Feral is the Night (Feral Night World Book 1)

by Leeah Taylor

  Sleep is one of the greatest luxuries we took for granted before the end of the world. Back then, we curled up in our warm beds, inside the safety of our homes, with not a worry about who or what, might come through the door. We didn’t have to sleep sitting up with our backs against a door, to keep the monsters out, to protect sleeping children.

  Sleep became an enemy in its own right. If you close your eyes, the next time you open them it might be to dripping fangs at your throat. Or you never open them again.

  It’s just survival.

  All of it.

  For the Ferals as much as it is for us.

  But the next time I open my eyes it’s not on a cold hard ground. The usual impending chaos I expect with every day isn’t slithering down my spine. It’s a peaceful, calming quiet I wouldn’t expect in a cave, in a mountain full of people. I stretch and yawn before dragging all the blankets around me, ignoring the muffled laugh in the room and amusement rolling through me.

  I’m never leaving this bed. At least not for the foreseeable future. It’s warm. Safe. Illegal. I hope Carver enjoyed sharing it last night because it’s mine now and I might be persuaded to share it going forward.

  “I heard that.” It’s almost a growl with a promise of later persuasion, and I’m looking forward to seeing him try. “I heard that too.”

  God, I forgot how fluid the bond could be. How easily my thoughts would trickle into his mind and his to mine without trying. My fingers graze over the raised mate mark, tracing it. It reminds me of crescents.

  Carver snorts. “I’d sure hope so. Goddamn Carver Crescent pack alpha who claimed you.”

  I sit straight up and glare at him. “Get out of my head.”

  He smirks from his spot on the couch without looking up from the book he’s reading. “Stop inviting me in.”

  I realize there’s a plate of food on the table and my stomach reminds me how much I’ve neglected it. Carver’s smile grows.

  Tossing the blankets off, I crawl to the end of the bed. “What’s for breakfast?”

  “Eggs and coffee.”

  “God, even powdered eggs sound delicious.”

  He arches a brow, finally looking up from the book. “No.”

  “Egg eggs?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did you get eggs?” I can see his smart ass getting ready to open his mouth and I raise a hand on my way to the table. “Nevermind.”

  Real eggs and instant coffee, and it is instant coffee, has never tasted so good. It all feels a lot like a dream, and I’m waiting to wake up to the harsh reality. Carver never showed up. Tristan never turned. And we’re still in that forest staring at an abandoned factory like it might solve all our problems.

  Carver proves me wrong when his lips press to my forehead and warmth wraps around every inch of flesh. “Once you’re done eating and dressed, I want to show you the Mountain. Take you outside so you can really see what we’ve built here.”

  My lips curve up behind my coffee mug as he takes the seat across from me.

  “And here I thought we’d spend the day in that bed and you between my legs.”

  A growl rumbles in his chest. “Oh, it crossed my mind but…”

  “You’re still the alpha and have responsibilities.”

  He breaks away to look around the room with a sigh. “Something like that, but Berkeley…”

  “Carver…” I reach across the table and slip my hand into his. “I’ve never expected you to walk away from the pack. I just want to be part of it all.”

  “And you’re going to be. You’re my queen, Berkeley.”

  “Good, then show me my kingdom.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Carver

  I show her everything. The gardens and greenhouse. The stables and barn. The land surrounding the Mountain. It’s lush and fertile, flourishing with a bounty of fruits and vegetables. And according to the farming inclined in our community, it shouldn’t. Not like it does.

  “How far back do you think you’ve gone in the Mountain?” Berkeley asks as we enter the common room.

  Wolves and humans alike glance in her direction, sneaking a glimpse of my lost love. Her hand grips a little tighter to mine and I tug her into my side.

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  “Which part? The staring or the other?”

  “I don’t think it’s you they’re staring at as much as it’s me and the smile on my face. And to answer your question, I have no idea. We keep going further and the Mountain keeps going.”

  “How do you care for this many people? I mean you can feed them and give them a safe place to call home but—”

  “We have a doctor and a few nurses in the community. A little further down in the caverns we have an infirmary. A limited pharmacy of antibiotics and medicines. We manage.”

  And I’m proud of the community we’ve built. Wolves and humans live together in peace. It’s the only requirement I have for anyone who wants to make the Mountain their home. They can either accept sharing a home with wolves or they can survive out in the world. It’s always up to them.

  Most choose a safe place to call home over their bias. But few choose the latter and they’re sent back out into the world.

  “Carver,” Cooper calls behind us before stepping in our path. “Awe, you two kissed and made up.”

  I growl. “Cooper…”

  “Now after you two are done fighting you—”

  My eyes roll and I reach out with my alpha. “Did you need something?”

  Cooper laughs. “Just wanted to let you know Shaw and co came back from their own run early this morning. You were still sleeping in bliss, and I know what a cranky princess you can—”

  “I will hit you.”

  “God, I definitely missed horny, territorial Carver.” Berkeley is giggling, and he’s damn lucky I love the sound. “Anyway, brought back a handful of people with him. A couple are down in the infirmary, nothing serious. The others are getting fed, cleaned up, and settled in.”

  “Good.” Always a good day if we can rescue others from only surviving and give them a reason to live again. “How do they seem?”

  “Not sure. I saw Shaw coming up from the infirm and he told me about them. Says they’re a bit worse for wear but he will get them well and fed and they should fit right in.”

  Berkeley stiffens. “Where are my people?”

  “Either in the infirm or settled near it. We have to vet people, Berkeley.” I’m honest with her. I trust her. I vouch for her. Cooper would too. And I know her argument would be she vouches for her people. But I have nearly a hundred people here I’m responsible for and keeping them safe is my first priority. “They’re well taken care of, baby. I promise.”

  “Like prisoners?”

  Cooper shakes his head. “No. They know why they’re down there. We told them. Not keeping any secrets here, Berk. They’ve been fed, allowed to bathe, and given clean clothes. A place to sleep. Medical care.”

  She eyes me. “Should have told me, Carver.”

  “I was a little distracted.” My arm winds around her waist to tug her close and lean into her ear. “With my dick buried in your pussy.”

  She goes red. “Carver…”

  “Do you want to go down and see them?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  We turn toward the infirmary. “You coming, Coop?”

  “Nope, I’m off to bother Donna and see what she’s got cooking for dinner.”

  Berkeley laughs. “You guys seem to have taken a liking to her.”

  I guide her down a network of caves. “We have. She’s a lot like the house mom. She keeps us fed, listens when we need her, and sets us straight when we need it. Keeps this place running.”

  “I thought that was your job?”

  “It’s my job to make the hard decisions and keep these people safe. Which is why I need someone like Donna to be everything else. The nurturer.” We pass the infi
rmary and Berkeley slows as something foreign sheds off of her to me. “What is it?”

  She only stares at the covered entrance way into the infirmary as another wave of caution bleeds from her.

  “Berkeley?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something. What?”

  They taught us as pups to trust our instinct. It helped us learn to align with our wolf as we matured. If Berkeley’s wolf is sensing something, then I had no reason not to believe something is wrong.

  “I don’t know.”

  I move in front of her and pull the cloth hanging back.

  “Hey Carver,” Dan greets. “Afraid you missed our newest—”

  “No one’s here?”

  “Nope, Brax took the last down a few minutes ago to get cleaned up and fed. Why? Should there be someone here?”

  “Nah, doc, just checking in.”

  His brow creases as he leans back at his desk and eyes flicker past me to Berkeley. “Well, all the newcomers are in good health. Just need a good meal and night sleep.”

  “Good. Do me a favor and get with Coop about any supply needs?”

  “You got it.”

  I step back and let the covering fall closed. I’m not convinced something isn’t wrong when I turn back to Berkeley and I’m met with the same apprehension.

  “Can we go back?”

  “Yeah.” I intertwine my fingers through hers and nod. “Let’s go see about feeding you. Hmm?”

  She nods, but the tension only builds within her as she looks back. Something isn’t right. I can feel it in my bones, but I bury it and tuck it behind a wall for her sake.

  It’s not until we’re back in the common area that Berkeley relaxes and a few old friends from the pack see her for the first time, dragging her off to the other side of the room. She’s overwhelmed but distracted. It’ll take time for her to adjust, find her place in the pack again.

  Cooper stops beside me, eyeing Berkeley. “Weren’t down there long.”

  “She got spooked when we reached the infirmary.”

  “Spooked how?”

  “I don’t know and she couldn’t say what it was either, but something down there had her wolf’s hackles raised high, and it scared her to death.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “You haven’t seen the new people yet?”

  “Nope. You want me to go down there and look?”

  “Yeah. And grab Brax and Shaw, do a general sweep.”

  “For what?”

  “I have no idea.” I glance at him. “But do it for my peace of mind.”

  “I miss this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “How in tune you two always were. It was eerie. And that pretty mate mark is only going to make it worse.”

  “Don’t I fucking know it.” I start for Berkeley. “Let me know if you find anything.”

  I’m not leaving her side until I know the Mountain is safe. I didn’t get her back to lose her all over again.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Berkeley

  I can’t shake the prickling annoyance that something is watching me as I toss and turn. Carver is dead to the world. Never met a pillow that didn’t have him out cold in seconds. It’s comforting to see little things—like his sleeping habits—haven’t changed. While there are other parts of him that have. He reeks of alpha in action and scent. It wafts off him in powerful waves. He’s someone so new, but still the same.

  I flop on my back and stare up at the stone. I can’t pinpoint what exactly stood out to me at the infirmary. Like something invisible came out of nowhere and struck me in the gut. An odd sensation building up from my depths nearly choking me. There was no reason for it other than my wolf knew better and was warning me.

  Nothing I trust more than Carver, except my wolf.

  It’s instinct.

  It’s intuition.

  And I can’t shake the feeling as it continues to suffocate me.

  Carver rolls over and wraps an arm around my midsection before dragging me into his chest.

  He kisses my temple. “What is it?”

  “You can feel that in your sleep?”

  “Yes. What’s wrong?”

  I lie. “Nothing.”

  Amusement trickles through me. “Nice try. What’s wrong?”

  Twisting in his arms to face his chest, I tuck my head under his chin. “I’m sure it’s really nothing and just me getting used to this place.”

  I’m not going to let anything happen to you, baby. His voice in my head is a slight comfort, but another wave of paranoia pricks through me and Carver sighs.

  “Tell me what you need, babe. What can I do?”

  “Take my mind off whatever this is.”

  A sound rumbles low in his chest and my pussy clenches. He grabs me at the hips and rolls onto his back so I’m straddling him. My hand grips to his cock, his eyes shut with a growl working it’s way up, and I slowly sink down on it. I let my head fall back as he fills and stretches me. He consumes me inside and out with his wolf reaching out to ebb against mine. His hands dig deeper into my hips.

  I press to his chest for leverage, claws peeking out to mark him. He hisses and grinds into me harder while rocking my hips, making my clit rub just right. Carver slips his fingers between us and pinches it, sending me soaring until I’m heaving and panting into his chest.

  His fingers trace down my spine. “Needed that, did you?”

  I make some kind of sound and snuggle deeper into his chest. It rumbles as he rolls us back on our sides, tucking me in close to his body. As if it’s the only safe place in the whole mountain.

  “It is.” He pecks my forehead. “Now, Spitfire, try to relax and go to sleep.”

  The dark isn’t so suffocating anymore. The invisible weight sitting on my chest vanishes. I can breathe again.

  It lasts for what feels like seconds before my eyes fly open and I jolt up in the bed, drenched in sweat. My chest heaves as I stare into darkness. I reach out and find the spot beside me cold and empty, sending my heart into overdrive.

  “Carver?”

  It’s only me and the dark cavern. The mate mark flames to life. Panic blossoms in my chest. He wouldn’t leave unless something was wrong. I crawl to the end of the bed and snatch my jeans from the floor to pull on.

  The Mountain is intimidating in size. Trying to navigate the network of mazes inside is equally overwhelming. I creep through the cavernous path, watching every shadow like it might come to life and grab me.

  “Carver…” I grit out.

  Nothing but quiet and my voice echoing off the walls.

  I’m gonna kill him. He could have woken me up to tell me he had to go handle something.

  “Poor little Berkeley, all alone.”

  My stomach plummets toward the ground as the blood roars between my ears. The tips of my fingers split and I make it mid-shift before a body slams into me. Pain shatters through my head when it meets the stone wall. Blood pours down the side of my face and everything is spinning, making my stomach churn. I curse the half-breed. No full-blooded wolf is easily disarmed.

  I force my wolf back to the surface. She’s spinning worse than me, but my bones still ache to shift, to break loose, to tear his throat out. I can’t see straight enough to focus on forcing a shift. My legs finally give out and my body crumbles to the ground.

  “Your boyfriend should really tighten up security.” Tristan crouches in front of me. “You look rough, Berkeley. Are you getting enough sleep?”

  “You came in with that group. It was you I felt down by the infirmary.”

  “Been watching you, Berk.” He drags a finger down my blood-soaked face and I jerk back to glare up at him. His lips pull up wide as he brings his finger to them. Eyes lit up in red, only glowing brighter when he sucks my blood off one finger and hums in satisfaction. “You taste fucking delectable.”

  He shouldn’t be so coherent, like he was still human. Yet I can see his mind working through every way
he plans to use me and then kill me.

  But he is far from human, from Feral. He’s something else.

  The space stops spinning. Even though my head is throbbing, my wolf has figured her shit out, primed to be let free. I lunge, bones pulsing and breaking when Tristan catches me by the throat, sinking into the bit of fur and slams my body down with a strength that takes me by surprise. The air burns through my chest as I suck in a punishing breath.

  He hovers over me and his fangs flash in my blurred vision. “You forget, Berk; your boyfriend may know you and every inch of your flesh, but I know you and your instincts. I know how you fight. Hell, I taught you.”

  Anger flashes through me. “Where’s Carver?”

  Panic chases the anger out, and my heart tightens in my chest. Where is Carver?

  “Distracted, I’m guessing.”

  “By what?”

  He leans closer, hovering over me with his hand tight around my throat and drags his tongue from my jaw to my temple. Another guttural sound hums in his chest and my stomach churns hot.

  “Bodies.”

  My mind goes straight to my people down in isolation and once again I’ve failed them. He comes back into my vision, smiling from ear to ear.

  “They were mutts, relax, sweetheart. I’m not entirely heartless.”

  The fuck he isn’t. “It’s a new dawn, Berk. New beginning for the Ferals. I wish you could feel how fucking incredible it is. I’m one of the firsts and fuck, baby, we’re going to own the world.”

  “Yeah? You gonna stand behind another woman like a coward while they lead this revolution?”

  Pain blasts through my jaw, and I taste blood.

  “Maybe that one will have the balls you lacked.”

  He moves to straddle my midsection. I bring my knee up as hard as I can between his legs. A shriek that sounds a lot more like a Feral bellows from him as he grabs for his nuts and rolls off of me.

  I scramble to my feet, barely making it up on two legs before my wolf takes control. Bones snap and break. My skin splits with a sting and a scream scrapes its way up my throat as I fall forward on all fours.