I think somebody's at the door."
Ben relaxed and smiled sheepishly, claws retracting, "Oh. Oh! JUST A MINUTE! I'll keep them busy. You shower. Nobody gets to smell your secret scent but me."
He saw her eyes soften, her mouth curve into a soft smile, and he knew he'd chosen his words well.
He was almost out the door before he stopped, turned to look at her, and retraced his steps to give her a long, drugging kiss.
He was pleased to see her eyes were slightly unfocused by the end of it.
"Wait!" she said as he headed out the door.
He grinned, "Ready for round two? I'll get rid of whoever it is fas-"
A pair of sweatpants hit him in the chest, and a blush stained his face.
She chuckled, "I'm not saying no to the offer of another round, but put on some pants. If it's a female at the door, I might have to kill her for looking at what's mine."
Ben couldn't help it, he stalked back to her for another long, seeking kiss.
"DAMMIT BEN I CAN SMELL YOU OPEN THE DOOR!"
They looked at each other, frozen, before mouthing "Dustin."
Ben raced down the stairs, happiness thrumming through his blood. "Hang on!"
He waited until he heard the bathroom door shut before opening the front door and pulling his best friend into a hug.
"'Sup, Dustin?"
"What took you so long? You--smell like sex. Oh my gosh, you smell like sex!"
Ben pulled him inside and shut the door, face heated, "Shhhh!"
Dustin's eyebrows rose, "Is she still here? Crap, did I interrupt? I'm so sorry. I'll come back later--"
Ben grabbed him by the collar before he could reach the door. "Eileen's taking a shower, but she might be able to hear you."
"Ohhhh," Dustin nodded, lowering his voice. "Gotcha. So, how was it?"
"Really?" Ben laughed. "How do you think--hey, wait, how do you know what sex smells like?"
Dustin rolled his eyes, "Please, any shifter from a big family knows what sex smells like."
But his eyes were dancing.
Ben grinned at him, slapped him on the back, and the two of them walked into the kitchen to have a glass of sweet tea.
"Happy birthday, by the way," Dustin said, taking a gulp.
"Thanks, man. It's good to see you. You've not been around a lot this summer. What's been going on?"
"Well... I've been going through some special training with Coach Stout, and yesterday...I met a trainer named Coach Hail."
Ben froze, eyes widening, "Are you--"
"I got in, Ben!"
They both jumped to their feet, screaming and ramming into each other excitedly.
"What's...going on?" Eileen asked quietly from the doorway, eyes wide.
Ben reigned it in, patting Dustin hard on the back as he announced, "Dustin just got into the Academy!"
YOU ARE READING
The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)
Romance*Complete but still subject to edits* Ben Cougar and Eileen Grau have been best friends since they were kids. For the young cougar-shifter, it was love at first sight. For the ostracized Vampire girl, it was good to have a friend--even if he was s...
