Page 3

Chapter Three

Fen

H ow the fuck did I let these fools convince me into coming out here tonight? I looked around at the group of men I’d planned to hang out with tonight and felt disgust rise in my throat. My stomach churned and I felt an ick cover my skin.

Because you are a dumbass who easily conforms and agrees so that peace is kept.

I rolled my eyes at my wolf. He was always telling me I gave in too easily to peer pressure. A people pleaser, he called me. But was it really that bad to want to fit in and not make waves, especially when my parents still lived in the town with these guys? I didn’t want to give them any ammunition to terrorize my family.

I had called Marcus as soon as I settled in at my parents’ house and had lunch. He seemed surprised but excited to reconnect with me. After all, from diapers to high school graduation, Marcus and I had been inseparable. Born on the same day in the pack, our mothers had decided to have playdates together and a friendship bloomed. But as we grew older, I realized we had less in common and our friendship was more out of a lack of choices in friends than in true understanding of one another as individuals. Once I got away from town and met so many more shifters in college, my old life just seemed to lose its luster, and I found that I didn’t need to hold on to forced friendships.

Yet, here I was tonight, trying to reconnect with that old life to see if my parents were still safe here in Painesville. And it was becoming crystal clear how much had changed.

“Hey, Fen.” Marcus smacked me on my back and handed me a cold bottle of locally bottled beer. “Are you ready to get some prey tonight?”

“When did you guys start doing these hunting games?” I took off the silver twist cap and took a long swig of Wolf Mountain Brew. I fought back my gag at the taste, wondering why this bottle tasted differently than what I’d remembered. “I don’t recall these hunting excursions occurring before I left for college.”

“A lot of things have changed, man.” Marcus chuckled and his friends joined in, some smirks shared among them. “We are not little pups any longer, and it’s time we showed our dominance.”

Looks like the rumors are right, and these idiots really did change for the worse. That’s what had me worried.

“And how exactly are you doing that?” I needed to find out all I could. Maybe they were just playing games with some local shifters. Still, the asshole moves were but something the pack should quickly nip in the bud.

“By hunting them and showing them who rules this area.” Marcus slapped me on the back, laughing and eyeing my bottle. “Don’t worry, nobody dies. We just rough some of them up and have a good time with a few others. Especially if we find ones close to their heat. Those are the best. Delicious.” I felt my stomach roll at his insinuation. Why had no one stopped him yet? “Finish up your beer and let’s start the night right.”

The guys around him cheered, and my stomach dropped. That same icky feeling of dread filling the pit of my stomach returned. This really was bad. And now I was stuck with these fools. And I was really getting annoyed with all the back pounding these jerks seemed to like to do.

At least with me here, I could help save some poor prey shifter from dealing with these guys.

“I’m cool, man. I don’t really drink these anymore.” I placed my bottle down on the ground.

Marcus picked up the bottle and handed it to his buddy. “What? Did the city life ruin your taste buds?”

More like teach me what a good brew tastes like.

“Must have, I guess.” I shrugged, biting my tongue to not insult the local brewery. Even if the beer I just tried tasted like piss water. I felt like brushing my teeth for an hour after that one swig.

“Now, let’s get the night started, shall we?” Marcus stripped and let out a howl. “Let’s shift and sniff out our targets for the night.”

“Hey, guys.” I looked around at everyone undressing and getting revved up on bad energy. All my instincts warned me that only bad things were going to happen if these men got their way. Part of me wanted to leave and have no part of this situation. But another part of me knew I had to stick around and try to help any poor victims that may land in Marcus’ path. Fuck. Can I stop this? “Why don’t we drop the hunt idea for the night and just go hit up the bar. Get drunk and find a willing hookup. We don’t need to do shit like hunting down prey to prove ourselves as dominant alphas. Come on, let’s just go.”

“We aren’t going anywhere, Fen. Except for farther into these woods to find a special bunny.” Marcus’ cousin Kevin, high-fived the idiot next to him, Robert. “Right, Marcus? Arley was smelling ripe this afternoon.”

“If he doesn’t stay in his cabin all weekend, this seems to be the perfect time to catch him and show him why no one rejects me or ignores me.” Marcus shook his head; an evil sneer curled his lips. “That’s enough talking. It’s time to shift and sniff out what’s waiting out here for us tonight.”

These men were not the same as the boys I had fun running around with in my teens and childhood. Dad was right. Something had changed and turned Marcus and these fools into shifters I didn’t ever want to associate with again. But I needed as much info and evidence as I could get tonight. These men had to be stopped before even more trouble was stirred. But how deep did this go?

Fine. Let’s just shift and run with them. If we sense any prey shifters out, we’ll help them get away to safety. Then tomorrow we can tell Mom and Dad the truth and bear witness of these activities in front of the elder council before I leave for school again.

I agreed with my wolf and decided to just try to stay two steps ahead of them if I could.

Before shifting, Marcus raised his fist and addressed the whole group. As always, split into three groups, some shifted; some stayed human. “We should be able to hunt in either form so no one loses out on the fun. First group to capture prey wins the night’s game. Bring them back here so we can all share in the spoils.”

These guys were making me physically ill. I had to find a way to stop them.

I followed Marcus’ group but as soon as I had a chance, I ran a bit ahead. I needed to sniff out any poor shifters stuck in the middle of this trap tonight. I wouldn’t allow anyone to be a victim.

Coming upon the area where woods met lake, I discovered the most enticing scent.

The sweet smell of warm freshly baked chocolate brownies met my nose and filled my soul with warmth. In one instant, my whole life changed. I knew what this meant. I had been waiting to experience this my whole life. Everything I ever wanted, needed, and craved was right in front of me—in the form of an adorable white bunny.

My wolf howled. The sound of triumph and celebration.

Our mate. We have finally found him. Protect him, Bond him. Claim him!

Just as I was about to step forward and pick up our tiny mate, the energy around us changed and then before my eyes, he shifted into the most breathtakingly beautiful man. A short, clean cut of light-brown hair, mesmerizing eyes the color of chocolate, and a body that was made for sinning. And he was all mine.

There was definitely no way Marcus and his goons were going to lay a hand on this man. Fuck finding more evidence or digging deeper; I only had one priority now. To protect my mate and get us both to safety. Even if it meant killing Marcus and his friends.

No one better dare touch my mate.

Arley

I ran in the woods for what felt like hours, evading the men who were out to capture me as part of their sadistic Friday night game. Every time I made it close to my house, I was chased in the opposite direction. I needed to get past these men. But my options were getting fewer and fewer.

I had shifted back into my rabbit form to find a better hiding spot when I heard the hunters getting closer.

If I couldn’t get away from them, then maybe I needed to find the tiniest hole to burrow in and speak a small hiding spell to mask my scent from the predators on my trail. The magic I could wield wasn’t very long-lasting, but perhaps it was enough to trick this group into giving up on me. But once I saw my fated mate, I had shifted back to human. And now I stood frozen in the middle of a forest. There was a pack of wolves hunting me—intent on either eating me or fucking me, depending on which of them caught me first. Yet, I couldn’t move.

The tantalizing scent of freshly cut roses and spearmint hit my nose, filling me with a sense of comfort and home. All I ever craved was standing before me. I had finally found the one person who I was made for. My mate.

He stepped closer to me and lifted a rough hand to the side of my face. I shut my eyes and enjoyed the gentle touch. The preliminary connection of our bond had snapped into place the moment our eyes had met, and I could feel the energy flow between us. Electrifying and strong, I could detect a few of his emotions and knew that he could feel my own. I had read about the mating bond, had heard about it from friends, and I had envied the magical connection that I’d imagined fated mates to share. But nothing compared to the reality of it. All the research, all the fairy tales, all the dreaming—none of it prepared me for the overpowering effect the initial realization of the bond would have on my whole being. This man might be a stranger, but he was already the most precious thing in my life. I would love him until the day I died and would lay down my life for him if danger ever came upon us. He was my one and my only. He was my true mate.

And we are being hunted. Move before you get us killed or raped.

My bunny was right. We couldn’t just stand here out in the open waiting to be caught.

Laughter and crunching leaves to the right alerted me to the wolves moving closer. Not all of them shifted right away, preferring to hunt with their human senses and then attack after the shift.

Now it was time for us both to run.

As long as he wasn’t with Marcus and his friends, that was. Staring into my mate’s eyes, I searched for any trace of deception when I asked him my questions.

“Are you with them? Are you a part of Marcus’ group of assholes?” I was hopeful he would deny it. Please, Fate, do not prove you paired me with someone who thinks hunting prey shifters is a fun nighttime activity.

“No. I’m not one of them. I must be truthful though, they are the ones who brought me here, but I’m not a part of whatever games they are playing right now. I just felt a need to stay and help anyone who wound up in the sight of their crosshairs tonight.” He closed his eyes and took a deep sniff of the air. “They are getting very close to finding us though. We better find somewhere safe to hide from them. Once I am sure they won’t get us, then I can explain it all to you. Do you live close by?” His words sounded sincere, and I really hoped they were since this was my mate and all.

“Fine. Come on.” Taking a large leap of faith in our fragile mate bond, I grabbed his large warm hand and pulled him with me, dashing in the direction of my house. “I’m Arley by the way. And you better not be a creep like your friends. I promise if you are, I will sneak up on you while you are asleep and rip your balls off.”

“Duly noted. Never piss off my mate.” My mate had a sense of humor it seemed. “But do you really believe fate would match you with a creep? That would be pretty bitchy. Unless you did something that would call upon karma to pay you a visit.” He chuckled as we ran, toward safety and home. “And the name is Fen, by the way.”

The sound of my mate’s amusement sent a spark of lust through my body. Fuck, I needed to get us to my house pronto. My ass was aching to be filled with Fen’s cock. My heat was here and ready to make me into a horny slut for him.

“Fine. I’ll trust you because I don’t think fate would be so cruel. Just stick with me and we can get to safety in my cabin. They won’t dare to break in. At least they never have before.” And I’m sure my locks and protection wards from the local witch’s coven would keep us from harm. I hoped as I never had to test it before.

“When did they start doing shit like this? I used to know them well but not in recent years. They’ve changed so much. They are like animals instead of men. We aren’t supposed to let our wolves lead and dismiss morals and societal rules.” Fen panted as we got closer to safety. “Have they hurt you before?”

“Not in any substantial way.” I got to my door and unlocked it, pulling my mate inside and securing it. “Marcus just likes to screw with me a bit in town, suggesting that he wouldn’t mind taking my heat and proving to me that he’s more powerful than anyone else. So far, I’ve felt more fear than pain from any encounter with him.”

“He’s never succeeded though?” Fen grabbed my shoulders and pushed me up against the wall with gentle force. “Tell me. Has any of them ever dared take what’s mine? Do I need to kill any of those men?” His wolf was close to the surface the way his eyes flashed and his lips lifted in a snarl. Yet I didn’t feel any fear of him.

“No, alpha. He’s never touched me in any sort of intimate way. Although he has tried. But I always fought him off. I was waiting for my mate. You will be my first.” My breath was coming out fast, but I wasn’t sure if I was going breathless from the running we just did or from the heat that was coursing through my body. Fuck, even this show of dominance was turning me on, and that sort of display usually fills me with disgust not desire.

“And, you, my dear omega, will be my first…” Fen stared at my mouth and his own lips tilted up at the sides. He looked so fucking sexy. “And we will be each other’s only.”

“Yes. Your touch will be the only one my body will ever know. And my touch will be the only one your body will ever crave. From this day out, we belong to only one another.” I leaned in and licked the side of his neck, savoring the salty taste of his skin and wanting even more. My hand slid between us and my fingers curled around his hard length. I felt the slick gathering at my hole, ready to take him deep inside. “Now shut up and fuck me, mate.”

Our mouths collided and I felt my body melt into his, before coming back to life and rubbing against his hard lines. I chased a release but knew I would need more. I would need him buried balls deep in my ass and his teeth breaking the skin of my neck. I needed his cock in my hole and his mark on my mating gland. And I needed it now.

Thank the goddess we were already naked.