Mating Games

by Nikki Jefford

  Over Jay’s shoulder, the moon appeared in dusk’s blue sky, bright and full. She couldn’t stand the sight of it. She should be dancing with Raider at the full-moon ceremony, taking a leap of faith and proclaiming her love to him, not squatting in front of her human captor.

  When they returned to the alcove, Wilma grinned at her brother and rushed over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Jay.”

  “You’re welcome, Wilma.”

  “I’m so excited.” She shook her wrists.

  “I know, Sissy.” Jay patted her head gently.

  “I can’t wait to hold the baby in my arms.” Wilma bent her arms at her elbows and rocked them in front of her belly as though there were an invisible baby in them.

  “Soon, Sissy. Soon.”

  “Do you promise?”

  “I promise.” The conviction in Jay’s tone made Jordan shudder.

  Kirk unzipped one of the tents. “Let’s turn in, sweetie. We have an important day tomorrow.”

  Nodding eagerly, Wilma hustled toward the tent. “Good night, Jay. Good night, David.”

  “Night, Sissy.”

  “Good night, Wilma,” David said.

  Jordan glared at him. David looked away.

  Kirk stepped inside the tent after his wife and zipped them in while Jordan stared into the dying fire, more goose bumps covering her body.

  Jay rummaged through his pack, rifle still in hand, and pulled out a hatchet. He glanced at Jordan, and she understood the unspoken threat.

  “The two of you should turn in, too.” Jay nodded at the second tent. “I’ll keep watch.” He propped the hatchet against a boulder beside Kirk and Wilma’s tent. Rifle in hand, he walked across the alcove and jutted his chin at the second tent.

  David nearly tripped on his own feet, stumbling over to unzip the rounded opening. With reddening cheeks, he glanced at Jordan, not quite able to meet her eyes. “Um, after you.”

  She bent her head and stepped into the tent. It was small, but way roomier than the kennel, and the material was thin and easy to rip—not that it would matter with Jay standing guard all night. At least there wasn’t a grate for humans to stare in.

  David crawled in after Jordan and had not yet turned around when Jay stood looming in the entrance. He took hold of the zipper and pulled it closed along the track arcing around the front side.

  “Good night, you two,” Jay said. “If you want to get familiar with one another before the full moon, that’s up to you.” He finished zipping them in.

  Scowling so hard her face hurt, Jordan moved as far away from David as she could get within the confines of the tent. She pressed her back against a corner of the nylon enclosure, sitting cross-legged with her arms folded tight across her chest.

  David’s eyes expanded inside his head, and his chin trembled. “I-I-I wouldn’t.”

  “Not until tomorrow?” Jordan’s lips drew back.

  There was still enough light outside to penetrate the tent’s nylon and the cramped interior with its single sleeping bag. Jordan would sooner freeze than cuddle up with David. Luckily, she had fur.

  David glanced at the zipped flap of the tent. They were both silent, listening to Jay as he began to whistle softly outside. The tune drifted to the opposite side of the alcove.

  Leaning his head toward her, David whispered, “Let’s just give them what they want. Jay needs to pacify his sister, but he promised he’d let us go once we give them four or five pups.”

  “Only five?” Jordan sneered. “And how long will that take, David? One every two years, to keep me lactating regularly. A decade? A decade of my life? How many times will I have to be raped by you?”

  David’s mouth gaped open.

  Jordan’s arms and legs shot out. She flipped onto her side, turning her back to him. She couldn’t look at him any longer, and she had no doubt he’d stay away from her tonight. There’d been fear and shame in his eyes—nothing amorous.

  Good. He should be ashamed and more than that—very, very afraid.

  Jordan wrapped her arms around her chest, resisting the urge to curl into the fetal position for warmth. Once David was asleep, she’d shift, but for now she didn’t feel like stripping out of her clothes in front of his woeful gaze.

  Lying still, she willed him to keep silent and go to sleep. As long as he was awake, she seethed. She needed to think—to figure her way out of this hellacious situation.

  The sound of a zipper made her heart thud with eager anticipation and her head lift just the slightest. Was David opening the front of the tent? Did he feel guilty enough to charge Jay or try and trick him in some way?

  The metallic rip continued then stopped. A moment later, a soft weight settled over Jordan’s body. No, David hadn’t opened the flap on the tent—he’d unzipped the sleeping bag and placed it over her. If she was forced to stay, he’d be kind and take care of her—even when she snarled at him—but he wouldn’t help her escape.

  Karma was one cold, crater of a bitch, pulverized by the mother of all meteors.

  “Not every female is cut out for motherhood,” she’d told Raider, and “no,” she didn’t want children. That conversation felt like a lifetime ago.

  Given time, maybe she would have wanted children, because with Raider all things were possible, no matter how hard she tried to deny it. They were possible because she loved everything about him and all the ways he looked at her: with passion, devotion, amusement, patience, tenderness, and affection. She wanted to see herself the way he did and to bask in the heat of his gaze.

  They could have put their pasts behind them and started their own family—the kind of carefree brood they’d always wished for. They could have been happy.

  But the choice was being forced on Jordan.

  Her children would never call her “mother” and would never know the freedom of running free or the beauty and community of the hollow. The humans would take them one by one—they would train and domesticate them as their own obedient dogs. Jordan would be nothing more than a womb for the babies to grow in and a teat to suck on.

  She would never have Raider’s children. She’d have David’s.

  chapter twenty-one

  Howls erupted high above the forest around Wolf Hollow, but none of the answering calls calmed Raider’s racing heart. No one had seen Jordan. No one knew where she was.

  After a few hours of patrolling alone, he’d sent up the first call, thinking Palmer was keeping his daughters from their duties way too long.

  But the answer that chorused back made the hairs rise along the ridge of his back.

  Jordan had left the den hours earlier.

  Raider stormed past mated couples and children on two legs, questioning the last shifters to have seen Jordan: her family.

  Emerson followed him around, listening in with a tight frown, snarling when it came time to question Camilla.

  “I have no clue where she is,” Camilla cried. “I left before her. Remember?”

  “Oh, I remember.” Emerson’s words were like honey-coated fire ants. “You had some choice words for her before storming off. How do we know you weren’t hiding, waiting to ambush her on the way to the glade?”

  “Because I didn’t!” Camilla yelled. “I’m tired of being blamed for everything. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Emmy.” She spun on her heels and stormed away.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Emerson yelled after her.

  “Patrol duty,” Camilla yelled back. “You know where to find me if you need me for something other than wrongful accusations.”

  “Bitch,” Emerson muttered. She cleared her throat when Palmer came over. “Any sign of Sydney?”

  Palmer shook his head. “Francine and Peter are still looking, but she’s been disappearing a lot lately and taking her sweet time returning to the den for meals. I think she’s still tormen
ted by David’s disappearance. She needs time alone to come to terms with it.”

  “She needs to come when she’s called,” Emerson snapped.

  Raider cracked his knuckles. “Who else was around when Jordan came through?”

  “Kallie,” Emerson said. “She was in the garden glaring at Jordan before we entered the den.”

  Raider’s heart squeezed tight in his chest, and guilt cascaded over his mind the way it did every time he saw her or heard her name. Could she have done something to Jordan? Harmed her in some way? Was Kallie capable of such an act? She’d always been kindhearted, but the vulhena attack had changed her—roughened her soft edges and left behind a shifter hardened by her misfortune.

  Raider’s guilt had kept him from seeking her out, but he should have put it aside and spoken with her sooner. Guilt wasn’t the only reason he’d avoided her. He knew she had feelings for him, and he didn’t want to hurt her any more than she already had been after the attack by rejecting her. He’d hoped if he stayed away she’d get over him quicker. He hadn’t wanted to give her false hope by spending time with her in the den.

  Now, there was no choice but to speak to her.

  Sasha must have been out of her mind with worry when Tabor went missing. At least Zackary had come forward and told her where to find him.

  Raider howled at the sky and paced the den with the urge to rip down every tree, tear out every root, and turn over every boulder until he found her. “Where’s Kallie now?” he asked between clenched teeth.

  Palmer pursed his lips. “She’s in my cabin watching over Franny while Francine searches for Sydney.”

  “I’ll send her out and watch over Franny.” Emerson jogged toward her father’s cabin.

  Palmer leaned into Raider, his eyes narrowed. “I hope you don’t think Kallie had anything to do with Jordan’s disappearance. She’s been a big help to my family. She’d never hurt Jordan or any other pack member.”

  Raider folded his arms and watched Palmer’s cabin. Kallie emerged, blinking into the sunlight that spilled into the den with blinding brightness. Perhaps it was cruel of Raider to stay in place while Kallie limped over to him, but all generosity had left him once it became clear that Jordan wasn’t anywhere in the den—not alive, anyway.

  The thought chilled him to the bones.

  “Hi, Raider,” Kallie said stiffly.

  Raider’s jaw remained locked tight. He swept a cool gaze over Palmer. “I’d like to speak to Kallie alone.”

  Palmer moved to Kallie’s side, puffed up his chest, and crossed his arms. Palmer didn’t notice Kallie cringe and lean away. “I don’t like your tone,” Palmer said. “I’m going to remain right here and make sure you don’t badger Kallie the way you did Camilla.”

  Funny how the elder took more pains over Kallie than he did with his own daughter. He better not be on the lookout for a third mate. Palmer had forced the council’s hand once, and he wouldn’t get away with it again.

  Raider’s temples throbbed.

  “It’s okay.” Kallie lifted her chin. “I saw Emerson and Jordan pass by the garden this morning. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s the last I saw of her. Have you checked with Hudson?”

  Raider growled.

  Palmer stepped in front of Kallie and spread his arms as though protecting her from Raider. “Kallie has nothing left to say. You’re wasting your time in the den.”

  “Clearly,” Raider said sardonically. “Let me know when you find Sydney.” He spun around and took big, sweeping steps out of the clearing.

  “Raider, wait!”

  He turned to find Elsie running toward him and Heidi jogging after the petite shifter. Elsie took one final leap in front of him, her cheeks rosy and her eyes bright. “I want to help.”

  Heidi caught up, huffing, slightly out of breath.

  “Do you know something?” Raider’s voice lifted hopefully.

  “I can try a location spell. I just need a piece of her clothing.”

  “And your brother’s supervision,” Heidi interjected.

  Elsie grinned sweetly. “Yes, of course. I am a guest here. I won’t do any magic without Tabor’s permission.”

  “Never mind Tabor.” Raider growled. “If Elsie can help find Jordan, I don’t care what methods she uses. No more wasting time.”

  Heidi narrowed her eyes. “I’m Elsie’s guardian, and I have the final say. Elsie’s not helping you until Tabor says it’s okay, so I suggest you find him. Fast.”

  Raider ground his teeth and glowered at Heidi. “Fine,” he said, turning to do just that.

  “I’ll come with you,” Elsie chirped. “It will save time.”

  Heidi looked back toward her hut and pulled at her fingers. “I’d come with you, but Peter’s still searching for Sydney, and I don’t want to leave Amy and Eric alone.”

  “Of course,” Elsie said. A look of serious understanding replaced her eager smile. “I promise I won’t leave the hollow or perform any spells without my brother by my side. You have my word.”

  Heidi chewed on her lower lip and studied Elsie a moment before nodding reluctantly. A gleam returned to her eyes when she looked up at Raider. “And you’d better promise me you won’t let Elsie out of your sight until she’s with Tabor. Two shifters have already gone missing today.”

  “I promise,” Raider said gruffly.

  He set a brisk pace over the forest path leading back to the glade. Elsie kept pace easily, breathing evenly, as though she were taking a stroll. Whatever her life had been at Balmar Heights, it didn’t appear to have been one of idle leisure. She moved with fluid grace and the unflagging energy of a shifter whose wolf kept her on her toes.

  A twig snapped. Raider and Elsie skidded to a halt at the same time, whirling around as Garrick emerged from the forest holding balled-up clothes in his big hands.

  Recognizing the jeans and tank top, Raider’s heart lurched inside his chest. He’d spent lots of time watching Jordan take the articles off—and helping her remove them, at least lately.

  “Found these in the forest a little way off the trail,” Garrick said triumphantly. “Found this, too.” He shook out a small dress.

  “Well, this is certainly fortuitous,” Elsie said brightly.

  Garrick’s nostrils flared. “What’s she doing here?”

  “Helping me.” Raider snatched Jordan’s clothes from his father’s hand, leaving him the dress. “That’s Sydney’s.”

  “Looks like they left together,” Elsie said.

  Ignoring her, Garrick jabbed a finger against his chest. “I’m helping you.”

  Raider lifted Jordan’s clothes to his nose and inhaled the scent of pine, woman, sex, and his own scent. For a moment his heart warmed, at least until his brain reminded him that his female was still missing. Blinking several times, Raider looked at his father. “You have helped me by finding her clothes, and now you can help by covering my patrol territory.”

  Garrick’s right eye twitched. He studied Raider’s face closely. “This is the female you want to claim.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m coming with you, and we’re not resting until we find your female.”

  “I need Tabor and Elsie to find her.”

  Garrick leveled a dirty look at Elsie.

  Raider growled. “Elsie saved Emerson’s life. Palmer would have let her die. You messed up big, Garrick, but you can make up for it now—or are you as stupid and stubborn as Palmer?”

  Garrick’s jaw relaxed, and he gave an amused grunt. “Fine. The old pervert is too busy sniffing around his females to be of use to anyone. It’s up to us to get Jordan back. Do what you have to do.”

  Raider stared at him in surprise.

  Garrick huffed. “Don’t go soft on me now, son. You’ve made me proud. There isn’t a bigger, tougher, or smarter shifter in all of Wolf Ho
llow—and that includes that pureblooded prick, Wolfrik.” Garrick’s eyes narrowed momentarily. They relaxed as he gazed over Raider. “You’ve always been able to hold your own, Raider. If Jordan’s the female for you, she’s one lucky bitch. Now go get her.”

  Words failed him. He wouldn’t have trusted his voice at that moment to betray the kind of emotions Garrick considered a weakness. Raider nodded instead then took off down the trail, Elsie hustling beside him. He crushed Jordan’s clothes in his hands, willing her body to join them and return to him.

  Tabor and Sasha were pacing in the glade.

  Elsie quickly explained that the locator spell didn’t provide a location so much as a route to follow—one she would have to lead them on.

  “No way!” Tabor said.

  Raider gripped his head to keep himself from pounding against Tabor’s chest in frustration. “I don’t have time to debate. Jordan and Sydney are out there somewhere, and they need our help. Now.”

  Sasha pushed her hair back. “I’ll go with you, Raider.”

  Tabor sucked in a breath through his teeth. Unlike his sister, Tabor couldn’t tell his mate what she could and couldn’t do, and he knew it.

  “Then I’ll go, too,” Tabor said.

  “And me,” Elsie chimed in.

  “Not you,” Tabor said.

  “You won’t know where to go without me.”

  Tabor folded his arms. “We’ll figure it out.”

  Elsie’s patient smile faded, replaced by something feral and haunting. “Then, perhaps I should return to Balmar Heights. At least there they let me make my own decisions. I run in the mountains all the time.” She stepped up to her brother, eyes gleaming. “All by myself.”

  Tabor frowned, eyes locked on Elsie.

  Raider cleared his throat with gruff impatience. “Every second counts.”

  “Fine,” Tabor said. “We all go together.”

  Elsie grinned, all brightness once more. “Wise decision, brother.”

  “Like I had a choice,” Tabor grumbled.

  Sasha sidled over to her mate’s side and squeezed his arm lovingly.