Page 3 of Feral Mates (Ruthless Instinct #1)

S avannah

I flew through the trees, ignoring the pain from rocks and sticks. Terror gripped my emotions, holding fast as my mind exploded with random thoughts. Who were they? What did they want? One answer was clear.

They were coming after me.

I zigged and zagged, my breath hitching in the back of my throat.

I could feel their presence all around me.

I pushed myself, running as fast as I could.

Every shadow became a monster, every tree branch turning into a creature reaching for me.

I could feel danger all around me, oppressive and unyielding.

Out of breath, I moved behind a tree, my lungs screaming for air as the rush of adrenaline tightened my muscles. With stealth, I peered around the massive oak, the moonlight streaming through the canopy of trees barely illuminating the thick shadows.

But they were there.

I sensed them, every inch of my skin prickling and my heart thudding. Disorientation settled in as I took off running once again, almost dropping the tire iron. I’d never been so terrified in my life.

They were coming, the crunching sounds drawing closer. I needed to find shelter or one of the laboratory guards. Anything. If only I could make my way back to the facility, I’d be safe.

I jetted through the trees, a root catching my foot. As soon as I was pitched to the ground, the tire iron flew from my hand. Pain swept through me, my knees and palms burning from skidding across the surface. Biting back a cry, I tossed my head over my shoulder, certain I’d see them.

There was nothing but the shimmering light casting off the leaves.

I’d bit my tongue and a coppery taste of blood filled my mouth. As an intense shiver skated down my spine, I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves.

The sudden eerie quiet was worse. Lunging forward, I struggled to find the piece of metal as the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Relief flooded me when my fingers managed to wrap around the thick bar. Panting, I scrambled to my feet, bolting through the trees, limbs lashing at my skin.

Another crack almost stopped my heart. I constantly scanned the forest, searching for any way to escape. There had to be another road. There had to be a sign of life somewhere. Anywhere.

Please, God.

As soon as I darted through another group of trees, a stream of moonlight trickling toward the ground highlighted a grassy knoll. Trickling sounds caught my attention.

A river.

A moment of excitement tore through me even with every muscle still screaming. If I could make it to the other side, maybe I’d have a chance. I crept forward, keeping low to the ground as I constantly scanned the scenery. My lungs were burning, unwanted tears stinging my eyes.

The river was so close, so very close.

Suddenly, the air grew very still, suffocation clawing at my throat. Another shot of electricity skittered all the way to my toes. Steeling my nerves, I slowly turned around.

Only to come face to face with one of the huge creatures.

He was even more beautiful than I’d believed, his long, dark hair spilling over his wide shoulders. He stood silently with his chest rising and falling. He was huge, his arm muscles larger than my thighs. Every inch of him was sculpted to perfection, as if created by the hand of God himself.

He peered at me with the same curiosity I had for him. His chest rose and fell as he slowly lowered his gaze. Was that a growl? I licked my lips and he narrowed his eyes.

Then his cock twitched.

As crazy as it seemed, I was drawn to him, enough so heat pulsed between my legs. My breath skipped and as I’d experienced before, I was frozen to the spot, completely mesmerized by his dominating prowess.

Yet the need to survive shoved at the paralyzing fear.

Run. Run!

Jerked into realization, I turned, trying to bolt away from him.

Before I’d made it a few steps, another one appeared from the shadows and I skidded to a stop only inches away.

Flee or fight. Flee or fight. The thought was muddled in my brain, but I reacted without thinking as my fingers tightened around the weapon in my hand.

I swung the tire iron at him, issuing a battle cry.

The sound died in my throat as his eyes flashed, so vivid they were almost luminescent.

With no effort, the bastard snapped his hand around the bar, cocking his head just before he wrenched it from my hold.

After he tossed it aside, he took a step closer.

I backed away instantly, only to hit something rock hard and solid.

And very warm. A low-slung growl sent electric pulses directly into my core.

I was jarred as reality set in.

Another monster.

There was no way to escape.

Hot breath skipped across my neck and cheek, the mystery man’s hard body pressed so tightly against me I could feel his cock’s intense throbbing. He nuzzled against my neck and I bit back a shriek even as I knew not showing them fear meant nothing.

I was trapped against a wall of muscle, heat so oppressive it took my breath away.

“Mmm…” The single syllable he whispered was dark, vibrating against my skin. When he dragged his tongue across my neck, I shuddered. Very slowly he brushed his fingers down my arm and I couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

The crush of heat building between us was powerful and I had a strange sense of connection to all three that I’d never be able to explain. I could feel his muscles tensing as the hard ridge of his cock pressed against my thigh.

After inhaling, he snarled slightly as movement captured his attention.

As the third man appeared in my periphery, I took scattered breaths.

He was equally handsome, his white-blond hair falling to his waist. Maybe I was imagining it, but his lips appeared rosy and a sudden desire to have them crush against mine sent another wave of heat between my thighs. Even my nipples were hard and aching.

A deep rumble, ragged and sensual, permeated the night air.

The jolt of current coursing through me was so intense, so powerful my breath was stripped away.

Intense scents infused my senses, darkly masculine.

Something primal and wild. I shifted my gaze downward, trying to remain as immobile as possible.

The blond’s cock was standing at full attention, his heavy balls hanging low between powerful thighs.

This had to be a nightmare.

It was entirely possible they’d escaped from jail. But if so, why were they naked?

What if they were monsters determined to rape me?

Another trickle of electricity skipped from the back of my neck all the way to my bare feet.

Think, girl. You need to get away. They will kill you.

After dragging my tongue across my bottom lip, I darted a glance to the side toward the water.

With nothing to lose, I took off running again, ignoring the fear even as my body shook involuntarily.

Every muscle ached as my feet pounded on the soft grass, the booming beat of my heart echoing in my ears.

Run. Keep running. Don’t stop.

The rush of adrenaline kept me going even while a dazzling and unwanted array of sensations kept me on edge. A strange sense of need furrowed inside, a feeling so strong I couldn’t think clearly. When my pussy clenched several times, I gritted my teeth. Nothing about this should be exciting.

A strong hand was wrapped around my arm and I was whisked off my feet, instantly spun around and driven against the hard body of the third dangerous creature.

They were more primal than man. Thick whiskey-colored hair framed his chiseled face, but unlike the others, there was clear amusement in his expression.

The look in his eyes was mesmerizing, glints of gold illuminated even in the darkness.

He released a deep, husky growl as he slowly lifted his head. My God, I was his feast for the night. I could feel his raging desire. I could sense his intention to ravage me.

Oh, hell, no. This wasn’t happening.

Yet even as I made the statement in my mind, a sickening feeling of desire formed in my stomach. How could I feel anything but horror and disgust?

“Let me go, you fucking bastard.” I slammed my fist against his chest. He didn’t budge an inch. Holy shit, the man was even larger than I’d thought. They were all gigantic, towering over me by a full foot. I tried to knee his balls, but he slid his other arm down my back, cupping my butt.

The other two flanked both sides and there was no mistaking the intensity of the lust burning in their eyes.

“Just let me go. Please.” I struggled with everything I had, managing to punch him under the jaw. When he dropped me, I scuttled backward, but the dark-haired god took a single stride forward.

After narrowing his eyes, he snagged my shirt in his long fingers. With a single snap of his hand, he ripped it completely away. Stunned, I watched in horror as he brought the material to his mouth and nose, taking a deep breath.

“Wha… what do you want?”

They said nothing and the level of humidity made the air around me stifling.

When the blond brute approached, pushing his way toward the others, I jumped away by several feet, realizing I was skidding down the knoll toward the river. I took a tumble, dumped into the frigid water. The magical spell vanished and I leapt to my feet, refusing to become their prey.

My heart thundered, the echo continuing, but nothing was going to stop me.

I threw everything I had into racing down the river’s bank several yards before turning toward the trees.

This time my eyesight was keener than before and I managed to jump over fallen logs, ducking under low-lying limbs.

The beautiful stream of moonlight highlighted my way and for a few seconds, I was almost euphoric with the hope that I’d get away.

The look in their eyes lingered in my mind even as I continued fighting to escape. I’d never seen any man like them, so perfect in creation they couldn’t be real.

Yet a series of sounds reminded me they were.