Page 46 of Feral Mates (Ruthless Instinct #1)

Maybe the reason was that we’d been destined to be together. Lovers and mates. The thought continued to marvel my mind and stretch my imagination.

Whatever the reason we were so connected, I couldn’t deny the chemistry we shared.

Or the burning carnal need that just didn’t want to fade away.

Suddenly, Apollo’s arms were around me, the other two wolves flanking our sides. We stood quietly together, enjoying the view as we took several deep breaths.

“There are beasts in the woods,” Roman said as he offered a slow and easy growl. A warning to others not to fuck with us.

Or perhaps to enjoy our little pack.

I felt safe. I felt contentment.

And I felt love burning brightly deep within. Maybe soon we could call this home.

Thirty days later…

As I rose up from the water, I threw my head back, laughing from the immediate chill rushing through every muscle and tendon. Beads of water tickled my skin and the light chirping of birds and the subtle but powerful rush of water from several yards away created a special moment.

In the thirty days we’d been in Missoula, our routines had been simple. The men had cut wood, stoked the fire, fished in the river, and ravaged me every night.

My father, with the help of his CIA buddies, had filed a lawsuit for defamation of my character.

I found it interesting that the Blackwell Industries board of directors had settled just prior to declaring bankruptcy.

With the hefty sum received, there was no burning need to get a job.

Perhaps one day I’d venture out, finding something to occupy my time.

But not now.

We had everything we needed. Furniture. Clothes. Food.

With a few exceptions that I’d need to take care of soon. But today was a glorious reminder that we were alive, happy and healthy.

And my wolves were allowed to be themselves.

Including building a larger pack. Animals were amazing creatures whether wild or domesticated.

They had an ability to adapt more powerful than human capabilities.

Granted, some needed a show of power and dominance, which Apollo, Kai, and Roman had in spades.

Some smaller wolves, a few that had been outcast by their own packs, had sniffed us out, fearful and angry at first. They’d learned they would never be in power, but that if obedient and loyal, they could become a part of our pack.

Our pack.

The thought never got old. Even if I was human through and through.

Even through my happiness, some grief remained.

Information about the experiments had leaked, which had led to theories of aliens and monsters.

The few remaining animals who’d been merged with lifeforms were being hunted, a few already killed by members of their own packs and dens or by glorified hunters craving a trophy.

The ugliness would haunt me for the rest of my life.

I felt another series of tingling sensations and it had nothing to do with the air temperature or the water dripping ever so slowly down my naked body.

The electric prickles had everything to do with the wolves standing on the shore. I turned slowly, taking a few seconds to admire their strong forms and beautiful fur. They were truly magnificent animals.

However, I could tell by the gleam in their eyes they wouldn’t remain in the wolf form very long. They had something on their minds.

The vibrations of the water brought a smile to my face. There was still something exciting about watching them transition, their shifting ability now flawless and taking only ten seconds.

Apollo took a deep breath as Kai rolled his palms down his chest and Roman, well, Roman was leering at me as if I was lying on a silver platter, an offering to their carnal needs.

“Why is it when you shift into human form, you’re always fully aroused?” I waded closer to the edge, taking my time while enjoying the view.

Kai wrapped his hand around his fully rigid cock, stroking a few times. “Because of you, our little mate.”

“Then I need to see what you can do.”

Apollo wagged his finger. “No pleasure until you’re disciplined.”

“For what? I’ve been a very obedient little human.” I moved closer, taking a nice, deep breath. Their scents were still intoxicating.

“For risking our pups,” he said so quietly and deeply that I strained to hear. When he placed his hand on my tummy, he grinned, feeling little kicks.

And they were right; I was having more than one. There were three little nuggets nestled inside waiting to greet the world.

Was I worried I’d give birth to hairy but adorable beasts?

No, because the ultrasound had told us otherwise.

We’d created a new lifeform altogether through natural means.

Well, mostly. It was exciting and terrifying, wondering what his, her, or their abilities would be.

However, it didn’t really matter if they could shift or not, although all four of us believed they would be able to.

The only thing that did is that they were created out of love.

Not from a laboratory.

Kai suddenly gathered me into his arms, holding me tightly as he took long strides toward the house. “We are certain, little mate. And you must be careful. If anything happened to you…”

“I know. You’d hunt them down.”

He grinned, which was something my arctic wolf had felt more comfortable doing lately.

The huge man barely got the door open before kicking it for emphasis. Every time he displayed his dominance it made me giggle.

All three believed themselves to be all that and a huge bag of chips. Of course, I wouldn’t tell them that.

Every so often I was reminded of who and what we were. My father kept me informed as to what was happening with the laboratory and the investigation. He still had friends within the judicial department. The board members would go to trial.

As far as Thanatos? He’d never resurfaced, those around him believing he’d left for another part of the world, determined to pick up where he’d left off.

The building itself stood, insurance and the investigation preventing it from being torn down. At least there’d been no odd reports of beasts killing humans or sightings of odd creatures in the night.

Maybe we’d gotten lucky.

I was suddenly on the couch on my knees facing the back.

“What are you doing?” I threw out.

Roman moved to a cabinet and suddenly, he had a belt in his hand. “I found this in the box of clothes Mark left. From what I’ve read online, it’s a very useful implement for a spanking.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I purred like some kitten.

Which usually drove them crazy.

“Oh, yes, we would, and we will,” Kai said as if no big deal.

I wasn’t certain whether to be anxious or excited, but the combination was making my pussy throb even more than usual.

What these men… these wolves did to me was insane. And kept me wanting more.

Roman was the first to approach, but I could see the look between the three and knew what they were thinking without listening in.

They were deciding who went first.

The devils.

I found out their solution when Roman smacked the leather strap across my bottom not once but twice. The pain was entirely different from anything before, drawing a gasp from me with each strike.

“Mmm… I like this. Firm. Easy to use.” He swung it in the air, grinning the entire time. Then he cracked it across my bottom three more times and I howled in response.

Not as powerful a howl as theirs, but enough to let them know what they were doing hurt like hell.

“You can stop now,” I panted.

“Not yet, our little mate. Your punishment is far from being over.” With a spark in his eye, Apollo grabbed the belt from Roman’s hand, even winking as he moved behind me.

The moment the belt was slapped across my upper thighs, I allowed them to hear my displeasure, but I felt anything but that deep inside.

My mother had once told me that love often came when you least expected it. She’d told me the moment I stopped looking, suddenly I’d find myself smitten by someone and I’d know when the feelings and emotions were real by how my heart fluttered and my stomach rumbled.

I’d felt both and much more since the moment three wild, rugged, and very naked men had captured me in the forest.

They’d awakened my senses and reminded me there was so much more to life than test tubes and research projects.

And I had a feeling that the excitement and joy would last for many years to come.