Feral Claim

by Fel Fern

  “He’ll be allowed to stay with us for thirty days. If he proves himself useful to the community, we might decide to extend his stay,” he explained.

  “Brother, I’m not staying if you’re not coming with me,” Daryl said. “We’ll find another way.”

  Forrest went to work on getting rid of the corpses while the brothers argued. His heart remained in turmoil, his inner wolf hurting. Fuck, but he didn’t want to let go of Dave, either, but helping Dave had terrible consequences. If Forrest went out on a limb for a complete stranger, it would mean defying his Alpha, the man who he looked up to and respected, and betraying the pack he would bleed and die for.

  Chapter Five

  Dave didn’t know how long he argued with his brother. He couldn’t believe Daryl would keep on insisting they stayed together when Daryl had a shot at survival with these wolves. Sure, these werewolves and their especially frightening demon-black Alpha scared him shitless, but they seemed fair. Ruthless, but he knew for some reason they’d keep his brother safe.

  “Done talking?” interrupted the deep voice of the first werewolf they met.

  Forrest, the other wolves called him, Dave recalled. He took that opportunity to study the shifter he and his brother owed their lives to. The striking green of Forrest’s eyes looked otherworldly, reminding him that Daryl and he were no longer in the world of humans they had grown up in. Forrest’s unique eyes were set in a handsome face framed by light brown hair, the same color, he realized when Forrest was in wolf form.

  He recalled how his heart nearly leapt out of his chest seeing the massive brown wolf, especially after Forrest stared at them after dealing with the Squad members. Dave wouldn’t forget any time soon what easy prey those Squad members had been to Forrest.

  Why hadn’t Forrest killed them instantly, though? Even the other werewolves asked Forrest that question. Maybe the werewolf had a sweet side to him, but the feral look Forrest flashed him now told him the man who spoke to them shared half of his body with a wolf.

  “Can I ask you one thing?” Dave began, trying really hard not to look at Forrest’s naked body.

  God, but the werewolf was built like a warrior, made of muscle and zero fat. It might be rude to gawk, so he kept trying to keep his gaze politely on the werewolf’s face. His traitorous dick pulsed in his jeans.

  Damn. This was definitely an inappropriate moment, because he heard a rumor shifters had an excellent scent of smell. Did that mean Forrest could smell his arousal? How could Forrest be completely comfortable without clothes on, too? Maybe it was a shifter thing.

  Dave tried to think about less erotic things. Right. Leaving his brother here meant the only future he could look forward to was running. Those Discipline Squad members would keep on searching for Daryl and him. Even if they managed to interrogate the answers out of him, he doubted they’d have the balls to cross the Devil Hills Wolves’ territory.

  Humans kept to their Humans Matter-run cities and the paranormals to their claimed land, that was the rule.

  “What?” Forrest asked.

  Dave noticed the two bodies of the Squad members were no longer there. He swallowed. While he and Daryl argued, had the werewolf gotten rid of the corpses without them realizing?

  “Why did you save us?” he blurted.

  “My wolf got curious.” Forrest didn’t explain any further. The werewolf looked deep in thought. “What are you going to do next?”

  “I’m not staying here, Dave,” Daryl repeated.

  “Like hell. We’ve already had this argument,” Dave pointed out. “Look, this is our best option.”

  His brother bit his lip. “If you drive out of these lands, they’ll keep on hunting you.”

  “One problem at a time,” Dave answered with a confidence he didn’t quite feel.

  “Not this crap again,” Forrest interrupted. “I’m not asking again. Come.” Then, without further explanation, Forrest shifted. He stared, still unused to seeing the transformation. It happened so fast. One moment, a man stood there, the next, fur covered Forrest’s chest and shoulders. Forrest dropped to all four paws, a giant scary wolf again.

  A silent dare remained in those vivid green eyes, then Forrest padded to the nearest line of trees, the direction opposite from where they came from.

  “Wait, I don’t understand,” he said, confused.

  “He’s asking us to follow,” Daryl said, grabbing his arm and dragging him forward.

  Dave began to walk, but he nervously asked his brother, “What’s going on? Didn’t the Alpha only let you stay? Why is he telling us to come with him?”

  “Maybe he’s breaking the rules for you,” Daryl said, looking thoughtful.

  “Wait. What?”

  Daryl put a finger to his lips, and he warily nodded. He didn’t know why Forrest was doing this, but even if he headed back to the car, it didn't have any gas.

  He knew he’d hit his limit soon. If the Squad sent reinforcements to find him, Dave knew he wouldn’t last that long on the road. Forrest took them on a short hike. He had a feeling the werewolf slowed down his pace so they could catch up. The terrain continued to be uneven, not easy for a lost human unused to walking in the woods, he realized.

  Dave didn’t know how long or how far they walked, only that his legs threatened to give way from underneath him. By then, the sun nearly set, which meant they’d been walking for hours. He nearly shut his eyes but felt a furry head nudging the back of his legs. Dave had been too tired to yelp in surprise.

  Seeing his brother stumble, he froze, but Forrest had caught his brother.

  “Sorry,” Daryl murmured, clutching at Forrest’s fur. He helped haul his brother up.

  “Is it still far, wherever we’re going?” he asked.

  Maybe they shouldn’t have followed Forrest blindly, but it wasn’t like they had any decent choices. Forrest padded a few meters away. He put his arm over Daryl’s shoulder and helped his brother walk. Dave was, or had been, a police officer, so he kept some level of fitness, but Daryl seldom exercised. Even for him, the hike tired him out.

  He followed Forrest, shocked to see a cabin up ahead of them. Forrest shifted back to human, left the door open.

  “Brother, we’re nearly there,” he told Daryl, who flashed him a tired smile.

  Forrest returned to them, wearing jeans, and took Daryl’s weight off him. “Come on, little human, let’s get you inside,” he said.

  He felt himself nod. The werewolf let him lean a little, as they somehow managed to get inside the cabin. He collapsed on a chair of what looked like the dining room. The cabin, he noted, watching Forrest lay Daryl on the couch, looked like it had been built for one or a couple. It was modest in size but had a living and dining room, even a small kitchenette and a door he assumed led to a bedroom.

  “Here,” Forrest said, handing him a bottle of water. He saw the werewolf had also set another on the coffee table in front of Daryl.

  “Thanks,” he said, taking a huge gulp. The cool liquid felt wonderful on his parched throat.

  “Slow down,” Forrest said in that same firm tone he used when he asked Daryl and Dave to follow him.

  He took slower sips this time and wiped his mouth with the back of his mouth. “Are all werewolves this bossy?” Dave was well-aware he shouldn’t be mouthing off to a supernatural able to snap his neck without much effort, except Forrest could have killed him much earlier but chose not to.

  Besides, he knew when it came to dealing with wild animals, he shouldn’t show fear, and Forrest was that—unpredictable and dangerous. What really scared him shitless was his unexplainable attraction to the werewolf.

  Even now, he became intensely aware of the werewolf standing a few feet from him, that unreadable, inhuman gaze on him. No human had blazing green eyes like that, and that look told him his interest hadn’t been one-sided, either.

  Maybe desire was one of the reasons Forrest let him come with Daryl. When tomorrow came, would he find himself back on the road, destinat
ion unknown? It would only be a matter of time before the Discipline Squad caught up with him, but at least he’d have a night’s rest.

  “Tell me, little human. What’s going on in that handsome head of yours?” Forrest’s voice came out harsh, a growl accompanying the words.

  Dave should have been afraid, except he couldn’t quite explain it but he knew this werewolf would never hurt him. He felt safe, he realized with a shock, even though Forrest looked at him like he was edible, even though his future seemed so uncertain.

  “You never answered my question,” he began. “Why did you save us? Why agree to take me here, along with my brother?”

  “I don’t know.” Forrest looked like he meant it. “I know the trouble I’m getting myself into with Deacon and the others by disobeying his orders, but I did it anyway.”

  Tension rocketed.

  That still didn’t explain why Dave was still here, breathing and alive.

  “What’s going to happen to me?”

  * * * *

  Good question, Forrest thought. Once more, his answer remained the same. He sure as hell didn’t know what would happen once morning arrived. Forrest passed by another werewolf’s home on his way back to the cabin, and no doubt Rafael would have scented the outsiders with him.

  “You can stay for the night,” he finally said, but the wolf in him remained adamant.

  Throughout the journey back to his cabin, one that would have only taken him half an hour but turned to two hours, he waited for the moment when he’d regret telling Dave to come. Never once did he change his mind, and that disturbed him.

  Throughout his life, Forrest thought he knew what he wanted, to rise through the ranks of the pack and protect the pack’s weaker members. Maybe after a couple of years, he’d get sick of sleeping around and settle down with one of the submissive males in the pack or their rarer Omegas.

  It didn’t make sense why he’d grown suddenly attached and attracted to a human he just met, a human his Alpha and fellow enforcers didn’t trust. He shouldn’t, either. Forrest knew next to nothing about Dave or his brother, and yet instinct told him Dave didn’t have a single cunning or malicious bone in his body.

  Dave was a protector, one who obviously cared enough about his brother that he’d accept leaving Daryl here and face certain death alone.

  “That means a lot, thank you,” Dave told him.

  “You must be hungry. I’ll whip up something to eat for all three of us. Daryl will probably be starved when he wakes up, too,” Forrest surprised both of them by saying.

  “I can help,” Dave offered.

  He shook his head. “Your job is to rest up a little. I’ll call you when dinner’s done.”

  “Okay.”

  Forrest walked to the back door, sensing an uninvited visitor outside. He glanced back at Dave, curving his lips to a smile when Dave’s snores filled the cabin. Dave had lain his head on the table and seemed comfy enough. Then again, it must have been a tough day for his human.

  No matter how much I want him to be mine, it’s impossible, he told his angry wolf, and he turned to confront the deadly female waiting outside for him.

  Chapter Six

  “I’m surprised you haven’t told Deacon about Dave being here yet,” Forrest drily told Sabine.

  She leaned against his cabin wall, slender arms crossed. Even in the dim light, her white-gold hair looked striking, as did her silver eyes. Like all of Deacon’s enforcers, she was lethal in a fight, but she was also his close friend. That was rare, because while he worked well with all of the enforcers, he wouldn’t go so far as to call them friends.

  Being the youngest enforcer in the group, a gap still existed between him and the older enforcers like Max and Isabella. Sabine had put her support in favor of him being promoted to the role of enforcer even though her older brother and fellow enforcer, Santino, had voted against him.

  “It was a good thing Rafael called me, not someone else,” she finally said. Then in a soft voice that was unlike her, she asked, “What’s this human to you, Forrest? You’re a good lieutenant, could pick any wolf in the pack to mate or snuggle up with during mating season. Why him?”

  “I don’t understand it myself,” he said with a sigh. It looked like Sabine wouldn’t tell on him yet. Forrest ran a frustrated hair through his hair. “My wolf can’t keep away from him. I’ve made my decision. I’m the one who brought him here, and I’ll take responsibility.”

  “You won’t be able to keep a secret from Deacon,” she finally told him.

  “I know. How long before Deacon finds out?”

  Deacon was Alpha for a reason. Sooner or later, Deacon would scent a human in the air.

  “Tomorrow morning. Decide if he’s worth the trouble, Forrest. You’re jeopardizing your position in the pack and Deacon’s trust in you. We both know he doesn’t forgive easily.”

  Forrest knew that, too, had seen how their Alpha dealt with betrayal—with merciless brutality. The Devil Hills Wolves were at the top of the food chain for a reason and remained feared by both the Humans Matter government and other supernatural communities for their less than pristine reputation.

  Deacon might be tough, but the Alpha had always been fair, as well, he reminded himself as Sabine bade him goodnight. Humans might be an exception to that rule, he remembered, heading back inside. To distract himself, he made dinner for three. Forrest whipped up some simple burgers, aware his human had woken, probably drawn by the smell of food.

  “Smells good,” Dave murmured.

  “You’re a light sleeper,” Forrest commented, placing a stack of burgers on a plate.

  “I’ve always been like that since we were kids. You know, I don’t want to be caught unawares if something bad happens,” Dave said.

  This human’s story intrigued him but now hadn’t been the time to ask. Forrest knew he shouldn’t grow too attached, especially if they would need to make their farewells tomorrow. His wolf snarled inside him in disagreement. His skin felt hot, tightly stretched over his skin, like his animal wanted out.

  Forrest silently swore. He became pack enforcer because he showed plenty of control over his dangerous animal. Most of the time, his wolf agreed with him. Why the change? The answer stood next to him, but he couldn’t quite put a name to his strange attraction yet, because it would endanger both Dave’s and his lives.

  Shit. Dave stood too close to him, though, scent tempting.

  “Are you making those for a party?” Dave asked, snatching one burger from a plate and, within a few seconds, wolfed it down.

  “Nope, just thought I’d be prepared. Fair warning, I’m a decent cook but not the best,” he said.

  Dave finished off the burger. “This is so good.”

  “You’re just hungry,” he pointed out. Forrest turned off the stove, realizing he was ravenous, too. They ate in silence for a few moments, decimating the pile of burgers to half. He remarked, “I didn’t know humans could eat that much.”

  Dave blushed. “I missed a few meals, that’s all. I’m sorry about your food.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about,” Forest said, reaching out to thumb the mayo on the corner of Dave’s mouth. He licked it off, liking how unsettled Dave grew and something else. Dave’s woody confirmed his suspicions that his desire hadn’t just been one-sided. His dick ached, thickened inside his jeans.

  “You should be in bed, resting,” Forrest said in a harsh voice.

  “I’m feeling a lot better, and it’s not like I’m injured,” the little human had the gall to say.

  “It’s not wise,” Forrest ventured, watching Dave curiously peek at his fridge. The human hesitantly reached for two beers and offered one to him. He nodded, opened it, and took a slow sip. Dave tipped his head back, sighed as he took a long pull.

  “What’s not wise?” Dave asked.

  “Tempting a wolf.”

  Pink crept up to Dave’s cheeks and neck. Dave swallowed, the tendons in his neck standing out. The bold little human asked,
“Why is that?”

  “My inner animal acts differently around you. It’s better if you don’t know.”

  Forrest began to turn away. The more distance he put between them, the better, except Dave grabbed his arm. A snarl tickled from his mouth and Dave froze, watching him wary eyes. Wary, he realized, but not frightened.

  “Please, ever since you rescued us, I’ve been feeling—” Dave’s gaze slid to Forrest’s erection. Dave began to reach for the button of his jeans, but Forrest caught his fingers. Dave let out a breath. Dave went on, “I don’t understand it myself, but don’t you want me, too?”

  “You can’t handle me, human.” Forrest’s wolf had grown frighteningly calm inside of him, so certain that this human would soon fall in their trap.

  Once he heard consent from Dave’s tempting lips, he wouldn’t hesitate to have the human under him.

  No, Forrest thought. This was a bad idea. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? Worst-case scenario, Deacon would lose his complete trust in him, exile him and the human. Where would he go? Devil Hills had always been his home, and he risked it all, Deacon’s wrath and his place in the pack, for one human he met today. Fuck this.

  Forrest only lived once. That had been his motto, and if he already screwed his future, he might as well enjoy tonight.

  Dave cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that, wolf?”

  He smirked, showing a hint of fang. Bold little human. Forrest never met another wolf who intrigued and challenged him the way this human did.

  “Come close, little human, and find out,” he said. Forrest finished his beer.

  Dave set his can on the counter, took a couple of steps toward him. Impatient, he tugged at Dave’s shirt and yanked the human close. Dave nearly stumbled but Forrest settled his hands on the human’s waist, steadying Dave on his feet. He lifted Dave’s chin, slanted his lips over the human’s, and finally took Dave’s mouth. Sweetness exploded on his tongue. His cock dug against the zipper of his jeans as Dave responded with the same eager hunger. Tongues tangled, teeth clashed, but eventually, Dave parted his lips wider so he could deepen the kiss.