Page 19 of Shrouded in the Dark

“Oh. Yeah. Sure, I will. Good night!”

“Night.” He sounded distracted as he hung up.

I shrugged. Guys were weird. Really weird. I settled more under the covers after plugging my phone in before I clapped to turn off the remaining lights in my room.

* * *

Jasper

Seth was next to me as I hung up with Becca. He’d heard the last part of the conversation when I’d gone to get him. Learning that Becca’s stepdad was a survivalist who believed in the supernatural had gotten both of our attention. Did Becca believe like he did? The community in large tried to keep our existence a secret because the Venandi would find us faster if humans were crying shifter. If humans learned about us, they’d learn about other beings and that could be dangerous for everyone involved.

Then she’d said there’d been something outside of her cabin. I’d felt myself go pale and Seth had me sit before holding the phone and putting it on speaker. He’d gestured with his hand to keep talking, but he’d mouthed to end the call as soon as possible. My abruptness had probably bothered Becca, but I’d have to make it up to her later. She was quickly becoming a friend, plus, she was just a nice girl.

My fox hissed at me.

“I thought we’d have scared off that asshole when you guys marked the cabin with your scents.”

Seth placed my phone on the counter next to me. His eyes were stormy.

“I did too. That means this shifter isn’t just passing through. He knows he’s trespassing in our territory.” Seth started to pace. “Damn it. What would happen if we weren’t here? We’ve managed to keep this territory Venandi free because we’ve taken care of problems without attracting attention, but this shifter could fuck everything up.”

“Not to mention, Becca could be in danger.” My voice was dry as I pointed that out. “Shouldn’t that be our number one priority?”

Seth growled; his tiger was fighting for control. “You know what I mean. I’ll send Axel out to patrol around her house tonight to make sure the shifter leaves her alone. We’ll figure out what to do with her being alone the rest of the summer tomorrow.” He took his hair tie out and ran his hands several times through his hair. He always did that when he was pissed. He just messed up his curls.

My fox brushed against me as I stood. I wrapped my arms around Seth’s middle, holding him tightly to my own. He was a few inches taller than me, so I rested my head under his chin. He was stiff for several heart beats before his arms encased me. He was still growling silently but I could feel the vibrations under my cheek.

My fox laid down as I relaxed within Seth’s arms. He was our alpha, the guy in charge, but he was still just one man. We were all family and touch helped when we were upset. Seth finally relaxed. He called out for Axel as he stayed in our embrace.

Axel walked into the family room, saw that we were hugging, and walked over and wrapped an arm around Seth’s shoulders. Axel liked to act gruff but he was one of the most protective shifters I knew. He beat Seth in that category.

“What’s up?” His brows were furrowed. “Seth?”

Seth sighed as he rubbed his chin along the top of my hair as he calmed down more.

“That shifter isn’t here accidently. He knows he’s in our territory. He was seen briefly by Becca. I need you to go out tonight and make sure the shifter doesn’t do anything. Don’t engage if you see him, except to scare him off.”

Axel stiffened next to us. “Is Becca alright?”

“She’s fine for now. She went to bed. Her stepfather is a survivalist so the house has adequate protection,” I mumbled as I looked over at him. “I don’t like it, though.”

Axel nodded as he stepped away. “I’ll shift and head over.” He tossed his phone at Seth, who caught it without blinking. “Don’t let Cody touch my phone. The lil' prick figured out my pin last time and posted a bunch of shit. It was a nightmare to remove.” He pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it onto the back of one of the chairs.

My eyes roamed over the planes of muscle. He had an impressive chest with a spattering of light brown hair down his six pack of abs that led downwards and disappeared under his pants. His hands started to push down said pants when he cleared his throat, making me look up to meet his eyes and laughed.

“Eyes up here. Don’t objectify me, man.” His teasing made all three of us laugh.

Seth let me go and my fox was purring happily as I stepped back. I winked over at Axel. “I am allowed to objectify you when you strip in front of me.”

All three of us laughed as Axel finished removing his clothes. There was a groan of pain as he called on his bear as he shifted. Seconds later, a large brown colored bear stood in his place. He shook out his fur with a grunt before he stretched. He glanced at us as he lumbered over, pressing his face into my stomach roughly.

“Ow.” I laughed as his cold nose moved up under my shirt. “I get it! I get it!” Laughing, I stepped away. “No more ogling you when you’re about to shift.”

He snuffed against my stomach before moving toward the front door. Seth followed him so he could open it.

“Thanks, Axel.” Axel squeezed himself out of the door with a shove from Seth. “If you get in trouble, let us know.”

Will do. His voice echoed through our heads from the mind link we all shared as animals while at least one of us was shifted. I watched as he ran through the night into the forest moving toward Becca’s house.