Chapter One

ANNA

The night is still.

A slight breeze blows my black fur as I sniff the air.

My amber eyes shimmer in the dark.  

I stand at the edge of a clearing on the border of my pack's territory, Falcon Ridge.

It's not huge, but it's not small either.  On the other side of the imaginary line, I stand in front of, sits White Rock.  An alliance pack, smaller numbers, but its members are tough.

I scan the tree line with my wolf ears perked. 

Movement.  

A dark figure on four legs breaches the trees and trots toward me.

As it gets closer, I recognize him.  

Michael.  The border patroller for this area between our two towns.

His large brown and grey wolf approaches and stands almost at attention.  

A wind gust blows and swirls around him as he shifts.  His naked form now crouched and he rises.

"Anna."

Wind gusts blow and I shift.  Rising to meet his face.

We both stand on either side of the border.  Our naked bodies dimly lit in the moonlight.

I nod. "Michael."

He relaxes his stance.  "Anything out of the ordinary tonight?"

I cross my arms.  "Not here.  Pretty quiet.  Which is good because these double patrols are really killing me."  I arch my brow.  "How about you?"

He rubs his nape. "Nothing here.  Boring actually.  I was kind of itching for a fight tonight.  It's weird.  We went from attacks almost daily, to...well...nothing."

"Hey, I'll take it.  Maybe we can knock off early and catch a beer.  Whattya say?"  I raise the corner of my mouth in a sly smile.

Michael is definitely a heart stopper, but I'm not into him for any kind of relationship.  

We've known each other for 5 years.  I met him one night on patrol.  He had just started with his packs border unit.

And although, I don't want a boyfriend, his hard muscles, perfectly cut short brown hair and chiseled features, make me drool. I may not be into him, but feeling that hard body on mine every once in a while, is a treat I have no shame in having.

He smiles a devilish grin.  I can see his interest is peaked below his Adonis belt.  "I have a few more areas to patrol, but I'm sure one of the other guys can cover the rest of my shift.  Meet you in an hour?"

"See you, tiger."  I wink and shift.  I watch him shake his head, smiling and run off to complete my patrol.

****

I check in with my superior and switch the remainder of my shift with a first-year patroller who needed more time under her belt.

I go to the locker-room to change.  I slip on my black leather boot cut pants, my black shit kickers and pull on a black t shirt.  I grab my black rider's jacket and head to Drake's office.

Drake was posted here three years ago as program director.  He's a hard ass but fair.  He's also a fucking hottie.  Blonde short hair, deep blue eyes and jacked.  

I stop in and give a quick knock on the open door.

"Hey."  I pull my riders jacket on and pull my brown and blonde hair out the back.  "When's my next patrol?"

He shuffles his paperwork.  "Tomorrow night.  Dusk.  You'll be doing Southside.  Deacon is going to be in meetings all day and can't get out."

I shake my head.  "Fuck.  Again?  Why?"

He turns his head slightly and cocks a brow.  It rubs him the wrong way the way I talk and, frankly, I enjoy every minute of it. "He's trying for a spot in the security unit, so he has to meet with the commanders."

He turns back to his paperwork.

I plant my ass on Drake's oak desk.  

He looks then glares at me which I completely ignore.  "I don't know why anyone would want to join that meat head club.  It's nothing but weeks of testosterone on parade."

He turns his head to me.  "You know, there's an honor being part of the unit.  You lay your life on the line, protecting your pack everytime you're called to battle.  You should reconsider.  They could use you."

He turns to his keyboard and starts typing.

"Please."  I scoff.  "What are we? A fucking tea party?  I lay my life down every time I go out there. I'm no muscle bound yes man.  Out here, at least we can be wolves.  Not some stuck up robot."

He glances at me.  "It's different, Anna.  And you know it."

I roll my eyes.  "Whatever."  I jump off his desk and lean on it beside him.  "So, you coming out for a drink tonight or is it another night of banging your keyboard?"  I smirk, wagging my brows.

He looks up at me.  Shaking his head and turns back.  "No.  Too many reports to do.  Including yours.  You're two days overdue."

I push myself off his desk.  "Whatever.  All work and no play......"

"Bye, Anna."  He says without turning from his computer.

I've been trying for three years to get this guy drunk.  But he's a brick wall that refuses to break.  One day I will.  Then I'll loosen him up really good.

I give him a two-finger salute. "Bye, hard ass."  And leave the station. 

****

I pull my motorcycle into the parking lot of The Falcon.

Shifter bar.  Not a large place but big enough for a dancefloor for the ladies to dance and the guys to hunt.

Shifter bars are great for two things.  Getting drunk and getting laid.  If a fight brews, that makes it even more fun.  

I walk up to the door.  My heavy boots thump on the wood and I feel the bass of the dance music in my chest.  

I open the door and the place is packed. I forgot Thursday is ladies' night. 

I stride up to the bar.  "Hey, Roy.  What's happening?"

Roy is another hottie.  Really most of us shifters are, but some are hotter than most.  He's huge, short red hair, large chest with tattoos up and down his arms.  "Living the dream." He says slapping a beer in front of me.  "How's Anna?"

I tip my beer back. "Bored as fuck.  Seriously, there's zero action anymore.  Care to entertain me?" I wiggle my brow at him smiling.

He stood and crossed his thick arms.  His biceps threatening his t-shirt sleeves.  "Now, Anna.  I'd just ruin you for all other men."

I get up and grab my beer.  "Honey, I'd be the one doing the ruining.  You're missing a good thing, Roy."  

"I'm sure." He smiles and goes back to work.

I look out over the bar and see Michael seated at a table with 3 other guys.  They look vaguely familiar.  Must be White Rock patrollers.  

I weave my way through the crowd over to them. 

"Hey, tiger."  I run my hand across the back of Michael's neck and pull up a seat.

He sits back and smiles.  "You're late.  I wasn't sure you were coming."

I pound a mouthful of beer.  "I had to stop by Drake's office.  I'm running tomorrow night Southside."

He leans on the table.  "Well then it's good you got tonight then."  He winked and tips his beer back.

"So are you going to introduce me to your friends?"  I cock a brow at him.

He sits up.  "Shit.  Sorry.  This is Dean, Rez and Felix.  Guys this is Anna."

Dean leans in.  "The Anna.  The one you can't shut up about?"

Michael glares at Dean.

"Really."  I turn to him smirking.

Michael waves it off.  "Whatever.  Guys talk."

I can tell though that he's dying of embarrassment.  It's adorable that I'm his popular subject, but I can't get attached.  I don't work like that.

Felix takes a swig of his beer.  "So, Anna.  How long have you been with the patrol?"

I lean back and cross my legs.  "Going on about 6 years now."

Dean pipes up.  "Any thought to the security unit?"  

I laugh.  "No.  Not a chance.  I'm no meat head yes man."

Rez picks his beer.  "I don't know.  Those guys get a lot of respect.  I'd love to get that much attention."

I pick up my beer.  "I can get laid just as easy without turning myself into a fucking robot."  I take a swig.

Michael practically spits his beer laughing.

Dean looks at me. "Sooner or later, you'll get bored of patrol.  Everyone does."

I was about to retort, when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.  I felt eyes on me.  Hard.  I look around the bar and don't see anything out of the ordinary so I turn back.

Michael noticed the change.  "What's wrong?"

I lift my beer.  "Nothing.  It felt.... like I was being watched or something."

I give another quick look around and decide to dismiss it.

****

Shifters are no lightweights.  Even the girls.  Thanks to our metabolism. 

After a dozen beer, I've got a good buzz.

The guys are talking about stuff I don't give a damn about.

I lean over to Michael.  "Come with me, tiger." I wink and stand up.

He catches on and stands up too.  "Catch you guys later."

They all have looks that say they know what's going down.  "Bye, Mike."  They say in unison with stupid smiles on their faces.

I lead Michael out of the bar, around the corner all the way to the back.

He's confused.  "Where are we going?"

I grab his shirt and press his back to the wall.  I smash my mouth on his.  Asking for entrance.  He's shocked but then melts.  He slips his tongue to mine and I kiss him hard.

He wraps an arm around my waist and puts his other hand in my hair behind my head.  

He pulls back.  "Here?  Really?"

"Seems as good a place as any."  I pant.  Taking off my jacket and sliding my hand to his bulge.  "You up for it, tiger?"  I give it a squeeze.  It's solid.  He moans and tilts his head back.  I smile. "Yeah, you are."

He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him.  He spins around slamming my back to the wall.  

He pulls off my shirt to reveal my lacy bra and full c breasts.  He grabs them and squeezes.  Moans escape my lips.  "You like these?"  I grab his hair and pull his head back.  I nip and kiss his neck.  

"Oh fuck yeah."  He pants.

I lick his neck gently up to his ear. "You want more?"

"God, yes." He moans.

I shoot him fuck me eyes.  "Then take it."

He rips my bra off and grabs my breasts, sucking and biting each nipple.  

I drop my legs, undo his pants and reach in for his rock-hard cock.

He smashes his mouth to mine moaning at every stroke.

He undoes my pants and slips his hand into my panties.  I'm wetter then fuck.  He slips his fingers into my slit and rubs my clit hard.  

I moan louder.  "Oh fuck...."  I push against his hand as he bites my neck.  

"You like that baby?"  He growls.  

I push harder as he slips a finger into me pumping me in and out.  "Oh, fuck yes..."

He pulls his hand out and spins me around.  Planting my hands on the wall.  He pulls my pants and panties down and drops his jeans.

"This what you want baby?"  He rubs his head at my entrance.  Teasing me.

"God yes, Michael.  Fuck me, now."  I pant out the demand.

He places himself and grabs my hips and shoves himself in.  

I throw my head back and moan loud.  He grabs my hair and puts one hand on my ass.  He thrusts himself hard and fast into me.

He growls and bears down.  Fucking me faster and harder.

I start to scream and Michael covers my mouth.

"Fuck, baby.... God, your so wet and tight...."

I continue to scream into his palm.  

"That's it, baby.  Come for me.  Come on my cock."  He thrusts harder.  

I explode as my orgasm rips through.  

"God, Anna. I'm...I'm...fuck...."  his orgasm rushes out.  His release fills me.  He thrusts hard until he can't take it anymore and has to stop.

He leans down on my back, breathing heavy.  Planting kisses on my back.

I lean on the wall panting.  Trying to catch my breath.  "Michael.  That was so good."

"I aim to please."  He panted through a smile.

He pulled out and pulled up his boxers and pants.  I did the same.

I found my bra and shirt and throw them on.  

I slip on my rider's jacket and pull out my hair and straighten it up.  

I turn walk away.

Michael is just putting his t shirt back on. "You're leaving?"

I turn around.  "Got to get some sleep before patrol tomorrow night.  It's was fun.  We'll do it again sometime."  I smirk and spin around my jacket whooshing out around me.  I give him a two-finger salute to the side.  "Catch Ya later, tiger."

And I walk to my bike and head home.  

So that's pretty much it.  My life in a nutshell.  Patrol the border, get drunk, ride my bike and when I want it, ride a good man.  My life is perfect just the way it is.