Running Free

by K. Webster

  She chews on her bottom lip and casts a glance out the window. “I thought I kept my head under the radar. I don’t make friends aside from Otis and the kids I help. I’m kind of a bitch but never mean. Although, I did hit Jared Thurston once and broke his ugly nose.”

  Her eyes find mine and a smile is tugging at her lips.

  “Why do I think you enjoyed hitting him?” I ask, matching her grin.

  “Because I did. Asshole told me very crudely what he was going to do to me if he ever caught me alone. Not thinking twice, I popped him in the face and told him he better bring a gun because I’d fuck him up if he ever touched a hair on my head.”

  A dark eyebrow is lurched nearly to her hairline and her lip is curled up in disgust. The small woman has the bark, and it would appear, the bite, of a pit bull. One more reason I’m captivated by her.

  Grabbing her hips, I haul her to me and bring my lips to hers. “I want to get you alone,” I murmur, my breath tickling her lips, “and do very crude things to you. Are you going to hurt me?”

  She whimpers when I brush a kiss against her mouth. But after a ragged breath, she shakes her head and steps away from me out of my grasp. “Gun, the only thing I’ll be hurting is your heart. You sure you want to play with the big dogs?”

  My heart’s been broken once. I’d like to think the motherfucker is made of steel now.

  I wink at her as she backs away from me. “Baby doll, I lead the pack. Do your worst… I’m ready for it.”

  “Here’s that list of addresses of homes on Woodland Pond you asked for. Want me to take half?” Fitz asks as he passes me a stack of papers across my desk.

  “Yeah, in the morning, you take the south and west where we found the bodies and I’ll interrogate those on the north and east. I’m also going to question a man named Jared Thurston — the one you mentioned Frankie had hit.”

  Fitz nods. “Yeah, you think he had something to do with it? Or Frankie?”

  I stand and roll my shoulders to work out the kinks from having been sitting at my desk for the past couple of hours. “I don’t think Frankie has anything directly to do with it but it’s a coincidence that she knows all three vics closely. Thurston threatened her and she retaliated. That might be enough motive to try and get to her, especially if he’s afraid of her. And if I were him, I would be. Fucking prick.”

  “She punched him in the nose. I’d say he got the short end of the stick, man,” he grunts out in reply.

  “He got what he deserved,” I bark back. “Basically, he threatened rape and she let his ass know real quickly that she wasn’t some defenseless girl. He’s probably embarrassed and afraid. And if he did want to get back at her, then he’d do it where it hurt her the most. I’m not saying he had anything to do with these ‘bear attacks,’ but I am certain that I’m not going to ignore the only lead we have at the moment.”

  Fitz nods in agreement. “Tomorrow, I’ll call Port Lipman. He’s a Craft County forest ranger and an old buddy of mine from high school. I’ll see if he won’t work with us to find out if he can track any bears or other large animals.”

  “It’s probably too late to visit Jared, but I’m going to drive by his residence and see if I find anything fishy,” I tell him as I snag my keys off the desk. “Oh, and Fitz, you might want to patrol around town as well. Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

  He stands from his own desk and tugs on his jacket. “TJ already has two officers in squad cars sitting at two different locations on Woodland Pond. He thinks it might prevent any more murders from happening if there is visible police surveillance.”

  I grunt out my agreement. “Good call. Let me know what you find out in the morning.”

  “You got it, Gun.”

  After a wave, I trot out to my Tahoe and climb in. The drive to Jared’s is a quiet one and it gives me time to think about Frankie. I feel like an animal around her. My body craves to mark and protect her — to claim her as mine. When I was with Carla, despite having loved her, I never had such a visceral reaction.

  With Frankie, I’m hooked on the drug that is her.

  As I pull onto Jared’s street in the mobile home park, my eyes are drawn to the trailer at the end. Five cars line the street out front and several guys are wrestling in the yard. Good. That idiot is still up partying. I’m going to interrogate the pussy.

  For intimidation purposes, I grab my shotgun from the back and climb out after. The men, and a few ladies, are laughing and shouting, so much so, that they don’t notice my arrival. The intoxicating scent of weed infiltrates my senses and I shake my head. I’m not here about drugs. I’m here about murder.

  “WCPD. Which one of you is Jared Thurston?” I bark out, flashing my badge to the group.

  They grow silent, whispering amongst themselves. I don’t have to wait long before a big motherfucker emerges from middle.

  “I am. I ain’t done nothing wrong either.” His voice is steady and bold. As he approaches, he squares his shoulders at me and pins me with an icy glare. Tattoos crawl up his neck and are visible on his arms beneath his white tank top which screams trailer trash. His shaved head only adds to the crazy glint in his eye.

  Cocking my shotgun, I stop him with a menacing stare. “That’s close enough Mr. Thurston.”

  He pauses and fists his hands at his sides. His friends have slowly begun to slink away back toward the confines of the trailer, leaving him to deal with his problems alone. However, two of the men stand nearby smoking, their eyes never leaving the scene between us.

  “Where were you this afternoon between five and seven?” I question.

  He shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know. The diner probably.”

  I shake my head. “Probably won’t cut it. Was anyone there to back this up?”

  One of his goons waves his hand. “We ate dinner with him. My old lady works at the diner and will tell you the same.”

  Jared grunts in agreement.

  “Can you tell me about the night Frances Aleen hit you?” I question, unable to keep the bite out of my voice.

  He lifts his chin and the moonlight reflects off of his crooked-ass nose. “What’s that got to do with anythin’?”

  “Just answer the damn question.”

  His friends edge closer and I grip my shotgun, making eyes with each one of them who dares them to do anything stupid.

  “She was being a dumb bitch and couldn’t take a joke. Then she hit me,” he seethes.

  “Because you threatened her,” I snap.

  “I ain’t threatened nobody.”

  We have a silent standoff; him sticking by his lie and me glaring at him and his apparent untruth.

  I break the silence with an angry hiss. “Don’t lay one goddamn finger on her, got it?”

  He smirks and my heart surges with the desire to give him a black eye to match his stupid nose.

  “She’s all yours, copper. I hear she’s a biter… ” The three men start yelping and howling like fucking lunatics.

  Before I do something that will have me losing my job, I growl out a fuck you, asshole, and storm back to my Tahoe.

  Frankie

  I stare in the mirror above my bathroom sink and frown. My eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep and dark circles are forming beneath them. I look like absolute shit due to lack of sleep. Last night, all I could think about was him. The way it felt when my soul threaded itself with his. It was out of my control. I’d done the absolute worst and I had no way of preventing it.

  Imprinted.

  On Gunnar Fucking Mason.

  An image of his crooked smirk and dark eyes sends a flurry of heated butterflies bouncing around in my belly. Why’d it have to be him? A human.

  I know I should talk to Otis about it, but quite frankly, I’m afraid to admit it aloud. Instead, I beat myself up inside about it.

  I’ll never imprint again on anyone else. I ruined my chances of love because my heart foolishly chose a human.

  With a sigh, I snatch my tooth brus
h and then start preparing for my date. On the night before the full moon, with a human I’m extremely attracted to and accidentally imprinted on, and to a date at his house. It all seems disastrous. I worry what will happen but my body thrums in excitement.

  A part of me wants to let him fuck me until I can’t walk anymore.

  The sane part of me knows this isn’t a good idea.

  However, here I am primping and getting ready for our date. At least Suzie will be there. I can’t very well do anything too stupid with a little girl around.

  I let out a rush of relieved breath and dig around in my closet in search for something remotely date-appropriate. Everything I own is bordering on goth — not sexy. Eventually though, I find a pair of skinny jeans, black boots, and a charcoal-grey sweater that hangs off my shoulder.

  Dropping my robe from after my shower, I walk over to the corner mirror in my bedroom. I lift a brow in shock to see my boobs appear bigger.

  “No way… ” I groan and yank a bra from my drawer.

  I attempt to stuff my swollen tits in the bra only to conclude that I am, as Luca said, in heat. My body is overwhelmed with physical changes because of it too.

  Raging hormones.

  Huge breasts.

  An ache low in my pelvic region that couldn’t even be relieved by masturbation last night.

  Shit!

  This is a terrible idea. I’ll end up mauling Gun with my hormonal ass.

  I try on a few more bras until I determine that I can’t wear a single one. The doorbell rings and in haste, I tug on my sweater sans bra and finish dressing. Otis took Suzie to the diner for ice cream while I got ready for my date so I know I’ll need to answer the door.

  When I finally reach the front door and sling it open, I’m irritated to see Luca standing there. His massive hulk frame fills my doorway and my body physically responds. But in an annoyed way. Last night, I was drawn to him and considered fucking him. Now, ever since I fucking imprinted on Gun, Luca doesn’t have control over my animal cravings.

  “What are you doing here?” I grumble out in greeting.

  His eyes flit past me and survey the house before he regards me with a serious stare. “I was on a drive when my inner animal snapped to attention and the next thing I knew, I was pulling into your driveway. At first I sensed you were in trouble — a foreshadowing if you will that someone was here to hurt you. But now, I can see that my wolf was just horny, and he wanted to fuck.”

  He’s handsome as ever — the man kills it in the looks department but I no longer have the urge to jump his bones.

  “Jesus, Frankie. You smell so damn good. As soon as I pulled up to the house, I could pick up your scent. It’s thick and delicious. Let me take care of you,” he says with a growl.

  The noise reverberates down to my core and I wonder if I can just fuck him. Then, I could get Gun out of my head and wouldn’t try to ride his dick the second I saw him. Gun and I won’t work. He’s a human and I’m a fucking animal.

  But Luca?

  He’s an animal too…

  “Luca,” I purr and force myself forward into his waiting arms. “I’m aching so badly.”

  His massive hands seize my hips and I shudder from his touch. Fucking shudder. I yelp when his mouth finds my neck and his impressive dick presses into my belly through his jeans.

  “God, I missed you,” he hisses against my neck.

  Bile rises in my throat and I swallow it down. I can do this. I can break whatever it is I created between Gun and I. Luca will sever that tie. We’ve fucked a million times and he always has a way of stealing my mind away from everything.

  His hand slips under my shirt and cups my tender breast. “Shit, Frankie. You’re so ripe and supple. Chicks have the best orgasms while in heat. I’m going to make you feel so good, baby.”

  I whimper when his thumb slides over my nipple. But the moment I start to imagine what Luca will do next, a cold bucket of water in my head sobers me. Gun’s questioning eyes are in the forefront of my mind. They turn angry and jealous. And it turns me on.

  But not for Luca.

  It makes me want Gun all the more.

  “Luca, stop.”

  He pulls away and glares down at me. Lust swims in his eyes but I know he’d never do anything I don’t want to do. He may be a cheating ass, but he’s a good guy deep down.

  “Something’s different, Frankie. Is it him?”

  I nod and tears well in my eyes. Luca has never seen me so vulnerable. With him, it’s always been naughty fucking and sexy banter. Never real conversations or real feelings.

  “Did he hurt you?” His voice is tight and the rage ripples from him. All I’d have to do is nod my head, and he’d haul ass over there and rip his throat out.

  “No, God no,” I promise.

  A tear slides out and in a tender move, uncharacteristic for Luca, he frowns and swipes it away. “Then what? Tell me.”

  “I think I imprinted on him.”

  His grey eyes harden and he swallows. Dipping down, he presses his forehead against mine. “I’m a fucking asshole. A stupid fucking asshole. I had you and now I never will again.”

  Not exactly what I was expecting to come from his lips.

  “It just happened. I had no control over it. What do I do, Luca? He’s a human!” This time a sob escapes me.

  What have I done?

  He’s about to say something in response to my emotional outburst but then quickly shoves past me. My proverbial hackles rise because I sense it too. Someone is here. Just like he’d thought. Luca tilts his head to the side and listens but remains firmly in front of me. I’m not one to cower behind someone but his overwhelming need to protect me trickles through my veins and assaults me. I can feel it with my very essence — his desire to keep me safe.

  The warmth.

  The surge of peace.

  Like a brother would protect his little sister.

  The concept is almost laughable considering how many times we’ve had sex. However, as floorboards within the house creak and groan, I know there’s nothing funny at Luca’s desire to keep me safe. It ripples and pulsates from him, saturating my soul.

  “Stay here,” he whispers and starts toward the back of the house.

  Footsteps thunder until the backdoor to the house slams shut and the both of us jump. Before I can even process the fact that someone was indeed in the house, Luca has stripped naked, shifted and is mid stride toward the backdoor. I run after him only to see he’s already made it to the edge of the woods with his hackles raised and a fierce growl in his throat.

  “What is it?” I hiss after him.

  In his wolf form, he’s massive and threatening. I know though that he’d never hurt me. He trots toward me and instinctively, I reach my fingers out and stroke his pelt as he passes. Once back inside, he sniffs around for a bit before shifting back into his human form.

  Before, I’d have been drooling over his round ass, but not today. He saunters back over to the clothes he strung through the house and begins dressing. Finally, once dressed, he regards me.

  “Someone was here. I picked up his scent. A fucking bear,” he snarls.

  Bear.

  Those kids were gutted.

  What if they were after Suzie?

  “Someone is trying to hurt me, I think,” I groan, mostly to myself. “If anything happens to Suzie… ”

  He pulls me to him and hugs me tight.

  “I know.” He sighs. “I could sense it which is why I made a beeline over here. But then, you looking all sexy and shit, distracted me for a minute. But that won’t ever distract me again.”

  There’s finality to his words. And I believe him. Whatever past we had before is disintegrating. As I draw strength from his embrace, something new forms between us. His protectiveness over me is ever present but the sexual tension that always ebbed and flowed between us is completely gone. The embrace is comforting. Soothing. Familial.

  “We’ll patrol the house. Nobody is touching e
ither one of you, or Otis for that matter.”

  His words infiltrate my soul and I believe them with every part of my being. Something is happening — something I can’t quite put my finger on.

  My body quakes and my flesh prickles with awareness. Luca will protect me. And so will they.

  Pete. Winston. Bob. Shawn. Elliot. His entire pack. Their faces fill my mind. Warmth and love surges through my veins and I’m more confused than ever. I sense their security and loyalty. It makes no sense.

  “Luca,” I whine.

  He strokes my hair and kisses the top of my head. “Yeah, I fucking feel it too. Looks like you are officially a part of the Grey Lotharios.”

  I pull away to stare up at him. “I don’t understand.”

  His smirk is a smug one that causes me to frown. “Frankie, it looks like whatever this physical thing is going on with you affects those around you. You imprinted on that dipshit, and now, you’ve compelled my inner wolf to bond to your Doberman. Not in a sexual way,” he grunts in annoyance, “but as in, you’ve joined our pack. You’re our sister now.”

  Blinking several times at him, I attempt to process his words. There’s so much about this whole fucking shifter world that I don’t understand. Once again, I’m thrown a curveball that makes no sense.

  “So what?” I screech. “Now I’m supposed to wear leather and ride a Harley all day?”

  He smiles broadly at me. “That’s a hot visual but no. It means, we’re bonded to you. If something happens to you, we know about it. It’s how we protect each other. A sixth sense if you will. And no fucking bear is going to hurt you on our watch.”

  I sigh in relief that my life won’t change too much. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

  His chuckle is warm and it comforts me. “For the most part, it isn’t too bad.”