Alpha Pack 4 - Hunters Heart (22 page)

“Since we’re going to shift and go play, I suggest we

shower later.”

“Sounds good.” Secretly she was dreading the actual

shifting process, and he must’ve seen a hint of her sudden

anxiety.

“Hey, I told you it would be okay, and I meant it,” he

said, taking her hands. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“I know. But what if I’m different? What if it hurts?”

“It won’t. Trust me.”

In the end, she did. As she followed him outside onto

his patio, she couldn’t help that her knees shook. “What if

someone sees me take off my clothes?”

“My patio is fenced, baby. The gate is open and we’ll

be able to come in and out without anyone seeing us

naked. And if they did, nobody would think a thing of it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Nakedness isn’t a big deal here among the Pack

and the mates. As the months and years go by, it will

bother you less and less to strip and shift, until you’re

completely comfortable. Think of the Pack as your

family.”

“I wouldn’t strip in front of my dad,” she said, deadpan.

“And he’s family.”

He laughed, amusement lighting his blue eyes. “All I

can say is that it’s different here. You’ll understand it

eventually.”

“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “What do I do now?”

“Strip. Then, like before, concentrate on your wolf.

Feel her, and let her take over.”

“I won’t lose who I am, right? I mean, I’ll still be me?”

“Exactly. You’re you, the same intelligent being, even

in that form. Your senses will be sharper, much more so

than a real wolf’s, and you’ll feel her predatory instincts

come to the fore, but you’ll be able to control them. Your

decisions will be conscious ones.”

That was a relief to hear, especially since this would be

only her second time in wolf form. Before, she’d been

blindsided. Shocked, afraid, and upset. Today would be

different, with Ryon by her side.

“I’m ready.” She hoped that came across as confident.

Ryon pushed down his shorts and stepped out of them.

Then the change flowed over his body, and in seconds his

silver wolf was standing there, waiting. His voice came

through their mental link.

I got better with practice, but the shift never happened

for me as quickly or easily until you came into my life.

“Thanks,” she said, pleased by the compliment.

Your turn. Just focus on your wolf. Let her free.

“Okay.”

She got rid of her clothes and laid them on a patio chair.

Then she concentrated, almost laughing when she found

her wolf dancing in excitement like a pup. It was strange

how they were different, yet one.

When the shift happened, it was so fast she barely had

time to gasp in surprise before her limbs were reshaping,

her human body giving way to the she-wolf. Suddenly she

was standing on all fours, tail wagging.

It didn’t hurt!

Told you it wouldn’t,
he said smugly.

The shift happened so fast! Is that normal?

It’s not the same for everyone. Like I said, I was

always a bit slow.
Walking over, he nosed her side.
Try to

walk, baby.

She wasn’t too steady on her feet last time. But now she

was definitely stronger, her legs moving as they should. It

was weird that she knew what to do with four feet, and

that she didn’t fall.
I’m doing it!

That you are. Ready to venture out?

You bet.

Side by side, they walked across the lawn. At the far

edge he led her into the trees via a well-worn path. For a

while they simply enjoyed each other’s company as she

sniffed the air, taking in the scents all around. Some were

familiar, like the plants and earth she was used to while

camping. They were sharper, though, like a lens brought

into high-def focus. Others were strange, gamey, and she

wondered if they belonged to the wildlife she’d studied. It

was neat to have the added senses giving her a clearer

picture of what she’d known all her life.

After a half hour of walking, he broke into a lope.
Think

you can handle this?

She copied his movement, keeping up with him.
Easy!

In her head, he laughed, but not in a mocking way. He

sounded proud. Gradually, he increased their speed until

they were running. Flying through the forest, the wind in

their faces. His happy laugh echoed in her brain and joy

rushed through her soul.
T h i s
was freedom. Not the

artificial trappings of man, the illusion of freedom that

humans sold on a daily basis when hawking fine

possessions and fancy vacations.

This was the real thing. She’d gladly remain out here

with her mate forever. If they had no Pack, no

responsibilities. No jobs to do. No people to protect.

She was so lost in the pleasure of their run, she almost

ran right into Ryon’s backside as he skidded to a halt.

Barely missing him, she regained her balance and froze at

the ominous rumble coming from his chest.

Ryon?

Stay back, baby.

Peering around him, she froze. On the trail ahead was

the white wolf.
That’s her! She’s the one who pushed me

into the ravine.

His growl deepened as he glared at the other wolf,

advancing

slowly.
What are you doing here?
he

demanded.
What do you want?

The wolf merely lowered her head, a sign of

submission. But if she offered an answer, Daria couldn’t

hear. Ryon bared his teeth, but the intruder didn’t retreat,

or seem afraid. She showed deference, keeping her

posture small and nonthreatening as she turned. Then she

glanced over her shoulder, took a few steps, and stopped

expectantly.

She wants us to follow. Just like she did when she led

me to you,
Ryon told Daria.

Should we?
Her worry sang along their bond, but her

mate didn’t echo it.

I think we should. She knows something, and I want to

find out what.

Daria didn’t necessarily agree that they should follow

without a couple of other Pack members present. She

wasn’t sure she’d be much help in a fight, if it came to

that. Still, she went with her mate, trailing him through the

brush. They hadn’t been following the wolf for long when

she went still, and crouched low, staring into the trees

with a soft whine.

Moving close to her, she and Ryon did the same,

studying the dense forest ahead. Her mate was intent, nose

sniffing the air.

Do you smell that?

She took a few whiffs.
It’s like something . . . dirty.

Like an unwashed body.

Exactly. Do you see something over there? Look

through those two trees.

At first, she didn’t see anything. She was just about to

tell him so when she caught a movement. A glimpse of

something moving, so far ahead, so hidden it was hard to

see. It moved again—and sat up.

From this distance, she could tell it was a human man.

She couldn’t make out his features, but his hair was

shaggy, longish. It might have been brown, but that

could’ve been filth.

Trembling started deep inside her, and she started to

shake, but she wasn’t sure why.

Could he be a victim?
she asked her mate.
A lost

camper?

Maybe.

Then suddenly, horrifyingly, that question was put to

rest. The man stood, naked. His head tilted back and he let

out a bloodcurdling scream that caused the birds to take

flight and made Daria jump. Then the scream became a

roar. The deafening screech of a monster as the man’s

form changed. Enlarged to an astonishing breadth and

height.

He appeared very much like Nick’s drawing—just

before he became translucent, all but vanishing.

Oh my God! That’s the beast you’re after!

Ryon flattened himself low to the ground.
Goddamn.

I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. We tried to

catch him the other day, but we didn’t see him like that,

as a man.

The beast swung its head in their direction, and they

held still, barely daring to breathe. They weren’t equipped

to take him on, and if he came after them, she wasn’t sure

whether she could outrun him. But luck was on their side.

After a moment, the creature huffed and stomped in the

opposite direction. The three of them waited a very long

while, making sure he was gone before they rose from

their hiding place.

Before Ryon could question the white wolf again, she

bounded into the forest without looking back. Daria felt

her mate’s frustration at not getting answers from the

elusive wolf, but they had bigger worries at the moment.

We need to get back,
he urged.
Before that thing

returns.

There was something that seemed familiar about him

—the man, I mean, before he changed.

He tensed at that.
How so?

Not sure. Something about his scent seemed like I

should know it.

Her mate’s displeasure at that came through their bond

loud and clear. She couldn’t help what she’d noticed, and

she couldn’t understand why he’d be upset. But as they ran

back to the compound, he grew more and more unsettled.

At last they made it onto his patio, and shifted. The

change was much easier this time, and she figured she was

over the hump and on her way to mastering her wolf. But

her biggest concern was Ryon, who stalked into his

quarters and waited, regarding her with his lips pressed

together, blue eyes snapping.

“What the heck is wrong with you?” Crossing her arms

over her breasts, she did her best to ignore the fact that

they were having a serious discussion while naked.

Probably wouldn’t be the last time.

“What was familiar about that man?” His voice was

cool.

“I don’t know,” she said, frustrated. “There was

something underneath his odor, more than just a man who

needed a bath. He smelled like . . . Obsession.”

“What?” He blinked at her.

“Obsession for men. You know, that cologne that’s been

around forever. It was faint, but there. It’s funny, I only

knew one man who ever wore it—”

Instantly, she cut off that thought. It wasn’t possible, so

she refused to think it. But Ryon latched on to her words

like a snapping turtle.

“What man wore it? Tell me.”

“Ryon—”

“Who?”

She sighed. “Fine. My former fiancé used to wear it all

the time. Happy?”

“No. I’m not thrilled that some man in the woods who’s

been turned into a murderous beast reminds you of your

former lover,” he growled.

“It’s not like I can help how the guy smelled, for

Christ’s sake! I can’t help it that the man’s build even

resembled Ben’s . . . Shit.”

Now her mate was pissed. She hadn’t done anything

wrong, but at the mention of another lover, even a past

one, he was going all alpha on her. It was annoying as

hell.

And it was also a huge turn-on.

Ryon stalked her, pressing her against the glass patio

door. “You remember how he smells? Not for long.

Because I’m gonna fuck you, mark you with my scent until

there’s nothing left in your memory but me.”

“Ryon,” she whispered.

He claimed her mouth, kissed her senseless, tongue

exploring. Tasting. Then he picked her up and carried her

into his bedroom, where he proceeded to make good on

his delicious threat.

• • •

Daria, his mate, recalled Ben’s scent? His naked form?

Fuck that. Not for long.

Pulling her onto the bed, he tucked her into his side. The

soft roundness of her breasts nestled against his arm, and

he hardened, his length pressing into her thigh. She laid a

hand on his bare chest, smoothing her palm over his pecs,

the taut nipples. She journeyed to the curve of his jaw,

stroked his face. One dainty finger found his lips, traced

them as though she was remembering his kisses, perhaps

thinking of savoring more.

His pulse quickened as she explored at will, and went a

long way toward soothing his jealous wolf. Not to mention

those lovely brown eyes shining with passion, just for him.

She combed her fingers through his hair, sending exquisite

little tendrils of pleasure down his spine, radiating to his

fingers and toes. Heat surged between his legs, his arousal

brushing her belly. He groaned, and Daria purred in his

ear.

“Like that, do you?”

His body hummed beneath her hands. “Oh, yeah.”

“That’s good, because I
really
want to continue.”