Page 117 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys

"Mountain lion," Wyatt said grimly. "They've been coming onto the property more often."

“The damn town keeps expanding,” Boone grumbled, “Their territory just keeps shrinking and shifting. They’ve got to go somewhere.”

“I know, Boone.” Wyatt nodded. “They deserve to exist here just like the rest of us. That fact doesn’t make it any easier as a rancher though.”

“So, it was a mountain lion,” I breathed out, crossing my arms and hugging myself firmly.

Cooper's face had gone ashen. "Jesus, Nelly. If Tripp and Tater hadn't found you..."

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. The implication hung heavy in the night air.

Tripp and Tater.I filed the dogs’ names away for the future. Then I found myself wondering why I wanted to remember the names. I wasn’t staying here. Knowing what to call the dogs was meaningless. Still, though, I repeated the two names in my head several times, making a mental note to ask which was Tripp and which was Tater. The biggest one had to be Tater. It just fit him.

"Let's get you inside," Levi murmured, his hand hovering near the small of my back but not quite touching me.

I took a step and gasped as pain shot through my feet. The adrenaline that had carried me back was fading, leaving only agony in its wake. I looked down at Cooper's boots, wondering if it would be better to take them off and walk barefoot back to the house, or if that would be even worse. I had no idea how bad the blistering and rubbing might be, and I was dreading finding out.

“You’re hurt.” Wade approached, eyes narrowing as he tried to find whatever was causing me pain.

"I'm fine," I lied, even as I lifted one foot and then the other, trying to give them momentary relief.

"Like hell you are," Wade argued, his tone full of concern that tried to infiltrate my heart and good senses, softening me towards him and this situation.

Before I could protest, Wade waved the other close Alphas off and he scooped me up into his arms. I wanted to fight him, but I was exhausted. And the elevation, though it made two unnatural heartbeats begin to pound in the soles of my feet, felt so good compared to standing. He began to walk, with me cradled in his arms, towards the rambler. For the second time tonight, the second time ever, I gave up again. I tilted my head, letting it fall against his warm bare chest. He smelled like hay and milk and honey. I found myself fighting sleep. The rocking of his arms and the aromatherapy of his Alpha scent was incredibly relaxing.

In the half-asleep haze as I rested against Wade’s firm body, I heard the other men speaking.

"I'll run her a bath.” Boone’s deep, rich voice.

"I'll get the first aid kit for you, Wade," Levi added.

“God, I’m so glad she’s okay.” Cooper, his tone bordering grief.

“Cooper, you run the bath instead. Boone, you’re with me. We need to make sure that mountain lion’s not still on the property.” Wyatt, ever the leader.

As Wade carried me beneath the darkness of the porch overhang, I found myself wondering what life could be like if I stayed. My insides were shifting, pushing me to consider the possibilities. These five men had come running with weapons to protect me from danger. Not to punish me for trying to leave, but to keep me safe.

I didn't understand it. I didn't understand them.

"Why aren't you angry?" I whispered against Wade's chest, feeling like a weakling and a failure.

His pace faltered for just a moment. "We're relieved you're alive, Nelly. That's all that matters right now."

The warmth in his voice made my eyes sting. I blinked rapidly, refusing to cry. This could still be manipulation. This could still be a trap. They were Alphas, genetically disposed to getting what they wanted, and I was just an Omega.

27

NELLY

After a bath and first aid, when it was pushing four AM and the world was trying to wake up outside, I collapsed onto the bed. Levi and Cooper had wanted to help me into the room, but I’d stopped them at the door. I could tell they didn’t trust me not to run away again, but even if I wanted to, my busted feet and my tired mind wouldn’t let me.

It took mere seconds to fall asleep.

And I dreamed about them. About all of them.

Levi zipped the coat slowly, his lilac eyes full of worry.

In my dream, the next moments played out differently.