I never did get to buy new shoes so Masen is taking me out to have lunch and shoe shop this afternoon. I’m just pulling my jeans up when he walks in the bedroom, looking distracted. “What’s up, Big Guy?”
His brow furrows. “I’m not sure how I feel about you being alone tonight while we run. I think I’ll cancel,” he says sounding torn.
“It’s fine. Isn’t you mom staying? I thought it was kinda a guy thing.”
He wraps his arms around me and drops his chin on the top of my head. “Yes, she’ll still be here, but I still feel funny about leaving.”
“Will you guys be going far?” I’m curious I didn’t even know most of the traditions surrounding a shifter Union until he told me about them.
Apparently, the shifter version of a bachelor party involves a night run and a few other things that he said would probably gross me out. I think they hunt as wolves or some manly nonsense. “No, Little One, sometimes we go off the property, but I already told everyone we would be staying close.” His hands tickle down my bare arms, and he turns me to face him. My head spins as I stare up at the most handsome face I’ve ever seen, and I’m astounded that he looks down at me the same way. I know I’m okay to look at; men have always been attracted to my large breasts and big butt. My skin is clear and light, and I’ve always been told my overly large amber eyes are expressive. But, Masen makes me feel beautiful. The way his eyes follow every move I make; the way they lower as he licks his lips like he can already taste me is empowering. I love that he doesn’t hide the way he feels about me, even in front of others. How he’s always touching me and telling me how much he loves me.
After a few moments of us just looking at each other, I finally tell him. “Go! Have fun. You’ll be close, and in your wolf form if you or any of the others scent something strange, you can be home in minutes. We will be fine. I’ll probably take this little girl to bed early anyway.” I rub my hand over my belly.
“We’ll see,” is all he says, then swoops down and captures my lips in a scorching kiss. “Sorry my boy makes you so sleepy,” he says to my lips before pulling back. I just shake my head. “Either put some cloths on, or I’ll take the rest off,” he murmurs while push both hands under the waistband of my pants and squeezing my butt. “Take them off,” he demands suggestively.
As I’m about to agree, we hear his brother right outside the door. “Mase, I know you’re busy, but can I talk to you for a minute?” His voice is timid.
“Fuck me.” Masen growls. “NOW?” He asks louder.
“Yeah man, I’m sorry, but I know you’re leaving soon so it needs to be now.” Masen throws his head back and blows out a deep breath.
“It’s fine, Baby. He needs you. Maybe you can find out what’s really going on.”
He looks down at me and grins. “Did you just call me baby? You’re my baby. I’ll be your stud or big daddy; you can even call me cowboy ‘cause I love when you ride me,” he picks me up, and my legs wrap around his waist, “but baby?” He questions jokingly.
“It just slipped out, Big Hoss, calm down. How about I just call you, Mine,” I whisper the last part into his ear and nibble his lobe. His answer is a deep rumble up his chest right before my back hits the door. One hand is tugging on the button of my pants, and the other is braced against the wall. His hips keep me pinned. My hands explore every inch of him I can reach.
I hear a strangled sigh and remember Sniffer needs Masen’s help. “Masen.” He grunts and uses his thumb to caress my nipple. “Masen,” I say a little more insistent.
“Love when you say my name, Baby.” He purrs and pulls my bra cup down having already unbuttoned my pants.
“He needs you.” His brow furrows in confusion. “Sniffer needs you,” I whisper.
His forehead drops to the door right beside my head. “Need a fucking guest house,” he rants, setting me down as he continues to mumble he must say fuck, fucker, or fucking at least ten times.
I kiss his cheek. “Meet me in the kitchen when you’re done, Big Daddy,” I say playfully.
His nostrils flare, and he yells, “fucking shit, Cass,” before storming out the door.
We eat a late lunch at one of Masen’s favorite places near his office. Every waitress knows him by name and flirts shamelessly, even when I’m attached to his side. It should be flattering to know these women want him, and he’s mine. It’s pissing me off.
When a bad bottle dyed redhead makes a point to shimmy to our table from across the room to refill his already full water glass, I’ve had enough. “Back off,” I sneer loud enough for every woman watching our table to hear. “I’m getting you a wedding ring!” I state to his smirking face. “You think it’s funny?” I gape incredulous. “These women act like they’re in heat, and you’re the only scratching post! How funny would it be if I winked at that guy over there or touched his arm while I ask where the restroom is?”
His smile falls. “I’m not doing any of that,” he defends, “they are. I’m not interested in any of these women. What man?”
“Yeah, but I’ve had to watch them do it to you, and no man would flirt with me when I’m sitting at table with you,” I accuse. “They’re not stupid, but these tarts don’t care if I’m here or not,” I scoff.
“I won’t let it happen again. I didn’t realize. It’s just how it always is. I’ve never thought to stop it. Now, have you ever seen that man before? Has he flirted with you?”
My eyes go round in shock. Is he joking? “He hasn’t even looked at me! I was just making an example.”
Masen’s eyes lift to the stranger and narrow. “Well if he wants to walk out of here, he better keep it that way!” He says looking right at the terrified young man, making sure he hears every word.
“Oh my God, you don’t get to be mad right now.”
His face softens when he looks at me. “I’m not mad at you, Baby, never you,” he says sweetly and kisses the inside of my wrist as the waitress drops off our meals. “Eat up, my boy’s hungry.” I roll my eyes. After our discussion at the table, he is more aware of his surroundings, never letting women touch him or engage in conversation. I count no less than five that try to reach out and touch him asking the time, the time? Seriously? When we’re in the shoe store?
On the drive home, I ask, “did Sniffer tell you what’s going on?”
He nods, keeping his eyes on the road. “Sam’s had crushes. Hell, he’s even had boyfriends, but he’s never been totally engrossed in someone the way he is with this David guy. Cass is feeling abandoned and a little territorial.” He looks over at me, judging my reaction.
“Have they ever been together, together?”
“Not that I know of, Sam has been in love with Cass for years. Everyone knows it, but Cass has always dated females. I know he loves Sam. I just don’t know if he is in love with him and apparently neither does he.”
“Do you think he worries what people would think?”
“No, Little One. I think he’s just genuinely confused. Sam has always been in the background waiting for Cass, and now that he’s not, I think it’s got Cass running scared.”
“Well, what was so important he needed you right away?” Masen turns his head and looks over at me with sad eyes. “He’s thinking about leaving, going up to Pop’s place for a bit, then maybe going out to search for his Mate. He doesn’t want to ruin what Sam has with David, but he’s having a hard time dealing with it.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I think seeing us together has been hard on him, too. He’s surrounded by people who’ve found their Mates. I can’t blame him for wanting that.”
I think I might cry at the thought of him leaving. He was so kind to me when I had no one and hadn’t had anyone in years. “I don’t want him to leave, Masen.”
“I know, Baby. He’s gonna come by tonight and talk to you.” We sit in silence the remainder of the drive.
I finally convince Masen to go around seven o’clock. He claims he’ll be home no later than midnight. Sniffer’s not going with
them. He doesn’t want to chance seeing Sam and David. If he’s that worried about it, I think it’s more than the loss of a friendship bothering him. Masen tells me he’s coming by around eight to hang out with me and his mom.
Masen kisses me goodbye, and I tell Mickey I’ll be in my room finishing packing until Sniffer gets here. Then, I’ll make Masen’s cheesecake. He’s only been gone for about ten minutes when I hear someone outside the bedroom door. Leaving my back to the door, I call out, “did you forget something?” After a few seconds with no answer, I turn and fire ignites on the left side of my face causing me to stumble back and hit my head on the bed poster. I crumple to the ground with my arms laced protectively over my belly. My vision goes black around the edges as I fight to stay conscious, quickly losing the battle when I receive another blow to my head.
I wake suddenly. The back of my head throbs slowly with my beating heart. My pulse rises. When I remember what’s happened, the thump increases. I keep my body still, not wanting whoever hit me to know I’m awake.
I’m still in Masen’s bedroom crumpled on the floor where I fell. The only pain I feel is coming from my head, so I think they stopped hitting me when I passed out.
Willing my pulse to slow, I lift the lid of my eye that’s closer to the floor. The strangest thing is I can’t scent whoever was or is still in the room with me. I don’t see anyone, but with my limited sight, I didn’t expect to unless they were right in front of me.
I don’t think I was out more than a minute or two by the way I feel. I know Sniffer should be here in about an hour. Oh God, Mickey. Have they hurt her? Does she even know someone is the house with us?
If I could shift, I could protect her and my baby but being pregnant I can’t risk the change. Finally, the sound of muffled footsteps near me comes from the hall outside the door. When I see a pair of my own shoes coming closer, I have to work hard to keep my breaths slow and even. I still can’t tell who it is from scent, but the shoes are from my condo. The pant legs are cuffed repeatedly and still fall over the tops of my limited edition leather converse. The closer they come, the more my senses are confused. Masen is all I can scent, no one else.
It becomes painfully clear who my attacker is when I get a hard kick to my thigh. “Roll over you, Fat Bitch.” Roxanne sneers while shoving me with her foot. “Not so tough, now, are you cunt?” She spits. “I wanted you to be awake for this, but either way, it’ll still hurt.”
I know what’s coming. I only have seconds to prepare for her assault. With one quick blow, my knee shatters. Not screaming is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. My eyes roll back in my head as the pain almost pulls me back under. “Stop, stop. You can’t leave evidence, no blood.” She tells herself right before landing a kick to my side. God, no, I have to protect my stomach. Thankfully, she turns around and paces the room seeming to stop at random moments, then continues quickly pacing. “I still have hours before he gets home. She’ll wake up soon; then, this will be over, like it never happened.” She comes back closer and grabs my hand roughly pulling a plastic strip over my wrist. I don’t think anyone is with her. This is my chance to get out. I know if she gets me off of this property I’m dead. Slowly making a fist, I risk opening my eyes a slit to see where she is. She’s so focused on getting my wrist bound she doesn’t notice me preparing to strike. I have to get this just right. If I have to fight, there’s a chance of her hurting my baby.
I pull my arm back as slowly as I can risk and jerk my arm up has hard as I can catching her under the chin causing her head to snap back, taking her crouching body off balance enough she falls back and yells totally surprised.
I leap off the floor only to collapse on my broken knee and scream. The pain is so intense. I stop breathing for a few seconds; then I try crawling from the room. “MASEN! MASEN!” I bellow as loud as possible while repeating it in my head hoping he hears me though our bond or my screams for him. I can hear her shuffling behind me, my hit not causing nearly enough damage to slow her down.
“He won’t hear you,” she cackles. “Do you have any idea what they do on the run?” She comes closer, but I still drag myself through the room. “No? I’ll tell you. They hunt. Any and everything they can find. Any prey they come across is theirs for the taking: animals, women, anything!” She spits. “I’ve taken the liberty of having every unMated female in our Pack in those woods. Only the fully Mated will be able to resist the pull of the Pack so close to the moon. He timed it just right, don’t you think?” She’s trailing behind me, letting me crawl through the house on my belly.
“What did you do with Mickey?”
“Oh, she’ll be fine, I can’t have my mother in-law hurt; now, can I? Mickey will wake up none the wiser after a good night’s sleep. Masen will be upset for a few days when he finds you’ve left, but soon, he will come to me for comfort, just like he did five years ago.” Her foot smashes down on the small of my back, pushing me down on the floor. Masen, if you can hear me, please, we need you. Help us. I beg, but I hear no response. A sob escapes my mouth as I realize we might not make it out of here alive.
“Ah, don’t cry now. If you would have just died with your parents like you were supposed to all those years ago, this would have never happened!” She’s ranting, and her crazy words are punctuated by blows to my weakened body. “You’ve ruined everything!” Kick. “Why couldn’t you just stay gone?” A fist to my back. At least, I’m on my stomach, and our child will be protected as long as possible. “I thought when they left you in foster care you’d be broken. What human can resist a female shifter, right? How many times did you get fucked by some dirty human? I can’t believe Masen would still touch you. You probably loved, it you Nasty Whore!” I can’t let her words penetrate through my pain-filled fog. I have to concentrate on saving myself and my baby.
Maybe if I shift, we’ll both make it. I shifted Monday, and she was fine. Can I risk any more damage to my body before none of it matters?
“Don’t go checking out on me yet. I have plans for you and don’t bother trying to shift. That band on your wrist won’t let your wolf free. That pussy of a prick William chickened out after he saw you and Masen leave the mall, but I need Masen to think you left with him of your own free will.” Is she fucking crazy? Masen knows I’d never leave him. I turn back and finally look at her. The shirt and pants she wears are Masen’s, rolled and folded to fit her much smaller frame. That’s why I scented him. She must be masking her natural scent somehow, too.
How many times has she been here, just like this? I can tell she’s familiar with her surroundings, never faltering on where to go as she shoves and kicks me until I move in her desired direction. If I can just hold out a little longer, Sniffer will be close enough to hear me. “Why? Why are you doing this to me?” It comes out barely above a whisper.
“TO YOU? THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! He loved me before you. After the night in Podunk Kenfuckingtucky, he was never the same: always distracted, never touching me, never needing me. Do you have any idea what that’s like? To love someone so deeply and know he feels the same only to have it taken away by a FUCKING CHILD!” I cower under her screams hoping the blows don’t come. “He’ll love me again, you know. He was so close before you came back. Do you know he fucked me Saturday morning, just days before you came here and ruined us?” She shrieks. Her hands hammer my head, slamming my face onto the hard ground.
Blood drips from my mouth as I scream for help once again, my voice much weaker this time. “Masen, help me, MASEN...” I close my eyes as the next blow to my back makes my stomach cramp. “NO,NO!” I yell and kick out with my good leg trying in vain to get her away from me. “No, please,” I beg before the blackness swallows me.
MASEN
I don’t even want to be here. Those are my thoughts as my father and I meet the others behind the hall. Pop knows my feelings and said he felt the same way when it was time for his final free run. “It’s almost more for your Pack than you son. They need to know they won’t b
e losing you as a brother, friend, or leader. It’ll be over before you know it. You’ll go home with a full belly to your little Mate, and tomorrow, everything will be right.” He smiles and smacks me on the back. My dad is seventy five but doesn’t look a day over forty. He still loves my mother more than most newlyweds. That’s what I want for us.
I almost tell him my Sophia is with young, but I want to tell him, Mom, and Cass together. I know my mother will insist on staying especially since Sophia has no mother to be with her. Pop will give up his pack and move here so they can be closer to us and my son that I know grows in her belly.
I can feel the excitement growing as most of the males gather for the run. The moon is almost full, making our need to shift all the more powerful. My pop gives a short speech saying how blessed he is to be present on such a special night. Finally, he howls and yells, “happy hunting boys. You find it; you keep it!” He shifts in an explosive blast and many of the weaker of my Pack can’t help but shift from his pull.
I stand before them and a hush falls over the crowd. “May your blood heat with the thrill of the hunt, may your lungs fill with the scent of your prey, and may your heart beat for the love of your Mate.” I rally before closing my eyes and letting my wolf burst forward. Not one man is left standing. My howl starts a chorus as we rush through the woods in a frenzy. My wolf wants to lead like the ruler he is, but I still just want to be with my Mate. I run a few miles joining the group as they search for first prey.
Females dot the forest. As we pass, each hopes to be taken for the night or longer in some cases. Knowing the moon and Pack mentality ride us hard, some almost Mated males have fallen to the lure. Endangering their upcoming Union, not one entices me in the slightest. I know what I want, and it’s not here.
I run closer to my side of the property making sure no one follows me. I don’t want anyone near her. My heart stutters as I feel and hear Sophia call for me through our bond. I’m still minutes away when I hear her begging. I’m coming, Baby. I’m coming. I hear nothing in response. Cass, can you hear me? CASS, are you with her? What’s wrong? He doesn’t answer either.
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