Protected By Her Wolf: (Silverwood Island Shifters)

by Starr, Maia

  “Boy oh boy,” Flint said, cupping his hands together to lift some water to pour over his head. “I can’t wait to tell Callie you said that. I’m sure she’d love to know how you’ve been eyeing my potential mate.”

  Ash laughed, rising from the water and puffing out his chest. “As if you have the balls to do that.”

  Flint rose to his feet, as well, flexing. The two brothers locked eyes, and then Flint splashed water at Ash, using his brother’s jerk backward to rush forward and put him into a headlock.

  Ash struggled, trying to elbow Flint in the stomach, but Flint didn’t budge an inch. Eventually, Ash tapped Flint’s arm, and Flint released him into the river.

  Raising an eyebrow at his younger brother, Flint crossed his arms. “Well?”

  Scratching at the back of his neck, Ash smiled weakly. “Please don’t tell Callie I said anything about Addison.”

  Flint stayed silent.

  “Pretty please? We’re friends, aren’t we, Flint?”

  Flint chuckled and waded out of the water, feeling refreshed. “Do your best as my wingman tonight, Ash, and my lips will stay zipped.”

  “You got it! Not that you need my help, but I’ll do everything I can to make sure Addison has the best night of her life.”

  When Flint looked back at his brother with a raised eyebrow, Ash rolled his eyes. “Not like that. I’ll leave some things to you.” He winked and, following in his brother’s lead, bounded out of the water. “We heading back, then? You still need to get dressed for tonight. Unless you’re planning to pick her up in your birthday suit.”

  Flint snorted. “Of course not. And yes, we’re heading back, so grab your clothes already.”

  He shifted into his wolf form and picked up his dirty clothes in his mouth as Ash padded up next to him. Ash took off first, gliding into the forest without a second thought. Flint wanted to bark for Ash to wait, but he couldn’t with his clothes in his mouth, so he darted off after his younger brother, letting his wolf wear itself out as much as it could.

  * * *

  Night came quicker than Addison expected. As she left her first day at the local florist’s shop and hurried toward the Silver Inn, only streetlamps and various storefronts lit her way.

  In just hour, Flint would come to pick her up for their night out together, and she would need that entire time to prepare.

  Still, images of Maric Devoy lingered in her mind as she wound her way through the tiny town and up the steps to the inn, and, more than once, she swore she saw the man lumbering toward her, only to blink and see nothing but the empty path ahead. She did, however, spy more wolves on the prowl, loping through the trees in the distance as their howls pierced the night. Already nervous, as she stepped inside the inn, the sudden appearance of May Silver scared her silly.

  “Heya, Addison!”

  Placing a hand over her heart, Addison gasped for breath. “Geez, May, you almost gave me a heart attack. Can you please not jump scare me again?”

  May chortled. “Sorry, kiddo. Can’t help myself sometimes. But you’re awfully jumpy tonight. Something wrong? You can always talk to me if you feel uncomfortable around here, you know. I may be old, but that also means I’m wise.” She winked.

  “Ah, thank you, but no, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about my date with Flint.”

  May patted her on the back. “So, he officially asked you out, huh? That’s great! That man’s been on my nerves lately, what with still being single. He’s gorgeous! Can’t believe it’s taken him this long to find a mate…”

  Addison nearly choked. “Mate?”

  “Ignore my ramblings, Addison.” May pushed her toward the stairs, shooing her off. “Go on and get ready! I’ll be leaving soon, so I won’t be down here when you come back. Good luck tonight!”

  “Thanks, May,” Addison said with a smile.

  She took off up the stairs, leaving May behind in the lobby.

  As she shut the door to her room behind her, Addison pulled off her work clothes, leaving a trail to her bathroom. She washed up, and then, stood in front of her closet, contemplating the outfits she’d brought with her until she decided on the right look. She only had fifteen minutes left to do her makeup, and by the time she had finished that and rushed downstairs to the lobby, she was two minutes late and expected Flint to be waiting for her.

  But he wasn’t. Addison thought to ask May, but then she remembered May had said she was leaving for the night. With nothing else to do, Addison clutched her purse and strolled outside, finding a spot right next to the door and leaning against it to wait.

  A few minutes passed, but no Flint. To distract herself, Addison counted the trees surrounding her, but she kept losing count, and so she gave up. Anxiously, she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

  After ten minutes had passed, Addison began to wonder if Flint had decided to stand her up, but just then, she spotted him climbing the steps to the inn. Her heart soared with relief. A shy smile crept onto her face as he walked up, clad in a simple but sexy combination of sweater and jeans, his hair an alluringly tousled mess, and his magnetic green eyes drawing her toward him.

  “Sorry I’m late,” he said, his voice cracking.

  There was a particular smell surrounding him, a scent she’d never smelled on a man before. It was like some aphrodisiac, and it made her head spin. She wondered what cologne he had used.

  “It’s okay; I haven’t waited that long.”

  He smiled. “Oh, good. Then let’s be on our way.”

  Flint held out his arm to her, and she hooked one of hers around it, clutching his forearm with both hands. Her body pressed lightly against the hard muscle of his bicep, and she shivered. Flint grinned at her, and they made their way down the steps.

  “So, where are we going?”

  Flint smiled secretively. “Just wait. It’s a surprise.”

  He led her down to the street and across it, turning to follow the sidewalk as it curled around next to the road. Other couples and a few groups passed them as they walked, most glancing at them curiously, but none of them said a word. Flint stayed silent, too. She wanted to speak, but something about the mood told her not to, so they continued on in silence until they came to the edge of town.

  A wide path led off the road and into the forest, and without missing a beat, Flint directed them down the path. His eyes scanned the area as they walked along; Addison assumed it was because of the active wolves.

  Eventually, the lights of the town faded, and the path became so dark that Flint brought out a lighter to light their way forward. Addison clutched onto him tighter, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

  “How was your first day on the job?” Flint asked.

  Addison laughed. “It was fine… all I did was water flowers.”

  Flint raised an eyebrow. “You got a job at the florist’s shop?”

  “Yeah, is that weird or something?”

  Flint shook his head. “No, I just didn’t imagine you to be one to look after plants.”

  “Well, no one is exactly as they appear.” That comment earned a look from Flint, but Addison ignored it. “Besides, it was… relaxing. A friend from Seattle once suggested it to me, and when I found out I had the opportunity here to try it out, I took it.”

  A goofy grin split Flint’s face, showing his amusement at her words.

  “Is my choice of occupation funny?” Addison asked.

  He grinned wider. “It’s quite adorable, actually.”

  “Hey, tending to flowers is a very invigorating way to spend my time, I’ll have you know.”

  Flint full-on chuckled, and Addison to giggled with him. Suddenly, the mood felt better, lighter than it had in the minutes before.

  “How much farther until we arrive at wherever you’re taking me?”

  “We’re almost there,” Flint said, closing his lighter as lights began to bleed through the trees. “Just try not to freak out too much when we arrive, okay?”

  Before Addison could ask what he
meant by that, they turned at a bend in the path and a huge, lit-up lodge appeared out of nowhere. A giant bonfire crackled in the open clearing just before the hall, and a multitude of people sat on logs and danced near the fire, their voices mixing with the faint music coming from the speakers scattered around the area and carrying into the night. White Christmas lights adorned the branches of the surrounding trees, casting the whole area in a soft glow. The sight took Addison’s breath away as Flint led her into the clearing, friendly faces turning toward them and greeting them with every step they took.

  “What is this place?” Addison asked, her eyes roving over the scene.

  “We call it Wolf Den,” Flint said. “A little place in the woods where people can come and enjoy themselves at night. Sometimes we have parties like this one where we sing and dance the night away.”

  Two shapes came toward them, a man and woman Addison recognized as Ash and Callie, Flint’s brother and sister-in-law, as they approached.

  “You finally made it!” Ash greeted them. Callie smiled but stayed silent. “Pretty cool place to hang out, don’t you think, Addison?”

  “Hell yeah, it is!” Addison exclaimed. “I never expected this…”

  “Well then, don’t just stand there!” Ash said. “Come on!”

  Ash swept around, ducking and scooping up Callie in his arms. Callie yelped and punched Ash in the arm for startling her, but he ran off with her into the middle of the clearing, Ash’s antics earning laughter from everyone.

  Suddenly, Flint followed his brother’s example, picking up Addison in his arms in one smooth motion. Addison let out an embarrassing squeal as he literally swept her off her feet. She wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting his eyes. He stared back at her with a fervor that made her body quiver and her lips part as she waited for his next move. With a burst of speed, Flint rushed them both to the middle of the clearing, Addison laughing in surprise and excitement.

  Chapter Eleven

  A Stray Bear

  Flint felt more alive than he had in ages.

  As soon as Flint and Addison had arrived, someone had cranked up the music so it blasted from the speakers. A sea of shifters moved to the beat, countless couples pressing their bodies together, whispering and giggling to each other as their hot breaths formed tiny clouds between them in the cool night air.

  Others shouted and hooted at wrestling matches between burly members of Flint’s pack, the movements of their bodies sending autumn leaves into the air to rain down over the assembled crowd like confetti.

  People kept adding logs to the bonfire, and the flames rose higher and higher, licking the air. A few feet away, another kind of fire built between Flint and Addison as they danced, drawing the attention of many of the shifters around them.

  Their dance was wild and intense, and sweat dripped down their bodies as Flint drew Addison close so he could grind their bodies together. She wasn’t the greatest dancer around, a little more awkward than Flint expected. He knew from their lovemaking the night before that she had a better sense of rhythm than she was currently exhibiting, but he figured her shyness must be raising her inhibitions. He made it his mission to get her to forget the people around them and let loose, and he pulled her even closer.

  Eventually, she began to move her thin, graceful body against his with abandon, circling her slim hips to the beat. It was almost magical, ferocious and hot, and Flint couldn’t take his eyes off her. The heat of her skin scorched his hands as ran his them down her sides, her hazel eyes darkening with lust as she gazed at him, her hot breath puffing against his neck and raising all the hairs on his body.

  Flint struggled with his wolf as he danced with Addison. More than once, he growled under his breath and somehow fought down the urge to bay at the moon. Luckily, Addison didn’t notice, or she simply didn’t care.

  Addison’s hands slid up his arms to grip his shoulders, sending his mind racing. He imagined Addison in his embrace somewhere deep in the forest, just the two of them; Addison writhing underneath him; Addison riding him like the beast he was.

  As if she could sense his thoughts, Addison wrapped her arms around his neck, and Flint rested his hands on the small of her back. She stared into his eyes with longing, Flint’s own desperate need reflected in them. Addison’s lips parted as her eyes drifted closed, and Flint pressed his mouth to hers. Gripping her hips, he pulled her impossibly closer as he licked into her mouth, feeling more than hearing her soft moan.

  Flint’s pack whispered excitedly, and Flint felt the pressure of a hundred pairs of eyes watching them, but he didn’t care what any of them thought. He could do whatever he wanted at Wolf Den; this was his territory and no one else’s, no matter how many times Ash or others challenged him or joked about his lack of mate.

  Someone whistled loudly, but Flint didn’t bother to look until Addison broke the kiss, blushing furiously and unlocking her arms from around Flint’s neck to step back.

  Annoyed, not at Addison but at whoever had interrupted them, Flint glanced to his left, spying the sly expression on Ash’s face as he danced with Callie. Callie smiled at him, resting her head on Ash’s shoulder, but Flint’s brother wasted no time before making fun of him.

  “Wowie,” Ash said. “You two are impatient, huh? You have heard of these amazing innovations called rooms, right? Four walls, a floor, a ceiling? They usually have beds, too, so you two can continue this little encounter without putting on a show.”

  Addison blushed even harder, and Flint leveled a look at his brother, conveying the simple message to back off.

  Understanding crossed Ash’s face, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. “Sorry, I just couldn’t tell the difference between you two and the bonfire over there.” Ash winked. “Try not to get so distracted you walk into the fire and burn alive, alright? It’d be no fun to become the next Alpha if I didn’t fight you for it.”

  Grunting, Flint looked at his sister-in-law as he pulled Addison back into his arms. “Callie, nail him for me, will you? I’m a little busy here.”

  Callie giggled but obliged him, punching her husband in the arm so hard he practically shrieked. Flint bellowed in laughter, causing Addison to crack a smile through her embarrassment. Callie chuckled as Ash let her go and backed away.

  “I’ll get you for that!” he yelled, pointing at her.

  Callie shook her head and bolted away from the bonfire, Ash chasing after her. They raced around groups and couples, everyone they passed stopping to watch and laugh.

  “Are they always like that?” Addison whispered, watching the couple round the corner of the building and disappear. “They’re so energetic and carefree… and it’s infectious.” She laughed. “You know, with all the running and chasing each other, they remind me of the two dogs my family had when I was growing up. And the way everyone else feeds into it… it’s almost like they’re a pack of wolves or something. I can see why you’d name this place Wolf Den.”

  “You have no idea,” Flint said, forcing a laugh. “But that’s how my younger brother has always been. Loud, always yapping like some overexcited puppy. Once you learn how to deal with him, he won’t wear you down as much. That endless supply of energy he has is a mystery to everyone, but it’s why he’s so popular.” Flint’s smile faded. “It’s why he’s never alone.”

  Addison glanced up at him, a knowing expression on her face. “That was a loaded statement if I’ve ever heard one.”

  Flint blinked, letting his smile return. “Don’t read too much into it. It was just a comment.”

  “Was it?”

  Addison broke eye contact and pushed her head against his chest, her ear over his heart. Flint’s felt his heartbeat speed up, and Addison stayed in that position while they swayed to the music.

  “The way your brother acts around you… and the way everyone is always glancing at you, and us, it’s like they’re expecting something to happen between us,” Addison murmured.

  Flint stayed silent, looking around the clearing
, catching many shifters staring at them. He supposed—with almost every shifter caught up in the possibility of their single Alpha finally finding a mate—the attention would be hard for Addison to miss.

  “I haven’t really seen any other single men here,” Addison continued. “Or single women… all I see are couples or families. It’s almost like everyone on Silverwood has already settled down.”

  Flint breathed hard as his inner wolf howled inside its cage and licked his lips, imagining the way he’d like to end to their night. He didn’t realize he’d forgotten to answer her until she lifted her head, their gazes connecting once more. Flint wanted to deny her insinuation, to protect his pride, but something compelled him to stay silent, to let himself become vulnerable.

  Maybe it was because the more time Flint spent with Addison, the more his desire for not only her body but also her mind and personality grew. It wasn’t easy trying to take things slow with her, as his wolf always hungered for more of her tantalizing flesh, but it was becoming clearer by the second that Flint wasn’t pursuing Addison simply because she was the only single woman on the island, or even because she was sexy as hell. He wanted Addison. He wanted her in his arms and his bed, but it was more than that—he wanted a future with her. There was no denying it at this point. The whole of Wolf Den could sense it.

  “Let’s say you’re right,” Flint said, leaning his head closer to hers. “Why is that important right now?”

  Addison cocked her head, smiling. “Because it makes you more human to me.”

  Flint stiffened in surprise. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it’s nice to know you aren’t just a nice face and a chiseled body—and that you aren’t just set on screwing me and then moving on When we slept together, you were so overtaken with lust, you… you almost didn’t seem human.”

  Flint grinned. “But it still felt great, right?”

  Addison laughed. “Of course. But at least now I know you actually want me—want to date me, be with me—and not just for my body.”