Page 19

Chapter 19

Prowl

The wind chasing leaves past us was on the cool side, but Daff and Mandy wore jeans and hoodies, and Sarge, Drill, King and I ran too hot to feel anything but content.

I kissed Daff’s temple, then took another bite of my sandwich, grateful for the invitation to eat with them, and the guard keeping his distance.

Unlike most bases, ours had been designed with a pointed focus on integrating nature with the structures we needed to make it a viable home.

The best thing about it was the park at the base’s centre.

They’d left the larger trees intact, surrounding them with manicured gardens, jogging paths, and a handful of picnic tables.

All circling a spring-fed dam.

“How did the meeting go last night?”

Sarge paused with his steak sandwich halfway to his mouth.

Did all these women have steel balls under their sweetness?

Daff was braver than anyone expected, but Mandy was holding her own just fine.

She popped a sauce-covered chip in her mouth, ignoring the hell out of Drill’s stare.

The gorilla wasn’t even trying not to.

Drill grunted, finally drawing her attention, but he’d looked away from her, frowning at the three of us.

Trying to figure out which one of us had kicked him under the table.

Sarge ignored him. “Daff had some great ideas that we’re keen to see implemented.”

Daff wiggled beside me.

“You are?”

“It was a solid yes on all of them.”

“Do you mind me asking what they are? Since they’ll affect me if they’re approved.”

Sarge settled his food back on his plate.

“Relaxing the initial contact rules while honouring a person’s right to decline. A symbol to wear, signifying openness to a relationship and a shared living area. We also want investigations done on our ability to have children. Despite our conflict with undergoing further studies, the consensus is, these ones are worth it.”

Surprise had me straightening, and Daff’s hand gripping my thigh.

A child willingly conceived in love wasn’t something I’d ever contemplated.

Would I have one if I were able to?

My hand slid over Daff’s, my heart a heavy thud in my chest, watching her bury her teeth into her bottom lip.

She looked up at my gentle squeeze, her dark eyes searching mine.

She’d talked about studying and buying a house.

Did she want kids and a family too?

I could see her, lips curved with joy, her small hands rubbing slow, soothing circles over the large swell of her stomach, my larger ones following their path.

Could she see it, too?

“Wow,” Mandy said, blinking rapidly.

“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?” Daff asked her, breaking our connection.

“Good. Mostly.” She popped another chip into her mouth, chewing it slowly.

She had both Sarge’s and Drill’s full attention.

“What don’t you like about them?” Sarge asked, leaning forward on the table.

Mandy swallowed before answering.

“The symbol thing’s great, and I can see a future need for the shared living area, especially as couples emerge. And you should definitely know if kids will ever be on the cards for you.”

“But?”

Her left shoulder lifted and dropped.

“But I like knowing I’ll be left alone unless I want to interact with someone. The thought of potentially getting mobbed every time I’m in a shared space is a little worrying.”

Sarge folded his arms as he leant back.

“So, we should continue being treated like animals to be avoided, or a lesser class of people, forever waiting for your permission to approach?

“Do you know that if one of you were to fall or faint and we caught you, we’d still face an investigation that would decide whether the instigated touch was necessary and what our consequences would be for it?

”

“What the hell?” Daff whispered.

Mandy’s face paled. “You’re absolutely right. You should be allowed to approach anyone you want, any time you want, and you shouldn’t need permission to touch someone, especially if it’s what they need in that moment.”

“I like to think the current rules are there to help us interact in a way that makes you feel safe,” Sarge said, his face mashing with a frown.

“But now you can’t help but wonder if those rules are also there to prevent relationships from developing?” Daff asked.

Drill dropped his massive head.

Sarge gripped his shoulder, squeezing it.

“It’s getting harder not to think that way.”

Daff nodded.

“I’ll give you one guess whose agenda that would’ve been.”

“I don’t understand,” Mandy said, looking between us all.

Daff turned to her side, resting against my arm as she gave her friend her full attention.

“You know the zoologist slash shrink, Doctor Helliot?”

“I’ve seen him at the care centre, observing the cubs.”

“While Lara makes the final call on all things hybrid related, his opinion carries a lot of weight.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re just as much our animal as we are human,” I said, unsure if Daff would comfortable saying it.

“And our instincts reflect that. They’re right to factor in both sides in their decisions regarding us.”

“So… what’s the problem with him?”

“The problem ,” Daff answered, already sounding half pissed, “is he let the hybrids believe that while they’re more than animals, they still aren’t human. And if they aren’t fully human, they shouldn’t expect the same futures or rights.”

“Maybe he’s right, and we shouldn’t have those things.” Drill’s voice was soft but firm, like he’d considered this all before, and reached the same conclusion.

Mandy’s palms slapped the picnic table, making us all jerk.

Everyone’s heads snapped in her direction.

“Don’t you dare tell me those little girls I look after every day don’t deserve love, family and everything else good this world has to offer!”

Drill’s eyes widened, the poor male looking more than a little terrified by her outburst.

And maybe a little awed by it.

“Even animals have the right to bond and breed. Daff’s right. No matter which way you look at it, your rights aren’t being upheld. If he’s representing your animal sides, he’s failing.”

“Maybe his issue isn’t with you having those things, but having those things with us,” Daff whispered.

“Different can mix with different, but not different with normal.”

“You think he’d have less of a problem with us getting attached if you were a female hybrid?” I asked.

“It makes sense, doesn’t it? And it’s not like it hasn’t happened before, between colour, ethnicity and class.”

Sarge still had a frown plastered across his face when he spoke.

“It’s a thought worth considering, especially as we move forward, pushing for change.”

I nod my agreement, along with everyone else.

Except King.

“King? Are you okay?”

Warmth spreads through my chest at Daff’s concern for him.

His foot gets a swift kick when he doesn’t answer, his attention fixed over my shoulder - at Kara, drinking from a water bottle.

“Do you…like her?”

My brother doesn’t hesitate before answering.

“She doesn’t like hybrids.”

“Then why are you watching her?”

I may have been trapped behind glass, but I’d seen his reaction to her each time she came through the door, pushing her trolley.

He dragged his eyes away from her and levelled a hard stare at me.

“I’m not.”

Drill huffed.

“Could have fooled me.”

“I’m not,” he said again, his focus going back over my shoulder.

My brother could swear it until he was blue in the face, but his obsession with her was obvious.

He deserved to be happy, but I doubted he’d find that with Kara.

Whether it was fear or disgust, she wanted nothing to do with us.

She was a dead end for him.

I hope he realised it sooner rather than later.

Mandy pushed her disposable plate forward, making room for her elbows.

“How’s Rage doing?”

King looked at her.

“Better, since he’s settled in the Wild Zone. He’s claimed a cabin and a small territory around it, which the others are respecting. I leave supplies with him every week when I visit. He tolerates my presence, which is good, but gets aggressive with anyone else who tries.”

“I’d like to see him.”

Daff squeezed my thigh.

“Is that possible without me?”

“You’re coming with me.”

“But if he isn’t coping with others?—”

King shook his head.

“You’re female, human and zero threat to him. And it’s clear you’re Prowl’s. That in itself, separates you from all others. He’ll accept your presence; just don’t expect a warm welcome.”

“Okay.”

“Do you think he’d be okay with any female in his area? Or is Daff only okay because she’s Prowl’s?”

King swallowed a mouthful of water before answering Mandy.

“I don’t know. We have a lot of questions regarding him and things that could potentially help him. But every single one carries a risk we haven’t been willing or able to take.”

Mandy’s shoulders slumped.

“That’s the same answer I get to all my suggestions.”

She stood, dusting off the back of her jeans and leaning over to give Daff a one-armed hug.

“Sorry guys, but my breaks almost up. If I don’t head back now, I’ll be late getting back.”

“Give those cubs an extra big cuddle from me,” Daff called.

“Will do. We should do this again!” She said, shooting us all a smile.

A half wave, and she was gone, following one of the jogging paths out.

“She’s nice.”

I grinned at Drill.

“Look who can talk again.”

Daff elbowed me in the ribs, the sharp jab surprising me.

“Leave him alone. He’s allowed to be shy.”

Drill dragged thick fingers through his dark hair.

“I’m quiet, not shy.”

“It’s okay either way. Mandy’s a knockout and would make most guys lose their tongues.”

Had Daff looked in a mirror?

I leaned down, close enough for her to feel my lips brush her ear.

“She’s not anywhere near as beautiful as you.”

She looked up at me, a smile tugging at the edge of her lips as she raised an eyebrow.

“I make you do a double take?”

“You do more than that.”

She bit her bottom lip, keeping her eyebrow up as she slid her hand from my thigh to my cock.

The warmth of her palm made me jerk beneath her touch, and the sweet scent of her arousal hit my nose.

She gripped me through my pants, and my vision blurred around the edges as I stood, lifting her with me.

The hard-on I could deal with, but the thought of anyone else smelling her need?

Hell fucking no.

“Prowl—”

“Thanks for lunch. We’ll see Rage tomorrow,” I called over my shoulder, already hustling Daff in the same direction Mandy had gone.

“Bye, guys!” She shot me a dirty look.

“That was rude!”

“So is letting them smell your need for me. You’re lucky you’re not over my shoulder right now so I can get you home faster.”

She was power-walking beside me, but it still wasn’t fast enough.

She snorted. “The guard behind us would Tase your ass in a heartbeat.”

“Which would delay my plans of licking every inch of you until I find the source of that scent.”

“Fuck,” she whispered, making herself go faster.

I grinned down at her.

“You like the thought of that?”

“Who the hell wouldn’t? Now shut up and let me focus on breathing so I don’t embarrass myself with how unfit I sound hustling my butt for you.”

I slapped said butt, drawing a playful glare from her and a few sets of shocked eyes.

“You’re perfect.”

“Besides walking too slow.”

She waved to the guard sitting next to our door, her body practically vibrating as she waited for the beep to sound and get inside our room.

She spun towards me, her hands landing on my chest as I cupped her face.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Angel.”

“You’re supposed to say that after you’ve got my clothes off.”

My mouth landed on hers with a growl, her tongue as eager as mine.

A shudder ran through her, and she pulled back, chest heaving as she tugged my shirt.

“Off.”

She peeled off her hoodie and I nodded at her jeans, repeating her demand.

“Off.”

She grinned as she wriggled them off and kicked them aside.

“Better?”

It would be once she was naked.

She stepped towards our waiting bed.

“You ready to pay up on that promise?”

I shook my head.

“You still have too many clothes on to do a thorough job.”

Another shudder ran through her as her hands went behind her, unhooking her bra.

I closed the distance, my tongue finding her small, hard nipple.

Her head dropped back with a moan.

I gripped her ass, lifting her onto our bed, my tongue refusing to leave her skin.

Her nails dragged against my scalp as I traced the curves of her breast before falling onto the other, my cock hard and aching for her.

The bastard could wait.

Because this? Touching her, tasting her?

It was everything.

My hands found her hips, my fingertips catching on her G-string, tugging it down.

She lifted, her hot cunt pressing against my abs as I slid the lace free.

Her breath shuddered as I settled between her legs, lifting them over my shoulders so I could fit where I so desperately needed to be.

My thumb slid down her wet slit first, parting her on its way back up, brushing her clit.

Her hips surged with my name, and I inhaled, closing my eyes as I drew her scent into my lungs and held it there, wishing I never had to breathe it out.

“Fuck, you’re pretty,” I whispered as I examined her, memorising what was mine.

I leant down, my nose dragging along her dampness until I couldn’t stand it a moment more, and let my tongue take over.

She arched with another moan, her tangled fingers tugging my hair, her thighs locked behind my head.

My fingers slid inside her, curling upwards as I focused on the firm nub that had her bucking beneath me.

“Prowl!”

It was too fucking much.

Her smell, her taste, the feel of her wet heat squeezing my fingers.

I freed my cock and thrust against the mattress, keeping time with my fingers, sliding home inside her.

Her breaths were coming fast and shallow, her sweet voice escaping her in thready moans until she tensed beneath me, her grip on my hair threatening to dislodge me from where she needed me most.

Her muscles choked my fingers, and I thrust again, imagining them gripping my cock.

Her body eased beneath me, her muscles relaxing into a boneless state.

I eased out my fingers and gentled the swipe of my tongue but didn’t stop until she tugged on my hair again.

“Come here.” She cupped my face in her hands when I reached her, studying my face before pulling me in for a kiss.

Her legs slid around my waist, her feet digging into my ass until my cock was trapped between us.

“Your turn.”

“I don’t need it, Angel. Seeing you come undone was enough.”

“Would you try something with me?”

Was there anything I wouldn’t do for her?

“Always.”

“Ditch your pants and crawl up behind me.”

“Daff—”

“Just do it.” Her bossiness earned her a chuckle, and my obedience.

She rolled onto her side, and I crawled in behind her, sliding one arm beneath her neck, and the other around her waist, pulling her to my chest.

“I’m not completely sure how this’ll go but…”

She lifted her leg and reached between them.

My heart thundered, my breath escaping me in a rush as she guided my cock forward, settling him between the folds of her pussy before lowering her leg again, trapping me there.

Her fingers grazed my spikes, then added pressure to the underside of my cock, keeping me firmly against her.

“Rock your hips.”

My lips found her shoulder, my empty hand her soft breast, as I drew my hips back then thrust forward.

A hiss escaped me at the sensation of my trapped cock sliding against her wet warmth, her ass pressed against me, eliminating the space between us.

“Again.”

She felt too fucking good to deny.

“Keep going!”

Either my head or my spikes were hitting her clit, because her breathy moans started again; the sound of her finding pleasure from the feel of my cock driving me higher.

My lips parted, my teeth finding her skin, aching with the fiercest need to bite down.

To mark her as forever mine and filling her until she dripped with my cum.

My fingers found her nipple, clamping and rolling until she arched into my hand.

Her whimpered words drove my hips faster.

“I’m coming.”

I followed her over the edge, my body jerking, my vision blurring, my cum covering her belly and the underside of her breasts.

I ran my nose along her neck, ignoring the burning in my jaw from refusing to mark her as I breathed her in.

Peace filled me at the combination of our shared scent.