Mating Behavior

by Mandy M. Roth

  There was no way he’d permit Katie to suffer because of his stupidity. He would not let them be made examples of. For now, he’d keep the secret of who he was to himself.

  “You know, city boy,” Bersh said. “I’d like to think even you know the way of our kind. You watched me fucking a woman, so I get to watch you. Either fuck your female or one of our females. Makes no difference to me.” A slow smile spread over his face. “Though, I have to admit, I want to see what your bitch has hiding under those clothes. Maybe I’ll sample her for myself. Noelle’s a bit predictable and rather tiresome.”

  Alan’s temper flared. “You won’t touch Katie.”

  “Katie?” he said, sneering. “Cute name for a cute human. That’s what she is, city boy, isn’t she? She’s a human, or is she? You know our kind is forbidden from taking a human mate. We can fuck them, but we can’t commit to them.” He tipped his head. “Not unless we turn them. They’re not to know of our kind.” Bersh sniffed the air and grinned mischievously. “Smell the power.”

  All I smell is a man I will kill if he dares to harm my mate.

  Alan’s blood pumped. My mate? No. She can’t be.

  “We’ll leave. I didn’t know the wolves here would be weres. She doesn’t have a clue werewolves exist. I’ll take her and go.” Alan readied himself for a possible attack.

  The man laughed. “Go? Now why would I want you to do that? I told you already, I want to sample your bitch—your cute human, Katie. I might settle for getting to watch you mount her. Maybe not. Depends on my mood.”

  Alan made a move to rush him and Bersh tossed his hand up. “One word from me and Noelle rips Katie’s throat out, city boy.” He grinned. “Take your pick. Are you fucking your human or one of the bitches from our pack? We’ve got more if you don’t like the ones with us. In fact, all in all, there are about two hundred members of our pack at the ready should we put the call out.”

  It was an extreme threat and Alan knew the man wasn’t kidding. That many weres would mean the death of Katie for sure. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his cool. “We don’t have that kind of relationship. She’s my best friend, not my—”

  “Bullshit,” Bersh snapped. “I could smell her wet cunt while I was fucking Noelle. She wants you and you’re a liar if you try to tell me you don’t want the bitch too. The anger coming off you is thick enough to cut with a knife, city boy. You act as if she’s already your mate.” He glanced in the direction of the tent. “But, if you don’t want her, I’ll happily take her off your hands. I’ve always wanted to turn a human while fucking her.”

  Red flags went up in Alan’s head. His hands trembled and his entire body filled with dread at the thought of Katie being taken by the man and then turned. He would die before he let that happen.

  “I’ll do it,” Alan said, his voice low.

  “You’ll do what?” the man asked.

  “I’ll take her myself. No other, just Katie and just me. We watched the two of you from afar. You can do the same for us. Understood?”

  The man tossed his head back and laughed. “I like your spunk, city boy. Don’t think you’re calling the shots here. But, I’m willing to see how well you hold up your end of the bargain so I’ll agree to watch from afar. For now.”

  It took everything in Alan to not attack Bersh.

  Bersh lifted a sardonic brow. “We’ll be watching you.”

  The man shifted quickly into wolf form and howled. A light grey female wolf came bounding out from the other side of the tent and ran off into the forest with the beta.

  “Fuck!” he shouted.

  I shouldn’t have left her. Hell, I shouldn’t have even brought her.

  “Alan, is that you?” Katie called out.

  He rushed for his clothing and put his jeans on quickly, before realizing he’d shredded his shirt. A human would have been cold in what Alan considered mild air. A werewolf, like Alan, wasn’t bothered. He regulated his body temperature easily.

  “I’m here, honey.”

  Honey? Why in the hell do I keep calling her hon or honey?

  Katie came out from behind the other side of the tent as he was zipping his jeans. Her dark brown eyes widened as she stared at him. “Well, okay then. I didn’t realize you were going to get naked or I’d have chased after you.”

  I wish.

  “What’s up?” he asked, groaning as his cock decided to harden at the sight of her again.

  She beamed. “The female wolf, the one we watched mate with the beta, she wandered right up to our camp!”

  Alan’s gut clenched. “She did?” he asked, pretending he didn’t already know.

  “Yeah and she lingered for a bit too. I’ve never been that close to a wild wolf before, Alan. It was amazing! Do you think the others will approach us too?”

  I sure the fuck hope not.

  Forcing a smile to his face, he grabbed his boots and headed towards Katie. “I don’t know. We should probably try to keep our distance. They’re wild, you know.”

  She pulled the knit cap off her head, letting her mass of unruly, long hair spill forth. Alan raked a hand through his own hair, his mouth suddenly dry. As Katie unzipped her fleece, his heart thumped madly, trying to break free of his chest. She pulled it off, leaving her standing in a thin t-shirt and jeans. Her nipples pressed against the fabric, making his cock twitch and his blood boil with need.

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, indicating danger was near. He already knew the beta male was close. So was his female. They were waiting for him to deliver on his promise to claim Katie in view of them. His cock was in full agreement. His mind however, told him how very wrong it was to not only expose Katie, unknowingly, to prying eyes while he attempted to seduce her, but to then claim her for all eternity without sharing his secrets first.

  “Umm, what are you doing?” he asked.

  Katie shrugged as she began taking her boots off. “Getting ready to go to sleep. Isn’t that what you’re doing too?” She glanced at the tent. “Looks like we’ll be sleeping in tight quarters, huh?”

  He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t take her without her knowing who and what he truly was. He ran a hand over his face and sighed as the weight of the situation settled on his shoulders. “Go ahead. I need to gather a few more things. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Her eyes widened. “Alan, it’s getting dark.”

  He knew. He also knew the beta male would bring the wrath of the pack down on Katie should he not carry out his end of the bargain. The man had offered up a female from his pack. Alan didn’t want to have to resort to that, but it beat fucking Katie while others watched. She wouldn’t want that. Hell, she wouldn’t even really want him, let alone an audience.

  Katie covered the distance between them and grabbed hold of his arms. “Alan, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  Liar.

  Her brown eyes widened. “Alan, talk to me, please. Ever since we set up camp here, you’ve been different… distant and—“

  That’s because I can’t fight the need to be in you.

  He held back from confessing the truth and decided to take a different approach. “Listen, Katie, no offense, but I need some space.”

  “Space?” she asked, hurt evident in her voice.

  His chest tightened. “Yeah. Space. Back home I can shut myself in my room, go for a walk, whatever to get some breathing room from you.”

  As the pain from his words moved over her face, Alan fought the urge to pull her into his arms and admit he was a liar. He didn’t want space. He wanted her. All of her, but not this way. Not on display for others—when she didn’t know the truth.

  She pulled away from him and Alan had to turn to keep from going to her. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Whatever,” she said, her tone even. “Take all the space you need, Alan.”

  He stared out into the darkness and clenched his fists. A bitter breeze seemed to come out of nowhere. Thunder rolled and Alan shivered.
There were no storms predicted for the area. Another blast of cold air struck him and he had the fight the urge to glance back at Katie. That was ridiculous. She didn’t have anything to do with the weather.

  He lowered his voice to a level he knew a human couldn’t pick up on and spoke to the wolves he knew were watching him. “Not tonight. I gave you my word and I’ll do it, but not tonight. Go. You’ve had all the fun you’re going to have with us this evening.”

  He sensed it then, the werewolves pulling back. Alan could also sense Bersh’s amusement with the situation. The man currently had Alan over a barrel and there wasn’t a whole lot Alan could do about it. At least when they reached the cabin he’d be able to have some sort of protection for Katie. Not that a cabin, isolated high in the mountains, was going to do much to stave off two hundred plus pissed-off werewolves, but it was a far sight better than a tent.

  Turning his attention back on Katie, he found her in the tent with it zipped fully. Her anger overflowed, hitting him hard and shaming him instantly. He’d pushed her away.

  Alan walked towards the tent and knelt. As he brought his hand to the zipper he sighed.

  Tell her you’re sorry.

  The words didn’t come.

  Beg her to understand you’re only trying to protect her.

  Still, nothing happened.

  Tell her you’re a werewolf.

  As his conscience plagued him, Alan’s stomach curled and he set one hand on the ground to steady himself as a wave of nausea ran over him. Losing Katie wasn’t an option. He hardened his nerves, doing his best to push his feelings aside in the process.

  He laid on his side, ignoring the cold bite of the ground on his bare upper body and focused instead on the sounds of the forest. If the weres tried to come back, he’d be ready for them. That was of little comfort to Alan since he knew Bersh would bring numbers that no one werewolf could defeat.

  * * *

  Chapter Four

  Katie glanced around the cabin and couldn’t help but smile for the first time since Alan’s temper tantrum. The cabin was perfect. Just as she’d pictured one to be. Various hunting gear hung along the far wall. Thick quilts with the design of wolves on them were draped over display rods on the opposite wall. An oversized, stone fireplace covered the length of the back wall. The cabin, while only one room, had a loft. The ladder to it was thick wood, made to appear unfinished. Alan had explained his father’s love of working with wood. As Katie stared around the cabin, it was easy to see his father was not only talented, but loved his hobby greatly.

  Tiny carved animals lined the mantel of the fireplace. A pack of wolves were prominent. Extra time had been taken with the cubs. They were as breathtaking as the cabin itself.

  “Are you planning on talking to me at all today?” Alan asked, his voice as surly as his mood.

  Katie ignored him, looking instead at the quilts once more. She wondered if his mother made them. They too were beautiful. Large arms wrapped around her and yanked her back against an expansive chest.

  Alan’s warm breath slid over her ear. “Katie, I’ve apologized endlessly—all morning. I don’t know what came over me last night.” Something in his voice was off and she knew he was lying. He knew why he behaved the way he did, but wasn’t telling her. “I don’t need or want space.”

  It was difficult to ignore the lure of Alan’s toned body and masculine scent. When she’d woken to find him asleep on the frost-covered ground, without so much as a shirt on let alone a sleeping bag, it broke her heart. Katie thought for sure he’d develop a case of pneumonia or something. Before his eyes opened, she drew upon her magik, coating him in warmth and love. So far, on their trip, she’d used her power three times. That was three times more than she’d used it in the last year. Once to have it on standby should the female wolf attack her. Another because her anger got the better of her as she blasted Alan with cold air, and the latest to warm him from having been so mean to him the night before.

  She headed towards her backpack, which was propped against the wall, near the front door of the cabin. As Katie reached down, something furry raced past her. She screamed and practically launched herself into Alan’s arms.

  With a soft chuckle, Alan held her close. “It was just a mouse, honey. That’s all.”

  Honey.

  Regardless of how mad at him she was, she couldn’t deny how good it felt to hear him refer to her as honey. He twisted her in his arms and pressed his lips to her forehead, sending shockwaves of need crashing through her. She whimpered, not wanting to give in to Alan’s pull so soon. His comments, whether he meant them or not, hurt her.

  He cupped her face and forced her gaze higher. As his blue eyes soaked her in, Katie found herself reaching up and running the back of her hand over his scruffy cheek.

  Alan closed his eyes and tipped his head to meet her hand. The corner of his mouth pulled up just enough to reveal he enjoyed her touch. “Mmm, I should go set rabbit traps, if you want to eat.”

  She skimmed the pad of her thumb over his lower lip and when he shuddered, Katie went to her tiptoes. “Yes. You should, but you should also know I’m not eating a bunny.”

  “Didn’t think you would.” Alan yanked her to him and kept his eyes closed, only serving to excite Katie more. He slid his hands around, cupping her neck before lacing his fingers through her hair. Alan drew in a deep breath and a low, steady growl emanated from the back of his throat. Her inner thighs dampened at the sound and she raked her nails down his neck lightly—leaving only faint red lines in her wake.

  The next thing Katie knew, Alan had his mouth pressed to hers and his tongue was doing an erotic dance around her own. Stunned, she opened her mouth wider, giving him full access. He took all that she offered, tipping her head back and devouring her mouth. The moment was one she’d always wanted to happen, but had never dared to dream truly would.

  He bit at her lower lip as he pulled away, but remained close enough to rub noses with her. “Katie,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  She tensed, waiting for him to tell her their kiss was a mistake. He’d already told her he needed space. Sure, Alan had taken back his words, swearing he didn’t mean them. If that were true, why did he bother saying them at all?

  As his lips crashed down on hers, Katie put her hands on his chest and pushed. “Alan, no.”

  “No?” he asked, his breathing labored.

  “I can’t take this roller coaster ride with you.” She steeled her resolve. “I could do it with anyone else, but not you. Our friendship means everything to me.”

  From the low, long puff of breath he let out, she knew he wasn’t pleased with her declaration. It had to be said. Her heart wasn’t a toy and Alan was the only man in her life she was positive could break it in two without ever really trying.

  Alan cupped her cheeks and nodded as he averted his gaze. “I don’t need space, Katie. I need you.”

  I need you.

  His words tugged at her heart strings, threatening to make tears fall should she dwell on them. A knock on the door caught her off guard and saved her from having to say anything back to Alan.

  Alan went ramrod stiff. His nostrils flared as his facial expression took on a predatory look. “Go to the loft.”

  “Alan?”

  He centered his heated gaze on her and the weight of his stare made Katie take a step back. “I said, go to the loft.”

  She nodded but had no intention of doing any such thing. Alan stalked to the door and threw it open. A tall man with shoulder-length black hair and green eyes stood there. His arm was draped around a leggy blonde who immediately trained her gaze on Alan. Jealousy flared within Katie. Each looked to have been dunked in black leather—odd for being in the middle of nowhere. What was even stranger was the fact they were there at all. She’d assumed the cabin was in a secluded portion of the mountains.

  The man’s gaze shot to Katie and he didn’t bother to hide the fact he was checking her out. She half expected the man to m
ake a “V” with his fingers and wiggle his tongue obscenely. The man was certainly easy on the eyes, as buff as Alan, but with a dark edge to him. His look also screamed, “I could be a dickhead if I wanted to be".

  He smiled and Katie shivered. “Hello, neighbors,” he said, staring at her.

  “Neighbors?” Alan asked, his voice hoarse and his fists clenched. She’d never seen him greet anyone in that manner. Normally, Alan was the one keeping her from yelling at solicitors or neighbors with noisy dogs.

  The man extended his hand. “I’m Bersh and this is my girlfriend, Noelle.”

  The blonde flashed a smile in Alan’s direction before letting it fade as she looked at Katie. “Nice to meet you.”

  Alan glanced over his shoulder and his face held nothing short of rage. He didn’t need to voice his anger. She already knew he was pissed that she didn’t go to the loft. She also knew he’d pull away again after saying even more hurtful things. It was Alan’s way of coping. It was also the last thing she wanted him to do.

  Mustering up her courage, Katie approached a very pissed off Alan with a smile on her face. The blonde watched her closely, before letting her gaze linger over Alan’s mid-section. Knowing the chick was checking out Alan’s package only served to tick Katie off more. She put her hand on Alan’s back and ran it up his spine, coming to rest on the back of his neck. She rubbed soft circles there. “Mmm, baby, we have neighbors?”

  Alan shrugged her off and Katie had to bite back tears at the humiliation of being rejected by him yet again. This time she even had an audience.

  Noelle peered down her nose at Katie. Bersh gave Noelle a squeeze before letting go and putting his hand out to Katie. Part of her didn’t want to make any sort of contact with the man. The rest of her overpowered her better judgment and she accepted his hand. For a split second, she could have sworn Alan growled.