by B. L. Dawn
“HEWF.”
“I welcome the intellectual, James Roloff, to the pack.”
“HEWF.”
“I welcome the prized fighter, Eli Roloff, to the pack.”
“HEWF.”
“This pack is complete. We will live as one, work as one, and grow as one.”
“HEWF…HEWF…HEWF.”
“Get ready to run.” Enoch walked over to Jenny, kissed her on the head, turned, and entered the woods. Jenny smiled and walked back to the house. Natalie and Tatum looked at each other. Yep, Tatum didn’t want to get naked in front of all of them either. Tatum motioned for Natalie to follow her. They walked several feet away to one of the storage sheds. It was the perfect height for them. Leaving the door open, they walked in, undressed, and shifted.
The minute she shifted, all the pack member’s voices rang in her head. The females looked at each other, their wolf eyes glowing. They trotted over to join the rest of the pack. The old pack members were all welcoming the new members and chatting about the new pack name.
When everyone was ready, Enoch sounded the word “run” in their minds. He took the lead as they all took off running as a group. He ran to the right toward the border of trees that moved around the farm. When he came upon a white log fence, he bolted left. The rest of the pack followed close behind. There was no mental talking, just following, perhaps even waiting for an order. Passing the last post of the fence, they ran on, entering the east-side clearing.
It was incredible. It was as if Tatum was connected to every pack member, like they were family members. They were all connected. Sharp breaths escaped lungs, and paws beat on the ground. She brushed up against another pack member, but it didn’t affect either wolf.
Enoch was making slight adjustments as they ran. She figured he was leading them around the perimeter of their territory, letting them get a sense of where they belonged and the land they were to protect. The pack should do this every night. Yes, every night until the perimeter is a dirt path. They ran for a long time, enjoying their union and their new land.
The pack ran until they came upon another white log fence on the west side of the farm. Enoch followed the fence back to the farmhouse. The pack hooted and hollered in celebration. Enoch howled a beautiful tribute, and the pack followed suit. Their howls rang out in different trills and pitches. Goosebumps erupted under Tatum’s fur.
When everyone had settled down, Enoch shifted and walked back to the farmhouse. He couldn’t wait to get back to Jenny. He hated that she couldn’t run with him. Enoch turned the corner of the farmhouse and walked along the wraparound porch. He could smell Jenny before he saw her and knew that she was happy, not at all sad like he had worried she would be. Taking another deep breath, he let her scent reach his nose. Sweet tea with lemons with a refreshing, zesty kick entered his soul. There was something else mixed in the aroma, but he couldn’t describe it.
Jenny was leaning against the front doorframe with her arms crossed. She stared him down. He turned the corner of the house. “Hey, good-looking. How was the run?”
There was a low, heaty rumbling growl vibrating from Enoch. He sauntered in front of the porch, passing each porch railing while playfully staring at Jenny with his glowing amber eyes. He stared intensely. She wore a grin as she slid a foot inside the screen door.
He tilted his chin down, still staring at her with a sly grin. He teased her and asked, “Where are you sneaking off to, Jenny?”
Tickled, Jenny slid her body into the screen door, but she was still making eye contact with him. He stalked around the porch railing and took the first step on the porch.
“You know I’ll catch you, Jenny. I want to taste you.”
She took one step back into the house.
“Here, Jenny, Jenny, let the big bad wolf come in and play.”
Jenny took off through the house, bolting for the stairs, a laugh and a half-scream stuck in her throat. The screen door slammed open. His footsteps bounded up the stairs. As she jumped the last step, he caught her in midair.
Wrapping his arms around her, he nuzzled her neck and slid one hand between her legs, and he cupped her breast with the other. He lifted her off the ground, walking with her in his arms.
“What’s my prize? Hmm? I know...I’ll unwrap it and find out.”
He held her as he walked into the bedroom, shutting the door with his foot. There was a soft glow from a nightlight in the bathroom. Sitting down on the bed, he set Jenny on his lap. He pressed her bottom up against his shaft and moved her to the rhythm of his pleasure.
Enoch smiled as he lifted her shirt over her head, kissed down her neck, and unsnapped her bra. Jenny moved up and down his erection while he worked at unwrapping his gift. As he kissed across her shoulder blades, his hands moved around to undo her pants. He grabbed her hips and pushed her to her feet. With both hands, he slid her pants, along with her panties, down to the floor.
At the sight of her curvy hips, Enoch licked his lips. She was everything he had been missing his whole life, and he couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to pleasure her. Squeezing her sides hard with both hands, he left red handprints. They disappeared seconds later. Turning Jenny around, he pulled her to him, over him, up until she was straddling his mouth. Wrapping his arms around the tops of her legs, Enoch pulled her down on his face. He held her there—sucking, licking, tasting her. He let up for a second to speak. “You taste so good.”
Jenny rocked on his mouth, making little whimpering sounds. He held her tighter, knowing she was about to give him what he wanted, her come all over his face.
Tingles ran through Enoch and traveled into his mate and back again. The connection was strong and had him coming without any contact. The warm seed was leaking all over his clothes. Jenny jolted up, both of her hands landing on the bed. “Ahhhh!” she screamed.
Her sounds of pleasure grew louder, longer, and faster. Over and over, she cried out for him. When she climaxed, her body went rigid as Enoch continued to lick her. Shaking, she tried to get away from the rolling climax.
“Enoch, please,” she begged.
Damn, I don’t want to stop. He released Jenny’s legs and slid out from underneath her. She slumped forward, curled into her knees, and lay there trying to catch her breath. Enoch wiped his face off with her shirt and climbed back onto the bed. Hovering over her, Enoch lifted Jenny’s bottom in the air, spreading her legs wide, and pushed inside. She was wet and tight around him. He pumped inside her as she braced herself on all fours. Squeezing and releasing her hips with his hands increased his pleasure along with his pace. Holy shit, she feels amazing.
Jenny tighten around him again and bolted straight up. Grabbing around her chest, Enoch held her in a tight hold. He pushed and pulled, forcing his way inside her tight middle. A roar of ecstasy escaped him as he released inside her. The pumping continued, letting her have every last drop of him. They breathed heavily while collapsing side by side on the bed.
Enoch kept her close to his body. He breathed heavily near her ear. “You’re my favorite prey, Jenny.”
Through smiling lips and fast breathing, Jenny replied, “And you’re my favorite predator.”
Chapter 21
When everyone calmed down, Enoch headed around the farmhouse to be with Jenny. The cool night air was full of electricity. Tatum trotted circles around Luke. “Luke, you’re not chickening out on me, are you? You owe me a race.”
Luke nudged her with his head. “You wish. Where are we racing? Set up the rules.”
He had light-brown fur with a dark-brown streak down his back. His eyes glowed bright gray. All the other pack members were gathering around.
Oliver nudged Luke out of the way. “I want to race too.” Oliver was an over-sized wolf and was sure to be a good opponent in a race. He had reddish-brown fur on top of his body. It turned white underneath.
“That’s fine with me.” Tatum looked around. “Where should we start, and where should w
e end?”
James came over. “How about from the back of the barn to the weeping willow. It’s as long as the cornfield, and it’s a straight stretch.”
Oliver headed that way. “I’m good.”
“So am I.” Luke chuckled. “And I can’t wait to win.”
Grandpa, Eli, and James looked at each other knowingly.
James took over, directing everyone. “Most of you should go to the willow tree. Whoever runs past the willow tree first wins. And some of us should stay at the barn to make sure they start at the same time.”
Grandpa and James decided to stay at the beginning of the race and headed for the barn. Everyone else ran for the willow tree.
Tatum, Luke, and Oliver lined the back wall of the haybarn. Oliver pawed at the ground like a bull ready to charge. Luke was bouncing around like a boxer. Tatum hunkered down, prepared to push herself forward from the ground.
James started the race. “Get ready. Get set. Go!”
Tatum pushed off with her back legs, flinging her front legs forward. Her legs moved faster than the river at Blackwater. There was never a nose-to-nose race, not even for a second. Moving over the earth like a lightning strike, she flew toward the finish line. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears, and the air blocked out all sound.
Ready to prove her worth on some level to Luke, she released her ability. Her legs pumped faster than pistons in a crankshaft. One second, she was at the barn, and the next, she was halfway to the finish line. Were the other males close behind her? There was no time to turn around and check. She zoomed past the tall, swaying branches of the tree. It took her a moment to skid to a stop and turn around. The males were halfway to her.
As the roar left her ears, everyone’s screaming and cheering voices filled her head. They couldn’t believe how fast she went. They had never seen anything like it. Luke came past the willow tree next, followed by Oliver.
Luke trotted around her. “Holy fuck, female. You can fly! I swear it looked like you were hovering over the ground, you were going so fast! You’re amazing!”
“That was…I’ve never seen anything like it.” Oliver cheered, “Wow…I mean…wow!”
Her ego was getting bigger. “Thanks, everyone. Thanks.”
Tatum kept thanking everyone, laughing at the funny comments the shifters were making.
“Well, I’m heading back, guys.” Tatum pranced back to the storage shed with her head held high.
Luke caught up with her. “So after you get dressed, can we hang out?”
“Sure.” Tatum was looking forward to it, even though she didn’t want him to smell her get aroused again.
“Cool.” Luke walked beside her, not saying a word. He let her go to the storage shed, and he walked over to his clothes, shifted, and got dressed.
After getting dressed, Tatum walked out of the clearing and jogged over to him.
“So you’re fast as a human too?” Luke eyed her long legs.
“Yeah, I’m pretty fast as a human.”
Luke looked at her judgingly. “Let’s race over there to the west-side gate.”
Tatum looked behind her. “Okay, but you’re going to get tired of losing. I feel bad for ya, buddy.”
Luke hunkered down like an Olympic runner. “Get ready, Tate.”
Tatum grinned, bent down, and slid her fingertips over the smooth grass. “Whenever you’re ready to go.”
Luke counted down. “Three, two…” He ran before he said one.
“Hey!” Tatum took off after him. The cheat! He was close to the gate already, but she passed him with ease. She ran to the gate with her arms stretched out to stop the impact. Luke ran up behind her, pinning her between his arms.
Tatum turned around. “You cheated.” She laughed.
“Yeah, I did.” He chuckled. Luke leaned in close, staring at her lips. There was a moment that she could only feel his breath on her. His lips slowly brushed over hers. Her body reacted instantly, growing hot and wet.
When his hands went to the side of her face, he gently tilted her head and licked her lips until she opened them for him. She moaned upon entry, and powerful tingling waves spread over her body. Was she about to orgasm? As she erupted, her legs trembled, her insides exploding from just his hands and tongue.
He pulled away, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. “You’re amazing. You know that?”
“So are you.” Tatum’s voice was as soft as a breath.
Luke kissed her again, pressing his erection to her core. Exhilaration entered her. Tatum moved her hand to his hips, hanging her thumbs through his belt loops. One of his hands cupped her cheek while the other one moved up and down her back.
She was so wet now, but also, she was nervous. Way too nervous. She wasn’t even enjoying this as much as she should be. Thoughts and worry replaced all sense of sexual urgency. Tatum wanted to be secure, safe, and sure of her actions. Was she supposed to come out and ask him if they were true mates? Her true mate wouldn’t care what she said or if she already came like an amateur. He would just love her, and she could give her true mate her special gift, which she wanted to save for him.
Tatum pulled back, pushing at his chest. “Luke, would you mind if we took it slow? I know shifters move fast, but I don’t. I’ve never been with anyone before.”
Luke nodded. “Of course, we can move slow. As slow as you want.” He kissed her again on the lips, then the forehead.
“Thanks.” For Destiny’s sake, I am acting so juvenile.
“It’s not a problem.” Luke closed his eyes and moaned. “You smell so delicious.” He kissed her again, moving his erection against her.
She backed away.
Luke nodded. “Sorry. Maybe we can go and talk for a little bit.”
Tatum nodded. Her face was a reddish hue.
Luke took Tatum’s hand and walked back to the farmhouse. For a few hours, they sat on the porch and talked. Then they went to bed. He gave her one last kiss. Fighting the urge to follow him up the stairs, Tatum smelled the air fill with regret. It was like yellow dandelions. This was the first smell that she understood. She went to bed, picturing Luke and imagining his hands all over her. No surprise there; he’s extraordinary.
Chapter 22
When Tatum woke up the next morning, she took another shower. At this rate, she was going to have to get a job to pay the water bill. She entered the kitchen, where Enoch and Jenny were scrambling eggs for breakfast. The bacon was already finished and stacked on three different plates. “Good morning!”
“Good morning,” they replied.
“Eddie said he could come today to take pictures. Where should we set up the green screen and camera?”
Jenny tilted her head. “Hmm, the haybarn would be good.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” Tatum grabbed a piece of bacon and ran off to scope out the barn.
There were two large swinging doors that Tatum swung open. It was an enormous building, housing a small office at the barn’s center on the right side, and hay lined the rest of the walls. Jogging over to the opposite side of the barn, she opened the back doors to let the air travel from one end to the other.
She made her way back to the office and opened it. A small desk was inside with two foldable chairs. The desk had clipboards, pens, pencils, loose paper, and paper pads on it. Shelves along the right-side wall held three-inch binders that had dates written on them in black permanent marker.
Walking further into the room, Tatum came across a desk and the long wooden-back chair from her dreams. That’s so weird. Behind the chair was a bulletin board hanging on the wall with pushpins and old notes.
Tatum decided to pull the wooden chair out of the office so Eddie could use it. She went back and grabbed a few pushpins and a foldable chair. She put the pushpins into the wood outside the office wall and placed the chair there as well. Yes, this will work nicely for photos.
Walking back to the farmhouse, she saw the pack going inside
for breakfast. Luke walked out of the farmhouse and sat with her on the porch stairs, acting depressed. He wouldn’t meet her eyes and kept staring at the ground.
“Hey, Luke.” Tatum nudged him with her shoulder.
“Yeah.”
“How do you stop a skunk from smelling?”
Luke grinned from ear to ear. “A smelling joke? You’re coming at me with a smelling joke?”
Tatum shrugged. “It’s working, isn’t it?” She laughed. “Answer the riddle.”
Luke laughed. “I don’t know.”
“You hold its nose.”
Tatum busted out laughing, and Luke joined her. After that, he seemed to lighten back up. What has him so upset? Could he be mad at me for not mating with him?
After breakfast, the pack had another training session with Eli. He paired everyone together based on size. Her partner ended up being Sam. She remembered that Sam was sixty years old, but it was hard to think along those lines when he was so good looking. He looked like he was in his early thirties.
With his hand held out, Sam walked over to introduce himself. “It’s good to finally meet you.” When he smiled, his gorgeous sky blue eyes creased as his trimmed sandy blonde hair shined in the sunlight.
Grabbing his hand, Tatum shook it, trying to give him her best smile. Eli demonstrated the first defensive move and had them practice on each other.
Sam grabbed her arm in a tight hold while she practiced capturing his pinkie finger, sliding it under his middle finger, and twisting the whole hand away. She caught on quickly.
Glancing over, Tatum kept catching Luke watching her. She winked at him. Was there any way that Luke actually liked her showing her strength? Every time Sam’s arm got bent backward, Luke got a huge grin on his face.
Eli told everyone to switch. Now it was Tatum’s turn to grab Sam’s arm. Sam struggled, which made her smile, but eventually, he got the technique down.
Training came to an end, and Tatum heard something in the distance. A silver truck was coming down the road. As Eddie parked his vehicle, Tatum ran over and gave him a big hug.
