“Probably just taking a breather.” As much as he wanted to keep Helen in his arms all night long, he had to be sure everything was okay with Targus. “I’ll take a quick check.”
As he stood, he grabbed a crocheted throw and covered Helen’s nudity. She had a beautiful body, softly curved, and small enough to cuddle.
He didn’t even bother to put on clothing, not when he planned to break out the fur as soon as he stepped out of the cabin. The night was crisp, the sounds of the nocturnal creatures putting his senses on high alert. He tested the air for Targus’s scent. As he did, he discovered other wolves had been nearby.
Marco shifted into his wolf, his bones contorting and elongating into his animal form. Warm fur covered his heavy layer of muscle, and his fangs elongated into deadly points. He was at home on all fours, choosing to shun his humanity over the years. His loss so many years ago had changed him, turning him against society. It took one slip of a human girl to bring him back to the world of the living. Before Helen showed up, he’d considered going permanently feral.
“Targus, where are you?”
He raced through the trails he knew so well, tracking as he moved. His senses kept firing off in warning—something wasn’t right.
“Marco, there’re two of them! Take the one heading to the lake.”
His hackles rose when he learned there was a true threat. It wasn’t usual for outsiders to step on their property. They had a reputation that usually kept other shifters away. He rushed through the heavier underbrush in an attempt to head off any intruder near the lake. Branches whipped past him, scraping along his thick fur coat. Everything was chaotic. Marco growled, his lips pulling back from his teeth.
He spotted a shadow under the moonlight. A wolf. Without an ounce of fear, only raw adrenaline, he charged forward.
****
Wesley really needed to get home to sleep, but instead he was walking around the forest at night because he scented her. His panther clawed inside him, demanding he finish what he started with the human girl. It was getting harder to fight the urge, and frankly he was getting tired of denying himself. What could the queen promise him? She’d likely have no use for the Royal Elite before long. He had to consider his own future beyond his duty—something he never thought he’d have to do.
He was still perilously close to the cabin shared by Marco and Targus, the two outcast wolves. They were dangerous, carrying personal grudges against the monarchy. And one of them could very well be the wolf he’d been searching for. There were other scents in the air—another wolf, and of course, Helen’s sweet fragrance. Why was her essence so strong here? Was he losing his mind?
A wolf dashed by, only feet away, in pursuit of another near the water. He kept his distance, not wanting anything to do with some territorial display between wolves. Wesley remained unseen as he crouched low, his black fur blending in with the shadows. He caught Helen’s unique fragrance again—stronger than before. There was no way it was his imagination.
Wesley raced along the beaten path between trees, his padded paws scarcely making a sound against the earth. His panther was taking over, leading him to the woman controlling his thoughts. If Cade knew what he was up to, he’d be shocked speechless. Wesley was a stickler for the rules, and women were a luxury not to become invested in. Everything was about to change.
He spotted her in the near distance. The decadent scent of sex surrounded her. Even now, he recognized her readiness like a shifter female in heat. He crept up alongside her, wondering what she was doing out here alone in the dead of night. She was afraid, her heart racing as she stumbled with her arms outstretched. It was the oddest thing he’d ever seen, and a human wouldn’t last a mile in one piece. This was a shifter paradise, and they didn’t take kindly to human intruders, especially wolves like Marco.
Before he considered the consequences, he blocked her path. She was beautiful, her lips red and swollen, her dark hair in disarray. When she nearly toppled over him, she reached down, her fingers digging into his thick black coat. He growled low in his chest, savoring her touch and recalling their night together in the woods. Wesley cursed the fact he’d showed himself without shifting. Helen had some strange hold on him, making him act out of character.
The faint moonlight highlighted the area around them. It took a moment for her to react. He felt a deep connection with her in that instant, believing she somehow knew who was under the fur.
Then she screamed.
Within seconds, he heard the warning howl of wolves closing in around him. Fuck. He wasn’t afraid, but he knew he had no right being on private land. Shifter males were extremely territorial, and until now he hadn’t realized that Helen was marked. He could smell more than sex, but a claiming. She’d been bitten by wolves. As much as he should stay away from her, he felt an even stronger need to get close.
He needed to shift into his skin and tell Helen his true feelings, to tell her he needed her, tell her he was willing to sacrifice everything to claim her. Was he really ready to take that step? To choose a female over his role as a Royal Elite? Knowing another male dared to mark her made him ready to stop procrastinating.
As Wesley called the shift to take control, a great weight dropped on top him. He was crushed down, teeth biting through fur and skin. Two wolves were on him in a mass of muscle, fangs, and claws. It was complete chaos, and all he could do was fight back.
They rolled on the cold, damp forest floor, crashing into trees, each attempting to gain superiority. He could hear Helen screaming, and feel her panic, but he was too engrossed in the battle to do anything but lash out. A gunshot sounded off, bringing the three of them to a standstill. His panther panted as he tried to gain his bearings. About a couple hundred yards out, there was a beam of light flickering. The human called out for Helen, and Wesley knew it was the bus driver visiting the town. He’d already accounted for every outsider during his initial investigation. It was his job to keep tabs on any potential threats to the palace. And he was due to start a perimeter shift soon.
When he looked to his right for Helen, he saw Targus and Marco in their skin, running in the direction Helen had taken. He should have known one of those outcasts was the one to steal his woman from him. At least he had more to offer a human female. He was heavily trained for the Royal Elite and doubted the wolves had more than an elementary education. And if she needed protection, he was the most capable male.
Wesley followed suit and shifted into his skin. It was always safer when there was a human carrying a rifle. His vision was strong in the darkness even after shifting. He ran until his thighs burned, but he refused to slow down. They were heading back to the cottage in the woods, the one dead center in the wolves’ territory. If he was smart he’d forget his obsession, meditate, and return to his post. But here he was, running straight into certain hell.
By the time they stopped running, Helen was nearly hysterical, her fear potent in the air. The other men were too close, attempting to comfort her. It was odd watching two hardened wolves behave so tamely.
“I–I’m scared. There’s something out there…”
“It was just a little cat,” said Targus. “I’m sure it’s running scared.” He glared at Wesley from the corner of his eye. The damn wolf could see just as well in the darkness.
“No, it was big. Huge. Maybe it was the Chupacabra.”
Both men laughed, and Wesley couldn’t help but smirk. Helen was adorable.
“There’s nothing out here we can’t protect you from.” Marco tucked her head against his chest, smoothing his palm over her hair. “You’re safe now, little lamb.”
Wesley stepped forward, eyes narrowed in warning. “I know both of you realize the implications of your actions.” He reached out and brushed Helen’s hair to the side, exposing her bite marks. “This is most definitely forbidden.”
“Wesley?” Helen whispered.
“You’re going to run and report us? Are the Royal Elite so hard up for recognition that they ha
ve to prey on the personal affairs of us commoners?” asked Targus.
“I think he’s here for more than a wolf sighting,” said Marco. “His claim is so potent I can practically feel it.”
Was it that obvious? He’d lose a lot more than they would if this was reported to the queen.
“A claim? Is that so?” asked Targus. Then he scoffed, “You’re not the only one trained by the monarchy. If you forget, I was on the suitor list for most of my adult life. I’d like to see you try and take what’s mine.”
“She’s not yours. She’s a human.” Wesley stepped closer, his hackles up.
“Then she’ll never be yours, either.” Marco had a good point. He couldn’t condemn their actions when he was chomping at the bit to do the exact same thing. But he still didn’t give a shit. Right and wrong be damned. Helen was his. He reached for her arm, ready to drag her back to town.
Marco held her closer and Targus grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t fucking touch me, wolf.”
He could already feel his fangs lengthening, his panther pacing inside him.
“What’s going on? I want to go home.” Helen’s voice was shaky, and judging by her head movements, she was still completely night blind. Good thing considering the three of them were stark naked. The forest was no place for a delicate human girl, especially at night.
“Hush, sweetheart,” Marco cooed. “You should have waited for us. It’s not safe to go in the woods alone. ”
“You were gone so long. I was scared.”
“Come with me, Helen. I’ll bring you back to the hotel. The bus driver is worried about you.” Wesley reached out his hand in a gesture, even though she couldn’t see a thing.
“But—”
Targus stood between him and Helen. “She wants to come home with us. She’s a marked woman now, and forbidden or not, she’s ours.”
Chapter Nine
As soon as she heard Wesley’s voice, her body thrummed back to life. She never expected to see him again, and although she thought she’d moved on, she was wrong. Helen could remember their moment of passion in vivid color. She’d been ready to go all the way with her rescuer, and the way he brushed her off still stung.
She had the night of her life with Marco and Targus, her body still pleasantly sated, but it wasn’t enough. Something about Wesley still called to her. She wasn’t sure if it was a genuine connection or the fact he’d rejected her.
“Listen, you can’t keep her here. She’s not yours to claim,” said Wesley. “Even the two of you have to know that.”
The men continually talked in riddles, like she was some kind of prize. Helen was flattered they all wanted her, but also confused by their extreme possessiveness. Was it just male posturing or did they really want to fight for her? Back home in the city, she’d learned never to trust a man who appeared overly interested. It was usually their way to get in a woman’s pants. Once they got what they wanted, they vanished in a metaphorical puff of smoke. But Targus and Marco already flew past home base and still insisted they wanted her. Both of them.
Targus laughed without humor. “It’s already done. And don’t forget you’re on our land, pussy cat.”
“I have authority granted by the queen. Are you ready to risk your freedom? If I were you, I’d think real hard before answering.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. You’re just as drawn to her as I am. Marco was right—you want her,” said Targus.
What was Wesley’s job exactly? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make sense of anything they said. Helen couldn’t see a thing, but she wasn’t afraid when the men surrounded her. She trusted each of them not to harm her. She could feel them touching her, holding her protectively close. Their male posturing turned her on. They were confident and seemingly fearless. As the tension rose between Targus and Wesley, she knew they were capable of anything. Law and order didn’t seem to apply to them.
“Maybe I do.”
Her heart leapt when she heard Wesley’s answer.
“That doesn’t make sense. The Royal Elite aren’t granted such luxuries,” said Targus.
“Times are unsettled, but thanks to the princesses, I have all the rights I need to claim a mate.”
“Is that what you want?” asked Marco. “To take what’s ours because you can?”
“It has nothing to do with either of you. I heard the call and can’t ignore it.”
More than one of the men exhaled in irritation. Her heart began to race with the growing tension in the air.
“We can’t keep her out here in the cold. She’s trembling.” There were actually no arguments. Marco turned and led her away by the small of the back. Judging by the movement behind her, both men followed. She assumed they were heading back to their remote cabin in the woods.
Helen looked deep into her soul. Did she really want to go home to the city or back to the hotel? She knew where that path led. Her life had never been glamorous. She was usually lonely and longing for the love that eluded her. At least now she had some excitement in her life, and the male attention was addicting.
She wondered if a relationship could actually work with any of them. Helen knew nothing about these men, except Wesley was some kind of guard and didn’t get along with her two other lovers. Where would she stay, what would she do for a living? Her mind rolled ideas and scenarios around at lightning speed even though no promises had been made. It was her wishful thinking taking control.
When they arrived at the cabin, Marco opened the door for her. She stepped into the now familiar home, feeling like she belonged. Everything was simplistic and rustic, similar to the places she’d visited during camping trips as a child. From the large stone fireplace, to the patchwork quilts folded on the sofa—the home evoked memories she cherished.
The door slammed behind her. When she turned around, Targus immediately bolted forward and pulled her tight to his very naked body. In fact, all three of them were stark naked in the dim lamp light. Helen wasn’t sure if she was more surprised they dared to brave the frigid temperatures in their bare skin, or the fact three grown men willingly ran around without their clothes in public. She was as deeply disturbed as she was turned on.
“Helen, don’t scream,” he said. “I can explain.”
“I wasn’t going to scream.”
“Good. That’s good.” He rested his forehead down against hers, taking deep, controlled breaths. The cabin was uncomfortably quiet. Only a lone lamp in the far corner illuminated the space in a soft glow—one that flattered the wide array of male muscle in her view.
“You were going to explain?”
“Sometimes we like to jog in the nude. There’s nothing really that unusual about it.”
Did he think she was born yesterday? Helen wasn’t even sure it was possible to come up with an excuse that would appease her or that she’d even believe. It wasn’t just Marco and Targus either. Wesley was just as bare—and delicious.
“Life is a lot different here than what you’re used to,” said Wesley, suddenly on the same team as the other two men.
She couldn’t see anything with Targus holding her head to his chest. He acted as if she’d break into pieces if she looked directly at their state of undress. She’d already seen them so there was nothing to hide. And she wasn’t against taking another long look.
“Not everything is at it appears,” added Marco.
“What are you saying? What was that out there in the forest? What secrets are you all keeping from me?”
Helen definitely had Chupacabras on her mind now. There had to be a reason busloads of tourists started flocking to this backwards town that was practically off the map. Something wasn’t right, and she’d felt so since arriving. It wasn’t just the place, but the people. She felt like the only one not in on a big joke.
“Tell her,” said Marco.
“You know he can’t do that,” warned Wesley.
“I don’t care, whatever it is.” Then she thought better. “How bad
is it?” Now Helen was terrified they’d tell her something with the word cult, orgy, or sacrifice. She held her breath as she awaited an answer. Why did there always have to be something wrong with all the gorgeous guys?
****
Marco wanted Targus to tell her the truth—about everything. Who cared if it was forbidden? They already lived off the grid, so being shunned by the queen wouldn’t affect either of them. But regardless of Wesley declaring his desire to claim Helen for himself, he doubted the Royal Elite in him would break the rules. Their world was a safely guarded one, and had been for centuries. Humans only knew about fairy tales and sightings of Bigfoot, the Yeti, or even the Chupacabra. They were all fictionalized beings created from some sort of reality based in the shifter world.
With the introduction of a second rival, his Targus wasn’t looking like such a threat. Somewhere in the past hours they’d decided they were a team, Helen their property. It was natural because they’d shared everything since moving in together. He’d never had a better friend than Targus.
“It’s more than you can handle, Helen,” said Targus.
His comment must have irritated Helen. She shrugged away from him and backed up, staring them all down like a cornered animal.
Marco asked Wesley, “What happens if we tell her?”
“You know the answer. It was drilled into all of us as kids…and as adults,” said Wesley. “Besides, I don’t think the two of you need any more heat. You’re already the lead suspects in an ongoing investigation.”
“I call bullshit on your investigation. You just want to take what’s ours. Didn’t your mother teach you not to mess with a marked female?”
“What’s going on exactly?” asked Helen, her voice shaky. They all turned to give her their full attention, all conversations silenced at once.
Wesley answered for them. “Our values and culture are different here than you’re probably used to. For example, the royal princesses don’t take one mate…or husband. They take two, three, or even four. It’s not unusual here, whereas it can be obscene or even a crime in many of your communities.”
Forbidden Mate Page 8