by Beverly Rae
Decker lurched toward her before she knew what was happening. Jimmy pushed her aside, and Sara grabbed her in time to keep her from falling backward. Together the two women scrambled to the side of the porch and out of the way.
Bones cracked and clothes shredded as both packs shifted. In less than a minute, twelve werewolves launched themselves at each other. Growls and snarls grew louder. Fangs and claws drew blood. Glen screamed and dashed off, running toward the back of the house. The wolves, their eyes blazing, attacked, darting in for a bite or a swipe of their large paws.
Mandy held on to Sara, whose own eyes were amber-lit, and searched for Jimmy. “Where’s Jimmy? Is he hurt?”
But she didn’t need Sara to point him out. A bellow split the air as Decker, now in the form of a huge black wolf, jumped at the golden wolf. Jimmy leapt into the air, and the two wolves rammed into each other. They dug in their fangs and, snarling their rage, fell to the ground. Decker twisted, landing on top of Jimmy, pinning him. Decker lifted his head, his jaws wide, his teeth dripping saliva. Snarling, he dug his fangs into Jimmy’s neck.
“No!” Mandy pushed Sara aside and raced down the steps. Without thinking, she flung her body at Decker.
Although the black wolf was double her size, the momentum of her body was enough to push him off Jimmy. Decker landed on his side next to her but scrambled into a crouch before she could regain her breath. Jimmy staggered to his feet, using a nearby pile of broken tree limbs to steady himself. Blood oozed from the wound in his neck. Decker growled and moved closer to her, his fangs ready for the kill.
She would’ve sworn she saw a grin on the golden wolf’s face. Seconds later, Jimmy had shifted, returning to his human form. He was unsteady on his feet and holding one hand behind his back.
“Stay away from her, you asshole.”
Decker’s head swung toward him, his eyes glittering with hatred. As the others fought around them, Decker leapt at Jimmy.
Chapter Nine
“No!” Mandy screamed, shock washing over her. The werewolves broke apart, their attention focused on her. She ran to Jimmy, falling then picking herself back up before she finally landed beside the two bodies, one man and one werewolf.
“Jimmy. Please no. Jimmy, answer me.”
Clutching the fur on Decker’s back, she yanked as hard as she could. The black werewolf slid on top of her, and she shoved him away, fearing the gaping jaws. Lifeless amber eyes stared past her. A thick tree branch protruded from the center of his chest, the fur around it soaked in blood.
“What ’cha doing, babe?” Jimmy lay on his back, grinning at her.
“Jimmy. Oh, my God.” Running her hands over his body, she searched for other injuries, but was drawn back to the gaping wound on his neck. She blinked. The wound on his neck suddenly appeared smaller, blurring as new, undamaged skin replaced the torn flesh.
“Ow. Hey, take it easy.”
She pressed a palm to his cheek then laid her head against his chest. “You’re going to be okay.”
“Sure I am. But I might need help getting back on my feet. My head’s still ringing from having two hundred pounds of werewolf flattening me like a pancake.”
“Here, bro.” Michael, human once more, stood over them, his hand outstretched. “Let’s get you inside.”
She glanced up, her face inches from Michael’s shaft. Oh, my God.
Pulling her gaze away, she scanned the yard. The Night Runner Werewolves, back in their human forms but still naked, checked each other’s injuries. Unexpected desire raked her, wetting her between her legs.
Think. But not about that.
“Where did the rest of Decker’s men, um, pack go?” Would she ever get used to seeing gorgeous men in the buff? Forget that. Would she ever get used to seeing men turn into wolves? Nick and William waved at her then followed Sara and Max into the house.
“They hightailed it out of here once they saw that their leader was a goner.” Ranlon took Jimmy’s other arm and helped Michael lift him to his feet. “I don’t know where your father got off to. Do you want me to find him?”
“Don’t bother. If I’m lucky, I’ll never see his face again.” Her earlier disgust filled her again, wiping away any hope of having her father in her life. Glancing back at the yard, she followed the three naked men up the stairs to the bedrooms.
Their tight buttocks clenched and unclenched with their movements, renewing the heat between her legs. What was wrong with her? Jimmy had just survived a fight over her, and she was lusting after his friends? Yet hadn’t they all fought for her? She dropped her gaze and tried not to see how their long legs ran on for miles.
It’s not like I’d do anything with his friends, right? Right?
Yet she couldn’t stop her mind from drifting to the dreams. More than one man in her bed? Was there a reason her dreams always included multiple lovers? She cleared her throat and struggled to push the image of their big shafts out of her mind.
“Put him in the guest room with me.”
Michael and Ranlon exchanged a pleased look and did as she told them. Gently, they helped Jimmy onto her bed.
“Guys, can you leave us alone?” Jimmy scooted his body to a sitting position, his back resting against the headboard.
“Sure thing. Just let us know if you need anything.” Michael shoved Ranlon out of the room. “Let’s get some clothes on, man.”
“Speak for yourself.” Ranlon pushed Michael back. “Besides, if Jimmy has his way, we’re going to be back in here before long.”
Mandy caught the look Jimmy shot Ranlon, but she waited for his friends to leave. She touched his wound, marveling at the already-healing tissue. “What was Ranlon talking about?”
“It’s what I wanted to tell you before the fight.”
One look at his serious expression sent her nerves into high gear. “I’m not going to like this part, am I?”
“I don’t know. Sara and Cally didn’t have any problems with it. But just know, nothing will ever happen if you don’t want it to.”
“I’m confused.”
He took her hand to capture it between both of his hands. “I want you, Mandy. I want you to be part of us.”
“I thought you said I already was.”
The hazel of his eyes grew brighter. “You are. But you’re not a true werewolf yet. I’m asking you to become a werewolf like me. Like the rest of us. Will you?”
His question should’ve made her run. Yet, like before, she found herself thrilled at the news. How many times had she longed for a man like Jimmy? How many times had she’d yearned to feel included in a special group?
“Before you answer, I should explain everything to you.”
“Okay.” She scooted closer to him.
“It’s not a coincidence that you came to Lost Hills.”
A sting of alarm hit her. “Please don’t tell me you tricked me like Decker did.”
“Not like that. No. But you were meant for us as I said. So that’s why we, the pack and I, sent you the dreams, Mandy.”
The dreams were real. Having six men make love to her was real. “Then everything that happened in the dreams really happened?”
He nodded, then drew her closer. “In a way, yes. We didn’t physically touch you, but it was real all the same.”
“But I don’t understand. It doesn’t bother you that your friends and I…”
“No, it doesn’t.” He drew in a long breath. “I know this is difficult to understand. Human society doesn’t work this way. But this is the way of our kind. All the members of the pack are bonded. Not just emotionally, but physically. The dreams help us to know that you’ll accept all of us.”
“So Sara and Cally had dreams, too?” No wonder Sara was so close to the men.
“Sara did. Her dream brought her to us because she’s the first female of the pack, the alpha-female. We got lucky finding Cally. She was dancing and singing at a local saloon when Max found her.”
“What does it mean that Sara’s an
alpha-female?”
“It means the men are all mated to her and can share her bed at any time. Even after we find our own mate.”
“So, if I agree to be your mate, then you’ll still want to be with Sara?” Could she accept Jimmy having sex with another woman? Yet wasn’t she thinking about having sex with the rest of the men?
“Yes. But I don’t want to. Not since I found you. I don’t want any other woman. Just you.”
“What about Michael? I got the impression he and Sara were together.”
“As the alphas of the pack, they have a stronger connection.” He smiled, giving her silent comfort. “I know this is hard to wrap your brain around. But there’s more.”
“More?” Could she handle more?
“To become one of us, you’ll go through an initiation.” He pressed a finger to her lips, shutting down her question. “An initiation is like your dreams. The entire male pack will take you to bed and bring you into the pack.”
“So I turn into a werewolf by having sex with all of you?” She couldn’t help but giggle. Talk about a welcome-to-the-family party.
“Not exactly. The pack as well as Sara and Cally have to approve of you, and they already have. Even Cally has approved, based on our opinions of you. But after the initiation, I’ll have to bite you. That’s how I turn you into a werewolf, and soon after you’ll go through the Change.”
Her mind whirled with everything he’d told her. Breaking away, she moved to the bedroom door and opened it. But did she want to leave? The voices of the others filtered up to her from below and she listened, loving the laughter and strong male voices mixed with Sara’s and another woman’s voice.
“Sounds like Cally’s home.”
She turned to him, closing the door on her past. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
He cocked his head at her then lifted his eyebrows in question. “Does that mean you want to stay? To join us?”
Her life would change, but for the better. Instead of the lonely life she led with her mother, she’d have a new family, friends who would stick by her no matter what. Hadn’t they already proved they would?
“I don’t want to ever lose you, Jimmy.”
He came to her, pulling her into his arms. “And I couldn’t stand the thought of living without you.”
“But, except for initiations, you and me, we’d be mates and no one else?”
“Right. Except for initiations only. Other than what needs to happen to keep the pack growing, to welcome new females, I’m all yours, and you’re all mine. It’s our way and has been since time began. Our children will continue the tradition.” His eyes danced with bits of amber. “Can you do this, Mandy? Can you join us?”
“We’ll have children?” Her imagination took over, envisioning a little boy with amber-filled eyes.
“We can after you’re a werewolf. And yes, they’ll be werewolves. They turn when they go through puberty.”
She widened her eyes with alarm that was only part pretend. “Teenage werewolves? Wow.”
He laughed, the warmth of the sound carrying into her heart. “Yeah. Wow.”
“Will Sara and Cally be part of the initiation?” Already her body buzzed with need, memory of the dreams filling her mind.
“No. The women are never part of another woman’s initiation.”
She leaned against him, needing to take a moment to let her new existence take shape. “Will it hurt?” Even now she could remember the sound of his bones breaking, reforming into wolf form.
“Yes. But we’ll help you get past the pain. And we’ll help you during the first few transformations, too. It gets easier every time you shift. But there are so many good things about being a shape-shifter. You’ll see things in a different way, smell things you’ve never smelled before, hear better than ever. And the sex? Holy crap, the sex is amazing.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled, drawing in his unique scent. She raised her head to study his strong face, his worry etched into his forehead. Drawing him to her, she kissed him, giving him her answer. He enveloped her in his arms, holding her so tightly she found it hard to breathe. But his kiss kept her alive, his tongue a present she accepted with joy.
She was breathless when the kiss ended. Breathless, yet more alive than ever before. “How soon can you make me one of the pack?”
“Right now if you want.”
She opened the door without turning him loose. “Go tell the others I’m ready.”
* * * *
The men, naked, their shafts already erect, filed into the bedroom and gathered around the bed where Mandy waited, her nude body covered by a sheet. She took in every muscle, every inch of male flesh. Lust burned bright inside her, and her pussy tightened in anticipation.
“You’re sure?” Jimmy’s hazel eyes met hers, the heat in them lit with amber.
“I’m sure.” She threw off the sheet then reached for him, pulling him next to her. Running her hand over his shoulder, she urged him to take a nipple into his mouth. He groaned and cupped her breasts then nipped at the taut bud. She drew in his scent. She would recognize him from the others just by his scent alone.
Michael moved to her other side and sat next to her. “Welcome to the pack, Mandy.” Leaning forward, he skimmed his lips over hers. She cupped him behind the neck and intensified the kiss, drawing his tongue in.
She jerked, the others piling on the bed. Nick slid between her legs, pushing her wide. “I’m glad you’re joining us.” He flicked his tongue over her folds then spread them to do the same to her wet clit.
She sighed, mixing her sound with the soft murmurs of the men as they kissed and fondled her. Max moved next to Jimmy to slide his fingers along her thigh, then under her bottom. Feathering ticklish kisses along the crease between her leg and thigh, he spoke soft words she couldn’t understand.
William kissed her bellybutton, his hand stroking his cock. Ranlon placed her right leg over his and pumped his own erect shaft.
“Take me.” Michael’s tone was gruff as he offered her his shaft.
She drew him in, delighting in his groan of pleasure. Sliding her hand along Jimmy’s body, she reached for his cock and wrapped her hands around the soft, vein-filled flesh. The heat from his shaft burned into her palm then spread through her arm to meet the fire scorching outward from her core.
Nick sucked on her, flicking his tongue over her clit, and her body responded, bucking with the rush of the first orgasm. She cried out, her warm breath flooding over Michael’s cock.
“Please.” She wasn’t sure who or what she meant, but she had to have someone, something more.
Nick rose as Ranlon and Max bent her legs. Nick moved closer, placing his shaft at her pussy. Nick glanced at Jimmy, who nodded.
With a grunt, Nick pushed inside her, ramming into her so hard that he moved her body toward the headboard. She cried out but kept her mouth around Michael and her hand on Jimmy. Thrusting his hips, Nick plunged into her time and again, a rapt expression locked on his face. He increased his speed, and her body clamped around his cock, pulling him in.
Releasing Michael, she cried out, the sensations boiling her from within. She wrapped her legs around Nick and held on, demanding he do his best. Within minutes, she saw the climax start first on his face then travel down his body as he tensed for release. The muscles in his chest worked, and she longed to run her fingers over the flat stomach to the curly mass below.
Nick released, then fell to the side, spent.
“Move off, man.” Max shoved Nick away then urged her to turn on her side. “Are you okay with this?”
Okay was not the correct word. She wanted him, needed him to enter her from behind. She nodded then turned her mouth on Jimmy. Michael grumbled but continued stroking himself.
Her body shook, lust and need working her into a frenzy. She wanted these men, had wanted them from the first time she’d had the dream. Looking into Jimmy’s amber eyes, she sent him a silent message.
I’m saving you for la
st. The best for last, Jimmy. Just you.
His amber eyes sparkled his answer.
Max slid his hand along her buttocks then pushed two fingers into the tight hole. She tensed then took deep breaths, willing her body to relax.
“Easy, Mandy. I’ll be gentle.”
She nodded, jerking again as his rubbed a cool gel around her puckered opening. The tight rings closed around his fingers. He worked his fingers in and out then replaced them with the tip of his cock.
Ranlon cupped her mons and took one leg over the crook of his arm. Rubbing his shaft against her, he teased her until, at last, he slid into her. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she closed her eyes. Concentrating, she imagined the tips of their cocks meeting in the middle of her.
Emotion filled her, welling tears to her eyes. The men were giving her more than mere sex. They were offering themselves to her and pledging their loyalty. Somehow she’d found the home she hadn’t known she needed.
Michael shouted his release, the sound starting as a roar then changing into a growl. She opened her eyes to watch his body shudder. Touching her cheek in a tender meaning, he moved away from her and hurried to the other side of the room where Nick stood, his back pressed against the wall.
Ranlon and Max pumped into her, their hands gripping her flesh. Drawing William to her, she let go of Jimmy’s shaft and took William’s. She watched the men, feeling powerful and sexy. She drew in William’s shaft time and again, pulling hard then soft and driving him to the brink.
Ranlon and Max came together, each pulling out and turning away from her. Their roars of release echoed each other, giving her a wave of primal desire. These were her men now.
“Jimmy.”
Her love moved between her legs then onto his stomach to press his lips to hers. His hot breath renewed her passion, and she couldn’t help but pump William harder, faster. William tensed, stilling as though he fought to keep from losing control. But he lost the battle, pulling away from her and stumbling toward the bathroom.
Jimmy grinned at her, his amber eyes laughing along with his voice. “It’s just you and me now.”