by Beverly Rae
“Before anyone does anything stupid, let’s take a run and clear our heads. We have Sara to think of now. But be careful. Running during the day can be dangerous.” Michael kicked off his boots then added his jeans to pile on top of the shirt he’d already tossed to the floor. “Jimmy, you remain here with Sara, but stay out of sight. I don’t want her seeing you like this.” He got on his hands and knees.
Sara squinted. Was she losing her mind? Michael’s body seemed to grow blurry, shortening even as black fur spread over his skin. She clamped a hand over her mouth, panic stiffening her body. Michael’s body morphed until he’d changed into a black wolf.
Werewolves!
Alarm gripped her, and yet another side of her couldn’t help but thrill at the idea. The sexy men who’d given her so much pleasure were shape-shifters. Even now she could remember their unusual, wild scent, so unlike anything she’d ever smelled. She could still feel their hands on her, pushing her to new heights of passion and making the dreams of the past come to life.
She glanced down, fought to understand her feelings, then looked back at them.
Five wolves padded around Jimmy. Growls and snarls erupted, and their amber eyes blazed as they flashed their fangs at each other.
Jimmy walked over to the front door and opened it. “Go.” The wolves darted outside as he stood in the doorway and watched. Soon several howls filled the air.
Chapter Four
Sara eased the back door closed, careful to keep from making a sound. Sneaking downstairs hadn’t been difficult, although she’d hated having to leave her suitcase behind. But she’d travel faster without it.
Hearing running water from a shower in one of the bedrooms closest to hers, she knew Jimmy was preoccupied and unaware of her plan to escape. Pausing for a moment, she checked the area around the backyard, took one last look at the house, and dashed toward the field.
She still couldn’t believe what she’d seen. The men who had taken her in, the men she’d started to believe she was meant to be with, were werewolves. Their conversation rang through her mind, recalling words they’d used. Change. Tail. Pack.
Her harsh pants echoed in her ears as she ran and she hoped she was heading in the right direction back to the road. If she was lucky, she could hitchhike her way to the nearest town.
But then what? She couldn’t tell anyone about the werewolves, could she? They’d think she was insane.
Still, hadn’t Jimmy said people were telling stories about them? Could the stories be about men changing into wolves? She ran on, the frantic pace making it harder to think.
She wasn’t certain how long she ran. She wasn’t even sure if she’d taken a straight path and hadn’t run in circles. At last, however, the stitch in her side grew too painful, and she collapsed. The hard, dry dirt and pebbles dug into her hands and legs.
Closing her eyes, she tried to calm down, tried to make sense of everything that had happened. Her world had turned upside down, going from the unexciting, safe life of a schoolteacher to a woman who’d spent the night with a pack of werewolves.
Sara stretched onto her side. I had sex with a werewolf. Oh, hell. I had sex with more than one werewolf.
She trembled, first out of fear, then out of need. Yes, they were animals inside, but the human side of them, the men who’d already found a way into her heart, were there, too. She could see them in her mind and she remembered the way Michael had looked at her. Like she was the only woman he’d ever want.
Had she made a mistake in running? Had she let her fear overwhelm her? Should she have stayed and let them explain? A tear coursed down her cheek. Michael, handsome, caring Michael. Could she stand never seeing him again? She hadn’t realized how much he’d already taken of her heart.
But was what they shared enough? Could the human side of them be enough for her to forget the beastly side? Remembering the way their hands, their mouths, their tongues had felt shook her. She was sure she’d found happiness. Could she give it up?
She drew her knees to her chest, adopting the fetal position, and closed her eyes tight as though she could force them from her memory. But she couldn’t get rid of their faces. First came Michael with his dark, worried eyes, then Nick with his infectious grin. The others floated behind the first two men, Ranlon with his steadfast composure, Max with his wickedly sexy smile, then serious William, and young Jimmy. Would she ever find any man who could make her forget even one of them?
All at once their eyes changed, morphing into glowing, amber orbs. She lurched upward, her nerves jangling.
“Hey, I didn’t startle you, did I?”
Sara gasped, scrambling to her feet as the man approached. His dirty, brown hair was cut in a short military style and his black eyes glinted as though he laughed at a private joke. The black shirt and jeans he wore needed cleaning, and she tried not to analyze the slick stains on them. Crossing his trunk-sized arms, he stopped as she started to back away from him. The bemused expression he wore transformed into a concerned one she’d bet wasn’t sincere.
“No. Yes. But it’s okay. I’m fine.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Really? You seem lost.”
Could she trust him? Although her gut told her to be cautious, she had to take the risk. What other choice did she have? To continue to wander on her own? Maybe he could help her find her car. “I guess I am a little lost. I was hiking and got turned around.”
“You don’t look like you’re dressed to go hiking.” He scanned the length of her, staying a moment too long to linger on her breasts. “Especially those flat shoes. I bet you can feel every little pebble in those things.”
“I didn’t plan well, I guess.”
“I guess not.”
“Could you point me in the direction of the road?”
He took a step closer. “Which road are you talking about?” He narrowed his eyes at her, making her even more leery.
“I’m not sure. Any road leading to the closest town would work.” She had to force herself not to back away again.
He took another step toward her, putting him within a few feet of her. “Okay. Sure. I’m heading back to my car now. Just come along with me. Name’s Victor, by the way.”
“I’m Sara.” He hadn’t offered his last name, and she wasn’t about to give him hers.
“Good to meet you, Sara.” He gave her a grin that lacked warmth, then turned on his heel. When she didn’t follow him, he craned his head around and lifted his brows in question. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” Maybe.
Sara glanced around, hoping against all odds to see someone else, but all she saw was dry, parched earth, thickets, and tumbleweeds. She trudged to his side.
At first, neither of them spoke as they traveled over the rough ground. Victor led the way, sometimes warning her of her step. Another time he pointed out a snake and hurried her around it. Yet, even with the concern he showed, she couldn’t shake the impression that danger lurked beneath his smile.
Something wasn’t right. Why hadn’t she paid more attention instead of relying on him to lead the way? Were they going in the right direction? She paused to wipe the sweat from her brow.
“Uh, Victor, shouldn’t we be heading east? We’ve been walking for a long time. Are we getting close?”
He continued the pace and didn’t bother to look at her when he spoke. “One of the roads is east, yeah. But another one is this way. Besides, I’ve got to get some things from my lean-to. You know, camping equipment and the like.”
She bit her lip and hurried to stay up with him, wishing she had a hat to keep the hot Texas sun off her face and neck. The sun beat down on her shoulders, searing through the thin cotton tank top. She’d been in too big a hurry to get away to think about taking precautions against the heat. If only she’d taken time to get some water before she’d left. She hadn’t even eaten breakfast, and it was well past noon.
“I don’t remember the road being this far away.” She pulled at the sweat-soaked cloth
es clinging to her skin. But he didn’t answer.
They plowed on for what seemed like forever. Her feet hurt and her back burned. She scanned around her, searching for any sign of hope, but saw nothing but wilderness. Should she run from him? But by now, she no longer had a clue where to go and she doubted she could run faster than he could.
They kept walking, moving steadily toward the low hills. “Is your lean-to much farther?” She tried not to keep looking toward the east, but the tingle of warning tightening her neck wouldn’t go away.
Victor pointed to the left. “It’s right there.” He led her to a jumble of two-by-fours and tarp that looked as though it had been thrown together in haste. Boxes of supplies were piled inside, leaving only a small area containing a sleeping bag and a lantern. Victor strode over to the dwelling and swept his hand in front of what passed for a door. “Here you are, m’lady. Our home away from home.”
Our home? Another warning bell went off in her head.
She tried to smile but wasn’t sure her gesture didn’t look more like a grimace. “Will it take you long to get ready to leave?” She glanced up at the sun and was stunned to see that it had traveled from one side of the sky to the other. Turning, she looked back the way they’d come and suddenly wished she was at the ranch with Michael and the others.
He followed her gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “Do you know the Matheson place?”
Did he know Michael and his friends? Was he a werewolf, too? Or maybe one of the angry townspeople? “Not really.”
“Now there’s an ambiguous answer if I ever heard one.” He shot her another grin, one even creepier than the previous ones he’d given her. “Either you know someone or you don’t.”
“I’ve met Michael.” And the rest of his pack. She didn’t want to mention the other men.
“What about that strange bunch of guys living with him? Weird bunch, don’t you think? All of them living together like that. Like a pack of some kind.”
Was he hinting that he knew about them? Or was he just making conversation? “They seem all right.” Why wasn’t he getting his things together? “Don’t you think we need to keep going? You know, before it gets too late?”
He squinted at the sun. “Naw. We’re too far from the road now. I don’t care to travel at night unless you want to risk running into a pack of wolves.” He gave her another lecherous once-over. “And I hate wolves.”
Panic threatened to buckle her knees, but she managed to stand her ground. He knows about them. She could see it in his eyes, in his knowing expression. Should she run? Should she shout for help?
“Uh, I think I’ll take the risk.” Making her decision, she turned, wanting nothing more than to be lying in the bed with Michael, Max, and all the rest of them surrounding her, keeping her safe.
“No, you won’t.”
She broke into a run as the knot of fear lodged in her throat, cutting off her air. But she didn’t get far as strong arms wrapped around her legs, knocking her off her feet. She fell headfirst to the ground, dirt filling her nostrils and mouth.
Victor wrapped his hand around her legs and flipped her onto her back. She tried to kick free, but he was too strong. Screaming, she reached for anything to grab onto and dug her fingernails into the ground.
“Now, now. I don’t know why you’re making such a fuss. All I want is some company. You wouldn’t begrudge a lonely man a little companionship, would you?”
Picking her up by the arms, he flung her over his shoulder and stalked to the lean-to. She screamed again and struck his back with her fists, terror filling her.
“Go ahead and scream. We’re too far out for anyone to hear you. Except maybe the coyotes and they don’t give a damn.” He chuckled and slapped her on the bottom. “I’m going to enjoy having you around.”
Tossing her to the ground and knocking the air out of her, he sat on top of her, his back to her, pinning her underneath him. She struck out at him, but he didn’t act as though her assault was any worse than a fly landing on his shoulder. Taking a strip of rope lying next to a tattered sleeping bag, he pulled her legs together and wrapped the rough cord around her ankles.
“I’ll have to untie your legs later, of course.” He craned his head around to leer at her. “When I fuck you.”
Her throat burned from screaming, but his words robbed her of her voice. He’s going to rape me. If only Michael knew where I was.
Spinning around, he sat on her again, pushing her back down. Dizzy, she couldn’t find the strength to struggle as he grabbed another piece of rope and tied her wrists together. He threw his hands in the air like a cowboy who’d just hog-tied a calf.
“You’d better not hurt me. Michael and the others will tear you apart once they find out.” She steeled her tone, hoping against hope he’d believe her.
“Well, then, sweet thang, we just won’t tell them.” Victor cupped her face then traced a finger down her cheek, along her neck, and over her breast. He pushed against her nipple and her body betrayed her, hardening at his touch.
“You are one hot little filly, you know that? Or should I call you a bitch?” He sniffed at her and her stomach turned over. “You’ve slept with them, haven’t you? I can smell their stench on you. Damn, girl, don’t you have any pride? But no matter. Once I’ve taken you, you’ll forget all about those dogs rutting you from behind.”
She gritted her teeth and refused to be ashamed of sleeping with the men. Wishing her dagger-eyes could kill, she glared at him and spat out the words she realized were true. “I sure as hell did, and I’m glad of it. Each one of them is more man than you’ll ever be.”
The slap across her cheek brought flashes of light behind the darkness. When her vision cleared, she snarled back at him. “I can’t wait to see what they do to you.”
Victor chuckled, clutched her breast, and squeezed, digging his fingers into her flesh. “They won’t even recognize you once I’m through, bitch.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from crying out. No matter what he did to her, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her. “Fuck off, asshole.”
The second slap was harder than the first. Yanking her toward the back of the structure, he shoved her against the wall then tied the end of the heavy rope binding her hands to the largest boards of the lean-to.
“Let’s see how you feel after a night with me.” He cupped her crotch, shoving his finger as far between her pussy lips as her shorts would allow. “I’m going to fuck you long and hard. Then you’re going to suck on my dick until I squirt in your face. And maybe, if you’re very good, I might let you have a drink of water and my leftover food.”
He tugged on the rope, making sure she was secured. Grabbing a backpack, he pulled out a bottle, opened the lid, and poured the water into his mouth. The water ran down his chin to wet his shirt. “You’d like a drink, wouldn’t you, sweet thang?”
She wanted to say yes, to ease her parched throat, but she refused to answer. The rumble of her stomach, however, gave her away.
“Aw, you’re hungry, too. Well, I tell you what. I’ve got to take care of a cow or two, and then I’ll be back.” He rubbed his thumb roughly over her lips, then chugged another drink and tossed the bottle away. The precious liquid seeped into the cracked ground.
“Once I get back, you and me’s going to have some fun. Yes, ma’am, we sure will.”
She thought for a moment he’d changed his mind about leaving as he started to take off his clothes. Then as his body started shimmering, growing fuzzy, she knew she was wrong.
She pushed against the wall, trying to get away, as Victor’s body changed, growing larger, wider. Brown fur skimmed along his skin and his eyes changed from brown to amber. He grinned at her, his mouth elongating, then stretching again as his face grew longer and a snout formed. Within seconds, the transformation was complete and an enormous brown bear snorted and pawed the earth.
Sara stifled a whimper as the bear sniffed her foot. Would he attack h
er now that he’d changed?
The bear shook his head then, with something resembling a grin, he licked her leg. She cringed at the rough texture against her flesh and fought against kicking him. Fighting against such a brute would be useless.
Growling, Victor shook himself, the gesture making the fur dance along his back, then whirled and lumbered away from the lean-to.
* * * *
“I don’t know where she went.” Jimmy tucked his hands in his armpits. “I wasn’t exactly at my best, man, so I slept most of the day. By the time I got up, she was already gone. Besides, I figured since she’d taken you guys to bed, she was okay with everything. Who knew she’d hightail it out of here the first chance she got?”
Michael and the pack had returned home from their run to find Sara gone and Jimmy sitting on the back porch. Michael scowled at the young man, glad to see his wounds had already started healing but mad enough to inflict some injuries of his own. Nonetheless, he tried to keep a cool head. “Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t expect her to leave.”
“But now we need to find her.” William scanned the area around the house. “There’s a lot of land between here and civilization.”
“Not to mention a killer werebear.” Max growled, grinding his teeth. “Damn his hide. If I ever catch up to the lousy son of a bitch—”
“Let’s focus on finding Sara first.” Michael glanced up to the window of Sara’s bedroom. “Hey, Nick. Did you find anything?”
Nick stuck his head out the window. “She must’ve left in a hurry, man. Her suitcase is still here. I’m coming down.”
Michael swore under his breath and faced the western skyline. Why had he left her with Jimmy? Why hadn’t he stayed with her? He was supposed to keep her safe. “We shouldn’t have taken all day to run. Now we don’t have much time before the sun sets.” Nick slid in behind him.
“I tracked her as far as the edge of the yard. Then I figured I’d better wait on you guys to let you know what happened.” Jimmy straightened, throwing his shoulders back. “I’m thinking she probably headed for the road.”
