by Ally Parker
An oomph sounded about a hundred yards into the tree cover.
“I said quit your struggling, bitch, or I’ll quit it for you.”
Sucking in a breath, he caught the scent of night lilies ghosting through the air. His eyes widened, followed by the downward tug of a frown. That smelled like… like. He shook his head. No. Stomach clenching, his muscles instantly tightened across his body, wound so tightly they could snap at any moment. It can’t be my female.
Kali was safe.
She was nestled securely in his den under lock and key.
Forcing his shoulders to relax, he scouted the area to get a visual, only the tree and foliage provided a more-than-adequate screen. He caught sight of a well-developed glyph coasting up the torso of a male. Heart pounding, his wolf clawed at his insides, and it physically hurt to control his beast.
The night lily scent intensified. Fur pricked along his arms, and a low growl vibrated from his solar plexus and tore out of him. His wolf surged forward, breaking through his straining control. Fear knotted in his stomach, the likes of which he’d never experienced before, and his mind blanked. He sucked in a breath, trying to clear his head, but only drew in more of his mate’s scent.
His father shot him an annoyed glance. Ryker couldn’t worry about that now. He was moments from shifting and tearing through them all. The males broke out of the glade with a bound and struggling Kali.
His breathing stopped, his heart squeezed with fear, and instinct took over.
The jerk on Kali’s right gripped around her bicep and yanked on her broken arm. She groaned around the material in her mouth. Asshole. Her wolf hovered within reach, and she bit back the urge to shift. She wouldn’t try that again. At least until she was out of their meaty paws’ reach.
All of a sudden they stopped, and the shifters at her sides tensed, bowing their heads. “Josef, we found a lost female all alone roaming in the woods. She appeared scared, so we offered her a secure escort to safety.”
She yanked her weight forward, but the grip on both of her arms tightened. Right. She was no more lost, than they had been. Despite her skill and agility, she hadn’t anticipated two shifters attacking. Her mistake. And she was paying for it. As much as she hated to admit it, she was scared. It was an emotion she couldn’t dwell on. In order to survive, she had to keep a level head and find a way out of yet another mess.
Her vision trailed upward, and her breath hitched. Ryker. Rooted to the spot, he took her in, his gaze strolling over her very naked body. An odd flutter flew through her stomach, and she frowned so hard her brows obscured her vision. By the time he met her gaze, his eyes were hard, jaw set, and the promise of death curled around them like tendrils of smoke. She swallowed hard and wanted to wipe her palms. However, that small comfort was denied since they were bound in front of her.
Another male stood to Ryker’s left, sharing a striking resemblance. A glint of interest sparked as his eyes trailed over her figure; her stomach churned. Even though he didn’t look older than thirty, she could sense the power that coiled around the male, suggesting his looks betrayed his age. He was strong, and that tidbit of information was less than comforting. His nostrils flared and lip curled. She imagined it was meant to look like a smile but turned out a tooth-filled sneer.
He nodded. “As would any well-respected male. Nice work, Marco and Lake. Don’t worry, female. We’ll take good care of you.”
That was what she was afraid of.
There was no warning. One minute Ryker was standing next to Josef; the next, the men holding onto her shot through the air landing in a heap at the base of a tree half buried under a pile of snow. The tree shook and splattered them further with snowflakes collected on the leaves. Ryker’s back heaved, the muscles corded and strained beneath his skin as he crouched in-between Marco and Lake’s path.
Her heart pounded, the saliva evaporated in her mouth, and she struggled to swallow. Ryker had protected her? He’d physically put himself in harm’s way to save her from other males? No other living soul had ever done that. It left her feeling lightheaded. It’s because you’re a part of his plan, she tried to remind herself. But logic seemed to be thrown to the wayside. Her chest swelled with something… it felt like there wasn’t enough room in her rib cage. The sensation warmed places in her she didn’t know were stone cold. Don’t over analyze it. It’s not because he cares. Still, the gesture meant more to her than anything she could remember, and pathetically, she would cherish the scraps of chivalry thrown her way.
Ryker growled low and menacing, his fingers splayed out and the tips of his claws glinting off the small amount of moon light shining through the canopy of leaves. He sucked in a breath, the air pluming out in a white mist. When the males didn’t move, Ryker turned and trudged through the snow, danger cloaked around him. He closed the gap between them. Ryker’s gaze washed over her, scrutinizing every inch of her body. It wasn’t with a heated gaze but more a methodical caress, as if he was checking her for injuries. His attention honed on to the swelling and bruising on her broken arm. His jaw clamped tight, and she heard the audible grind of teeth.
Josef’s eye’s narrowed. “By the moon and the mist, what in the hell is wrong with you? Those shifters are under my protection. Who is this female to you?”
For a split second it seemed like Ryker had forgotten about the male behind him. She’d seen it in the way his eyes widened with the male’s questions. For a moment they stared at each other, his gaze filled with panic, then resolve. His attention shifted to the man named Josef. He cleared his throat. “Sir, this female… is my… offering. Your enforcers trespassed in my territory, claimed that which wasn’t theirs to offer. It is my right as Alpha to issue sentencing on their violation. I choose death.”
Her gaze bored into the back of Ryker. Alpha. His declaration didn’t shock her. After all, he wore power like a crown. The thing that had thrown her off was the lack of pack around him. Alphas always had their pack close, yet Ryker didn’t. The crunch of snow sounded from behind her, and before she knew what she was doing, her body had scooted closer to Ryker. Surely, it was only because she couldn’t stand being so close to those other males? Not that she was seeking protection from Ryker.
Josef quirked a brow toward the men. “Marcus, is this true? Did you trespass into my son’s home to take this female?”
Son? She frowned. It explained the resemblance. But that would mean that Ryker’s father was involved in the breeding farm. Doubt hedged its way into her mind. Was Ryker planning on bringing his own blood to justice? She found that hard to believe, and she couldn’t help the fluttering thought that Ryker might just give her up to be the next unwilling participant for the program.
One of the males bristled, the one who had yanked on her broken arm Marcus, she assumed. “No, sir! It’s as we said. We came across the female about five miles back. She was alone and didn’t smell of any pack from here. A prime candidate for the cause.”
Her mind swirled with the brief interaction. Could she still trust Ryker? He’d seemed so committed to exposing the breeding program and delivering justice to those shifters involved. Yet, other than his initial outburst, he seemed on board with his father taking her in to breed. It had been the plan, she reminded herself. So why was she hoping that Ryker wouldn’t hand her over?
“Son, as you can see, it’s been a simple misunderstanding. There is no cause to issue death today. I have to say you’ve out done yourself with your offering.” Josef strode forward and clasped a hand around Ryker’s shoulder. “For once, I’m proud.”
Turning to the men, Josef waved his hand. “Considering the situation, we’ll set up camp nearby. We’ll head to the Pit at dawn.”
Ryker cleared his throat. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. My pack is nearby. Someone might see something they aren’t meant to.”
Even before Ryker finished, Josef shook his head. “They have joined in on the hunt at my request. I know exactly where they will be. Now let’s set up c
amp.”
8
Sizzling, white-hot fury beat at Ryker’s insides, smoldering like a furnace. His beast fought tooth and claw to claim control. Fur dotted along his arm, and his muscles stretched, wanting to shift. He ground his molars, feeling like his skin was impossibly tight. Not to mention a jumble of emotions rode on the coattails of his fury: fear, shock, panic. It was strange to feel the mixture all at once, and he found it was a sensation he didn’t particularly care for.
He sucked in a breath and flexed his toes into the snow, concentrating solely on the crisp, frozen flakes. Control was a tedious and fragile concept, but he needed it to maintain the safety of his female. Just the thought of anyone finding out the true situation gave him enough strength to cage his beast. For now.
His gaze burned into Kali, who sat quietly slumped against a tree trunk—thankfully covered in a tee that stopped mid-thigh—seemingly deep in thought. She hadn’t met his gaze since she’d been dragged into the clearing, and his father had ordered her to be freshly secured. It bothered him. He needed the connection to her, even if it was a simple gaze. Blood threatened to fill his cock again. The memory of his naked female not something that would fade from his mind anytime soon. She was perfection. His lip curled knowing other males had feasted on her beauty. It made him want to claw their eyes out. Maybe he still would?
How the hell had she broken free from his den? Idly, his hand played with the key on the chain around his neck. It should have brought him a measure of comfort, yet all it did was remind him that his female escaped and was in grave danger.
She’d been hurt. Her arm broken by the mongrels working for his father. The echo of Kali’s screams as he set her broken bone still rang in his ears. Something he hoped never to do again. Since seeing the injury, he’d imagined so many different ways to ensure both males got an education session on how to treat a female. Lucky, it would involve a lot of pain. He smiled, enjoying the prospect of being their teacher. It was the only thing that kept him functioning.
After his father pointed out the mistake, he couldn’t very well kill them without raising suspicion. Not yet. Denying his wolf the pleasure had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Especially because the human part of him wanted blood too. He dug his fingers into the trunk of his makeshift seat just to stop him from going to see if Kali needed him. It would take a few solid hours to heal, so their kind didn’t require the tender touches of comfort. It would be dead giveaway if he started fussing over her now.
Glancing over, he caught Marcus’s gaze trailing up Kali’s bare legs. He growled. His muscles itched to carve out the male’s eyes with his claw. Only he was permitted to feast on Kali’s flesh. At least he’d summoned a spare shirt from the pack to cover most of her body. Praise the moon for small mercies. Unfortunately, the flimsy material would do nothing to shelter the frigid wind blowing through the clearing.
A camp fire would only alert every shifter in a twenty-mile radius of their location, and he couldn’t curl up to Kali to share his heat. The need to shelter her from the environment, from the situation, burned in his veins. The one female that could save him was caught inside a web of lies and torture. He just hoped he was enough to keep her safe. Maybe that’s why the urge to warm her was a living need. She’s a damn shifter and can withstand the weather the same as you.
The musky scent of male arousal hit him upside the head. What the hell? His nostrils flared, and his gaze swung back to Marcus. The damn shifter’s engorged cock jutted out on display, and he reeked of desire for his female. His female! Gaze boring into the male, a low rumble drew out from the pit of his chest. A warning. The only one he’d get.
He shot forward and clamped his claws around the shifter’s neck, squeezing enough to pinch the skin. “She isn’t for you.” Kali would never be soiled by the likes of any of his father’s men—anyone, for that matter. He’d have to be dead before he allowed that to happen.
His father laughed. “You’re too eager, Marcus. Be patient. You’ll get your turn.”
“Like fucking hell he will.” He’d rip the male’s fingers from his body before he laid them on his Kali.
“Is that so?”
Josef sounded closer. He turned his head and sure enough his father had stood and taken several steps toward them, then he realized he’d spoken his thoughts out loud. Shit! Gut churning, his mind grasped at anything to fix his slip. Steeling himself, he said the words that would ensure his father wouldn’t suspect a thing even though his mind rebelled. “Not before I do. I found the female. She is my offering, and I will get to taste her first.”
Thankfully, his father’s cell rang. Not before Ryker saw the way his father’s eyes narrowed. By the moon! His instincts were riding him too hard. Josef growled, accepting the call and moving out of earshot. This was never going to work. As soon as a male even looked at Kali, he wanted to inflict damage. There was no way his secret would stay under wraps for long. He needed to get her the hell out of there. Both their lives depended on it.
Marcus jerked out of his hold, a trail of blood trailing down his skin from the action. Too bad it wasn’t deeper. The male’s dick pointed straight at Kali as if to say, ‘I’ll be seeing you soon’. She had looked up, and her eyes widened. That was it. He would rip the offensive appendage straight off; it would fix everything. His lip curled, and his muscles bunched to move. As if sensing the danger, the male shook his head taking a step back.
“I’m going to scout the area.”
Good. Then Kali wouldn’t have to witness him tearing the male apart. He took a step only to freeze. His gaze shot to his father, whose focus was riveted to the call he was taking, then to Kali. He couldn’t leave her here unprotected. Closing his eyes, he fought back the yearning to draw blood and sat back down.
“You got food in that pack?” the shorter male asked.
Lake. He was sure that was his name.
“Does it look like a damn picnic hamper?”
The male’s gaze froze on him. His lip lifted in a sneer. For a moment he thought Lake would attack and Ryker willed the male to do it. After a moment more Lake stood, shaking his head, and strode toward the trees. “I’ll do a perimeter check with Marcus. Maybe find a tasty deer or two.”
He was going crazy with all the males around his unclaimed mate. His wolf chomped at the bit to claim what was his, declare she was off limits to all other males. The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge that she’d be used in the most heinous of ways. Not to mention she’d be a weapon his father would wield against him. The moon only knew if his father found out, he’d be helpless but to fulfil his father’s every demand.
Making sure his father was still deep in conversation, he headed over to Kali. Her eyes widened with his approach, and panic pinched her plump lips. She shivered and hugged herself tight. Was she afraid of him now? He crouched and leaned forward. He told himself it was to keep their conversation between them. But if he were honest with himself, his beast needed soothing, he needed soothing. “We need to get you out of here.”
Then it hit him. He sucked in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring, and he groaned. The potent smell of her arousal. Instantly, his body responded so he could take care of his female’s needs. Was she aroused from seeing Marcus ready to take her? Shock rocked him on his heels at the same time he leaned closer, his voice a growl. “You’re aroused knowing Marcus wants you, Kitty?”
She scrunched up her nose. “What? God, no.” Her brows dipped downward and she clamped her thighs tighter. A vain attempt to stifle her scent. “It’s rude for you to go sniffing around what’s not yours.”
But she was his. She just didn’t know it yet. And if her arousal wasn’t seeing Marcus ready to mate her, then did that mean he had spiked her desire? A smile split across his face and for one second in time his body teased him with what it could be like to claim Kali as his own. A growl emanated from her, and it only made his lips tug higher. Kali wanted him.
He dug into the backpack and p
ulled out a protein bar. It wasn’t much but he’d be damned if his female starved. Peeling back the wrapper he broke off a chunk and offered it to her. “Eat. Who knows when we’ll get food next?”
She took his offering, her lips, soft and subtle, brushed against his finger. His gaze zeroed in on her lips and watched the way they skimmed over his flesh, lingering there. He swallowed.
Josef’s words whispered on the wind. “We need to speed up productions. I don’t care what it takes.”
Reality sucked away all pleasant emotions, and he realized the situation only made what he needed to do harder. But, did he have the strength to do what was right?
What the hell was wrong with her? She shouldn’t be so turned on by Ryker man-handling Marcus or his declaration. She shouldn’t be letting the male feed her, and she sure as hell shouldn’t be letting her lips taste his flesh.
No matter how many times she’d thought just that, it hadn’t stopped the flutter low in her belly or the way her clit throbbed when he’d declared he would be the one to taste her. She bit the edge of her lip, shocked to know she wanted Ryker to taste her, to feel his wet tongue stroke over her in the most intimate way. Another wave of arousal hit her. It left her feeling hollow and achy in the most agonizing way.
Ryker leaned forward, his hot breath feathering across her skin. She shivered. His tongue swiped out and licked the sensitive area on her neck. Sucking in a breath, her treacherous body leaned into him, wanting to drench herself in his scent, feel his hands running over her flesh. She nearly spread her legs wide to welcome his body. Her wolf knew that he’d be able to ease the pulse of desire throbbing from within.
“You like the thought of me tasting you, Kitty?”
Yes! The thought made her thighs clamp tighter, trying to ease the clenching pain pulling at her body, making her breasts feel heavy and her clit spark with want. This was wrong. All wrong. First, she’d softened toward him because he’d protected her; now, she yearned for wicked things that were down right dirty. Never had she been so weak, so vulnerable. Her feelings, the way her body responded to Ryker, had to be some kind of side effect due to receiving a semblance of kindness. “Get… get away from me.”
