by Peyton Banks
That didn’t mean we weren’t ready to engage and protect our own if necessary.
Rinnick smirked, a look of disgust on his face. “Noticed your handiwork today.”
Rory shrugged, pretending to examine his fingers as if bored before lifting his head to meet Rinnick’s accusatory stare. “I may have traveled recently with the pack.”
A few snickers could be heard from inside the lodge.
“Your travels take you to the outskirts of town? Toward a warehouse owned and operated by humans?”
Rory’s smile faded. “And if it did?”
“We’d like to congratulate you on your victory.” Rinnick tapped a finger on his bearded chin thoughtfully. “Of course, you missed a few. We were happy to oblige and lend a hand.”
“And who might we have missed?” Rory had stepped away from the building and walked a few steps toward Rinnick.
Cole and Dane moved forward as we joined them in a show of support for our alpha.
Rinnick shrugged. “A human who prefers to eradicate and torture shifters, but he also doesn’t have a problem gunning us down and murdering our species to the point of extinction.”
“This human have a name?”
“We only knew him as Hall.”
Rory suddenly seemed uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry. We left the humans a little gift. All wrapped up with a shiny red bow. They can’t miss it.”
Before we left the warehouse Cole and I set up Hall’s body in front of the building with a big red holiday bow on his chest and a sign next to his body that read ‘We Know’. It was pretty macabre and frightening, and I hoped the humans would understand the threat and back off.
Our attempt to recover Intel turned up little in the way of new information. We learned the organization was much larger than we anticipated, and these bases of operation were located all over the United States. There seemed to be a heavy military influence but the maps and files we recovered proved that they had people on the inside. Traitors. Shifters who were supplying information about our numbers, locations, and abilities.
This was much worse than anyone realized.
I couldn’t help but believe that Rory Black was at the center of this problem and risked every single one of our clans. Rinnick turned my way and ticked his head toward the truck. We found out what we needed to know. Rory was guilty. The depth of his involvement was uncertain but aside from outright attacking the bear lodge we couldn’t prove it.
“I’m sure they’ll enjoy the gift,” Rory spat, his fists clenching at his sides.
Rinnick smiled and started walking backward toward the truck as several snarls and growls could be heard from the surrounding bears. We didn’t wait around for Rory to lose his shit or break the treaty further. I sped out of there like the hounds of hell were on our heels and it sure felt like it.
Rinnick’s laughter drifted from the bed of the truck as we traveled along the back and dirty road toward home. “Rory did seem to be a bit shocked about Hall, didn’t he?”
Becca pulled her long black hair back into a thick ponytail to keep the wind from snarling it into a kinky and windblown mess. “He knew him, Rinnick. Not just his name. He knew him personally.”
“I agree,” Cole shouted. “Did you see his reaction?”
“He stiffened right up and clenched his fists. Something is up, Rinnick. We need to keep the pack alert.” Dane sighed softly. “I’d feel better if we kept the extra security from the other packs. I know it was supposed to be temporary, but this new threat worries me.”
Dane was the pack enforcer. His judgement was trusted.
Rinnick turned around but spoke to everyone through the open cab window. “I already anticipated trouble and sent for more reinforcements from our brother packs out west and south. I expect our friends to arrive any day.”
“Shit!” I cursed, slamming on the brakes as I nearly ran over a frantic woman waving in our direction as she darted into the middle of the road.
“Help!”
14
Theo
“Everyone alright?” I asked after several heavy thuds from the back.
Cole laughed. “Get your sexy ass out of my face, Rinnick.”
Rinnick growled as I chuckled, relieved when Becca grabbed my hand. “I’m fine.”
“We’re good,” Dane added.
“Who’s the girl?” Becca asked, pointing to the petite blonde who was running up to my door.
“Theo!” She exclaimed. “I thought it was you! Where’s Rinnick and Cole? Are they in the back?” She didn’t wait for an answer as I blinked with recognition.
“That’s Savy Paxton,” I blurted.
“Savy?” Becca squealed with delight and slipped from the truck. “Savy, where the hell have you been?”
“Becca!”
The two women embraced as I exited the truck along with Cole, Dane, and Rinnick.
“You’re back? Since when?” Bec asked as the girls separated.
Savy’s bright smile faded as her gaze swept over each of us. “We’re on our way to Cedar Creek. Our group was ambushed by humans. We have several injured. I was sent to find help.”
Rinnick walked forward quickly and picked up Savy’s hand. “We’ll make sure everyone is taken care of, Sav. Take my place in the truck and ride back with Theo and Becca. I’ll take Cole and Dane with me to find the others.”
She shook her head and pulled her hand from his as a strange expression crossed her face. “No, thank you, Rinnick. I promised to return with help. I’ll lead you and anyone else who wants to join us.”
Cole chuckled at her refusal as Rinnick glared in his direction.
“We’ll follow you. Lead the way.”
Savy and the guys waved as they disappeared into the trees. Becca and I climbed back into the truck and resumed the journey back to Cedar Creek. We had to inform the elders and the other clans as soon as we arrived about finding Savy and the meeting with Rory Black. I carried Becca into the house before she collapsed. The hour was late. Rinnick had finally arrived with the injured and we were free to go home and rest for the night.
As her back met the mattress her violet eyes sparkled with mischief. “Are you going to make love to me, Theo? Or do I have to beg?”
A shiver tingled along my spine as I instantly grew hard. “Please beg,” I choked out, excited by the possibility of what that could mean.
She yawned and rolled onto her side. “Why don’t you take me this way? I’m too sleepy to seduce you from on top.”
Stripping so fast I ripped clear through the denim of my jeans, I growled when I climbed in next to her and pressed a soft kiss against her exposed shoulder. “You’re the sexiest woman alive,” I murmured against her smooth caramel skin.
Becca wiggled her hips and pressed back against my crotch as I groaned. “Am I?”
“Yes, and you know it,” I laughed, pulling off her clothes slowly as my lips placed strategic kisses all over her body.
“I’m already wet, Theo. I’ve been thinking about this moment for hours.”
I could have come on the spot with those words. My fingers brushed along her hip and drew her closer until I was lined up and ready. Pushing inside her wet heat I growled and nipped at her throat. Rocking in and out of her body was the closest I could ever come to heaven. Thrusting in slow strokes I caressed her body as I made love to my obsession.
“I love you, my mate, my Becca.”
“I love you, too, my fearless wolf.”
Our bodies joined, there was no other place I’d rather be. As I brought us both to completion I smiled into the darkness and held Becca tight, one hand resting over her lower belly. When the time came for my son to be born, I would be next to Becca’s side, right where I belonged.
Thoughts of my mother surfaced, and I hugged my mate close as her steady breathing filled the small room. One thought stuck out in my head as I remembered the words of my mother before she passed away.
“You were right, mama. Happines
s is finding your true mate.”
Thank you for reading!
You can find further stories of Rinnick, Cole, Theo and the others in Haunted Wolf, Cedar Creek Shifters #1. Rinnick will continue the series with Possessive Wolf later in 2019.
Lycan Families
BAXTER CLAN
Lovell –
Renleigh – oldest sister, former mate of Cole Baxter – deceased
Briar – youngest sister, Cole’s mate
Zev – Renleigh & Briar’s father
Aimee – mother of Briar & Renleigh
Baxter –
Cole – Beta, brother of Rinnick, youngest son, half-brother to Brand & Rudie, Briar’s mate
Rinnick – Alpha, brother to Cole & Seth, half-brother to Brand & Rudie
Seth – brother of Cole & Rinnick, oldest son – deceased
Marrok – retired Alpha, Cole, Seth, & Rinnick’s father, first mate of Sienna
Sienna – mother of Rinnick, Cole, Brand, Rudie, and Seth – deceased
Renleigh Sienna – daughter of Cole & Briar
Fillan –
Howard – second mate of Sienna, father to Brand & Rudie – deceased
Brand – brother to Rudie, half-brother to Cole & Rinnick
Rudie – brother to Brand, half-brother to Cole & Rinnick
Bardolf –
Theo – Cole’s best friend, Becca’s mate
Ted – Theo's father, brother to Arianne
Annette – Theo's mother – deceased
Arianne – Theo's aunt, mother of Elena – deceased
David – Theo's uncle, father of Elena
Elena – Theo's cousin, mated to Joe Harley
Valko –
Dane – twin brother to Tessa, brother to Dax
Dax – brother to Dane & Tessa
Tessa – twin sister to Dane & sister to Dax
* * *
THOMPSON CLAN
Harley –
Joe – half-brother to Landon & Vickie – deceased
Vickie – sister to Landon, half-sister to Joe
Landon – brother to Vickie, half-brother to Joe
Marl – first mate of Pippa, father of Vickie & Landon
Joe Sr. – second mate of Pippa, father of Joe
Pippa – mother of Vickie, Landon, and Joe
Elena – Joe's widow, Theo’s cousin, mother of L.J.
L.J. (Landon Joe) – son of Joe & Elena
Thompson –
Gage – Alpha, brother to Warrick & Max, half-brother to Jenna & Savy
Ginny – mother to Savy, Jenna, Gage, Max, & Warrick
Warrick – beta, brother to Gage & Max, half-brother to Jenna & Savy
Max – youngest brother of Gage & Warrick, half-brother to Jenna & Savy
Sean – retired Alpha, first mate of Ginny, father of Warrick, Gage, & Max
Paxton –
Jenna – sister of Savy, half-sister to Warrick, Max, & Gage
Savannah (Savy) – sister of Jenna, half-sister to Warrick, Max, & Gage
Vet – second mate of Ginny, father of Jenna & Savy
* * *
HARLOW CLAN
Harlow –
Becca – sister to Elias & Lor, Theo’s mate
Elias – Alpha, brother to Becca & Lor
Lor – beta, brother to Becca & Elias
Jedd – retired Alpha, father of Becca, Elias, & Lor
Mary – mate of Jedd, mother to Becca, Elias, & Lor – missing
Cedar Creek Shifter Clans
* * *
WOLVES
Baxter – Baxter, Lovell, Fillan, Bardolf, Valko
Thompson – Thompson, Harley, Paxton
Harlow – Harlow, Garvey
Dempsey
BEARS
Black – Rory, Cull, Vinton, Yarl – deceased
Turner – Jape, Fisk, Hank
Brown – Zion, Rafe
Playlist
Burn for You – Nine One One
The Kill (Bury Me) – Thirty Seconds to Mars
Be Alright – Dean Lewis
Yours Again – Red
Perfect Duet (feat. Beyoncé) – Ed Sheeran
Beautiful (feat. Camila Cabello) – Bazzi
Haunted – Diamante
About the Author
Nikki Landis is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of paranormal, sci-fi, and reverse harem romance. She lives in Ohio with her husband and amazing family.
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Fighting Luke
MV Ellis
Is she in too deep, or is she strong enough to fight against the swirling riptide of their desire?
* * *
Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Dr Natalie Patterson isn’t sure, but when the avid film buff finds herself in her very own Mrs Robinson scenario with her smoking-hot one-night stand, she’s determined not to risk her name, reputation and career trying to find out.
* * *
She’s been burned badly in the past, and only just managed to pick up the pieces of her broken soul, so the last thing she needs right now is to lose herself in his vivid green gaze, no matter how much she may want to.
* * *
Luke Jones is young, fun, and full of…and has only ever had eyes for one girl. That is until he locks gazes with a gorgeous stranger at one of his gigs, suddenly changing the game. He wants her from the get go—more so than any woman, even the one who’s had his heart for as long as he could remember.
* * *
And he knows the feeling is mutual. When he secretly serenades her across the room, he has no idea that the words of his song Fight Mode will turn out to be a case of art imitating life.
* * *
Natalie does everything she can to deny strong the feelings rapidly growing between the two of them, but can she fight hard enough to keep her head above the riptide of Luke’s desire?
1
Luke
I looked around the band room—if you could call the windowless glorified storage closet covered in worn and tattered gig posters from floor to ceiling a band room—taking in the scene unfolding around me. It was a pretty typical pre-gig situation—one that having been touring the country for the previous four months, was becoming a very familiar sight to me.
Arlo was pacing the small space, making it seem even smaller. As ever, he was a ball of pent-up testosterone, waiting to explode. Like we did every night, the rest of the band just had to wait and hope that he could contain that explosive energy long enough to unleash it on the unsuspecting audience, rather than losing his shit backstage with us, as had happened on occasion, when there had been unexpected delays.
I honestly didn’t understand my identical twin brother’s motivations a lot of the time. We were so alike physically, even now we weren’t kids anymore, but that was where the similarities ended. We were as different as night and day in all other respects, but not in a yin-and-yang kind of way. In fact, it was more like oil and water. Most of the time we couldn’t relate to each other at all. If we didn’t look so alike—sharing the same vivid green eyes, square jaw, and thick dark hair as our dad and other siblings—I’d swear we weren’t even brothers.
“Arlo, for the love of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the donkey in the fucking stable, would you sit the fuck down. Please. It’s cramped and claustrophobic enough in here as it
is, without you taking up every available square inch of floor and every microgram of air pacing the room like a deranged circus animal. Not to mention the fact that you’re making me fucking dizzy.”
Arlo flipped me off, which was pretty much a term of endearment for him, so I was surprised when he actually did as I asked, throwing himself into a threadbare easy chair that was spewing disintegrated foam from its guts. I was pretty sure that stuff was going to leave a horrible mess on his skin-tight black pants, but decided to keep that gem to myself in case he started pacing again. We’d deal with the pants situation later.
Though he was now sitting, Arlo was hardly relaxed. In fact, it was fair to say that he was wound tighter than a nun’s hoo-ha. He cracked his neck then popped each of his knuckles. I winced at the sound of each click of his strong but slender fingers, so much like my own. When he’d done each joint, and then started back again at the beginning, I couldn’t stomach any more.
“Hey, Stevie! You got anything to help take the edge off before he blows a fucking fuse?” I motioned toward my antsy twin.