My wolf rattles my chest as I stare down the male. He doesn’t back down, but in his eyes, I see his wolf struggle not to bend the neck. I don’t pull alpha often, but my wolf will bring the big guns to a knife fight every time. The surprise is wearing off, and I’m beginning to recognize the couple, too. They were at Moon Lake Academy with us, but they were a grade or two behind.“Flora from General Numeracy?” The one with the metal, Nia, shoves her way out from behind the male.“Hi,” Flora says shyly. Nia elbows past me and drags Flora forward. Her male growls, his already wolfish features sharpening. Dude’s face is almost all shaggy beard, and there’s fur tufting from his shirt sleeves like his pit hair’s gone Rip Van Winkle.My claws are out, but other than that, I’m in full control of myself. Unlike some.“What are you doing here?” Nia links arms with Flora and strolls off with her. It’s like she’s trying to put distance between herself and the furball she was just wandering in the
I grunt. He gets that expression. That “just take a look, let me know what you think” expression that ends up costing me two weeks’ unpaid labor and a few hundred bucks in parts.Shit.He claps me on the back. He packs a wallop. “I’ll have to talk to my alpha, but I think we can make room for y’all for a spell.”“Your alpha’s that kid Cadoc Collins?”“More or less.”“What’s that mean?” I’m not letting Flora anywhere near a pack during the middle of an alpha challenge. No way in hell.“I mean, he is, but us scavengers bend the neck more to Rosie’s wolf than to him, but they’re mates, so, you know, potato, po-tah-to.”“What’s up with Rosie’s wolf?”“She’s a beast, man. Massive.”I nod. It’s good for a female to have a big wolf. If you don’t have the killer instinct, size is a good advantage to have.For whatever reason, my gaze shifts to Flora’s ass. She’s hustling now, like she’s excited to get where she’s going, so it’s swishing back and forth, bouncing with each step. I want to bite
My wolf relaxes, dropping all her wariness, and she begins to prance and dash, whining for me to let her out to explore. There are amazing scents in here. Fresh water and cool earth and mellow sunshine, and layers upon layers of wolf. Old wolf. Ancestor wolf.I look up at Alec. I don’t know why.He’s already looking down at me, his face stern as usual, but I see his wolf in his eyes. He wants to dash around and roll on his back and poke his nose in corners, too.I smile.A flicker of something like pain flashes in those dark eyes, and it’s not his wolf. It’s gone in a split second. I don’t have a chance to wonder at it before a voice calls “ho!” and boots stomp in the entrance tunnel.Alec pushes me behind him as he pivots toward the sound.Two familiar males stride into the cavern. Well, one strides. The other struts, kind of like that cartoon tiger with the bouncy ears and the long chin. The striding one is Seth Rosser, Cadoc Collin’s right hand. The strutting, bouncy one is Bevan N
He grabs my hands, one of mine in each of his, and pushes me backward toward the entrance tunnel.I’m too stuck between fight, flight, and freeze to do anything but follow his lead. It feels like what we did in Human Sport during the square-dancing unit. I never understood how dancing was a sport since no one wins, but as Alec maneuvers me into an alcove, hidden from the larger cavern, and he backs me against the cold wall, I get it—he definitely has the upper hand.He leans down and presses our foreheads together, hard, splaying his hand over my heart like he’s staunching a wound.“No, Flora. Stop. You don’t feel hurt. I fucked up. I was wrong. I’m the asshole. You don’t feel bad about that.” Alpha tinges his voice, and every sentence is domineering and brusque, an apology without the slightest hint of sorriness.He’s trying to command my feelings.He walked away from a fight. Salt Mountain males never do that.He’s pinning me to this wall with his whole body like he doesn’t want to
It’s Pritchard who breaks the silence, slapping his thighs. “All right, Cameron, since you’re here, and since we’ve got to wait for Cadoc and Rosie to come back before anything gets decided, you might as well come with me and take a look at the demon clog from hell. See what you think.”Alec winces at “demon clog.”“I’ll show Flora around,” Nia offers quickly.Alec glances over and checks with me. I lift a shoulder. A tender, scared, weak part of myself doesn’t want to let go of his hand, but I need to get things back on track. I came here for me, to find myself a new home. I can’t lose track of that. Alec isn’t on my side.He’s proud to be seen with me now, in a strange pack, when he has no choice but to claim me if he wants his pup. I can’t let a kiss erase years of hiding me like a dirty secret or sucker me into forgetting everything that happened before he caught up to me on the trail here.I drop his hand and go to Nia. “I’d like that,” I say, offering her a tentative smile.I le
I didn’t mind it so much. I’d explore the ravine behind my aunt’s house, build play houses out of stones and logs, weave flowers into necklaces and crowns. If it was lonely, at least there was no one to make critical remarks. I mourned the freedom and peacefulness when I got old enough to go to school.“These dens are for mated pairs.” Nia gestures to the openings along the tunnel covered with beaded curtains or bedsheets hanging from tension rods. “We’ve run out, so there’s a waiting list while we dig out more.” She says it like it’s pertinent information.“Oh. Alec and I aren’t really mated.” I instinctually cover my bite mark with my hand.Nia nods, not at all thrown. “Pritchard and me neither.”She must read my curiosity. “Fate doesn’t get to decide who I share my life with. I decide.”Yeah. I give her a smile. We both know it’s not entirely true, it can’t be, what with heat and rut, but still, even if you don’t get every choice, you don’t have to give up all of them. I get that.
“Back home, he runs the crew that fixes things. He’s good at that.”Nia’s nod is a little more speculative this time.“He doesn’t get into fights or beat on people.” He cracks skulls when the males play sports, but he doesn’t throw his weight around at other times like Bram and Leith do.“You ever consider that your standards are low?” Nia raises her palms and flashes a disarming smile. “No offense. We’re working on raising our own standards around here on the daily. But if the best you can say for a guy is that he works hard and doesn’t beat on people, that’s not much, right?”I know she doesn’t mean to be unkind, but still, my hackles rise. I didn’t even know I had hackles. “Well, he killed a feral for me.”“No shit.” Nia’s whole demeanor changes, her eyes lighting. “How’d he do it? By himself? No shit. Where were you? Oh my god, did you know it?”I tell her, and by the time I’m done, my hackles are rising for a whole other reason. Nia keeps shaking her head and saying, “Damn, what
“I’ve got to, uh—” He jerks his head toward the hustle and bustle over by the den’s entrance. “Make my escape before I, uh, talk too much and totally ruin my chances.”He ducks his shaggy head and smiles up at me, both sheepish and serious, and I’m slack-jawed. He gives me a weird salute, pivots on his heels, and bounds off for a large group gathering on the far side of the cavern. It looks like they’re stripping off for a run, even though it’s only late afternoon and nowhere near the full moon.I quickly drop my eyes before I see Bevan drop his pants, the corners of my lips sneaking up.A male thinks I’m beautiful.He really, seriously does.The chaser comes fast and bitter.That means I am not totally, utterly repulsive. Right?The reality is that I’m gross. Tragically or unfortunately or shamefully or inexcusably—opinions differ—but the truth is irrefutable. Like bog worms and vomit and pus, my body is objectively disgusting.Right?But Bevan likes it. And Alec too. All along, Alec
The humans know about shifters, of course, but there’s no need to draw more attention to us than we already do, as strangers in such a small town. Folks already gawk as Annie leads us to the village commons even though the streets are busy. It’s market day.As soon as we reach the grassy expanse filled with tables and tents, Alroy and Diantha peel off, heading in opposite directions. Griff seems torn, but when he sees that Diantha is making a beeline for a booth with racks of female clothing, he hurries to follow Alroy.Annie leads us down the makeshift walkways, smiling when she’s greeted by name. My mate is still shy, but there’s no trace of fear in her scent. I breathe her happiness and excitement in, letting it flush my lungs clean of the oily town air.She sees her friends before I do and lets go of my hand to run toward them.My mate. My Annie. Running with a smile lighting her face.This is a good, good day.Two females rush around their table, the third making her way more slo
JUSTUSMy perfect, beautiful mate does not like surprises, so she knows exactly where we’re going as we trot through the woods that run along the human highway. At first, I was sad that I couldn’t spring this visit on her, but I love watching her wolf get more and more excited the closer we get to Chapel Bell. Her short little legs are moving so fast, I almost don’t have to slow my pace.Alroy, Griff, and Diantha don’t have my patience, so they’re several yards ahead of us. Poor Griff has to be the buffer between them, and he keeps getting caught in the crossfire when their wolves decide to break the monotony by sniping at each other.I was worried that Annie would be too nervous to venture this far from camp, but she gets more confident every day. I’m pretty sure that’s because when we were out for a walk two months ago, she saw me take out two ferals that were encroaching on our territory to the north, so even though Killian and I pretty much fought to a draw, she knows I can handle
He bares his fangs, yanks the needle from his neck, and blinks at it, bemused.“Did you stab me with a fucking knitting needle?” He holds it up. Blood oozes from the wound, dripping down his bare chest. I didn’t even hit an artery.Justus snarls, squaring his shoulders and bending his knees, readying himself to attack. Every inch of his body is covered in mud and blood, gashes and purpling bruises. White bone shows through a jagged slash on his forearm.A male coughs, clearing his throat. “Can we just take a beat?” Killian raises his hands, raw flesh where his nails should be.I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but he’s as battered as Justus, and he seems to be favoring his left leg, like his right can’t hold weight. Our males spar constantly. I’ve seen all of them beat up at some point, but I’ve never seen any of them mangled this bad. I can’t believe either he or Justus are still upright.“That bitch stabbed me.” Leith points at me with the knitting needle.Justus howls and steps
My wolf skids to a halt several feet away and then slinks forward, keeping the fire between her and the Salt Mountain wolf, letting the smoke block her scent. When she’s too close to dare creep closer, she huddles close to the ground, staring up and up at his tremendous mud-caked haunches. She’s a miniature in comparison. All the females are, and we all stare, powerless, as the wolf’s bones crack and a strapping man rises from the hulk of his beast.His blond hair shines through the dirt. I’ve seen him. Leith Munroe. The new Salt Mountain alpha.He rests his hands on his hips as if there isn’t chaos all around him as his wolves play a game of distraction, breaking after our slower, smaller, or older males and mauling them until our strong males are forced to turn back, away from us, to rescue them.Leith takes no notice of our wolves, even when they get close, or me, skulking behind the fire. Why would he? I’m no threat—skinny and small and stinking of fear.Instead, he’s intent on so
ANNIERun! Run! Run!I squat as low as I can in the wildflowers and tear off my clothes.A few yards away, Killian and Justus are murdering each other. Tye, Ivo, and the rest are just watching, and no matter how much I scream, no matter what I say, their wolves don’t listen.And the Salt Mountain wolves are up to something. They’re edging away from the fight toward the trail to camp. Quarry Pack is so intent on the fight, they either don’t notice or don’t care.I have to get to Khalil, and my wolf is faster.Run into the woods! The woods!I huddle in the tall grass and summon my wolf. For the first time in my life, she’s ahead of me, bursting through our skin before I’m ready, assuming form like she’s surfacing from water rather than tearing herself free from bone and muscle.She runs away from the woods, toward the trail. The Salt Mountain wolves have gotten ahead of her, so she hangs back, keeping low and downwind.Turn around! Now!What are they doing? They can’t think to attack La
“Lavender is light green this time of year. It doesn’t bloom until June or July.”“What are you going to do with it now then?”“Make a sachet. The scent mostly comes from the oils in its leaves.”“Make a sachet for who?”I wade through the tall grass to stand close to her and inhale her sweet rainy scent.“For the den,” she says, glancing bashfully up at me from under her thick brown lashes. She’s wearing my old sweater and another pair of my drawstring pants. Her pulse flutters at the base of her throat. She’s excited, too.Maybe we should cut this trip short and head back to the den.Or take a detour into the woods.She probably wouldn’t do that, but I think she’d agree to return to camp. I draw in another deep breath. Her arousal teases my nose.My wolf snarls.Annie startles.It takes my brain three seconds too long to catch up.Underlying the rain and slick, there is another scent. Earthy, yes, but not the right earth. It doesn’t belong. I’ve smelled it before. A long time ago.I
My grip on the pot handle tightens. Water sloshes over the sides. My jaw clenches, my guts knot, and my dry eyes burn.I can’t do this.I have to.“Justus?” Annie appears in the den entrance. She’s wrapped herself in a light pink sheet, and she’s holding a cup. “You brought water.” She smiles, padding toward me on bare feet.And then she stops. Her smile falls aways.She blinks in the sunshine, the bleariness of sleep disappearing as she takes in my grim face and desperate hold on the pot. If I had dignity, I’d find a way to smile back. Say good morning. Act like everything is fine.Her chest falls as she lets out a long, silent breath. She looks me straight in the eye. Her fear and doubt are clear as day.She’s going to ask me to take her home now.She takes a step closer to me, and then another, until we’re toe to toe. She gazes up at me, and for a second, all I can see is her beauty—her graceful neck, her delicate pointy chin, her soft, curving lips—and then I notice the expression
“Trust me,” he shushes, the hot head of his cock already notching at my entrance. He flexes his hips and sinks into me, a groan of pure relief torn from his throat. He fills me so completely that I ache where I take him, but I love it.I pant through the strain, and he gathers me close as he thrusts, cradling me to his chest, kissing my lips, my brow, my cheeks, the tip of my nose. I start to rock my hips in time.“You’re so beautiful, Annie,” he rumbles in my ear. “So perfect for me. My Annie. Mine.”I sigh and ride his bucking hips, his cock stretching me until I feel like a glove made for him.“Come for me, now,” he growls. “Now, Annie.”Hot cum floods my womb, and his knot catches and swells, tearing a raw shout from my throat. His fingers find my clit while his fangs sink into my shoulder.I scream, bucking against him, but I’m caught, so he moves with me, hushing me.I hover another second on the edge, somehow above myself, watching his strong arms tremble as they wrap around me
I let my hand fall and turn my head away.He snarls. He doesn’t like that.I drop back so I’m sitting on the pallet, lift my chin, and fold my arms. His wolf rumbles unhappily. He shouldn’t have let his man mess with my nest.He dips his head and looks up at me from his lowered eyes, a wolf playing at a lamb. “I’m sorry, Annie. Here it is.”He holds the pillow out.It’s a trap.Of course it’s a trap. I reach for it anyway. As soon as I grab the pillow, he yanks and falls to his back, dragging me with him. I tumble on top of him. He quickly nips the pillow from my grasp, tucks it behind his head, and grins up at me.I push up on his chest, struggling upright until I’m straddling his waist. He crosses his arms behind his head.I lean forward and try to pull the pillow free, but his head is too heavy.“Just ask nicely, Annie.” There’s a new note in his voice, a gravelly depth that has nothing to do with his wolf.I prop myself on his folded biceps. They’re hard and velvet and flexing und