by Ramona Gray
“Which is all the more reason for escaping the shifters!” Reese forced herself to lower her voice as Hanif gave them a curious look. “You can’t just give up like this, Adina.”
The blonde woman gave her a look of anger. “Let’s pretend that we could escape the shifters and that we could somehow cover our scent so they could not track us. What then? We are deep in the forest, Reese, and there are creatures that live among the trees who would have a far worse fate for us than the shifters. We would not last more than a few days. At least with the shifters we will have protection, warmth, and food. If the alpha chooses me I will do my best to please him. The women in my family are fertile. I am confident I will bear him pups.”
“Adina – “
“Enough, Reese!” The woman said harshly. “If you really are from another world, then you must trust that I know what I speak of and do not attempt to escape the shifters. It is not just tagens you need to fear in these woods.”
Reese bit the inside of her cheek and stared woodenly at the ground as Adina’s features softened. She patted her shoulder lightly. “I’m sorry, Reese. I don’t want to upset you but it’s time you faced the truth. The shifters are our best chance of survival.”
Reese nodded and continued to stare at the ground. Her back was aching and the cramping in her stomach was making her feel nauseous. She tucked the folded pieces of fabric into the pocket of her skirt as Adina patted her back again.
“Are you all right, Reese?”
“Yes.”
She wasn’t. She was in pain and nearly paralyzed with worry and homesickness but she forced herself to smile at Adina. “I’ll be better when we get to their home and I can lie down for a bit.”
Adina gave her a worried look. “It is a full day of walking, Reese.”
“I know. I’ll be – “
“What are you talking about?” Kane had returned and he dropped the rabbits he was carrying and stalked toward Adina and Reese. “What are you whispering so secretively about?”
“Nothing.” Adina gave him a nervous smile and then took a step back when Kane scowled at her. “Reese isn’t feeling well and I was just encouraging her.”
“What is wrong?” Kane asked with a note of alarm in his voice. He stepped closer and grabbed Reese’s arm. “What is – “
He paused with an odd look on his face before he leaned in and inhaled deeply. A small smile crossed his face and Reese scowled at him. “My pain makes you happy, shifter?”
“Of course not, Reese.” He rubbed her arm soothingly. “I’m sorry you are not – “
He stopped abruptly, glancing behind him at Hanif and Theran. They were giving him odd looks and his hand tightened around Reese’s arm before he glared at her.
“Stop your whining, human. We will be walking quickly and you will keep up.”
“Yes, sir!” Reese gave him a sarcastic salute before turning and walking away. She stiffened and bent over a little with her hand pressing against her stomach, and Adina hurried after her. The woman rubbed her back and spoke quietly into her ear as Kane stalked back to the dead rabbits.
He skinned his rabbit quickly and bit into its still-warm flesh. Beside him, Hanif and Theran were doing the same and he forced himself to eat large bites of the dead rabbit. Truthfully, his stomach was rolling with a mixture of happiness and worry. He didn’t like that Reese was in pain, hated it in fact. He wanted to go to her and hold her until the small lines of pain around her mouth and eyes were gone. He felt a surge of anger at Hanif and Theran. If they weren’t here he could be soothing his mate the way he was supposed to. He scowled angrily at them as they crunched happily on their own rabbits.
They didn’t notice and he took a deep breath. He didn’t like that Reese was hurting but it was better for her. Dagon was oddly squeamish about certain things, and even if he did choose Reese as his mate he would not go near her until her cycle was finished. It would give him more time to come up with a plan to keep Reese from Dagon. Once he saw the claiming mark on her shoulder, she was as good as dead. His hands clenched around the body of the rabbit at the thought of Dagon hurting Reese, and Theran gave him an odd look.
“What is wrong, Kane?”
“Nothing,” he gritted out. He wiped the blood from his face and stared morosely at the rabbit in his hand.
“What is wrong with the big human?” Hanif asked as he sucked at the leg bone of his rabbit.
“The moon is full for her,” he replied briefly.
“Great,” Theran muttered. “You know how Dagon is. He won’t go near her.”
Hanif shrugged. “Truthfully, we’ll be lucky if he chooses any of them. They all look terrible.”
Kane studied the three humans. Hanif was right. Although Reese looked the worse, all of the humans were pale and tired-looking with dark circles under their eyes. The long days of walking and sleeping on the cold ground, the lack of food, and the rains had taken their toll on them.
“When he sees how weak they are we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t just order them killed,” Hanif said conversationally. “I’ll never understand why Dagon believes that bringing humans into the pack is a good thing. They are not strong enough.”
“They will be fine once they have more food and a few nights rest in an actual bed,” Theran replied. “Even I am ready for my own bed and a warm fire.”
“What will you do if Dagon chooses Ghita?” Hanif suddenly asked.
“He won’t,” Theran said anxiously. “You know he won’t.”
“But if he does? Marna was timid like her, remember?” Hanif persisted.
“He won’t choose her,” Theran repeated. “But if he does, I will challenge him for the alpha position.”
Kane stared at Theran in shock as Hanif’s mouth dropped open. He shook himself before clutching Theran’s shoulder. “Do not speak so foolishly, Theran.”
“I am not,” he replied calmly.
“You cannot defeat Dagon. You know that. You would risk your life for a human?” Hanif asked.
“I would. I love her.”
“You do not,” Hanif snorted. “It hasn’t even been a month that you have known her. You are just smitten with her, nothing else. If Dagon does choose her, you need to keep your mouth shut and accept it.”
Theran, a small, strange smile on his face, shook his head. “I will not, Hanif. If he chooses Ghita I will challenge him and win.”
“Kane, tell him what an idiot he’s being,” Hanif demanded.
“Hanif is right,” Kane said quietly. “You cannot challenge our alpha. If you love the human, then you should take her and leave.”
Theran stared at him. “You would have me disobey our alpha’s orders? Leave the pack? I cannot do that, Kane.”
“You could start your own pack,” Kane replied.
Theran shook his head. “I love Ghita but I will not leave my family, nor will I disobey Dagon. Besides, how long do you think a single shifter and his human mate would survive in the forest? We would have to move to a village and live amongst the humans. I won’t do that.”
Kane nodded. He understood what Theran was saying. As much as he feared for Reese, as much as he had grown to care about her, he couldn’t imagine not being with his pack. To never see Radek or Raina again, and to live among humans who had no understanding of what a true family was. The very thought made his skin crawl. Not to mention he would be disobeying his alpha. Despite his dislike for Dagon, going against the alpha’s orders made him feel physically ill.
Kane dropped his half-eaten rabbit into the dirt as Theran sighed loudly. “Dagon will not choose Ghita. He realized his mistake with Marna. He prefers the fiery ones like Reese.”
“Only because he enjoys breaking their spirits,” Kane said bitterly.
As Theran and Hanif gave him curious looks, he stood and glared at the three humans. “Humans! We are leaving!”
* * *
“It is not much further now, Reese,” Theran said encouragingly. He was walking with her and the other
women and he patted her shoulder a little timidly.
Reese nodded grimly and forced herself to stagger on. Her stomach felt like one big cramp and her back was aching so badly she could barely walk. She was so tired she wanted to collapse. Despite her fear of meeting Dagon, she was actually looking forward to arriving at their home. At least then she could lie down in one of their damn caves and sleep.
“What I wouldn’t give for some fucking Midol,” she muttered to herself.
“Midol?” Adina asked. “What is that?”
“Nothing,” she muttered again.
Adina gave her a sympathetic look and rubbed her lower back. “I found some tappin root, Reese. As soon as we are at the shifters’ home I will ask them if I can boil some water and make you tea. It will help, I promise.”
“Thanks, Adina,” Reese replied wearily. “I’m sure I’ll be – “
She stumbled over an exposed root and fell painfully to her knees. She rested for a moment with her hair hanging in her face as Adina crouched beside her.
“Here, let me help you – “
“Move.” Kane was suddenly in front of them and Adina scurried out of the way as he scooped up Reese.
“Put me down, shifter. I can walk,” she said tiredly, even as her head was dropping to his chest.
“Be quiet, Reese,” he murmured.
She nodded and closed her eyes. She was cold and Kane’s body heat felt wonderful against her skin. The steady beat of his heart beneath her ear and his warmth and the gentle sway as he walked soon lulled her into sleep.
* * *
“Wake up, Reese.”
Kane’s low voice murmured in her ear and she blinked blearily before raising her head. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. They were in a large clearing in the woods. In the middle of the clearing there was a huge campfire circled with stones, and she could see multiple cabins scattered throughout the trees. Most of them were small but there was a larger one that was set apart from the others. As Kane set her gently on her feet and steadied her, she studied her surroundings in the growing dark.
To the right of the cabins, a large mountain rose in the distance and she stared up at Kane. “You – you have houses.”
“Were you expecting that we sleep among the trees?” Hanif snorted softly.
“Caves,” she said wearily.
Hanif laughed loudly as the other shifters in their pack emerged from the cabins. Kane moved away from her and the three women huddled together nervously as more and more shifters appeared. Most of them were big, strong-looking men although it appeared that Kane was one of the larger ones. There were a few women amongst them and they stared at the humans with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity as there was a loud squeal of delight.
Reese watched as a smaller female, she couldn’t have been more than fifteen, launched herself at Kane. He caught her and hugged her tightly as she pressed kisses on his cheeks and forehead.
“You are back! I was so worried when the rains came and you were not home yet!” She shouted before kissing him again.
“I told you I would return, did I not, Raina?” Kane set her down on the ground. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Did you find a suitable human mate for Dagon?” She asked.
“We have brought back three,” he replied.
“Three!” She peered around Kane’s large body. “She’s a big one.” She pointed at Reese and Kane frowned at her.
“Watch your tongue please, Raina.”
“Sorry,” she said cheerfully. “I was only being truthful. Which one do you think Dagon will choose?” She studied the women again. “None of them look very strong.”
“They are tired and hungry. It’s been a long journey for them,” Kane replied. “Where is your brother?”
He searched the crowd of shifters as they gathered closer.
“Off hunting in the woods,” Raina answered. “He’ll be back soon. He’ll be glad to see you, cousin. He’s missed you more than I have and I missed you a lot.”
“I’ve missed you both.” Kane ruffled her hair affectionately before stiffening.
The door to the main cabin had opened and Reese watched as the shifter emerged. Her breath caught in her throat. The shifter was massive, bigger than even Kane, and he was dressed in a pair of pants and nothing else. He strode toward them and Reese wrapped her arm around Adina as the blonde woman began to tremble.
“Welcome home.” He had a low, deep voice, dark hair and bright green eyes and Reese swallowed thickly when his gaze landed on her. She released her breath in a soft rush when his gaze left her and he smiled at Kane and the others.
“How was your journey?”
“Long,” Theran replied. “We are glad to be home.”
Dagon grinned at him. “I imagine you are. I see you were successful in your task.”
“We were,” Theran replied. “We have brought back three females for you to choose from.”
“Good.” Dagon studied the women again before pointing his finger at Adina. “Step forward, human.”
With a nervous look at Reese, Adina stood in front of the alpha. He looked her up and down before inhaling deeply.
“She smells of you, Hanif. Were you fucking my potential mate?” Dagon’s voice was soft but Reese could hear the anger in it.”
“No, Dagon,” Hanif said quickly. “The humans cannot hold their heat and we were forced to sleep with them at night to keep them warm. We each took a human.”
“Did you?” Dagon glanced behind him at Kane. “Even Kane?”
“Aye,” Kane said shortly.
Dagon raised his eyebrows at him. “I am surprised you did not simply let her freeze to death. It is not in your nature to be nurturing. Especially to a human.”
“I did not want to fail my alpha’s command,” Kane replied quietly.
A grin crept across Dagon’s face. “You were wise to set aside your hatred for the humans, Kane.”
He turned back to Adina and his smile faded. “She looks terrible. She is pale and trembling and she smells of weariness.”
He glanced at Reese and Ghita. “Were these three the best you could find?”
“Aye,” Theran replied. “They were the biggest and the strongest, Dagon.”
“They don’t look strong to me,” Dagon retorted.
“It has been a long journey for them,” Hanif said a bit desperately. “Once they have gotten some sleep and food in their bellies, they will be better. They are tired and cold right now.”
Dagon snorted loudly. “I did not think about their inability to stay warm. I suppose it isn’t a big deal. I will keep the one I choose warm enough and as for the other two – if they are not taken as mates by another in the pack, they will just have to adapt to the cold.”
“We can get them warmer clothes, extra pelts for their beds,” Kane said quietly.
Dagon stared at him. “Your sudden affection for humans is surprising to me, Kane.”
“It is not affection,” Kane replied. “We paid money for them. I would think you would want to keep them alive.”
“True,” Dagon mused. He reached out and touched Adina’s hair before cupping her breast. She stiffened but didn’t move away as he squeezed it roughly. “This one has nice breasts.”
He dropped his hand and moved toward Ghita and Reese. Ghita made a soft moan of fear and Dagon frowned at her. “Do not be so frightened, human. I am not a monster.”
He studied them both, his eyes lingering on Reese’s hips and her large breasts, before he stepped closer. “This one is too fat but she would probably survive giving birth to my pups.”
He reached out to touch her before a look of distaste crossed his face. He sniffed at her and Reese blinked in surprise when he took a hurried step back and put his hand over his nose. “When did her cycle start?”
“This morning,” Kane replied.
Dagon made a soft sound of disgust before moving away from all of them. “Well, I’m not making my decision today. They
all look and smell terrible. I’ll give them a week or two and then make my decision.”
A nasty grin crossed his face. “In the meantime, the humans will stay with the three of you. You can continue to care for my potential mates and keep them warm.”
His grin widened as he stared at Kane. “No doubt this is a troubling task for you, Kane, but I trust you will not disappoint me.”
“Of course not.” Kane forced himself to look both angry and disgusted as Dagon laughed. Truthfully he was thrilled that Dagon had forced Reese upon him but if he allowed even a hint of his happiness to show, Dagon would be immediately suspicious. He knew of Kane’s hatred for the humans and it was a testament to his cruel nature that he demanded Kane continue to care for Reese.
Dagon clapped Hanif on the back. “Go. Take the humans to your cabins. Warm them up, let them rest and fill their bellies with food. I will let you know when I’m ready to make my decision.”
Reese didn’t protest when Kane took her arm and hurried her across the clearing. His cabin was tucked back in the trees. She grimaced and tried to hold back her groan of pain as Kane nearly dragged her into the cabin and shut the door firmly.
His grip on her arm loosened and he rubbed it lightly as he gave her an anxious look. “Are you all right, Reese?”
“Fine, shifter.” She rubbed her stomach and stared around the cabin. It was small, just one big room really, with a good sized fireplace. Two armchairs were in front of the fireplace and a large wooden bed was pushed up against one wall. On the other side, four cupboards ran across the top of the wall and a small, wooden table and two chairs made up the kitchen.
“This is nice.” She gave him a tentative smile as he hurried to the fireplace and quickly started a fire.
She snorted and rolled her eyes as he gave her a guilty look. “Come sit by the fire.”
Before she could reply, there was a knock on the door and Raina stuck her head into the cabin. “Hi!”
