Summer Shifter Nights

by Harmony Raines

  Food.

  Fight.

  I closed my eyes and the room around me shifted. The sound that slipped from my lips was no longer mine. The wolf rose to the surface. Her hunger made my stomach ache in a way that only underscored the one burning in my lions. Her fire pulsed inside my veins, her desire unleashed from these hands. I lunged, crossing the room and struck Coen’s chest. The blow rattled the bones of my arm and shook the cage for the wolf inside. Coen stumbled, wind milling his arms and slammed into the wall.

  Coen slipped and I crouched and leapt again, barreling into him. My shoulder glanced off his stomach. My muscles tensed, driving me forward onto him. I snapped my teeth together, the shock raced through my head. I caught the open holes in his shirt with my fingers. Cloth tore, exposing his vulnerable stomach. Coen’s knee brushed the outside of my thigh, all I felt was air, until I was slammed on my back into the floor. The wolf inside issued a howl and the feral sound slipped from my lips.

  “Jesus, Mia. Stop it. Mia!”

  Dark granite eyes were so close, moving in to swallow me. I tore my gaze away as he drove his knee between my legs and pressed the junction of my thighs. The stroke stilled my hands, but my gaze drifted to his lips.

  “Mia, can you hear me?”

  Panicked words slipped from those gorgeous lips, but I was lost in the feeling sparked by his hard-pressed knee. His scent grew musky, singeing my senses, driving the need for more. His nostrils flared. A moan slipped from his lips. He drove his knee harder against the crease of my jeans. I rode that brunt, forcing my body against his, until one need overpowered the other.

  “You’re driving me wild, you know that?”

  The wolf rubbed herself against his thigh, nudging for more. Coen balanced on one arm and snagged for the bottom of my shirt, dragging the fabric to expose my own belly.

  “You’re playing a dangerous game, Mia. One I don’t think you’re ready for.”

  I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I was lost in the sensation of his hands, spanning the breadth of my stomach, moving up to cup the lower edge of my ribs. Coen lowered his head, his lips to my breasts, then moved lower. The curve of his back rose, bending so his knee kept the long stroke between my thighs while his mouth trailed my stomach. So weak. So vulnerable. One bite and I’d be dead. His dominance kept me leashed. I shuddered from the need. I needed more. I needed harder.

  Danger watched from the far side of the room. The blond one, Drake stared at me. Could he see the hunger in my eyes? Coen’s mouth was so warm, delicious and soft, while his teeth grazed sensitive flesh. Hard and cruel. The contrast… delicious.

  I flattened my spine against the floor and lifted my hips to meet the thrust of his knee. I was vulnerable, exposed, ready to face teeth and claws. The button on my jeans popped. Thick fingers slid between flesh and fabric, even as Coen drove his head upward, nuzzling my breast through my shirt.

  I opened my mouth, his name whispered from a breath. Drake took a step, dropping those clear blue eyes to Coen, before seizing mine once more. That dangerous look spoke to me. A word tore through my mind like poisoned barbs. A word which this blond wolf shouldn’t know. I belonged to no one. I barely belonged to myself. His word filled me again, stealing my thoughts and my desire.

  Mine.

  I howled and shoved Coen’s hands from between my legs and his mouth from my breast. “Stop. I said stop!”

  His mouth was no longer sensual, teeth and greed were all I felt. I shuddered under those midnight eyes. I slapped his hands, using my weight I rocked my body from side to side. “Get off me, Coen. I said get off!”

  Drake lunged. The flash of feral hunger blazed in Coen’s dark eyes as Drake wrestled him from me. The animal was there, then in a blink, he was gone. Spittle gleamed from his lips. I felt the strain on my body. My breasts ached for his mouth.

  “That’s enough, Coen. Stop fighting me. I said stop!” Drake threw Coen to the ground, then turned his gaze back to me.

  I scurried backward until I hit the wall. My hand shook as I reached for my clothing, jerking the cups of my bra back into place. I gripped the edges of my shirt, holding fast the last traces of my sanity.

  4

  “I’m sorry.” The cry slipped from my lips as I scrambled to my feet.

  Coen’s heavy steps were like thunder as he shoved past. I felt the vibration through my feet as he pounded through the hall, then the kitchen, until I couldn’t feel him at all.

  My fingers punched through the fabric of my shirt as I clenched my hand until my fingers were white. Windows and doors were all I saw. But there was no way to run while the beast raged. Her claws gouged my mind, shredding the parts of me which kept me in the cell I ran from. She wanted the blood and the animal, she wanted the heat of his body under mine. I clutched my clothing and rocked. The motion made me feel ill, but quietened the savage snarls inside my head.

  “Hey, it’s okay. You didn’t hurt him. Just bruised his damn ego a little.”

  The male voice fought through my growl. I opened my eyes and lifted my head. Sky blue eyes called to me.

  “None of us had control when we shifted for the first time. The human part of ourselves gets in the way of the wolf taking over. You gotta learn to step aside and let go.”

  My hands trembled. The shudder caught hold, racing like wildfire through my body. “What if I hurt someone? What if I kill?”

  His shoulders lifted with a shrug. “Then you kill. The wolf part of our nature is no different to us. They think, rationalize, act, or don’t act. They’re more cunning than others think.”

  “Others?”

  His gaze seemed to cut right through me. “Other people who are not like us.”

  Those words settled in deep. Not like us.

  He walked to a dresser and yanked open the top drawer. Mountains of clothes piled at the ends while he rifled through the space and dragged a pair of grey track shorts and an oversized white shirt free. “But you don’t have to worry about that, not now. All you have to do is figure out how to get out of her way. And Mia, believe me when I say running isn’t the answer. These are a little big, but they’ll cover you. Why don’t you get changed while I cook you something to eat?”

  The clothes tumbled to my lap before I climbed to my feet. Get out of her way. His words filled my head as I made my way back to the room. I unfastened my dirty jeans, hissing as the pain in my side pulled deep. I shouldn’t have gone out there. I should’ve stayed in my hole.

  Trust no one. Keep running.

  The smell of steak filled the cabin. My mouth watered, stomach howled. Every part of me was growing more like her. How did I consciously choose not to exist? How did I ‘get out of her way’?

  I shrugged into the shirt and tied the string around my waist. I couldn’t wait any longer and shoved open the door as Drake slid a plate onto the tiny table as he glanced my way. “I’m guessing rare, right?”

  I tumbled into the chair and picked at the meat with my fingers, shoving the dripping steak into my mouth. Drake stood back, watching me swallow as fast as I could before grabbing the pan and edging forward slowly. “There’s plenty more.”

  I stopped chewing. A warning growl slipped from my lips.

  “Easy, I’m not going to take it off you. Look, more food.” He reached out carefully. His eyes stayed on mine as he heaped more meat onto my plate.

  I couldn’t stop chewing, swallowing, and cast a wary gaze around the room, looking for anything or anyone who might attempt to take from me. I shoveled the meat into my mouth until an ache spread through my belly. I dropped the meat and clutched my waist, swallowing the wad in my mouth.

  “Jesus, I didn’t think you were going to stop there for a while. Lucky there’s plenty of deer in these woods.”

  I winced at the joke, staring at the few remaining morsels. Blood pooled around the base of the plate and dripped from my fingers. I stuck them in my mouth and sucked. Drake moved around the kitchen, filling a pot of water and placing the pot on
the stove. I narrowed in on his voice as my eyes drifted closed.

  “You won’t see Coen for the rest of the day. He’ll run and hunt until he’s calmed down and thinking straight. You don’t need to worry about him, all you need to do is rest, and leave.”

  I snapped my head up, my heart hammering. Leave? “What did you say?”

  He turned toward me, the dish towel draped over one shoulder. “I said, all you need to worry about is to rest and heal.”

  I nodded, my mind racing. I was hearing things that weren’t there, feeling things I didn’t want to feel. Drake took a step and slid a steaming cup toward me. “Drink that. It will help you relax and sleep. Your body needs as much rest as it can get. I’ll stand guard until Coen comes back. No one’s coming to get you today.”

  I lifted the tin cup to my lips. The brown, murky brew was bitter and strong. I winced and sipped while he pinned me with those sparkling blue eyes. The tea sat heavy in my stomach, sloshing around the mountain of meat. I drained the cup and pushed it away from my spot at the table as my eyes drifted closed.

  “Thank you for all this. I’ll pull my weight. I’ll work hard.”

  “I know you will. I’m counting on it.”

  His voice lulled me. I shoved myself from the seat and stumbled to the room. I wrapped myself in the covers as I slipped between the sheets. I kept one eye on the door until my lids became heavy. Sleep came in fits and dreams. I tossed and turned until my own growl snatched me from a dream. I opened my eyes to darkness. The hoot of an owl somewhere in the forest was a lonely sound until the step scraped, pulling my focus. A hinge groaned speeding my pulse. I flinched as soft padding filled the room. I inhaled. The scent was familiar. A low growl told me he knew I was awake, reminding me how vulnerable I was.

  His steps were silent. I tracked his steady heartbeat in the dark. Thrashing wouldn’t help me. Pleading would get me killed. The steps were followed by a shudder that raced along the frame and the wooden slats groaned. The mattress sank at my feet. The sheet pulled taught over my legs under his weight. Silver eyes found me in the dark.

  Fear and that dark need swept through me. The wolf inside came alive, circling me like prey. That feral hunger burned me. This was what she wanted. No. Stop. But the beast never wavered, not the one inside, or the one on my bed. The top of the sheet jerked from my chest, sliding to my stomach. I reached for the edge, snagging the covering between my trembling fingers.

  I felt the heat of the wolf’s breath as he took a step toward me. White fangs glinted in the dark like the sharp curve of a blade. One bite would end everything. My breasts felt heavy, warmth fanned out between my thighs. I released my hold on the sheet as my heart thundered inside my chest.

  His growl stole my breath as he pawed the bedding. The sheet slipped further, over my breasts, then my stomach until the layer was dragged free. I gripped the lumpy mattress as the cool night air stole the warmth of my body.

  One hard nudge on the inside of my leg told me what he wanted. The wolf inside wanted the same. Her pants became mine. A low keening sound slipped from my lips. A sound of desire. I drew my knee upwards, widening the gap between my legs. Those silver eyes left mine. The air left my body in a shuddered whimper as he nuzzled the shorts between my legs. His wet nose on the inside of my other thigh made my teeth chatter. The sheet in my hands pulled taught. My shorts were jerked. The too big size slid from my body underneath his teeth.

  His panting breath was hot along my legs, moving up to my thighs. A deep snarl was followed by a nudge. A command not to be ignored. The bedding was cold under the heat of my leg as I shifted, spreading myself wide.

  Something warm slid against the inside of my thigh, the hard lick dangerously close to the worn edge of my panties. The hard nub of his nose dug into my crotch, sniffling along the crease of my pussy. The heavy draw of breath excited the wolf. I felt her come alive and react to…become aroused by…I felt her come alive. One heartbeat later, she drew air through my nostrils. Male. The word vibrated through me, leaving swollen, tender points in my breasts and between my thighs. Her desire swept through me, her needs, her wants. My knees separated, borne open by an inner force I hated, but was helpless to resist.

  She wanted him.

  My body jerked under the jab. I spread my legs. His thick tongue found the crease of my thigh and dug underneath the outside of my panties. The slack edges were no match for his force. The air cooled each lick as he delved deeper, riding the edges of my crease. I followed the edges of his reach, mapping each millimeter he claimed. My knee edged upward.

  Heat raced through my body, drawing a line from the center of my body. My nipples hardened, rubbing against my shirt. The friction, coupled with Coen’s determined tongue, opened a gate. My mouth turned dry under harsh breaths. He was so warm, so deliciously warm.

  My legs widened under their own command now. My trembling hand slid down my belly, reaching for the cotton, dragging the edge aside. His breath blew the fine hair, followed by the heavy weight of his tongue. The tip pierced my slit, delving into the wet heat of my core. The wave washed me away. His tongue left me as fangs pierced the fabric from my fingers. A sharp shake of his head tore the panties, leaving me bare.

  He stilled. His heavy breath tickled my parted thighs. The bed shook, I gripped the wooden frame, sensing the change. From the wolf came the man. Skin replaced fur. His human eyes were just as hungry, just as dangerous. I reached out and touched the hard tendons of his hand, trailing my fingers up to his forearm. Muscles bulged under his hold on the bed. His weight took me by surprise, slamming me against the mattress. The pain in my side wrenched deep, while his lips were on mine, tongue seeking.

  I tasted myself on his lips, sharp and delicious on the end of his tongue. It melted the deep ache in my stomach away. I wanted more. I wrapped my feet around the back of his thighs, dragging him closer.

  He pulled back, snarling. “No. This isn’t for you, it’s for me.”

  I dropped my legs, as he lowered his body onto mine. His hungry tongue took what it wanted. My nipples hardened under his touch. He brushed the tip with his thumb and ran the crest between his fingers.

  His mouth left mine, moving down my neck to the peaks bruised by his pinching fingers. Slick warmth melted the ache away. He pulled the point into his mouth as his hand migrated over to my right nipple, the touch cruel enough to keep me from getting lost in the pleasure of his mouth.

  Coen forced my legs apart with a knee. The wolf inside urged me to submit.

  His mouth covered the top of my mound, sucking my flesh into his mouth. I arched under his hand. His tight tongue moved over the top of my slit, but the ache in my breast was too much. I tried to pull from his grasp. A snarl stopped me.

  His fingers pinched my nipple as his tongue delved deeper, skirting my opening. His touch on my breast summoned tears of pain, but my harsh sobs were from the wicked dance of his tongue over my opening. I grew warm, urging him deeper as I rocked.

  His hand left my breast to trail down my stomach to the crest of my mound, but the ache remained. I clamped my mouth closed as his teeth grazed my most sensitive flesh. His touch replaced tongue, moving inside until my trembling fingers found his hair, holding him harder, needing him deeper.

  I shuddered as lightning coursed through my body. A moan set me free, falling back to the bed, listening to the erratic sound of my heart in my ears. Coen rose above me. I waited for him to take. Inside I was unable to fight and deep down I knew I didn’t want to.

  “That was just a taste, Mia. She wants more. Next time, let her free.”

  5

  I cracked open my eyes. White light rushed in. Birds chirped in the trees, dragging my focus to the window. I sniffed, honing in on the sound. The sparrows were too far away to chase. A mouse burrowed in the earth, close. My stomach growled, my mouth filled with saliva. I searched for heartbeats. There were none inside the cabin.

  Sex… and the scent of alpha.

  Coen’s scent lingered on t
he sheets and on my skin. I wriggled underneath the covers and cupped my breasts. My breath caught. My touch found the tender spots from Coen’s fingers and chased the sounds away. I rolled over, my moan was trapped by the pillow, heating my face as that same fire flared between my thighs.

  I could still feel him there, prodding with his tongue. His fingers moving inside, only to slip out and slide along the valley. My hips jerked on their own, pulsing with life as I rode an unseen thrust. My face grew hot, my breaths turned to pants. The wolf was so close, hovering under the surface, waiting to break through.

  More. I sighed and curled into the pillow. She wanted more. More flesh. More hunger, more fingers and lips. I licked my lips as a growl slipped free.

  No. Get back.

  I had to get out of here. I had to run. If I stayed I’d….

  My wolf let out a howl that resurrected the feel of Coen’s tongue between my thighs. I gripped the bedsheets and shuddered.

  I licked my lips, forcing back the memory.

  Maybe head south for the mountains.

  Leave and you’ll die. It’s a hungry world out there.

  Drake’s warning rang inside my head. Every second I waited I risked the change. Stay here and be killed by the beast inside, or keep running?

  Sweat ran in rivulets down the insides of my arms. The sheets stuck to my skin as I pulled myself up. My body ached with a sickness and there was only one cure. I bent and snagged my torn panties from the floor. I pulled on the shirt Drake gave me and grabbed my bloody jeans from the floor. Shorts wouldn’t do out there. Pain speared through the wound at my side as I stepped into the legs and buttoned the waist closed.

  The walls seemed to move on their own through her eyes. I yanked open the bedroom door and stumbled into the kitchen. A battered canteen sat beside the sink. I grabbed the metal canister and unscrewed the lid. I’d need water. Food could wait. I filled the canister. My thoughts were focused on running and get as far away from here as I could before night fell again.