Ranger (Rise of the Pride, Book 5)

by Theresa Hissong

  “I would like that.”

  They walked down to the communal kitchen in the dorm and found several bowls of food in the fridge. The females of the pride always kept their kitchen stocked so the Guardians didn’t have to do much for food. While Ranger appreciated their kindness, he wanted move into their cabin so he could cook a proper meal for his mate.

  “Once we move into the cabin, I will cook for you,” he mumbled as he put a plate of fried chicken into the microwave.

  “You can cook?” she inquired, taking a seat at the large table that sat ten.

  “Yes,” he nodded, “I don’t get to do it much, but I enjoy it.”

  “Good,” she said, then frowned, her brow crinkling. “Because I cannot cook worth a damn.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Hope sat on the porch and sipped at her glass of tea, waiting on her mate to return with the furniture they’d ordered. Several cubs ran around the backyard in their shifted form. It wasn’t until they reached the age of five that the little ones shifted for the first time. Each and every one of them were adorable.

  “So, I hear you’re a badass,” Kraven chuckled as he climbed the steps. Her brother was covered in dust and a tool belt was strapped to his waist. He’d taken to working with Shaw Construction.

  “Nah,” she said, then winked. “I was just taught to stand up for myself.”

  “Good,” he said. “Really, Hope, I had hoped it wouldn’t have been a Guardian you’d have to defend yourself against.” Her brother took a seat in the chair next to her and clasped her hand into his. He was quiet for so long, she flipped her hand over to squeeze his. He looked up at her with an unreadable expression.

  “The male was barely of age,” she said, the excuse falling easily from her tongue. “Everyone knows that they have tempers. Hell, if I remember correctly, you were kind of an asshole back then, too.”

  “Yeah,” he chuckled, shaking his head at a memory. “I was.”

  “I’m sure Talon will handle Taze.” Hope released his hand and leaned back in her chair, using her foot to slowly rock herself as she looked out into the yard.

  “I’m sure your mate will handle him if he gets out of hand again,” Kraven teased. “Did Ranger really pin him by his throat?”

  “Oh, yeah,” she giggled. “Scared that male half to death.”

  “Good,” he replied, leaning back in his own chair. “The little bastard deserved more than that.”

  Two trucks drove in past the alpha’s home, making Hope smile. Ranger and Kye had picked up her furniture and were heading to their new cabin just steps behind the main house.

  “Damn, Hope,” Kraven laughed. “How much did you order?”

  “Oh shush! Come look at my new home, Kraven,” she prodded, pulling his hand. Her brother mumbled something about not caring about stupid furniture, but followed her anyway.

  The cabin was small, but exactly what she wanted. There were only two bedrooms on the downstairs level and a small landing that looked over the living room. Noah had kept his gaming system upstairs, but she was going to use it for an office for Ranger to work from home when he could.

  “Help me with this table, Kraven,” Ranger grunted.

  “What the hell is this made out of? Concrete?” her brother complained, but he smiled as he walked past her. She knew he was happy there and that he was happy for her finding a mate. Thankfully, Ranger and Kraven got along.

  It only took them an hour to unload the two trucks, saying they had to run back to the warehouse to grab the bedroom furniture. Hope stood in her living room and smiled at the mess they’d left. She didn’t waste time in pushing the sofa against the wall and flopping down with a smile.

  “Can we come in?” Calla asked as she knocked on the open door.

  “Sure.”

  “What can we help you with?” Evie asked, looking around. Hope appreciated the two females and had become close to them over the course of their training. She considered them sisters.

  “I don’t even know where to begin,” she mused, turning around in a circle.

  “Let’s set up the kitchen first,” Calla said. “That’ll be a good start.”

  They worked for an hour before the males returned with Kye, unloading the trucks quickly. Calla and Evie took a seat at the table when Hope forced them to take a break from helping around their new cabin.

  “We want to run,” Calla announced. “I don’t think the males will mind. They’re too busy putting together furniture.”

  “I’d love to run,” Hope agreed, knowing they’d done everything they could until Ranger was finished with the bedroom. “Let me tell Ranger where I’m going.”

  “You’re so mated,” Evie chuckled.

  “You’ll see, Evie.” Hope winked. The young females had talked with her about being mated while they worked. She explained to them the internal need to be close to Ranger even though they’d only met a few weeks ago. In their world, matings happened fast. There was nothing wrong with that.

  As she entered the bedroom, Kraven came to kiss her forehead, saying his goodbyes. He had to get up early the next morning to go into work. Ranger cursed and looked up from the bedpost he was struggling to bolt to the frame. His eyes heated as they roamed her body. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she smirked, clearing her throat when Kye glanced up from where he was working on the other side of the frame. “The girls and I are going for a run. We should be back in an hour.”

  “Be safe and stay away from the fence line,” he ordered, looking over at the alpha’s youngest brother. “Who’s on patrol?”

  “Booth and Dane,” Kye replied.

  “We will stay close,” Hope promised, turning to leave the room.

  “Dane will watch over you,” Ranger told her as he picked up his wrench. “Hurry home to me.”

  “Sure thing, my mate.” She winked and left the room.

  The females used the back porch to strip down, shifting as soon as they were ready. All three females leapt off the deck and headed for the woods. Hope’s panther ran with the wind in her face; happiness radiated throughout her mind and body as she played in the forest surrounding her forever home.

  “You look happy,” Kye said, nodding toward the door the females had exited.

  “I am,” Ranger replied, tightening the last bolt. “Grab the mattress.”

  “Evie really likes Hope,” Kye continued, pushing the mattress in place. “It’s good for her to have someone to look up to, and I appreciate you helping my female.”

  “I know you didn’t want me to do it,” Ranger said with a heavy sigh. He dropped the wrench into the open toolbox and leaned against the wall. “That girl of yours is stronger than I think we both realize.”

  “That she is,” Kye agreed. “I just worry about her.”

  “I think that will always be an emotion any male will feel when it comes to the females in our lives.” Ranger pushed away from the wall and nodded toward the door, indicating he wanted Kye to follow him toward the kitchen.

  “How do we balance our nature with the females learning to protect themselves?” Kye picked up a bottled water from the counter and drained half of it.

  “I really don’t know,” Ranger sighed. “I’m going with encouraging them instead of showing our asses by demanding they let us protect them.”

  “That’s all you’ve got?” Kye asked as he finished his water.

  “Yeah, man. That’s all I got,” Ranger replied. “Come on. I have a ton of computer equipment I need brought over from Talon’s place.”

  By the time they had finished, the females returned, laughing as they entered the cabin. Ranger looked over the banister and felt his panther rumble in his chest. His mate froze in her conversation and looked up, their eyes meeting. A slight blush painted the tops of her cheeks. She looked beautiful, and he wanted her.

  “We’ll leave you two alone,” Kye chuckled. “Good thing the bed is put together.”

  “What?” Ranger asked, bringing himself back to th
e present. His panther was prowling in his head to get to his mate. For some reason, her beast called to him just by entering the room. She smelled amazing.

  “Your panther is prowling, man,” Kye replied, pointing to his eyes. “Go to your mate.”

  Ranger followed his friend down the steps, but kept his eyes on Hope. She was flushed and her scent was strong, more appealing than ever. Calla and Evie giggled as they hugged her, whispering something into his mate’s ear. When Hope pulled away, the blush was deeper.

  Wildflowers and something…something more appealing filled the room. His panther sat up like a fucking mutt in his mind. His cock swelled and pressed against the fly of his jeans. He wanted to rip her clothes off and mount her right there on the new furniture. Fuck the bedroom. He had the overwhelming urge to take her…hard.

  “You smell amazing,” he purred as he approached, his eyes roaming her body once again.

  “I think I’m fertile,” she blushed. “I need you, but I don’t…I don’t know if I want this to happen.” Ranger’s heart thundered in his chest as he froze, closing his eyes to inhale deep.

  “I’m so glad no other male can scent you like I can,” he growled out in warning. “If they could, I’d kill them.”

  “That scent is only for you,” she purred.

  A panther female’s fertility was different from that of a turned human. A turned human’s fertility still worked like their original nature. A born shifter went through a stronger hormone change, but their mates were the only ones who could detect it by scent. It was an appealing scent the female put off to entice her mate to procreate, ensuring the line. Most of the time, the male would be so filled with lust that it never occurred to him that she was in her prime.

  “I need to mount you,” Ranger moaned, pressing his palm to his raging hardness. “Fuck, Hope.”

  “I’m not ready for a cub, Ranger,” she whimpered, taking a step back when he moved closer.

  “I do not have to finish inside you,” he replied.

  “Do you have condoms?” She blushed furiously. “God, I can’t believe I’m asking you that.”

  “I don’t,” he replied. “I promise…I’ll take care of you.”

  “I trust you,” she vowed.

  “Come here,” he ordered, feeling his panther pacing in his mind. The beast wanted control, and when she kissed him, he knew her other nature was in control of her from the roughness of her tongue.

  Her scent strengthened along with her hold. She hummed seductively and pushed her breasts harder against his chest. “Please, Ranger.”

  He snarled and spun her around, pushing his mate over the back of the chair that sat next to the couch. Damn, her scent was so strong. She purred when he extended a claw and sliced through her leggings. He didn’t care if she liked them or not…they were in his way.

  He freed himself with one hand and leaned over her back, using his other hand to push her hair away from the mating mark that told everyone she was his.

  “Ranger!” Hope screamed out his name as he bit down on her neck to hold her in place. His cock found her sex with one hard thrust. He didn’t prepare her…he didn’t warn her.

  “Yes,” she hissed as he growled out a warning for her to be still.

  The act was animalist in nature. Her fertility drove him mad. He had to remind himself that he couldn’t finish inside her. She wasn’t ready to have a cub, and if he was being honest with himself, he wasn’t ready either.

  Ranger angled his thrusts, listening for cues from her moans. When she reached back and her nails dug into the top of his thigh, he knew he’d found the spot his mate preferred. His teeth stayed imbedded in her mark, the coppery taste of her blood coating his tongue. He growled again when she began to move her hips against his cock.

  “Please release me, Ranger,” she begged as she shivered. “I want you to finish on my tongue. I want to taste you.”

  Fuck, how could he deny his mate when she practically begged?

  “On your knees,” he growled in her ear as his canines slid from her flesh. He didn’t even use his tongue to stop the flow of blood. Hope’s eyes heated as she took his hardness into her hand, running her tongue from the base to the tip, tasting her own essence.

  Blood trickled out of the mating mark and ran a line of red to her breast, dripping off her hardened nipple. The sight was enough to make Ranger’s panther snarl to finish their mating.

  “I need to finish, mate,” he said, cupping her cheek. “Open.”

  She licked and sucked, bobbing her head as he thrust into her awaiting mouth. He closed his eyes tightly as she took him all the way to the back of her throat. His body tightened, coiling as he felt the rush of ecstasy.

  “Take all of it,” he roared as his cock pulsed inside her mouth.

  Hope continued to work him until his erection subsided. Ranger locked his knees to keep from falling. Her mouth was heaven, and he was sure to remember that for the next time she was fertile.

  “Come to bed,” he mumbled as he helped her up from the ground, taking a moment to capture her lips. He tasted their combined lovemaking on her tongue, and that made his panther purr in happiness. They fell into the bed, not caring to pull the covers over their heated bodies. The scent of their mating was thick in the air, and he inhaled deep, relishing it.

  “The girls and I are going shopping tomorrow,” Hope announced as she snuggled down against his chest.

  “Just be careful,” he warned, holding her tighter. If anything happened to his female, Ranger would be lost.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Community, a religious group, has claimed the shifters are an abomination of God. In a shocking request, they are calling out to the U.S. government to eradicate any and all shifter citizens. The President has asked that the Community halt any actions toward the paranormal community. As of right now, there has been no other statements released from the religious group.

  Ranger watched as Talon slammed his fists down on the desk, his eyes glowing amber. His beast was on the surface, causing the alpha to partially shift. His eyes closed as his pride called out to him as one. The alpha pressed his palm against his chest for a moment before barking out orders.

  “Get all of our females accounted for and make sure every Guardian is on duty. I want men in the woods at every corner of our land,” he ordered, but paused when Ranger growled low in his throat. “What is it?”

  “Shit! Hope, Evie, and Calla are in town shopping,” Ranger cursed. “I’m going to find them.”

  “Take Kye with you,” Talon demanded, raising his voice. “And someone find that goddamn sheriff!”

  Ranger didn’t wait for any other orders. His heart was pounding in his chest with fear like nothing he’d ever experienced before. His steps fell heavy as he rushed to the front door, his hands fisted at his sides. If Hope had been hurt by anyone, he’d kill them without remorse.

  She was his, and solely his responsibility.

  The heat of the day slapped him in the face as he rushed out the front door, squinting his eyes against the high noon sun. Kye pulled a shirt over his head as he met Ranger at the truck, both men silently sliding into the cab. Ranger backed out and pressed the accelerator down, leaving the pride’s land at top speed. He pushed his balled fist to his chest to calm his heart. If anyone had touched his mate, he’d surely kill them.

  “Evie’s not answering,” Kye growled.

  “Try Hope’s number,” Ranger barked, tossing his phone at the alpha’s brother. “Where did they say they were going?”

  “To the shoe store in town,” Kye answered, putting the phone to his ear. Ranger’s enhanced hearing picked up the unanswered ringing and the voicemail prompt.

  As they passed The Deuce, Ranger spotted Dane and Savage rushing through the front door, obviously there on orders from Talon. Kye didn’t protest when Ranger passed a few slow cars on the two lane road leading into town. Good thing, because at the moment, Ranger was hell bent on reaching the small town of Olive Branch
so he could find his mate and ensure her safety.

  “Fuck, it’s Evie,” Kye said in a rush as his phone began to ring. “Where are you? Are you okay?”

  Ranger couldn’t quite pick up what Evie was saying. However, he could hear the frantic cries of the female as she spoke quickly to her boyfriend. The conversation lasted only a minute before Kye turned to look at Ranger. When he saw the young male’s glowing amber eyes, he knew something was terribly wrong.

  “Kye?” Ranger gasped.

  “You need to hurry,” he replied, sending Ranger’s foot to the floor. The truck shot forward, speeding toward town. “Evie, we will be there in less than five minutes.”

  “What happened?” he demanded, slamming his hand on the steering wheel when his passenger didn’t answer. “Damn it, Kye!”

  “I need you to calm down.” Kye held up a hand when Ranger’s canines punched through his gums. “You won’t be able to help her if we are dead from you crashing this truck.”

  “Who touched my mate?” Ranger snarled, feeling his razor sharp claws lengthening from the tips of his fingers. His face rippled from the push of his panther.

  “There were men in the parking lot,” Kye explained. “They were dressed in black robes and approached the females. They tried to grab them, but Hope and Evie fought them off.”

  “What the fuck?” Ranger interrupted. “Did they touch her?”

  “The sheriff’s deputies are there with her now. They’ve caught the men and arrested them,” he replied. “Calla and Evie won’t let the paramedics touch Hope. They’ve put her in the car until we get there.”

  Ranger’s wheels squealed as he turned into the parking lot, his eyes zoning in on the commotion toward the parking area in front of the store. As soon as they were close enough, he slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the vehicle. His panther demanded blood for the pain his mate was in. If it wasn’t for the whimpering he heard coming from the vehicle, Ranger was sure he would have ripped the door off the hinges of the police cruiser to tear the men limb from limb.