Three Fur All

g{Üxx YâÜ TÄÄ Copyright © December 2011, Crymsyn Hart Cover art by Anastasia Rabiyah © December 2011 Amira Press Charlotte, NC 28227 www.amirapress.com ISBN: 978-1-937394-20-2 No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Amira Press.

Three Fur All

Crymsyn Hart

Chapter One She rubbed her wrists together again, hoping to release the manacles that bound her. October didn’t know how long she had been held captive. It could have been weeks or days. Everything had blurred together. The only light she had was from the flickering illumination of a bulb outside of her cell. Dirt walls surrounded her on all sides. Roots poked out from the walls and hung like ropes from the ceiling. Damp earth filled her nose. It was all she had inhaled for so long she had forgotten how fresh air smelled. She yanked again and felt the bolt that held the chain to the wall had come loose. Underneath her was a filthy mattress October had been given for a bed. A few feet from her was a rusty bucket that she used to relieve herself. With one more tug, she was free. Her hands might have been bound, but at least she had a chance to escape. Thank God. Thank you. Now all I have to do is get out of here without him seeing me. Please don’t let his partner be here tonight. She stood up slowly. Her legs wobbled from sitting so long. She wiped her hands on her already grimy clothes. The blood rushed to her head, and she had to lean against the wall to regain her bearings. Closer to the door, she could see better. The bars were rusty in the rotting wood door. October grabbed the latch, but it was tough because she had lost some of the feeling in her fingers. When she got a hold of it, it wasn’t locked. She went to pull it open. The heavy footfalls of her captor coming down the stairs echoed in the hallway. Oh shit! October shrank into the shadows and returned to the grimy mattress. The footsteps stopped outside of her room. She dared a look and saw one of her kidnappers peering down at her. His eyes glowed yellow, and his teeth were white and sharp. He pushed open the door and stared at her. He was dressed in dark pants and a sweatshirt with a hood that covered most of his face. “You’re being a good girl, aren’t you?” he asked. His voice was gruff and low. She nodded. “Yes.” 1

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“Good. Because you’re next.” He laughed and pulled the door shut behind him. The thud of the door sounded like a nail being pounded into her coffin. A shiver ran through her. Shit. I have to get out of here tonight. October waited a few more seconds to be sure he wasn’t coming back into her room. His footsteps headed away from her to another cell down the corridor. She got up and gazed through the bars. A door down the hall was open. There were clothes on the floor and the hunkered-down form of her captor. His back was to her. She opened the door slowly. The creaky hinges made her heart freeze. October waited to see if her kidnapper would reappear, but he didn’t. “Please, don’t! I’ll do anything.” Another woman’s plea trailed down the hallway. October’s heart went out to her. She shook her head. I can’t think about the others. I have to think about myself. Besides, the best way I can help them is to get the hell out of here. Then I can lead the cops back, and they can arrest this guy. Hopefully the other will be here too. Please give me the strength to escape. “Oh, I know you will,” her kidnapper cooed to his captive. October squeezed between the tight opening in the door and made it into the passageway. She pressed herself against the wall. In the dim light, the back side of her kidnapper wavered and contorted. The sound of breaking and popping of bones resonated in the hall. The girl in the cell uttered a piercing shriek. With horrified fascination, October watched as in the place of her captor was the largest back end of a wolf she had ever seen. She stifled a scream. The wolf entered the cell, and the other girl screeched again. This was her moment. Taking the opportunity, she bolted down the hall, passing other cells. She came to a large room. In front of her was another corridor with more cells. A cool breeze hit her arm. October went toward the fresh air and discovered a rickety set of stairs that appeared as if they were going to fall at any moment. It didn’t matter. That was her way to freedom. She crawled up them slowly, praying not to make a sound. Halfway up, her left foot slipped through the rotten wood and stabbed her calf. A scream of pain escaped her throat. The

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cry reverberated through the underground dungeon and was answered with a howl. Fuck. Adrenaline pumped her heart and gave her the courage to continue. I won’t let that thing get me. I won’t be its next victim. She ran the rest of the way up the stairs, pushing onward with her injured leg, and came to the door that led to her freedom. October pushed with all her might and was greeted with the dark night and crickets chirping all around her. There was no time to savor it. Blood pumped through her veins, and her instincts kicked in. She had to get away. Noises sounded behind her, coming up the stairs. The canopy of trees above her hid the light of the moon and stars. It didn’t matter. She just started to run. October rushed through the brambles and branches. They whipped against her and scraped her up as they stripped her arms and legs of flesh. While running, she tripped over a tree root, twisting her right ankle, and landed face-first into the earth and leaves. Behind her she heard the explosion of wood and metal. She glanced behind her and saw the largest outline of a wolf she had ever seen. She stifled a gasp. Her whole body hurt. After a count of three, she propelled herself off the ground and began running again. It took all her will to go forward and ignore the pain. The wolf was gaining on her with every second. In the distance, she thought she heard the sound of tires hitting asphalt. Salvation. It’s a road. I can make it. I know I can. The wolf howled behind her. Through a break in the canopy, she saw the illumination of the moon. It was a full moon. October broke through the woods, struggling up the embankment, and emerged onto the paved two-lane street. The road was in the middle of nowhere, and across from it, there were more trees. Coming toward her was a pair of headlights. She raised her bound arms and limped toward the oncoming car, waving her hands. “Hey! Stop! Please!” Next to her, the bushes parted, and her pursuer landed on the asphalt. She could see him fully now. He was a wolf the size of a small pony. Fear stopped her in her tracks. The animal bared its teeth, showing long, curved fangs that were stained with blood, with the strings of flesh from its last 3

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meal. Its pelt was midnight black. Its lips pulled back to show more of its teeth. October got the impression the beast was smiling at her. If she didn’t get away now, then she never would. It inched forward, but the car was coming closer. She hobbled toward it, ignoring the pain that engulfed her legs. The vehicle wasn’t slowing down. Please don’t rush past and think I’m some stupid girl hoping to get attention. The wolf pursued her. At the last minute, with the car barreling down on her, she leaped out of the way and landed on the other side of the road, feeling the skin on her arms and legs shred. Brakes screeched. A blast of air hit her. The impact of the car hitting something and glass breaking sounded next to her. October peeked out over her bound hands to see if the people in the car were okay. The auto had spun sideways on the road. From her vantage point, she saw the large dent in the hood, the broken headlights, and the demolished windshield where it had hit the wolf. She stood up slowly and lumbered to the car, dragging her right foot behind her. The pain in her ankle made her wonder if it was badly sprained or broken. The blood she saw on the hood contrasted with the canary yellow paint of the vehicle. The prostrate form of the wolf made her confident that her captor was truly dead. Two men stood at the front of the automobile. One knelt down, examining the damage to the car, and the other was half in and half out of the car. “Can you help me?” she asked, trying to find her voice. A man inside the driver’s seat climbed out and stared at her. It took a moment for her presence to register. “Mika, come here!” She staggered closer and made it a few feet before she collapsed. The one named Mika rushed forward and caught her when she fell. Relief flooded through her that she had been saved. “Thank you. Thank you.” “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe. Elliot, give me your knife.” She heard the word “knife” and began to struggle. They’re with him. They’re going to do whatever they want to me. “No. Let me go.” “Hush. We’re not going to hurt you. I’m going to try and pry these manacles from your wrists so we can free your hands. I swear we’re not 4

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going to hurt you.” He gazed into her eyes and talked in a low, soothing voice. October peered into his honey brown eyes and saw he was telling her the truth. “O-Okay.” She held out her hands to Elliot, who held out the knife. He slipped it between the nut holding the cuffs together. He pried it up, and after a snap, the first one broke. He did the same with the other side. Elliot backed away. He flashed her a small smile and then went back to the car. He took out his phone and dialed. “What’s your name?” Mika asked. Her gaze traveled to the still form of her kidnapper, but his body had vanished. “He’s gone. That’s not possible. I saw you hit him.” Mika glanced over, and then back at her. “Hey, don’t worry about that. Tell me your name so we can get you some help.” “O-October. October Butcher.” She tried to stand, but when she did, the world titled around her. Mika caught her again, but not before her stomach lurched and the darkness and events of the night overwhelmed her and she passed out.

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Chapter Two Mika stared down at the woman in his arms. She was very bruised and scratched. Her clothing was torn, and her wrists were marred with the outlines and bruises of the shackles that she had been bound in. He had noticed her standing in the road. He screamed for Elliot to stop when they saw the animal dart in front of the car, but Elliot had slammed on the brakes too late to avoid hitting it. October had jumped out of their path just in time. His shoulder hurt where the seat belt had bit into his flesh, but it would heal. He moved the black hair from her face and saw the delicate line of her features. Under the dirt and cuts, she was a beautiful woman. “Dude, I know that look. Don’t be getting any ideas,” Elliot, his best friend, said behind him. A line of blood ran down his temple where he had hit his head. “We need to get her to a hospital. Then we have to go to the cops. Shit, man, my poor baby is totaled. You were the one who suggested we take my car to the club tonight.” He glanced up at the other man and then back at the car. Mika rolled his eyes. “You wanted to show off that eyesore of yours. I told you to stick to practical, but oh no, you had to go and buy that canary yellow piece of plastic.” Elliot gritted his teeth. “Lana is not a piece of plastic. She is a highly tuned machine lovingly made of fiberglass and carbon fiber, with an engine that—” “Elliot, you need to focus back on the situation at hand. You were talking about getting her to the cops and a hospital. We can’t bring her to the hospital because they’ll call the state authorities and report the accident. We can’t take that chance.” “I have to call Dawn.” Mika gritted his teeth at the suggestion. “Call her.” Elliot glanced around the woods and ran a hand through his reddishbrown hair. “Good. She can look at the girl anyway. What’s her name?” Mika looked at the woman in his arms and heard her moan. “October.” He ran his finger over her cheek. Her skin was soft. Dark circles accentuated 6

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her eyes. Her lips seemed raw, as if they had been worried. What ordeals have you survived? What did he do to you? Elliot punched a number into his cell. Mika knew he wasn’t happy about calling his sister-in-law, but at this point, they didn’t have a choice. Dawn was the doctor for the pack, and she would be able to help the woman. He hoped October wasn’t too traumatized by her torment. “She’ll be here in a few minutes. Thank goodness we aren’t too far away from the house. God, my car!” Elliot roared. Mika shook his head at Elliott’s attachment to the Corvette he had bought only a few months ago. He didn’t see the wonderment of the vehicle. He’d rather be surrounded by books instead of the gadgets that his friend collected. Elliot always had to have the newest toys. Mika was satisfied with the aroma of old books and paper that kept him busy all day working in the used bookstore he owned. He glanced back to the drying pool of blood from the animal they had hit. The pack had been hunting for the deranged killer who was kidnapping girls and leaving their bodies on pack land. None of the hunters had found his scent or any trace of him. Now they had some way of identifying him. If Dawn was coming, they had to tell her something. “We need to stick with the story of running into an elk. We can’t tell Dawn the truth about how we found this girl. Or hitting the animal.” Mika looked intently at his friend, who was on the phone again, probably calling the insurance company. Elliot hung up the phone. “I called Samuel. He’s coming out here to get our report. Although I could tell he wasn’t happy about it.” Mika was about to answer when he saw headlights approaching them. “That should be Dawn.” The car eased up beside them. A woman with blond hair pulled back into a serious knot climbed out. Her sneakers squeaked on the pavement. She had her medical bag in one hand, and a scowl turned down her mouth. Her glasses reflected the glare of the headlights, but he could still see her brown eyes beneath them. The curves of her body were hidden by the white coat

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she wore. Mika remembered those curves all too well and how their relationship had gone sour. “What the hell have you gotten yourselves into?” Dawn asked as she knelt down next to Mika. “It’s nice to see you too, Dawn.” Mika flashed her a small smile. She ignored him. “The car looks totaled. What did you hit, an elk?” Mika glanced at Elliot. “Yes. That’s exactly what we hit.” She checked October’s pulse and then pulled back her eyelids to peer into her green eyes with a penlight. “And I suppose you want me to believe she was in the car with you? Because, Mika, you haven’t gotten any better at lying. Whatever you hit doesn’t smell like an elk.” “Think what you want, Dawn. Just tell me she’s going to be okay?” Mika asked. “She’s human. What does it matter to you? If I remember correctly, you weren’t into humans. Unless you were the one who tied her up and decided she had to be become a wolf too.” Hurt still lingered in her eyes even though it had been three years since they last dated. He winced at her comment, and the guilt ate him up inside. “I don’t know how many times I have to apologize. Besides, you got your wish. I was exiled from the pack and—” “And I was made into what you are. You took everything from me—” “Can you two argue about this later? We need to be sure she’s going to be okay. Will you please take Mika and her back to our house and see if she’s okay?” Elliot asked. “Fine. Mika, lay her in the backseat, and I’ll drive you back.” Mika lifted October and laid her prostrate form on the seat and then sat in the front with his ex. The silence between them weighed on his shoulders. He inhaled deeply and realized that he had missed her strawberry-scented shampoo. The aroma turned sour when the memory of him being brought before Cooper, the leader of the pack, flashed through his mind. October moaned in the back. He turned and checked to see if she was okay, but she remained unconscious.

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They turned down the driveway to the house he shared with Elliot. Mika longed for his old house and the vista it offered, but he wasn’t allowed on pack land anymore. He still owned it, but it was now rented. A property manager handled any repairs that needed to be done. At the house, he unlocked the door and then came back to get October. Dawn entered the house after Mika. He set the woman in his arms in the spare bedroom. Dawn followed a moment later with some water and a towel. She sat down on the bed and cleaned October’s wounds. “Don’t just stand around. Get another washcloth and help me.” Mika dashed into the bathroom and grabbed a towel. He returned and began cleaning the grunge off October’s hands and face. Underneath it all, he saw how badly scratched and injured she truly was. Her hands were the worst. They were raw where the flesh was worn away from the cuffs. Dawn put down the washcloth and listened to her heart and her breathing. “So?” “So what?” Dawn asked. “Is she going to be okay?” “Why is she so important to you? She’s just another human girl. What really happened to her, because I know you hitting an elk is a bogus story?” He reached across October and took Dawn’s hand. “I truly am sorry for what happened. You don’t know how much. Please don’t tell anyone about tonight. If Cooper or Samuel asks you, tell them there was no girl and we really did hit an elk.” “Why should I lie for you?” “Because you owe me.” “I owe you shit!” He clenched his teeth. “Fine. Then you owe it to Elliot for your sister.” “Don’t bring Dominique into this. Let her lie in her grave peacefully.” “Your sister wanted to join Elliot in pack life. It wasn’t his fault the turning went wrong. That happens once in a while. He’s been good to let me stay here. He worshipped your sister, and he thinks of you as family. It hurts him that you forbid him to visit her grave, but he respects that. Please don’t

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go to Samuel with this,” Mika begged her, knowing that if she talked, then he might never get a chance to get back into the good graces of the pack. “Tell me what happened.” She pulled something out of her bag and wiped it over the wounds on October’s face and hands. “We were driving home from Trent’s, the club outside of Bakersville. She was flagging us down in middle of the road, screaming for help. We started to slow down, when an animal darted out in front of us. We hit it and totaled Elliot’s car. She fainted, and we called you. If we went to the hospital, they’d ask too many questions. And they’d want to check me out. Finding out that I’m not exactly human might pique their interest. You were the only alternative.” Dawn tore October’s pants around her left calf and cleansed another wound. She bandaged it and then moved on to her swollen right ankle. “All right. I won’t say anything. She’ll be fine. Superficial scrapes and bruises. I’d say she hasn’t eaten anything substantial in a few days. She can’t walk on the ankle for at least a week. I’ll drop off some crutches and some antibiotics, just in case, with the wound on her calf. She’s lucky that she didn’t break it.” She got up and headed toward the door. “I’ll be back to make sure she’s still human.” Before Mika could respond, she walked out the door. He sighed and looked down at October. Something about her captivated him. He picked up the washcloth and wiped the rest of the grunge from her face, wondering what she could tell them about her captor when she woke up. Anything to lead them to the wolf terrorizing the women in the area. Anything that could help him regain his ties with the pack. That was all that mattered.

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Chapter Three October opened her eyes to ones so dark they could have been black. She shrank back from the man who hovered over her. Everything in her hurt when she tried to slide off the bed. When she moved, the pain in her leg immobilized her. He smiled. His lips moved, but she couldn’t hear what he said because her pulse thundered in her ears. It was all she could do to keep calm. Her gaze darted around the room. There were wood-paneled walls all around. A white ceiling with a few cobwebs was above her. A fan whizzed, sending cooling air around the room. Images of the night before flashed through her mind. She had been running through the woods. A large wolf was nipping at her heels, but she had kept on running, trying to escape her captor. The road was before her, and she had flagged down a car. A man had helped her, and then she had collapsed. “Where am I?” she asked. “Do you remember last night?” She nodded. “Yeah. You’re the guy who helped me after the accident.” “I’m Mika. I brought you back to my friend’s house, the one I’m staying with. We had a friend of ours, a doctor, take a look at you. She’ll be back in a couple of days to make sure you’re healing and we haven’t eaten you yet.” A laugh slipped from her dry throat. It seemed she had been kidnapped again and being held captive in the lap of luxury compared to the underground cell. “Can I have a glass of water?” “Of course. I’ll be right back.” October repositioned herself on the bed and had a better look at her injuries. When she pulled the sheet back, she was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and an oversize blue plaid shirt. Her wrists were still raw, and everything else about her hurt. As she ran her fingers over her face, she felt the cuts and bruises. Her savior returned with the water. “Here you go.” He handed her the glass. She took it gratefully and gulped it down, but began to choke on it after a few sips. “Thank you.”

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He took the glass and set it on the nightstand. Her caregiver pulled up a chair and then sat down, keeping his distance. October studied him. Tendrils of his brown hair hung in his face. A smattering of freckles ran along his nose and over the tops of his cheeks. A faraway look lingered in his eyes. His knee bounced up and down while he looked at her. He was antsy about something, and she figured it had to do with her. “Is there something you wanted to ask me? You’re nearly leaping out of your skin.” “Huh?” He glanced down at his knee and then stopped. “Sorry. I wanted talk to you, but I didn’t want to push you.” She ran her fingers through her hair and cringed at how she must look. “Um . . . okay. I guess. I mean, I can try. What’s your name, and the other guy who was with you last night?” “Shit. Sorry.” He stretched out his hand. “I’m Mika Winston. Elliot, my friend, owns the house. You said last night your name was October. Where are you from?” “Yeah. My mother had me in October, so she figured why not name me after the month too. She’s a bit of a free spirit. Originally I’m from Massachusetts, but I moved to Charlotte for a job. I don’t know where I am now.” “You’re not that far from Charlotte, really. Just a couple of hours north, in the mountains near Asheville. We’re a small town called Lupine Gorge. Mostly the tourists drive through. The biggest draw we get is the deserted silver mine. I know you were being held captive. Do you think you could find the place you were held if you were brought back there?” Horror gripped her at his comment. Why would he want me to go back there? Haven’t I suffered enough? I just want to go home and forget everything. Her heart picked up its pace, and the world closed in around her. She struggled to remain grounded in the present and not return to the dark cell where she had been held. October drew in a deep breath and rubbed her hands, feeling the shredded skin on her wrists. The world swam before her. All she could smell was damp earth and musk. Screams erupted

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around from the women in the other cells. Her captor’s eyes burned yellow in her mind. She shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t.” She drew her knees up to her chest and buried her head into them. Sobs built in her throat and racked her shoulders. “Whoa! It’s okay. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you so soon.” Mika came over to the bed and put his arm around her. She leaned into his embrace and inhaled his heady scent, a mixture of pine and cedar. It was the same aroma on the shirt she wore. At that moment, she figured he had changed her clothes, meaning he had seen her naked, and shrank back from him at that. October wiped her nose and then looked into his dark eyes, seeing his concern. “It’s okay. It’s too soon. I’m sorry.” He knelt down on the floor and took her hand. “Don’t be sorry. Just be happy you’re alive.” Mika brought her fingers to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. Something inside of her melted. Before she had been kidnapped, she hadn’t been in a relationship for over a year. The last one had lasted for three months. The one before that was four months. She feared something was wrong with her because no one wanted to commit. Mika seemed like a nice guy. He was doing everything to make her feel comfortable. He had gotten a doctor for her. I can’t believe that I’m thinking about this now. I can’t date a complete stranger, even if he’s nice to me. Besides, I don’t even know his situation. “Mika, you mind if I use your car?” Another man entered the room. The way the light hit his hair, it appeared silver. Tight jeans showed off his muscled thighs. His T-shirt was ratty, but she saw the defined muscles of his biceps through the holes in the fabric, and the lines of his six-pack. She bit her lip to keep from drooling. Her eyes widened when he noticed her. He stepped forward and extended his hand. “You’re awake. That’s good. Dawn said you’d probably sleep for a while considering the trauma you experienced, something about a defense mechanism. Sorry, where are my manners? I’m Elliot Davidson. You’ve already met Mika. Is he taking good care of you? He’s not trying to charm you, is he?” 13

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Mika patted her hand and then smiled at the other man. “No, I’m not charming her. Just seeing if our guest was hungry.” “Are you hungry? I’m sure we have something edible in the house. Or we can get you something. I have to go out for a few.” Elliot asked. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of food. The other two heard the rumbling and chuckled. “That’d be great. I can’t remember the last time I had a meal. They only fed me every other day maybe. And then it was only a piece of fruit here and there. It wasn’t a lot. I don’t know. I could really go for a greasy cheeseburger, onion rings, and a vanilla milkshake.” “Well, we don’t have any of that in the house, but—” Mika put a hand on Elliot’s chest. “We can figure something out. Why don’t you take my car and pick up something on the way back? There should be some fast-food place near the interstate that has what October wants.” The vein bulged in his neck. “I wasn’t planning on traveling that far. I have community business to attend to, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.” “Guys, anything is fine. Even a tuna sandwich. I don’t want you to be inconvenienced.” October hated she had caused the trouble. The tension between the two of them was rising. It seemed they were having some sort of pissing contest to see who was dominant. The glares reminded her of the malicious leers of those who had abducted her. The two of them had squared off a few times she had seen, but the partner had always backed off. After a moment, Elliot looked away and stepped back. “I’ll pick up the food on the way back. Until then, Mika can make you something. He’s a decent enough cook. When I get back, we can talk some more. There are some questions I had for you. In the meantime, is there anyone we can call for you? A boyfriend? Family? A roommate?” October thought about his question. Her sister and she weren’t on speaking terms because of something stupid. Her mother wasn’t getting in the middle of it. Her roommate was the only person. “My roommate, but I’ll call her when I’m feeling a little bit better. Thank you both for taking such great care of me.” Elliot focused back on Mika. “Can I talk to you outside, please?” 14

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Mika nodded. “Sure. I’ll be outside in a second.” October studied Mika. He seemed distraught, judging by the muscles bulging in his neck. I wonder what’s going on between the two of them. “You two aren’t in a relationship, are you?” A snort left his lips, and he turned up the corners of his mouth. She liked the twinkle in his eye. “Elliot and me? God no! I’ve known him since we were pups. I mean kids. He’s letting me stay here while my house is being renovated. He’s a good guy, just has a lot on his mind at the moment. Look, I’ll make you that tuna sandwich and see what he wants to talk about. Then I’ll come back in to keep you company.” “Yeah. That’d be great. Can you tell me where the bathroom is?” His cheeks colored. “It’s right through the door there. Do you need some help?” “No. I’m good. Maybe just some clothes so I could take a shower. I appreciate you cleaning me up, but I have to wash my hair and feel somewhat human.” “Right. Clothes. I gave you some old ones of mine. I hope you don’t mind, but I figured you didn’t want to be in those dirty clothes.” He ran his hand through his hair. Mika glanced down at the floor and then back at her while the tops of his ears got redder and redder. She giggled. “You saved my life. I’m sure you got an eyeful.” October tried to stand, and winced at the pain in her right foot from her twisted ankle. It was wrapped up in a bandage, but it still appeared swollen. She stumbled while leaning on the wall. Mika caught her and helped her to the bathroom. His warm body made her realize how much she needed to shower and put on makeup. “I’ll let you go on from here.” “Thanks.” She opened the door to the bathroom and watched Mika stroll out of the room. When he left, she closed the door and peered into the mirror, seeing how badly she was cut up. God, I look horrible, but at least I’m alive. Her black hair was tangled and filled with leaves and a couple of small twigs, which she plucked out. Dark circles were drawn under her green eyes. 15

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Something about them looked haunted. I wonder if that will ever go away. October hung her head, let the tears fall freely from her cheeks, and sank down on the toilet seat. Her heart slammed into her chest. All she could see was the morphing form of the creature that had held her captive.

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Chapter Four Mika followed his friend into the kitchen and handed him the keys to his car. The pipes groaned from the sudden rush of water through them. October was in the shower. An image of her lithe body with water dripping off it flared through his mind. Her hands trailed over her breasts while she soaped them up. Her fingers then slipped lower, caressing the flat expanse of her stomach and then gliding to the down of her black curls, where she would touch herself and think about him under the scalding water. She would moan his name and then come to him after. “Dude!” Elliot punched him on the shoulder. Mika shook himself from his vision and blinked a couple of times. His cock jerked and firmed at the thought of claiming her. Her body was gorgeous even when it was covered in grime. He had changed her clothes after Dawn had left. He’d left her bra and panties on. Besides, her tattered garments had been covered with the scent of the beast they were hunting. They were now stashed behind his hamper in his closet so she wouldn’t find them. When he had brought them to his nose to detect the other wolf’s scent, hers was mixed with it, and he found her delectable. “Did you hear me?” Elliot asked. “Yeah. I heard you. I was just thinking.” His friend crossed his arms over his chest. “I know what you were thinking. Don’t even go there with her. We don’t need you getting into any more trouble and making her into one of us against her will.” “How could you say that to me?” Mika growled. “I’d never do that again. Besides, Dawn freaked at the last minute before I was going to bite her, and I couldn’t pull it back. That’s the truth. Not the way she spun it to Cooper.” Elliot threw up his hands. “Sorry, man. It’s been a long day, and I’m late. Go out and find some chick to fuck. I don’t care. Just keep your paws off our guest. We want to make sure she heals and doesn’t run back to the authorities. We don’t need human law on pack lands. Now I have to run. Play nice with her until Dawn can come.”

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“Why did you call her back here so soon?” He wasn’t in any mood to deal with his ex. All he wanted to do was switch his shape and run out some of his aggression. The wolf inside of him was clamoring for a hunt. He was hoping he could glean some more information from October. “Because our guest needs another woman to talk to and we don’t have any clothes or personal effects here. Did she tell you who we need to call?” “She said she would call her roommate when she felt better.” Elliot shook his head. “Right. She did say that. I have way too much on my mind. Thinking about Lana and how she was busted up is tearing me up.” “I can’t believe you’re thinking about that stupid car again. At least we can assume October doesn’t have a boyfriend, which could work to our advantage.” “Man, you think too much with your dick, and that’s what has always gotten you into trouble. You and those boyish good looks of yours. Every chick at the bar last night was eyeing you. I can’t get them to give me a second look. Lana was the only woman who adored me.” Mika was about to make some witty retort about Elliot’s Corvette, but he stopped when he saw his friend’s face. The sadness that lingered in his eyes was apparent. It didn’t matter how many new toys he bought to drown himself in technology. The hurt around his heart was like a cancer eating away at him. He was worried about Elliot. It might have been two years since Dominique had passed away, but his grief resonated inside the house like a ghost haunting a forsaken churchyard. Its wails were heard even in the night and in the howls his friend let off when they were alone in the forest. He figured Elliot was trying to hide that he was dying inside. No matter what he did, Mika couldn’t cheer the other man up. “That’s because they knew your ugly ass was driving that insane car that got totaled last night,” Mika joked. “Don’t bring Lana into this.” Mika threw up his hands. “You’re the one who brought up the car first.” “It’s bad enough I have to drive around in that beat-up Honda of yours. You really need to get a new car.” 18

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“Hey, it runs. I don’t care how it looks.” “Smart-ass. I’ll see you later.” “Remember her cheeseburger, onion rings, and vanilla shake.” Elliot flipped him the one-finger salute as he walked out the door. When the taillights disappeared down the driveway, he dug through the refrigerator, searching for something that October might find appetizing. On the shelves were Chinese food boxes from last week that were starting to go rancid, an anchovy-and-olive pizza, which was Elliot’s favorite, with a half-eaten slice left, a can of beer, and a half-empty bottle of soda. There was also a loaf of moldy bread, but nothing else. He checked the pantry and found nothing but canned sardines and peaches, which had been in there for two years or more. The freezer was almost empty too. He did find a box of chocolate ice cream that hadn’t been opened. All chicks are supposed to like chocolate. Maybe this’ll do until Elliot can come back with her food. The water shut off while he hunted for a clean bowl and a spoon. Finally, he washed one out and then scooped the ice cream into the bowl. He waited a few minutes until he thought October had enough time to get dressed, and then knocked on the closed door. “Come in,” she called in a soft, raspy voice. Mika pushed open the door and saw her sitting on the bed in his shirt that hung down to her knees. The pants lay on the bed. She was pulling her fingers through the wet tendrils of her hair. Her milky calves were tucked underneath her. He saw the dip of her breasts from the V in her shirt. Her nipples poked through the fabric. Beneath all the cuts and bruises was a beautiful woman he could easily find himself in bed with. She’d make a good tumble partner. His wolf growled in agreement with the idea. He tried to rip his gaze away from the rise and fall of her chest, showing the subtle bounce of her breasts, but his cock stirred once again at the thought of her. October met his eyes. Her expression was one of surprise and then embarrassment. She grabbed the sheet and pulled it over her lap. He tore his eyes away from her chest and turned them to her heart-shaped face. He forced a smile and tried to think about baseball. “Sorry, I really couldn’t find anything in the house that was edible except the ice cream. I hope you like chocolate.” 19

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A tentative smile turned up her lips, but her eyes were still indecisive. He sensed the fear in her. If she could bolt, she would. Something in her didn’t trust him. Shit. I’m coming on way too strong. She probably thinks I was looking at her like she’s lunch. Even though I’d love to taste that pussy of hers, I can’t let my dick dictate my actions. Elliot was right. Damn him! “Chocolate’s fine.” He set the ice cream on the nightstand, next to her glass of water, and then sat in the chair, trying to keep his distance so he wouldn’t spook her any more. “Sorry about leering at you. I’m sure you think I’m some kind of pervert. I’ll leave you to your ice cream.” “No. Don’t. It’s nice to have the company. I’ve been alone for . . . well, I don’t know how long. When there isn’t anyone around, all I can hear is their screams. And I think, why me?” Tears slipped down her cheeks. He hesitated. After seeing her shivering, he couldn’t help but put his arm around her. Her body went rigid, but then she relaxed against him. October rested her head on his shoulder and started to cry again. Everything in him said to pull her even closer into his body so that he could comfort her, but he sat perfectly still so she could continue crying. Finally, he melted and moved his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. The aroma of peaches clung to her hair. He remembered that Dominique used to use that bathroom, and she had had some scented soap in there. Elliot had probably never cleaned out the bathroom. Mika shook his head and tried to think more wholesome thoughts, because his mind easily allowed him to peel back the collar of the shirt and plant kisses along her collarbone, to the base of her throat. There he would lick the hollow before moving along her breastbone, over each of her breasts, sampling her skin, and taking each nipple between his teeth. Then he would tease them until they were hard and swollen from all the attention. October pulled away. Her eyes were puffy, and a few tears lingered on her cheeks. Mika wiped the tears away with his thumb. Even with the lost look in her eye, he wanted to kiss her. She leaned closer until her mouth was centimeters from his. He needed to see if those lips were as soft as they appeared. If they were, then Mika knew he was in trouble. An explosion of 20

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hot breath blasted against his mouth. The heat of her breath warmed his exposed skin, and he was losing himself to the moment. “We shouldn’t do this. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take advantage.” “I don’t.” He nodded, only half hearing her. October’s lips were full and so very kissable. Mika focused on how they parted slightly when she exhaled, giving him a glimpse of her even teeth. He couldn’t wait any longer and claimed her lips for himself. A shock went through her and vibrated across his skin. Her heart raced from their lips touching, and she returned the kiss with a fervor he hadn’t expected. Mika took her face between his hands and cupped her cheeks. October pushed against him, craving to be kissed more. She moaned so softly he thought he had imagined it. But no, he had heard her. It made him yearn to bury his dick inside of her pussy. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip and waited. She opened her mouth and touched his tongue with hers. It took everything in him not to throw her down on the bed, rip her clothes off, and fuck her right there. Elliot was right. It has been way too long since I’ve gotten laid. “My, my, why am I not surprised to see this?” Mika pulled away from October and glanced at the doorway. Dawn stood there with a duffel bag slung over her shoulder and another plastic bag in her hand. Her lips were pursed and her eyes tinged yellow from holding back her anger. She dropped the things on the floor, then turned and left the room. He raced after her and caught her arm. She whipped around and slapped him so hard he could feel the imprint of her palm on his cheek. The force of it turned his head. He worked his jaw just to be sure it was still attached. “How dare you!” she seethed. “Excuse me, but I never asked you to butt into my affairs. You washed your hands of me when you claimed I turned you against your will. You were the one who chickened out at the last moment, when I warned you ahead of time I couldn’t pull back. Because of you, I was thrown out of the pack. I

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can’t go back to my house. I barely make a living. But I kept my mouth shut, hoping one day you could love me again.” “I could never love you after what you did to me. And you’re going to do it again to that innocent woman in there. Elliot asked for some of Dominique’s clothes and some personal items because I know he doesn’t have anything like that here. I left the crutches in the kitchen. I’ll be back in the morning. If I find out that she’s not human, then I’m going to Cooper, and you’ll be run out of here.” Dawn stomped out of the house, and the door slammed shut. Mika shook his head and couldn’t control the anger and hurt that welled up inside of him. For a moment he saw nothing but red. He smashed his fist into the wood paneling next to a picture, which crashed to the floor. Behind him he heard a gasp. When he turned around, he saw October leaning on the doorjamb with such fear in her eyes that he knew she would never see him as anything more than a monster.

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Chapter Five October stared at the dark brown pool of ice cream in the bowl. Her appetite had vanished after Mika slammed his fist into the wall. The look in his eye had been alien to the kind one he had given her only moments before. After the explosion, he had set the crutches inside the room. Her mind played over the kiss they had shared. It was soft and filled with a need she hadn’t understood, and he had seemed so sincere. Then the other woman had come in. It sounded like they used to be together. I don’t need to be in the middle of that. Hell, I don’t need to be in the middle of anything. I just want to get better and go home. But I can hardly even walk, so I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. The thought depressed her. She was at the mercy of the two men who had taken her into their home. They wanted to know where she had been kept. Could she find that place again? Nothing in her wanted to return to that cellar. However, there were others down there. If she could save them, then that was something. “Knock, knock.” Elliot stood in the doorway with a cardboard tray in one hand and a large bag in the other. His silver hair made him look older than he really was. Whatever his age, he was drop-dead gorgeous. She had to keep from drooling when he sauntered into the room and sat on the chair next to the bed. “Sorry about getting back so late. I was at a meeting. I hope you don’t mind. I see Mika brought you some ice cream. I told him to go shopping. You aren’t hungry?” Her stomach gurgled at the smell of the food he had brought. From the aroma, she could tell it was greasy and everything that she needed to help her feel normal again. “I’m not a big chocolate fan. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.” He nodded and glanced at the bags on the floor. “I take it Dawn stopped by. I hope you don’t mind. I asked her to bring over some of her sister’s things.” “No, it’s great as long as her sister doesn’t mind.” 23

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A half smile worked on his face, but the pain in his eyes told a different story. “Dominique passed away a couple of years ago. We were going to be married.” She placed a hand on his knee. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” Elliot glanced down at her hand, which she quickly snatched away. He shook his head and unloaded the contents of the fast-food bag. There was two of everything, so it appeared he was going to eat with her. October took the burger, unwrapped it, and then took a large bite out of it. The meat was juicy and had everything on it: cheese, bacon, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and ketchup, with a pickle too. She licked her lips from the dribble of ketchup that got caught on the corner of her mouth. Her host chuckled and handed her a napkin. “I take it you’re enjoying it?” “Oh God, yes. Right now it’s better than sex. Not that I’d rather a cheeseburger over sex but I . . . um . . .” Her cheeks burned when she realized she had talked herself into a corner. October studied her onion rings. When she glanced back at Elliot, he was trying hard not to laugh. October burst into giggles too. “Sorry. It’s been kinda stressful these past few days. What’s the date anyway?” “That’s okay. I knew what you meant. It’s Monday, September twelfth. What was the last date you remember?” The burger sat on her lap as the dates went through her mind. Her fingers went numb. It was hard for her to breathe at the revelation. The smell of the food suddenly turned her stomach sick. The spinning in her head began again. Small tremors ran along her nerves, and the room was closing in on her. Elliot grabbed her food and set it on the nightstand. The next thing she knew, she was in his arms with him rubbing her back. That sensation of him moving his hands over her spine helped anchor her in her body. It took a few minutes until she could focus again. “I was gone for a month. Oh God! All that time.” “Shh . . . it’s okay. You made it out alive. Don’t let it get you down.” “But the others. They’re still down there.” “How many more?” Elliot asked her. 24

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October pushed away from him and saw his intense stare. “Three or four. I don’t know. The only reason I got away was because he was distracted with another girl and his partner wasn’t there.” “Tell me what happened.” Images of her captor morphing his shape brought fear, but it was his eyes she was always going to see. Demon eyes that could peer into her soul and know the very things she was thinking. I’ll never get those out of my head no matter how old I get. No matter how much I try to forget. Those yellow eyes will haunt my nightmares. She turned back to Elliot and tried to remember where it had all started. “A friend of mine set me up with this guy. I went to this café, and he never showed up. I waited a while, until it was dark. Then I left. I was heading to my car when someone hit me over the head. The next thing I knew, I was locked up in some underground cell. There was a mattress to sleep on and a bucket. He left me fruit and fresh water, but nothing else. There were more girls when I started. Seven, I think. We would tell each other our names and talk while he was gone.” “You mentioned he had a partner.” She nodded. “Yeah. I only saw him a handful of times. He turned on the power once when his partner was gone. He took one of the girls and brought her to the main room. I don’t know what he did with her, but her cries haunt my dreams. His partner came back, and they had a screaming match. It was pure luck I was able to get the pin loose on the chains that held me. They were so rusted. My abductor came in and said I was next. He went to a girl down the hall. I used that chance to open the door and wait. My kidnapper was distracted. I snuck out, and then I stopped. One minute he was there, and the next, in his place was a wolf. I know it sounds crazy, but I swear it. When I ran out of the cellar, it was a not a man on my heels, but a wolf. Didn’t you hit an animal?” He took her hand and squeezed it. She searched his face, but it remained blank. “I believe that you suffered a great shock after your ordeal. Your mind is still processing that. You ran in front of our car, and, yes, we did hit

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something, but it wasn’t a wolf. It was a large elk. Damnedest thing. I think it did more damage to us than we did to it.” October wrenched her hand away. “I know what I saw. What was behind me was not an elk! It was a wolf. My kidnapper turned from a man into a-a monster. I’m not imagining it.” She grabbed her cheeseburger and tore into it again. After a few minutes of silence, she glanced back at Elliot. He was eating too, but she could see the wheels working in his head from the tightness of his concentration. There’s something he’s not telling me. “Did Mika happen to tell you where he was going?” “No. And I honestly don’t care.” “What happened? Did he get into another fight with Dawn? They used to have a thing, until he lost his temper one night and hurt her.” “You mean he beat her up?” It wouldn’t surprise me since he hit the wall and looked like he was going to come after me. And I let him kiss me. What an ass. Elliot sighed. “Not exactly. Mika isn’t a violent man, but he’s been under a lot of stress lately. Don’t pay any attention to him. Dawn and he have been going back and forth for years. She presses his buttons, and then he pushes them back. I’ve learned to ignore it. You should too, considering you’re going to be here for a couple of weeks until you can walk on your ankle.” “What happens after it heals?” He put down his burger and took a sip of his drink. “I figured I’d talk to you about that later. We were hoping you could lead us back to where you were held captive. After that, we find the guy, turn him over to the authorities, and then you get to go back to your life. We’ll drop you off, and that’s it.” She nodded. “Didn’t you call the cops about finding me? Why are you so intent on going after this guy?” “We contacted the local sheriff and told them we had hit an elk and totaled my car.” The color drained from her face. “But you didn’t tell them about me? So I’m your prisoner until you catch this guy?”

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“No. No. You misunderstand. You are our guest. When you’re better, we’ll make sure you get back to your place. We didn’t want to involve the outside authorities because this guy’s one of our own.” “So is this some kind of Native American tribal thing?” Elliot gave her a half smile, but that didn’t reveal what was going through his mind. His answers had only supplied her with more questions. “Something like that. Don’t worry about it. Really. I’ll go shopping in the morning for food. Just write down what you want, and I’ll pick it up. Dominique used to take care of that sort of thing. She—” More pain burned in his eyes, and his skin paled. A faraway look came to his eye. “What happened to her?” “There was an accident, and she didn’t make it.” “Is that one reason why Mika and Dawn fight, because he was involved with the accident that killed your fiancée?” “No. That was my fault. If you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long night.” Elliot gathered the rest of his meal and her bowl of ice cream and left the room, closing the door behind him. October mulled over everything she had learned. It was obvious they were both nursing some pretty deep hurts. Somehow they were connected to her kidnapper. She was the evidence they needed to hunt him down. Are they bounty hunters? Why haven’t they called in the outside authorities? Why didn’t they tell them about me? Something was going on, and she was going to get to the bottom of it. The next morning, she woke up and her stomach hurt from eating so much. A shower was running somewhere in the house. She slid onto the floor and examined the bags that Dawn had brought to her. Inside were three pairs of jeans, some T-shirts, and a dress. There were a pair of sneakers and some flats. In the plastic bag were some toiletries and other personal items. At the bottom of the bag was a package of panties, but no bra. Grateful for the clothes, she slipped into the jeans and found they were a size too big. The T-shirt was okay, but it was tight across the chest. Apparently Dominique had had a smaller chest than October, and she considered herself average. Oh well, it’s clothes, and they fit. 27

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She glanced at her swollen ankle and poked it with her finger. Pain grated along her leg. The marks on her skin had turned to a dark purple. At least she was healing. She didn’t bother with the socks or shoes and crawled her way over to the crutches and used those to help her stand. When she was on her feet, she tried the crutches and found after a few tries she was able to walk with them, although it was slow going. October opened the door and decided it was time to inspect the house instead of the room she had been staring at for the past two days. When she walked down the hall, she noticed it was all wood paneling. The living room was something she expected to see in a man’s house that had no woman’s touch to it. A fireplace was along the back wall. A leather sofa sat along the other wall. In every corner, mounted to the wall, were surround sound speakers. On the wall above the fireplace was a forty-six-inch plasma television that made her imagine the movie watching she could do in here. In the other corner was a stereo with even more speakers attached to it. In the dining room, a sliding glass door revealed a deck that looked out onto the forest below. The house had been built on the side of a mountain. She hobbled over to open the door and walked out onto the deck. Stairs led down to the lawn below. A few wisps of smoke wound along the trees until they mixed with the mist that hung over the forest. The air was crisp. Fall was her favorite season. The smell of the leaves and the thought of hot apple cider always turned her on when she thought of fall. It reminded her of when she had been a kid back in Massachusetts and the large piles of leaves she would jump into. Her mother was always furious with her for scattering them once again. Autumn always held more possibilities for her. The joy that filled her knowing she was going to live to see another season choked her up. Was her life ever going to be normal again? “You’re up.” She glanced back and saw Elliot in the doorway with a plateful of pancakes. She licked her lips. “Yeah. I couldn’t stay in the bedroom anymore. I hope it’s okay that I came out here.”

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“It’s fine. You have the run of the house while you’re here. I made some breakfast. I hope you don’t mind pancakes, and I have real maple syrup.” Elliot wagged his eyebrows at her. October went back inside and sat at the table while he set the flapjacks between the two of them. Then he brought out some orange juice and the syrup. She scooped some up, and they ate in silence. Finally, Elliot took their plates and set them in the sink, but he came back to sit down with her. “Those were great. Thanks.” “You’re welcome. I did some shopping this morning. I heard from Mika. He said he was going to be spending some time at his shop and probably wouldn’t be around much. I have to run some errands in town. Do you mind staying here? Anything that you need?” “Nothing. Thanks. I don’t mind. Maybe you can show me which remote goes to what.” “Glad to.” Elliot helped her up, and she became very aware of his warm body and that she had no bra on. She inhaled his scent and noticed he smelled like the syrup he had used on the pancakes. I wonder if he tastes like maple too. Need to get my head out of the gutter. First I kiss his roommate, and then I want to make out with him. I don’t even know these guys. “Is there something wrong?” Elliot asked. Shame peppered her cheeks from the heat of where her thoughts were leading. Being against his hard body, she could easily slide her hands over his stomach to feel his six-pack, and lower to cup his cock. If she weren’t hurt, it would be easy to climb on top of him and ride him all night long. “No, nothing. Sorry.” She snuggled up to him and barely reached the top of his chest. Elliot was over six feet tall, and she was five-eight. She slipped her hand around his back, feeling the hard muscles there. He sat her down on the couch. October couldn’t help but lean up and brush her lips across his. He stiffened, but didn’t pull back right away.

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He was going to say something, when she answered first. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I-I just wanted to say thanks for breakfast and letting me stay here. I was aiming for your cheek and—” “Don’t worry about it.” She touched her lips and nodded. Elliot showed her the remote and then turned the television on for her. He left the room, and she flipped through the stations, trying to decide on something to watch. What she really wanted was to kiss Elliot again. October craved to cuddle up to him. Elliot seemed frozen in time. The hurt that hung around him was also reflected in the house. His heart was closed off, and she wondered if he was ever going to be free of the phantom in his soul.

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Chapter Six Mika stared at the makeshift bed he had been sleeping on for the past week. The old, ratty couch had been there when he bought the place. It was more comfortable than it looked. His thoughts turned toward October. Her look had disturbed him. Deep down he knew she saw him as a monster. The numbers on the computer screen blurred while he thought about her. Each night he imagined going back to Elliot’s to see her. Eventually he always talked himself out of it. He ran his fingers through his hair and tugged on the strands. I have to get her out of my head. “Dude, when are you coming back to the house? We have to discuss what we’re going to do with October,” Elliot said from the doorway. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that I come back.” “Stop being a chicken, and get your ass back home. You don’t want to deal with being attracted to her. Honestly, I can’t be alone with her anymore in the house.” Mika saw the color in his cheeks. Did I hear him right? “What’s the matter? She getting under your skin?” Elliot balked. “Of course not. Being alone in the house with her is daunting. She keeps asking what we’re doing to find the man who kidnapped her. I told her that we had hit an elk, but I know she doesn’t believe me. She insists that her captor turned into a wolf. I keep telling her that she imagined that. October told me there was a second abductor. We never thought of that. Dawn’s been over a couple of times to see what else she needs. She’s wearing Dominique’s clothes. All I can see is her, and her perfume is still attached to the fabric. I just . . .” A low growl spilled from his lips. “She’s not Dominique. Your mind’s playing tricks on you.” His friend collapsed on the sofa next to him. “I know that. But I didn’t tell you that she kissed me the other day.” His eyes widened. “Really? She kissed me too.” “Did you enjoy it?” Elliot asked. His cock moved from the thought of October dressed in only his shirt, showing the dip between her breasts. The way her dark hair cascaded over 31

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her shoulders stirred his desire. Her milky calves and the tops of her breasts were something he had to taste. His dick firmed, and he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Mika met his friend's inquisitive gaze and then looked down at the floor. “Her lips were sweet. I wanted to take her that very night. I still think about it. Elliot, I haven’t longed for a woman this way since I wanted Dawn. After I hit the wall, I wasn’t sure I could trust myself around her. And the way she looked at me when I exploded, I can’t face her looking at me like that again. Are you attracted to her too?” “She’s smokin’, I give her that. It’s messed up, her dressing in Dom’s clothes. The lines are blurring together. Yeah, I’m attracted to her. We have to keep our heads straight. She can’t know about us, and she’s been asking a lot of questions. We need to find the bastards and then get her back to her life.” Mika knew his friend was right. October had a life of her own. Once she was healed, she had to return to that life. If they were both drawn to her, then why couldn’t they both try to woo her? That meant he had to go back to the house and apologize for being an ass and losing his temper. He studied his friend and wondered how much October had wormed into his heart. He hadn’t made this much of a fuss over a woman since Dominique, so maybe she was making an impact on him. “I’ve been going out every night this week, but I haven’t picked up anything. I don’t know how he does it. Or why we haven’t detected the other one. You want to come with me tonight? I sure could use the extra nose.” “Does that mean you’re coming back to the house?” He nodded. “Yup. The couch is getting lumpy. I really do wish I was in my own bed.” Elliot clapped him on the back. “Good. Because dinner’s cooking with October looking over it. Let’s go.” Mika turned off the computer and then locked up the bookstore. He rode back with Elliot. As he got out of the car, his stomach tightened in knots thinking about what he would say to October. He strolled into the kitchen and saw her leaning over the stove on one crutch. Her braided hair 32

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hung down her back. He smelled the vanilla of her skin over the spices in the food. He licked his lips at the delectable aroma. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and his blue plaid shirt. A smile curled up his mouth when he saw she was wearing it. When she turned around, the surprise of his return was apparent by the light in her eyes. “H-Hi!” “Hello. Are you going to be staying here?” “Yeah. I wanted to apologize for last week. I lost my temper with Dawn, and you didn’t need to see that. I normally don’t go postal.” “It’s okay. Elliot told me you and she used to date and it ended badly. Don’t worry about it. Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.” She grabbed another plate from the cabinet and had to reach up on tiptoe to get it. October lost her balance when she turned. Mika rushed over and caught her before she dropped the plate. He stared into her eyes and felt the instant attraction flare between them. He lowered his mouth to hers and claimed her lips before he could stop. She tasted like everything he had imagined and then some. He pulled her closer until her breasts pushed against his chest. Mika kissed along the line of her jaw, then nipped at the column of her throat. October moaned and ran her fingers through his hair. Encouraged, he slid his hand over her shirt and cupped her breast through the material. The nipple tightened at his touch. Everything in him wanted to carry her away and make love to her. Screw dinner. I need her now. October quivered from his caresses. Her desire filled his nose like a fine wine. “I want you, October. God help me. I need you.” She placed a hand on his chest and shook her head. “I can’t. Not right now.” “Why?” “What about Elliot?” “What about him?” He growled and hated the fact that he did. His friend had admitted he was attracted to October as well. “He’s been here all week. He’s bent over backward to help me out, and there’s something so broken inside of him. I can’t fight this thing between us,

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but there’s also something between me and Elliot. He denies it. I don’t want to complicate things more than they already are.” He understood, but that didn’t mean he was going to give up. A strand of her braid had come loose, and he pushed it behind her ear. “Okay.” He backed away and then took the plate that she had in her hand. He brought it out to the table and set another place. Elliot came in from the garage and smiled at October. Mika noticed how she smiled back and her eyes brightened. She’s drawn to the both of us and doesn’t want to hurt our feelings. God, why does this happen now? They sat down together at the table and ate dinner. Their conversation was very stilted and mostly kept to one- or two-word answers. Her gaze darted between them. At the end of the meal, Elliot gathered the plates. His hand brushed across hers. Her cheeks filled with color. His friend lingered a moment and returned the smile. Part of Mika was glad the other man had found another woman, but the primal part, the wolf, longed to tear his throat out because he was encroaching on his territory. It took all of his self-control to keep quiet and his temper locked away when October settled down next to Elliot on the couch and laid her head on his shoulder. He muttered something under his breath that caught Elliott’s attention. He shot him a look. Halfway into the movie, he couldn’t take it anymore when he squeezed her knee. Mika got up and walked out onto the deck, hoping the fall air would cool his raging wolf instincts. Elliot’s my friend, and I’d never hurt him. “You okay, bro?” Mika shook his head. “I don’t know. I saw the way she was with you tonight, resting her head on your shoulder, and your hand on her knee.” He curled his fingers into the wood, feeling the splinters lodge under his nails. Seeing October with Elliot broke his heart because she wasn’t with him. It cut him to the soul, and he didn’t know how to handle it. “Whoa! Mika, you need to chill. I told you that you had to come back. Something about October draws me to her. I look at her and I see Dominique, but I also see her. I’d forgotten how nice it is to have a woman around. We’ve talked, and I’ve gotten to know her. She’s really great. I can’t

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help it if I’m attracted to her. We have to find a way to get past this. How do you think I felt when I saw you kissing her before dinner?” A wave of cold washed over Mika that helped cool some of his rage. “I didn’t realize you saw us together.” Elliot pulled out a chair and sat down. “Well, I did. I didn’t rush in and rip out your throat the way I wanted to. I was content with you staying at the store, but she was the one who asked about you.” “Really?” “Yes. Really. The simplest solution is to figure out where the kidnappers are hiding. Or at least the one who terrorized her. She’ll be okay in another week. Then we bring her back to her life. Right now October is complicating things.” What Elliot was saying was true, but Mika wasn’t sure he could let her go. His dreams over the past week had been riddled with October walking through them. His wolf yearned to possess her. If she desired both of them, then something might have to be worked out. Or she could choose. “Is everything okay?” Elliot and Mika looked over to the doorway and saw October. The scratches on her face had healed and were fading. The bruises on her wrists were still visible. She was a strong woman and a fighter. Her breath was noticeable in the chilled air. She rubbed her arms from the cold breeze, though Mika hadn’t realized it was cold out. “I think we need to talk about something,” Elliot said. She sighed and chewed her lip. A few strands of hair floated around her face. She nodded. They went back into the house. October sat at the dining room table and put her leg up on the chair next to her. Mika saw a flash of pain work across her face. It was clear her ankle was still hurting her and she wasn’t faking it. She traced the patterns in the wood and didn’t meet either of their gazes. “October, you know you can stay here as long as you need to,” Elliot said. She nodded. “I know. But that isn’t the reason you wanted to talk. I get it.” 35

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“Look, it’s obvious that you are attracted to the both of us,” Mika blurted out. Keeping his emotions bottled up was killing him. If he didn’t get this resolved right now, he would find it easier to head back to the bookstore and stay there while October was with them. If she chose Elliot, then he didn’t need to be there at all. I’ll erase her from my mind. Although the thought of losing her made it seem his heart was being stabbed with a dull corkscrew and dug out. October pulled the elastic from her braid and fiddled with the strands. Tears glistened along her eyes. “I’m not one of those women who plays with guys’ hearts. Mika, you left, and after everything Elliot told me about you, I couldn’t help but feel close to you. And Elliot’s been wonderful. It’s crazy, but I want the two of you.” She shook her head and got up from the table. “Then we—” She made her way back to her room. Mika was about to go after her, when Elliot grabbed his wrist and stopped him. His friend’s firm grip made him think for a moment instead of just reacting. “Let her be, Mika. We were going hunting tonight anyway.” Mika nodded. He had almost forgotten. The idea of moving his muscles and running was something he looked forward to. “Yeah.” “Good.” “I’ll be right back. I have something we need.” Mika ventured back into his room and pulled out October’s torn shirt from the night they had rescued her. He brought it outside and then waited for Elliot. His friend emerged naked. Nakedness wasn’t something new between them, but since things had changed in regards to their guest, part of him saw the other man as a potential threat to a would-be mate. Mika couldn’t shake it. He threw the ruined shirt to Elliot and stripped as well. He folded his clothes and set them on the chair. Mika rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms. Above them hung a sickle moon, giving them only a little light to see by. The valley below was teeming with life. He could feel it and the world around him giving him power to help facilitate the change. The burn of transformation fired through him. It started with the cracking of his jaw first, as it realigned to make room for longer and sharper 36

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teeth. The vertebrae in his back popped. He dropped to all fours, unable to keep balanced on two. His skin itched where fur pushed through his flesh. He ignored the yearning to scratch at it, but instead focused on his face protruding and his jaw reforming into that of a wolf’s snout. The heat continued to wrap along his nerves until it consumed all of him. A cry of pain left his lips that turned into a wolf’s howl worshipping the moon. He glanced over at Elliot. His friend had already slipped his skin into that of the wolf. Mika sniffed the shirt one last time, catching in his nose the tangy scent of the wolf that had kidnapped October. He bounded down the steps and into the woods that surrounded the house, hoping to find the trail that would lead him to the rogues terrorizing innocent women. If he could bring even one of them to justice, then hopefully he could be connected to the pack once more. And get his life back.

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Chapter Seven October stared out the window at the valley below. The confrontation between Mika and Elliot paced through her mind. She was volleying between whom she was attracted to more and whom she wanted to be with. Her heart was split in two. Mika might not have been there for the past week, but ever since she kissed him that first time, he had remained on her mind. Elliot had given her more information about what had happened between Mika and Dawn. She had wanted different things and had pulled out of the relationship. The breakup had resulted in him getting kicked out of their community because she complained he had beaten her. Then there was Elliot. He was more than his looks. Elliot told her that he had been a model when he was younger, but he’d gotten tired of the fast-paced life, the drugs, and the partying that went along with it. That, and he was getting hit on all the time, and he wasn’t that kind of person. Now and again he did a couple of shoots at the requests of people he knew, or an interview. He hadn’t elaborated more on Dominique, just that when he had met her, she was his whole world. When he had talked about her, his whole face lit up. The flame he carried in his heart for the other woman would never extinguish. She didn’t think she could live up to her memory. During the week, Elliot had kept her company and asked her questions about her past, but didn’t press her about her captivity. Warm and tingly feelings for the two men lit up her insides. Shit. What the hell am I going to do? I want both of them. With Mika, she sensed the wildness underneath the nerdy exterior he portrayed. Elliot was more refined, but definitely a savvy technogeek. Mika’s arms were warm, and his lips were hungry for her. Elliot’s lips were soft, and he was more reserved. He hadn’t let her kiss him more than that brief brushing of lips. He would touch her shoulder or, like tonight, lay his hand on her knee. Each man seemed to have a higher body temperature than what she was used to. If they were going to make her choose between them, she wasn’t sure she could do that. Soon she would be completely healed and have to return home. When she left, would 38

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she still see Elliot and Mika? Or would they be part of a time in her life that was horrible and she wanted to push back into the darkness of her mind? She got out of bed and put her weight on her ankle. As long as she used one crutch and held on to the wall, she could get around the house okay. Over the past week, she’d contacted her work and her roommate, letting them know what had happened. Her roommate understood, and her boss had fired her. The job sucked anyway. The thought of going back to her old life seemed a dream after what she had been through. Nighttime had been the hardest. Elliot had kept her company until she had fallen asleep. Even in the quiet, she wasn’t sure if someone was watching her. In the dining room, she noticed the lights were off and the house was quiet. She felt a draft. The sliding glass door was open. She hobbled outside and saw Mika’s clothes neatly folded on the chair by the balcony. On the railing was her ruined shirt. Odd. What in the world are they doing with that? Mika told me he got rid of it. Why would he lie to me about it? Why are his clothes outside? Does he have a thing for streaking? October ran her hands over her arms, feeling the chill of the night seeping into her bones. She pulled the plaid shirt Mika had given to her closer to her body and pressed the collar to her nose. His musky scent lingered even after she had washed it. It was another thing that made her feel close to him. When she settled down to sleep, the heady aroma kept him in her mind. Then the dreams would begin. Elliot would wake her up and remind her that she was safe. Now they had abandoned her to the night. Where did they go? Why didn’t they tell me where they were going? The stars above gave more light than the thin crescent moon did. Each little jewel dotting the sky was a hope cast across the darkness by some little child or hopeful spirit. She used to wish on stars. Now when she gazed up at them, she didn’t see desires waiting to be fulfilled. October saw the light of dead rocks that was just reaching Earth. Once upon a time, she used to believe in fairy tales, but those dreams had died when the reality of the world had hit her. No one had answered her prayers while she was kept caged. She didn’t know what she believed in anymore. Was it the will of the universe that she was kidnapped

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or that she had escaped? Maybe it had happened so she could meet the two men who had saved her. Now you’re just reaching for straws as to why you’re attracted to both of them. She smiled, and another part answered her. Because they are totally hot in different ways and you want them in bed with you. Maybe. But would they go for that? The breeze cooled her a little more. In the distance she heard the shrill howl of a wolf. Fear and horror buzzed along her nerves. The hair stood up on the back of her neck. He’s found me. Where are Mika and Elliot? She glanced around and saw the only route of escape was through the house or down the stairs. The bay came again. This time it was closer. A minute passed, and another cry filled the air, answering the other wolf. Maybe it isn’t him. Maybe it really is just wolves. It’s possible the mountains are full of them. Or maybe he has a pack and he finally healed enough to track me down. Below her, two forms emerged from the trees. Two large wolves, looking like Great Danes on steroids, trotted toward the deck stairs. She slunk back into the shadows to watch them. Each step they took, her fear intensified. Knots twisted and turned in her stomach, growing tighter as the wolves got closer. She retreated until her back hit the wall. From her vantage point, one of them had silver fur that gleamed even in the little slice of moonlight. The other was darker and blended with the night. They were a contrast of darkness and light. Her eyes widened when their shapes transformed before her eyes, their muscles rippling. The crack of bones drifted to her ears, and the cries that came from their throats were a mixture of animal and human. They shivered and soon went from standing on four legs to two. The thunder of her pulse filled her ears. A cold sweat had broken out over her body. I’m not seeing this. This isn’t happening. It brought her back to seeing her captor do exactly the same thing. She hadn’t been sure of her eyes then either. What made it even worse was when the wolf forms stopped shifting, the men who appeared were the two she was struggling with feelings for. Elliot came up the stairs first. “At least this time you were able to pick up a scent.”

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“I guess having two noses is better than one.” Mika slapped him on the back and chuckled. “You’re both monsters!” October cried out and stepped from the shadows. Her terror remained, but it was fast turning into resentment. Mika and Elliot froze. The rage built in her, and it didn’t matter they were both naked and gorgeous. Elliot’s wiry muscles were cut into his pale skin. There was a crisscrossing of scars on his thighs, but the rest of his body was perfect. Mika had more definition of his muscles, but he wasn’t overpowering. The knobs of his nipples stood out in the cool air. When her gaze settled on their semierect cocks, she fought the images of the three of them in bed together. That’s never going to happen now. Not now that I know what they truly are. October shook off the lust that mingled with the anger, tore her gaze away from their lower anatomy, and fixed her eyes on their faces. Their twin shocked expressions told her they had never expected her to discover what they truly were. Mika held out his hand and stepped forward. “Stay away from me!” She stuck out her crutch to keep them away. “We’re not going to hurt you.” Mika tried to go to her, but Elliot caught his arm and shook his head. He growled, but remained where he was. “Not going to hurt me? You both lied to me.” Wetness dotted her cheeks from the tears of frustration that boiled through her. “Was this some kind of game to you? You were trying to fatten me up and then invite your cohorts to come and get me when you thought I was healed enough to get away. Are you both in their pack?” “That’s not it at all. Will you let us get dressed and go inside so we can talk about this?” Elliot asked. October worried her bottom lip. She didn’t see that they were going to bound off and contact the other wolf who had kidnapped her. That didn’t mean, once they got inside, they weren’t going to bind her up, rape her, and then give her to her kidnapper again. At least out here she had the advantage, although she knew she couldn’t handle the both of them if they rushed her. “No. Tell me what’s going on. What are you going to do with me?” “Baby, we’re not going to do anything to you except answer your questions.” 41

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“I’m not your baby,” she snarled at Mika. “October, listen. We didn’t tell you about us because we didn’t want you to be frightened. After what you told me about the men who kidnapped you, I knew if you learned the truth, then you’d think exactly what you do now. That we were monsters.” Elliot tried to go to her, but she jabbed at him with the crutch. “Aren’t you?” “No. We’re not. Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But how would you really have taken it? You’re freaking out. There is a logical explanation for all of this. Please, let us put some clothes on, because unless you want us to drag you back into bed, then you certainly have us at a disadvantage.” Mika inched toward his clothes. The vision of her between their naked bodies flashed through her mind. The heat of the image flushed her skin, but she shook it off. They’re trying to distract me with their handsomeness and then get me to trust them so they can tie me up and deliver to me the ones who held me captive. She could see the men dashing in and going for some rope to bind her so she wouldn’t escape. Mika slipped into boxers and a T-shirt. He threw his pants to Elliot. “I’m not wearing those ratty things.” “Shut up, and put them on. The temperature’s dropping, so don’t freeze your nuts off.” Mika chuckled. “Will you both be quiet so I can think?” October growled. Elliot clammed up and pulled on the pants. They were loose on his frame. She shivered, but pushed off the cold. They aren’t going to influence me. She was already in way over her head and felt trapped. The sense of normalcy she had was collapsing like dominoes, one by one. The more she found out, the more reality was unraveling. “Why did you keep my shirt?” “It has the scent of the wolf that captured you all over it. The others in the pack haven’t been able to pin him down. It’s like his smell disappears. We needed it to hunt him down,” Mika explained. “Why didn’t you call the authorities about finding me?”

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“It’s more complicated than just telling the cops. If we call in outsiders, it risks exposure, and we can’t have that. It has to be handled internally. Even telling the pack leader about you poses questions. That was the reason we brought in Dawn and swore her to secrecy.” She nodded. “There’s something you’re not telling me. The way that you and Dawn were fighting. Elliot said you got thrown out of the community. You mean you were exiled from the pack. Why?” Mika ran his fingers through his hair. She could see he was uncomfortable. The muscles tensed in his chest. His shut his eyes and looked at the deck. “Can we go inside, please?” “I’ll make some tea, and we can talk about this,” Elliot commented. “Fine. Go inside.” The two men went ahead of her, and she limped inside. October closed the door behind her. Elliot went into the kitchen. Through the cutout, she saw him putting the kettle on the stove and then getting mugs. Her stomach coiled and turned. Should I run, or hear them out? Neither had shown her any hostility. She shook her head. I can’t do this. They’re only going to twist me around their little fingers and stow me away until they can get their pack here. Then I’ll be in the same position I was in before. Maybe they’ll eat me instead. Mika sat down, but stayed a seat away from her. Elliot set the cups of tea on the table and then sat across from her. The smell of peppermint permeated the space and helped to calm some of her frayed nerves. Fingers of dread walked down her spine as she thought about them turning on her. She prayed they wouldn’t. October wrapped her fingers around the warm cup. It oozed into her flesh and helped calm some of her frazzled anxiety. Mika stirred the tea with his spoon and then met her eyes. There was something haunted about him now. The normal cheery mood he was in had retreated, and the light in his eyes had died. Whatever had happened between him and Dawn weighed on his heart. The same way this confrontation was. She could see it as his whole body slumped forward. Does that mean he cares for me? Elliot took a sip of the tea, and it didn’t seem to bother him that it was scalding. “So what happened?” she asked again. 43

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Mika stared into his cup and played with the string of the tea bag. “Dawn and Dominique were always close, like twins. They were less than a year apart. I was dating Dawn before Elliot ever met Dom. When he saw her, he was in love. He came back here and made a life with Dominique so he could claim her for a mate. I never told Dawn what I was, not until her sister let it slip. She was scared and asked me a lot of questions. Dominique was all for making the change and joining the pack. After a while, Dawn came around. I never pressured her. We were in the middle of making love. I had warned her that there was no pulling out at the last moment, because the beast takes over. She balked, but I had already lost myself in the moment. I bit her, and she turned. She went to the pack leader and said I forced her into joining. That I nearly raped her and bit her for the fun of it. They wouldn’t hear my side. So they severed my connection with the pack, making me an outcast. I’m alone and can’t hear my brother and sister wolves anymore. Elliot was gracious enough to let me stay with him. But he was also dealing with his own tragedy and needed me, I think to keep him sane.” October questioned Elliot. “What transpired with Dominique?” Elliot glanced at her. The sadness in his eyes clouded her heart, and it filled the silence between them. He drew in a long breath. The corners of his mouth were pulled tight, and his skin was paler than normal. “There are risks to everything. She was all set to join me and be my mate. We made love, and I bit her. I tried to be gentle, but that moment always hurts, no matter what. I kissed her, and she smiled at me before the change fever took her. The next couple of nights, I stayed by her side while she burned up. I prayed it would break. After the third day, when she should have awoken, she took her last breath and died in my arms. That day my heart gave out. Mika had been exiled for about a month, and I took him in. Dude saved my life.” He forced a smile and then peered at October. Wetness lined his eyes, and she knew he was reliving everything that had happened that fateful night. The grief and the guilt he carried around were drowning him. She understood now why he had kept her at arm’s length and why Dawn hated Mika so much. “So are you keeping me here so you can turn me into a monster too?” 44

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“No!” both of them said in unison. Mika grabbed his cup and lobbed it across the room. “How could you even suggest that?” He got up and stomped back outside, slamming the sliding door so it bounced back in the track. October shrank back in her chair at the display. He pulled off his clothes and sprinted down the steps, changing into wolf form as he did. “We would never turn you into a wolf. You have to understand you’re Mika’s ticket back into the pack. The wolf that kidnapped you is insane. We don’t know much about the other one, but I can assume the same. The best hunters in the pack can’t find them. If Mika can apprehend one or both of them, then he hopes he can be welcomed back in. For a wolf, being cut off from the pack is like losing your hand or some part of your soul. Wolves are connected on a mental level so we can hear one another’s thoughts when we shift. Mika’s link was severed, so he’s alone and struggling through his life. What Dawn did was wrong, but she was acting out of anger. Try to see this from his perspective. You were a godsend. On your clothes was the kidnapper’s scent. We went hunting for them tonight. We were never going to tell you about this. We figured when you got better, we’d ask you to take us back to the place you escaped from, and then we’d bring you home. Now you know our secret and can never tell anyone. If you’ll excuse me, I’m tired, and I’m going to bed.” October remained silent as Elliot left the room. She watched the night and wondered when Mika would return. Everything they had told her ran rampant in her head. It made sense, and yet it didn’t, because their kind wasn’t supposed to exist. Yet they did. The men she had come to care for were both hurting inside and bleeding. She had demanded they tell her the truth, and it had ripped open the old wounds. Guilt over what had transpired washed over her. October wasn’t sure how she could deal with them being werewolves, but they hadn’t hurt her. They had gone out of their way to aid her. Now she had pushed everything back in their faces. It dawned on her that they weren’t akin to the ones who had kidnapped her. They were the true monsters, and Mika and Elliot were her guardian angels. 45

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Chapter Eight Mika ran through the woods until his heart was pumping and he was out of breath. The blood sang in his veins, and October’s words raced though his mind. Even in wolf form, with the animal so closely meshed with his being, her statement stung him to the core. It showed how different she was from him. How human. She would never understand the true ways of the wolf. The night and the moon imbued him with power. That rush helped him push the thought of her out of his mind. Not that October wouldn’t linger, because she was so damn sexy. Now when he thought of her, Dawn’s image flashed in his mind. Elliot had been right. It was best if they just let her go back to her normal life. His attraction to her was a physical one. He could get over it and focus on finding the rogue wolves that were hunting innocent women and leaving their bodies. He dashed through the forest, feeling the boundaries of the pack territory to his left. The prickles of the pack land pushed against his fur and made him shake. If he crossed into their land, the others would be on him in seconds. He had been issued one warning early on in his banishment, that if he ever traversed into the terrain again, then he would be killed. Stopping in the center of a clearing, he hung his head between his legs. His chest heaved from running so hard. Drawing in the cool night air, he fought the fury that rolled in his soul. Nothing was safe with him. He lifted his nose and caught a familiar scent. It took him a moment for it to register. He gazed into the scrub and saw a pair of gleaming yellow eyes. A growl rumbled over his lips, and he took a step forward. The other wolf entered the glade. His pelt was midnight black, allowing him to blend completely with the shadows. Mika drew his lips around his teeth and snarled. Now was the time. Here was his chance. Without a second thought, he sprang, and sank his fangs into the scruff of the other wolf’s neck. He wrapped his legs around the wolf’s middle and slashed with his fangs. The rogue was bigger than him and with a powerful shake threw him off so Mika landed on his back. The sudden pain shocked him. The other wolf trotted over to him with a big, wolfy grin. His tongue 46

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hung out of his mouth, and there was an evil gleam to his eye. Mika tried to turn over and regain his feet, but the other wolf stepped on his side and lowered his jaws to Mika’s throat. The weight of the wolf held him down, but he kicked and caught his claws on the underbelly of the scoundrel. He yelped and jumped off of Mika. He got up and stood against the other wolf, teeth bared. The rogue stood his ground and wasn’t going to move out of his way. This time the beast head-butted Mika, and then he wrapped his jaws around his left foreleg and bit down. Mika yelped when the teeth scraped along his bone. He waited for the killing strike, but it never came. Instead he heard another growl, and then the pain in his leg was gone. The other snarled at the wolf that had saved him. It took Mika a moment, but he rose and saw Dawn’s blond pelt before him. With a rustle of the bushes, the other wolf had escaped. Dawn transformed before him. He wasn’t going to switch his human shape in front of her and give her the satisfaction of seeing him bested by the other wolf. “Getting yourself into more trouble?” He growled, but didn’t show his teeth. She chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. Let me see your leg.” Mika hobbled forward. I will not let her see me in pain. She poked at it, and he winced. Then she released him. “It’s not broken. He bit you to the bone. You’ll have scars, but nothing to worry about. When you shift back, the wounds should be about healed. Run back to your human girlfriend, and maybe she can take care of you.” She shifted back into a wolf, went into the woods, and left him. Mika wasn’t taking any chances that the other wolf would return and catch him off guard. Instead he turned and limped home. When he got to the house, he transformed and saw the damage done to his left arm. The wounds were still seeping, but they would heal soon. I had him, and I couldn’t take him. Next time I won’t let him get him away. He curled his fingers into a fist and let the anger flood him. October’s scent assailed his nose and surrounded him when he entered the house. It stirred his desire, but it also brought back their conversation and his rage. It would never work between them anyway. He climbed into the shower so he could wash the events of the day away. The 47

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water did little to relax him. Mika pressed his hands into the black tile and let the hot water scald his skin while he groaned in frustration. It was a temptation to let his anger out on the tiles, but Elliot would kill him if he was forced to redo the bathroom. The hot shower hadn’t relaxed him the way he thought it would. It had only worsened his mood. The wounds on his arm had healed, but his arm was stiff. He flexed it and decided that it would be okay. It could have been a lot worse. I could’ve been his latest victim, and then they would be looking for my body. I have to find him and bring him back. Where is his partner in all of this? Unless she made it up. Mika shook his head. She wouldn’t do that. Maybe they had a falling out. Either way, we have to get one of them. October is the key, and then we can get rid of her. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He went back into his bedroom and turned on his iPod. The dark tunes of Slipknot came over the speaker and helped some to soothe his frame of mind. He ran his hand through his hair, and then a knock sounded on the door. “What?” His door screeched open, and October stood outside in the hallway. He gritted his teeth when he saw her. Mika noted she still wore his cast-off plaid shirt without any pants. The top two buttons were undone, showing the dip between her breasts. Her eyes were red and inflamed. That meant only one thing. She forced a smile and met his eyes for second, then looked down at the floor. Her ankle was wrapped, but it didn’t appear to be as swollen. “You got a second?” “So you can accuse me of more monstrosities?” October shook her head. “No. I wanted to apologize for what I said and for overreacting. You took me in and took care of me. I realize you and Elliot aren’t like the madmen who held me. I promise I won’t tell anyone about you. I just wanted to let you know that. I should be okay to go show you where I was being held in a couple of days. Then hopefully you can get what you need.” She met his eyes and turned. When she did, she dropped her crutch. “Damn it.” 48

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She stumbled and caught the wall, but he could see it pained her from the small hop she did and how she hung on to the paneled hall. His heart turned, and the rage inside of him died away. Seeing her so helpless, he realized that it had taken a lot, mentally and physically, for her to come up here and apologize. Shit. “October, wait a second.” He darted into the hallway and grabbed her arm. “I was an ass. I’m sorry. It’s just what you said hit a couple of sore spots. I said some things without thinking them through.” “I get it. Apology accepted. If you don’t mind, I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day.” She tried to free herself from his arms, but Mika wouldn’t relinquish his hold on her. With her being so close, he was very aware of how little clothes she was wearing. How her body responded to him. Even now, her heart had picked up a couple of beats. Her skin was flushed, and her pulse fluttered along her neck. Her breath came in quick pants, the hunted caught by the hunter. And yet the exhilarating smell of her desire filled his senses, and he wanted to drown in it. His cock was already hard and causing the towel to tent. Mika took the crutch and rested it against the wall. October’s eyes widened. Lingering fear of what he was reflected there, but the inner light of her longing made her green eyes burn and draw him in. The heat between them was building no matter how much she tried to deny it. He thought it would so easy to forget about her, but that would be impossible. They were meant for one another. If she didn’t choose him, he would share her with Elliot just to keep her close. Mika slid his fingers down her cheeks. The skin felt like satin underneath his fingertips. Every instinct in him said to claim her, but if he made the wrong move, he would spook her once more, and that was an action he wanted to avoid. Her sharp intake of breath signaled she was crumbling and giving in to the craving that also raged inside of her. “Mika, I’m not sure if this is a good idea after everything that happened today.” “You’re absolutely right. It isn’t.” He agreed with her. “Then—” 49

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Mika captured her lips, smothering the words that were going to emerge. Nothing she said was going to stop him now. She was his. She was the wolf’s. He was laying his claim to her body and soul. October stiffened. He felt the tension in her body ride along his skin like it was his own. His muscles tightened, but after a second, her indecision lifted, and she returned the kiss with the same fierceness she had when they had originally kissed. He sucked in her bottom lip, his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh. Her fingers dug into his arms as she clung to him, conforming her body to his. They were a perfect fit. The top of her head came to his chin, and he could inhale the peach scent of her midnight hair and finally run his fingers through the long locks. To his enjoyment, it was soft and silky, the way he thought it would be. Her breasts pushed into his chest, and her heart beat erratically. Her skin was warmed with her need, and he didn’t have to ask what would happen next between them. Mika swept her up in his arms and deposited her on his bed. He sat next to her and carefully unwound the dressing from her ankle. She watched him intently, but didn’t tell him to stop. Once he dropped the wrapping, he ran his hands over the swollen flesh and noticed it had gone down some. She didn’t wince when he brought his lips to the skin and kissed her lightly. From there he continued to plant kisses up her calf, moving along her soft skin, to the bend of her knee, where Mika bit lightly. October jerked her leg away. He gazed up at her. “Sorry. Ticklish.” “It’s okay. I’ll remember that for next time.” “Next time? That would imply that you want me to stick around.” He kissed the top of her thigh and inched his tongue a little closer to the bottom of her shirt. “Maybe.” October reached down and took his hand. She ran his index finger along her lips before sucking it into her mouth. Her tongue wrapped around it, and the sudden warmth she caused shot directly to his cock and hardened it even more. The wolf stirred under his skin. He tried to keep it under control, but it was also interested in this woman. Her gaze never left his, and after she 50

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sucked in his finger one last time, he guided her hand to his dick. She slipped her hand through the part in the towel and gripped his shaft. A low growl rolled from his throat. He shook from the gentle caress. He pushed closer to her so she had better access to him. With his other hand, he released the towel so it fell to the bed. October moved and cupped his balls. She squeezed them until he squirmed, but the pain that came from the gesture made him want her more. He undid the first button on her shirt and parted the garment so the curve of her breasts was exposed. Mika placed his lips above her heart. She slowly worked her fingers along his length, making it nearly impossible for him to concentrate. The muscles fluttered in his stomach, but he focused on moving down the smooth valley between her breasts, until he came to another button. He growled again at the object in his way. This time he gripped the sides of her top and pulled. The remaining buttons popped off and flew across the bedroom. The little dings of them hitting objects in the room made him smile. October giggled. She released his cock and walked her fingers over his stomach. Now it was his turn to pull away. “Damn you, woman.” “What did I do?” She batted her eyelashes innocently. “You are a devilish minx. I wanted you the first moment I saw you.” “Even all bruised and out of my mind as I was?” He nodded and felt a smile tug at the corners of his lips. “Oh, hell yeah! You were so damn sexy. Twigs in your hair. Dirt smeared across your cheeks. All bound up in chains. I wanted to ravish you right then.” Mika lunged at her, and October pulled back from him, forcing an unwanted space between them. When he looked at her face, he didn’t expect to see the pure terror lingering in her eyes. Her face was frozen in a silent scream. Her breathing and pulse rate had intensified. Her scent had turned sour from fear. He reached toward her. She shied away again. “What is it? What did I do?” “Y-Your eyes. Burning yellow. I’ll never forget those eyes. That growl . . .” She shook her head and pulled her shirt closer to her body. Mika hadn’t expected this. He could feel her retreating back into her shell. He took a deep breath and drew her into his arms. October curled into 51

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his embrace and shivered. He held her and smoothed her hair. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I lost control and—” She shook her head and sniffled. “No. It’s not you. Seeing you like that, it put me back to being in that cell and seeing his eyes. They glowed like yours. I didn’t realize that. I’m sorry.” He shut his eyes and sighed. Cradling her, Mika knew she hadn’t recovered fully. He yearned to wipe those horrific memories from her mind and make it so that her month in that hellhole had been a bad dream she would never have to deal with again. “I’m sorry. I forgot. Forgive me.” October took his face between her hands. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just have to face my nightmare and get past it.” She kissed him again, this time slower, and trailed her fingers down the line of his neck. They glided across his collarbone and then settled on his chest. She stared into his eyes, but he hadn’t pulled back the wolf, and assumed his eyes were still golden. October took a deep breath and then forced a smile. Her heart had slowed. She slipped one hand lower and clutched his cock again. She chewed on her bottom lip, and he could tell she was trying to overcome her fear. After a moment, she got up on her knees and slipped her shirt off, exposing her fabulous breasts to him. She trailed her hands over her breasts until her fingers squeezed her nipples. They plumped like red cherries, and he wanted to pluck them. Mika licked his lips and tried to fight the growing longing in him so that he wouldn’t spook her again. After a moment, he couldn’t help it and lowered his mouth to her right nipple while his other hand slid down her belly to her patch of dark curls. When he slipped his fingers along her folds, he found that she was already wet. He discovered her clit nub and rubbed. Her face relaxed some, and after watching her eyes close to half slits, he could see the pleasure in her. Mika kept up his delightful torture until small moans passed over her lips. Her hips rocked forward. She gripped his cock and pumped it in time with how fast he was fondling her. Oh God, she knows what she’s doing. I can’t take this much longer. I need to be inside of her. Have to feel her pussy wrapped around my cock, before . . . Oh shit! 52

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He drew in a ragged breath and then withdrew from October. She groaned her disapproval and then opened her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright from the enjoyment that raced through her. “Why’d you stop?” He lowered himself to start kissing her stomach. Her invigorating smell inflamed his nose with her spicy scent. Mika flicked his tongue lower until he parted her legs and found her slick pussy. He groaned at her cinnamon tang and plunged his tongue into her wet depths. He dug his fingers into her hips and tasted more of her. October pressed her nails into his head and pushed her hips into his face. “Fuck! Mika, I need you.” He thrust his tongue into her one last time and then returned to her lips. He was already at the edge, ready to howl. If he slipped, he knew what would happen, and he couldn’t have that. He couldn’t scare her any more. All he yearned for was to bring her bliss. October kissed him back hard and straddled him. She locked her knees around his hips. Mika supported her weight as she gripped his cock and guided it into her pussy. Then she began to ride him. Mika ran his fingers over her arms, feeling her strong muscles, and pushed into her again. He groaned from the sheer ecstasy of being in her arms. Of her accepting him for what he was. He never thought he could feel such happiness with a woman again. His heart had turned to stone, but October had softened it again. There was no way he was letting her go after this. He would die to protect her. Mika cupped her breasts and kissed her neck. Her pulse thrummed across her flesh. The energy between them was building. A howl was taking shape in his throat. He drove into her one more time and captured her lips. October rose up and cried out. Her muscles clenched around his cock for a final time, and his howl pierced the night. They both collapsed on the bed. It took him an instant to catch his breath, but he was content listening to her heartbeat. It was steady, and it calmed him. She wove her fingers through his hair and sighed. He glanced up and met her eyes. “Are you okay?” 53

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The smile that touched her lips lit up her eyes. “Yeah. I’m okay.” The lethargy of sleep gripped his muscles. He snuggled against her chest, loving how her breasts cradled his head. “I’m glad to hear it.” A warm fuzz descended on his body. His wolf was happy and already rolling over in his mind, ready for a belly scratch. “Typical.” “What do you mean?” he murmured. “You might be a wolf, but you’re still a man who falls asleep after sex.” He blinked. “Sorry.” She guided his lips to hers in a quick kiss. “It’s okay. I should go back downstairs.” “Stay.” “What about Elliot?” The thought of his friend hadn’t crossed his mind. “We’ll have to let him know in the morning.” “Let him know what?” “That you chose me over him.” “What if I don’t want just you? Would that bother you?” Mika’s brows lifted. Does she really mean what I think she means? “Well . . . you’d have to see how he feels about it. But that would mean you staying here.” “I know. Never mind. We’ll talk about it later.” He nodded and listened to her heart. Its even rhythm helped to keep him calm, but what was not said haunted him. Mika tried to think about it more, but his brain was shutting down, and sleep was taking over.

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Chapter Nine October opened her eyes to discover Mika wasn’t in bed with her anymore. The spot next to her was still warm when she trailed her hand over it. Her body ached, but in a good way, from their lovemaking. It had been a long time since she had let anyone get close to her. At first, when she saw his eyes glowing yellow, her heart had nearly stopped. After facing those fears with Mika, she knew that he wasn’t going to hurt her. She ran her hands over her body and then looked at her wrists. The bruises were yellow and purple in some places. They didn’t hurt the way they had in the beginning. Even her ankle was getting better. She didn’t need the crutch as much as she had. Thinking about running brought up the conversation they had the night before. Discovering they were wolves had nearly thrown her into a panic. When Mika had dashed off, she started thinking it was because she had hit a raw spot with him. She had retreated to her room after Elliot left her alone. It put everything into perspective. They hadn’t hurt her. They were hunting the creature who had kept her captive, and she believed them. Not to mention she was highly attracted to both of them. Contemplating going back to her life now was almost like returning to an alien way of life. First being held captive had jarred her reality. Then she had escaped and walked into a fairy tale where she was Little Red Riding Hood surrounded by wolves at every door. They had asked her to choose between them. It was mind-boggling for her to wrap her head around that she had slept with Mika. And it had been wonderful. Then there was the other man she wanted to take into her bed. Elliot was kind and gentle, even if he was hiding behind a stone heart. It was softening. If she left now, then he would remain behind the ghost that still haunted his heart. October wrapped the sheet around her since Mika had torn the buttons off her nightshirt. She tested her ankle and found it was still tender, but she was able to stand on it. She hobbled into the hallway, when she walked right into Elliot. “October, hi. Is everything okay?” She saw his surprise. “I’m okay. I’m sorry about last night.” 55

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Elliot flashed her a smile. “No apologies needed. You weren’t expecting us to be wolves. At least you didn’t run off in the middle of the night. I expected you might. Not that you wanted to steal Mika’s tiny, beat-up car.” He chuckled. “Are you hungry? Mika’s making waffles downstairs.” “Yeah.” She tried to move forward, but stumbled. Elliot caught her. His warm hand on her shoulder made the breath hitch in her throat. His hand traveled down her shoulder and then across her back. She leaned in closer until she stared into his eyes and saw the barriers breaking down around his heart. It was going to be tough to resist those gray eyes of his that looked out from such a kind soul. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into him. He felt the same way that Mika had. Everything was right being in his arms. October brushed her lips along his and waited for his reaction. He returned the kiss in a slow meeting of their mouths and flicked his tongue across her bottom lip until he pulled away and shook his head. “We can’t do this.” He tried to put a little bit of space between them, but she didn’t let go of his neck. “Why?” “Because you’re Mika’s. I can smell you all over him. You made your choice.” “No.” “We can’t have this.” She placed a hand on his cheek and felt the warmth of his skin seep into her palm. He turned his head into her hand and sighed. “Yes, we can. I never said I was going to pick one of you.” “It doesn’t work that way among wolves. We choose one mate for life, and that’s it.” “Hey, October if you’re hungry—” Elliot and she glanced over. Mika was dressed in jeans and no shirt. Flour was smeared across his chest and his left cheek. It appeared he had made the waffles from scratch. His jaw clenched when he noticed the two of them together. The veins in his neck were bulging. He opened his mouth to respond, when October unwound from Elliot and went to Mika. She slid her 56

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arm around his waist and kissed the line of his collarbone. Underneath her hand, his muscles were still rock-hard and wound tight. She flicked her tongue across him, tasting the remnants of the flour on his skin. She stood up on tiptoe and licked the tip of his ear. He quivered and looked between her and Elliot. She followed his gaze and saw the hair was standing up on Elliot’s arms. His eyes were glowing yellow. He was breathing heavy, and his lips were pulled back in a snarl. His fists were clenched at his side. The testosterone between the two of them was so heavy she could smell it. The fur was about to fly, and she was in the middle of it. “Whoa! Both of you just need to back off.” “He had his hands on you,” Mika growled. She put her hands on her hips. “Now is not the time to get into a fight over me. I might have spent the night with you, but that does not mean that you have the right to claim ownership over me.” “You said last night—” “I said no such thing. Both of you stop this. I’m attracted to you and Elliot. Mika, you need to calm that wolf of yours. Both of you, chill.” Mika took a deep breath, and so did Elliot, but they were still facing off. October shook her head and went into the bathroom, trying to understand what had just happened. She hadn’t realized they were so territorial. It was scary to think they were going to fight over her. She’d never experienced that before. When she came out, Mika was waiting for her. He had an apologetic look on his face, and her clothes in his hands. “I’m sorry about that. After last night, I thought that you wanted to be with me.” “Well, I don’t know what I want. So keep your claws sheathed, you two. You can’t get expect me to choose either one of you. Remember, once I’m healed, I have a life that I have to go back to. I sleep with who I prefer. Whether it’s you or Elliot . . . Hell, it could be both of you. If I make that decision, then you can’t go all crazy.” Mika was about to say something, but she put her hand on his mouth. He groaned, and she limped back into his room and got changed. When she 57

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emerged, October went downstairs and saw Elliot scooping waffles onto his plate. He glanced at her while he ate. The longing that he wanted to say something to her was apparent in his eyes. The tension between them was making it nearly impossible for her to maintain her appetite. October’s stomach turned over, and she shoved her plate away in disgust. Her tablemate glanced at her. “You okay?” “No. I’m not used to this. I’ve never been in this situation before, wedged between two men who I like. You get all grr when I’m in between you. What if I don’t choose between you?” He put his fork down. “If I were Mika, I wouldn’t want you going with anyone else either. Wolves are territorial by nature. Mika and I have been friends since we were pups, nearly littermates, and I count him as a brother, but I’m not going to fight him for you.” “So if someone came up to me and claimed me for their own, then you wouldn’t fight him for me.” “What you’re saying . . . of course I would, but you slept with him last night and not me.” October got up and grabbed his face. She was tired of hearing about what wolves would and wouldn’t do. She pulled him to her mouth and kissed him. I’m not going to be claimed by anyone. Elliot wound his fingers in her hair and ground his lips against hers. He tasted like blueberries and maple syrup. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and met hers while they tangled together. She fumbled with his shirt and pulled it from his jeans. She slid her fingertips along the divots of his muscles, trying to feel all of him. He released her hair and then dragged her down on top of him in the chair. His cock rested against her thigh. His mouth sought her pert nipple through her shirt. October moaned as the warmth he stirred in her grew into a wildfire and blazed along her nerves until she didn’t know if she could take it any longer. Elliot’s teeth sought her pert bud and bit through the fabric. A moan slipped from her throat as she forgot everything that had happened between her and Mika the night before. Elliot’s fingers scraped down her belly and tried to get at the button on her jeans. She dragged her nails down to his pants and 58

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pushed the button through the hole, but his zipper got caught. She shoved her hand under his waistband and felt his cock. He shuddered and looked up at her. Elliot was about to speak, when there was a knock on the kitchen door. He glanced at it, and she followed his gaze. October heard footsteps upstairs from Mika coming down to get the door. Elliot dropped his head against her chest. “Let them knock,” she whispered. “I can’t. Besides, Mika’s coming down. I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to see us together. At least not yet.” “So you’re not about to let him have me.” He shook his head. “I’ll try to talk to him about it, but you might not want to be around when we do. I don’t know how it’ll go.” October nodded and then kissed him quickly. She got up off of him and settled into her chair. She straightened her shirt and then focused back on her waffles. Her cheeks were still burning from the encounter. Elliot answered the door. From the table, she saw a man in a sheriff’s uniform standing in the doorway. “Samuel, what can I do for you?” Elliot asked. “Dawn was telling me about a woman you found by the roadside about the same time you got into an accident.” October felt the color drain from her face. Dawn had sold her out. Mika stopped short when he saw the sheriff. He motioned for her to go back onto the porch. They didn’t want the sheriff to know she was there. She went out the glass door, hoping the other man wouldn’t notice her. She limped down the stairs, gripping the railing, and then sat under the deck on an old picnic table. The trees around her were losing their leaves. The heat of her encounter with Elliot lingered. October trailed her fingers over her lips, feeling her bottom lip was a little plumper than normal from where he had been kissing her. She licked her lips and still tasted the blueberries. To imagine they were going to make her choose between them was unthinkable. It was going to take everything in her not to go to Elliot, but it would be like barring Mika from her. Seeing that cop there, she knew she would have to 59

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deal with the reality of her fairy tale and face up to the beast that had kidnapped her. She ran her hands over her arms and stared at the wilderness around her. A stick broke in the woods. Fear gripped her. Evil beasts lurked within the shadows of the forest. When she peered deeper into it, a wolf emerged. It was jet-black, and its eyes were yellow. It drew back its lips and showed its teeth. October shrank back. The wolf kept on coming. A scream tore from her throat. The animal advanced on her, but she heard the stomping footsteps of the men above. Then a silver wolf flew down the last few stairs and bounded after the wolf in the backyard. October felt the tears streaming down her face. Strong arms enfolded her in a protective grasp. Mika held her close, and she took comfort in his arms. There were no other footsteps. “It’s okay. He isn’t going to hurt you. I swear it.” Elliot reappeared a few moments later, out of breath. “I lost him.” “He knows I’m here. He won’t stop until he gets me back or I’m dead,” October whimpered. Elliot also wrapped his arms around October. At that point, him being naked didn’t matter. Being in the men’s arms, she knew this was where she was supposed to be. It didn’t matter how werewolf culture was. In the end, once she overcame the trauma of her ordeal, then she would think about making her life with them. Elliot kissed her forehead. “He’s not going to get you. He’ll be dead before he ever lays a paw on you. The same with his partner. Nothing will harm you.” “So this is the girl you found.” October drew back further, and Elliot protected her with his arms. “Samuel, I thought you’d left.” The sheriff laughed. “I’m not going to hurt her, Elliot. That the wolf you hit with your car?” Elliot nodded. October studied the sheriff. He had tanned skin and was dressed in a brown uniform. His gun was at his side. Deep wrinkles marred 60

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his forehead, and crow’s-feet stretched out by the corners of his brown eyes. Samuel had a long, beaky nose and a cleft in his chin. His hat hid the color of his hair. “What’s your name?” the sheriff asked. “October.” “Well that’s an unusual name. Have these two men been taking care of you?” She nodded. “Good. Why don’t we go inside so I can hear what happened to you? Dawn’s told me a very interesting story, but I wanted to hear it for myself.” “It’s okay. Are you up for it?” asked Elliot. She looked at the fading bruises on her wrists. The authorities were there. Now it was time for her to reveal what had happened. October hadn’t told the other men all of the evils that had happened to her. The way her kidnappers would taunt her through the bars or how she would listen to the screams of the other women who were being tortured. How his partner had strung two of them together and made her and the other captive watch as he eviscerated both women, and other horrors. All the while he had kept his face hidden underneath a mask. The sour taste of waffles crept back up her throat. She’d pushed the images deep into the recesses of her mind. Finally she nodded and headed back upstairs to reveal more of the atrocities she had witnessed.

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Chapter Ten Mika stood outside Dawn’s office and contemplated whether or not to go inside. If he did, he would cause a scene. What October had told them last night played in his mind. He tried to get close to her after that, but she wanted to be left alone. During the night, he heard her crying, and it had shredded his heart because he couldn’t comfort her. Then he thought about Samuel and how he had requested Mika come to the station and give a statement. This wouldn’t have happened if Dawn hadn’t gone back on her promise. Soon the rest of the pack would hear about it, if they hadn’t already. Damn her! Why does she always have to ruin everything? Why can’t she keep her mouth shut? “Looking for me?” He turned, and Dawn was behind him, dressed in her white coat with a pair of jeans underneath it, with a cup of coffee in her hand. He forced a smile, but it took everything in him not to lunge at her and rip her throat out. “Yes.” Mika walked over to her and slipped his hand around her waist before she could get away from him. He steered her into an alleyway, where no one would see them. “Let me go, Mika, or I’ll scream.” She tried to twist away from him, but he wasn’t going to let her go. “Scream. I don’t give a flying fuck. You already got me booted from the pack. Now you had to spill the beans to Samuel about October.” “I had to be sure she was taken care of. I saw how you were looking at her. Once you can sink your fangs into her, you will. She has to go back to her own life.” “You don’t get to dictate her life.” “I’m a doctor. I do what’s best for my patients. And the best thing for her is to be away from you.” Dawn wrenched herself away and headed toward her office. She got halfway and then turned back around, pointing her finger at him. “Don’t come after me again, or I’ll make sure the pack drives you out of this town once and for all.” 62

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Mika growled, but she would be good to her word. He glanced back at the police station across the street. Samuel was waiting for him. He tried to reel in his temper before he entered, knowing he would face several members of the pack, one of them being the sheriff. He walked in. Once the others realized he had come in, all activity stopped. Three other cops stared at him. The friction rose in the air. The hairs stood on the back of his neck. They had been talking about him. There was a slight buzz in his head. Even though the attachment to the pack had been severed, he could still sense when the other wolves were communicating. No one got up from their desks. He knew they we all wondering what he was doing there. Ever since he had been expelled from the pack, he had been tolerated in the town only because it was neutral territory. Samuel emerged from his office and flashed him a controlled smile. “Mika, good of you to come down. Step into my office, please.” The sheriff moved aside and waited for him to enter before he closed the door. Mika sat in the chair across from him and glanced around the office. Besides the map of the area, and the official awards the sheriff had gotten, his walls were bare. His desk was neat, sporting only a coffee mug and a name plaque. His files were behind him, and a computer sat on the corner of the desk. One would expect him to have photos of his family, but Samuel was almost as much of an outcast in the pack as Mika. The only thing that separated them was that he was an accepted member of the community. The other man was considered a pariah to any woman because he couldn’t switch his shape, so no one wanted to marry him in case he spread that strangeness to his progeny. Mika used to feel sorry for Samuel. “Did you need me to elaborate on what I told you last night?” The sheriff rubbed his chin and then sat down. “Well, I wanted you to tell me again why you didn’t call me in the first place to tell me the truth.” Mika rolled his eyes. “I told you. I thought if I could find this fucker, bring him before Cooper, then I could be accepted back. That’s all.” “So it had nothing to do with keeping this woman all to yourself? Dawn had made some accusations that maybe you were thinking about bringing

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October into the pack. If you did, you’d immediately be banned from this place and, depending on Cooper’s mood, given a death sentence.” “This has nothing to do with bringing her into the pack. I hadn’t even considered it. Honestly, Dawn has it out for me. I’m already dead to the pack. So what does it matter?” Mika shook his head and groaned in disgust. What more can they do to me? I want to live in peace. The slightest chance I had of getting back into the pack is slipping away, and Dawn’s trying to sabotage me any way she can. “Why do you stay? You’re barely tolerated for what happened. The only reason you haven’t been run out of town is because you keep to yourself and avoid coming onto pack land. You’re a lone wolf. You could go somewhere else and start over again. Take the girl with you and turn her if you want. She’s not my type, but even I can see she’s pretty fuckable. Nice tits too. Good thing you found her when you did. Didn’t want her to get captured again.” “No. I wouldn’t want her to get caught again. She’s been through enough. And the reason I stay is because this place is home. I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else. Is there anything else that you needed?” Samuel flipped open his notebook and then clicked his pen. “One last thing. I am sure you figured out we’re keeping this internal. Have you found the lair? Tell me the truth now.” “No. I tried to follow him, but he’s good at masking his scent. We even took October back out there, but she can’t find it either. It was dark, and she doesn’t know the way.” Mika kept his gaze locked to the sheriff and wondered if he would take the information directly to the pack leader. If Samuel expected they had already brought October back to the place, then Samuel might not harass her or have any more of the pack come looking for her. If they did, he would protect her with everything that he was worth. The other man nodded and shut his book. “Well that’s a shame. I’ll be happy to let Cooper know you haven’t found him. He has more hunters out searching. Thanks for coming in, Mika.” The sheriff stood up, and Mika followed a moment later, itching to get out of there. He made it to the door and then turned back to Samuel. “What do you mean more hunters are out in force now?” 64

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“I thought you’d heard. Another body was found last night. She was badly mauled, and we’re still trying to identify the remains. I’m not sure if we ever will. Poor family. Our little town and our pack hasn’t had this many deaths in a long while. If you get any more information, you’ll let us know.” Mika forced a smile. “Of course.” As he walked out, the pack master strolled into the police station. Not that my day could get any worse. And in walks in my doom. Cooper stopped and looked at him. The animosity that came off the pack leader was palpable. He should have moved out of the way, but something in him wasn’t about to let the other wolf, no matter if he was the lead alpha, show his dominance. It was just that kind of day, and Samuel had made it worse. Not to mention the tension that lingered when he thought about what October might be doing with Elliot. He was afraid she was slipping away from him. “Is there a problem?” Cooper asked. All went silent as the whole station waited to see what would transpire between them. The pack leader was a couple of years older than him, and growing up, Cooper had always flaunted the fact that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and rule the pack. He hadn’t changed. He was still a smug bastard. When Mika had been kicked out of the pack, Cooper was ecstatic because he had his sights set on Dawn. Of course, she hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. “No problem. I was just leaving, and you happened to be in my way.” Mika began to walk by him. Cooper placed his hand on Mika’s chest. A zing of energy shot thought him. His wolf bared its fangs. It took everything in him not to show his teeth to the pack leader. If he ever wanted to regain his place in the pack, then he had to play nice. “Mika, I’ll say this once. Elliot told me what you’ve been doing. I commend you for that. But leave the hunting to those who are assigned to it.” “Don’t think I’m wolf enough to find the bastards who are killing all those women?” 65

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Cooper chuckled. “You don’t want to know what I think. You’re making a noble effort. Now stop before you get yourself, or those around you, hurt. Don’t want anyone else close to you going through the same thing you did. Have a good day now.” He walked off toward Samuel’s office. Mika fought the urge to turn around and go after him. Instead, he gritted his teeth and made his way back to the house. During the ride back, he tried to empty his mind of all things, but the animal was close to the surface. The full moon was coming. Soon he would have to run no matter what the circumstances. He hoped that that it wouldn’t freak out October any more than it already had. He focused back on the road and saw a naked man standing in the center of the street with his arms crossed, waiting for the car to hit him, with a big old grin on his face. Mika slammed on his brakes and jerked the steering wheel to left, sending the car into a spin until it went into the ditch, landing on the passenger side. He was going to have to walk home and call a tow truck. He hit the steering wheel, beeping the horn and leaving a large dent in the wheel. He tried to open the door, but before he could, the man pressed his face against the window. His chest was riddled with scars, and his eyes were wild. The corners of his lips curled higher into his cheeks than a normal human. Mika growled and then tried the door, only to find it was stuck. The other man moved in blur and was on top of the hood. He drew back his fist and slammed it into the windshield. Mika undid his seat belt and shimmied into the backseat. He was able to get out of the car by the back door. The sudden fresh air was good, but his adrenaline was pumping. The other man was now on top of the roof. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The other man threw back his head and laughed. “I’m coming for her. There’s nothing you can do about it. I’ll have her for my own.” The color drained from Mika’s face as he realized who this was. He lunged at the aggressor, but the other man grabbed a hold of his arm and held it behind his back. Being so close to him, Mika realized that he didn’t have a scent. That must have been one of the reasons they were having

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trouble tracking him. He only had a scent when he was in wolf form. He wrenched his arm harder, and Mika cried out. “Do whatever you want with me, but leave October alone.” “You care about her. That makes it all the better and more interesting. Maybe I won’t just kill her. I’ll bite her and watch her turn. Then she’ll be my bitch to do whatever I want. Or maybe I’ll give her to my associate. You don’t want to know what he does to all the ladies. He’s even more depraved than I am.” “What you are going to do with me?” The other man kissed his cheek. “You taste so good. Too bad you’re not my type, or I’d bring you back to be my plaything. Right now, you’re going out of the equation. Your friend can’t protect her from me. I’ll have her tonight, and you won’t be there to stop me.” Mika tried to free himself of the other’s grip, but couldn’t break free. He twisted around, but the pain of teeth ripping into his throat descended over him. He felt the blood spill from his body, and the darkness of losing consciousness wash over him. Mika fell to the ground and landed face-first on the asphalt. The wolf in him tried to emerge, but he was sliding too fast. Have to get to October. Have to warn Elliot about them coming for her. Can’t let them get her.

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Chapter Eleven October sat outside with a cup of peppermint tea in hand. The steam wafted in the breeze and helped to calm her nerves. Elliot had left her alone all day, but she kind of expected that. It was nice to have the space. Now she prayed to have warm arms around her keeping her safe from the darkness that lived in her soul. Spilling her heart to the sheriff had been helpful in dealing with the trauma imprinted on her soul. He had demanded Mika come down to the station so he could answer more questions. She hadn’t wanted him to go, but it wasn’t her place to say anything. The more she thought about the two men, the more her heartstrings were being tied, twisted, and pulled in all different directions. The fire between all three of them was intense. Mika had been ready to take Elliot’s head off because he had found them together. It had irritated her at first, but she was starting to understand how territorial wolves were. “Mind if I join you?” She glanced behind her and saw Elliot. He seemed a handsome prince who, underneath, was a fearsome wolf who could take her head off. But she didn’t see the formidable creature. She saw a gentle man whose heart had been stomped on. The barricades around his heart were falling down. October needed to make sure he reciprocated her feelings. She assumed he did, but she needed to be sure. His attraction to her was apparent, but what lingered in his heart? A smile crept up on her lips. “I’d like that.” He pulled up the chair across from her. October looked into his gray eyes. He returned the smile and then sat back. Elliot opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again. She played with the tag on her tea and waited for him to do something. “Can I ask you something?” “Anything,” she responded. “Was the thing between us yesterday morning just a way of you proving to yourself you could be with someone other than Mika? Were you just waiting for him to come downstairs and find us together at the table?” 68

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Her stomach fell hearing his question. She covered his hand, feeling the smoothness of his skin and the warmth of his flesh. Her heart sank. He thought she was acting out of spite to get back at Mika. If Elliot’s scent was all over her, then Mika would get angry all over again. “No. I want you. That’s what makes it so hard. I’m attracted to you both. My display wasn’t to play with your emotions. I thought a lot about what you said about wolves being territorial. I get it.” She slid her fingers through his. “I want you too. But I understand if you don’t want to get involved after everything you’ve been through.” “October, I never thought I could open my heart to anyone. During the time you’ve spent here, seeing how strong you are and what you’ve been through, the walls around my heart are crumbling. If you want the both of us, then I’m game. We’ll figure it out. Somehow. I’m not going to let you go just because my best friend is struggling with his wolf side.” October set her tea down and trailed her foot along the inside of his thigh. His eyes brightened. The smile on his face grew into a devilish grin. He grabbed the bottom of her foot and slipped her sneaker and sock off, exposing her to the cold. She shivered, but not from the elements. Elliot licked the bottom of her foot, heel to toe, and then engulfed her big toe with his mouth. He made a show of sucking on it and then nibbling the underside before working down the line of her other four toes. His tongue wrapped around each one, pulling them in and out of his mouth. His eyes never left hers, but with each flick of his tongue, she giggled and struggled not to pull her foot away. The strokes of his tongue were ticklish and awoke her nerves at the same time. She gripped the edge of the chair until he sucked on her pinkie toe one last time. “Ever had anyone suck your toes before?” “Can’t say that I have. This a fetish for you?” He dragged his thumb along the arch of her foot. The small gesture tingled her nerves and stirred the passion in her. He then pressed his thumb right into the middle of her heel, and a jolt raced up her legs and hit her clit. A moan came from her throat. I didn’t know he could do that by touching my feet.

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He pushed again, and another wave of molten fire rushed through her body. She clutched the table and nearly writhed in the chair. “What are you doing to me?” “Feet are remarkable things. They can help heal ailments and align the energy in the body. Dominique showed me. There are many things I can do with my hands. But I thought that you might like this first. Get you in the mood.” “You don’t have to get me in the mood. I want you now.” Elliot stood and then scooped her up in his arms. He planted his lips on hers in a hungry kiss. Those lips that she had dreamed about and wanted the other day were now hers. His body heat helped warm her. He didn’t pull away until he laid her on the bed in his room. Off came his clothes in swiftly practiced movements. October was struggling with her bra as he waited before her naked. “I’m impressed.” His eyes darkened. “About what?” “You’ve gotten undressed faster than me. You must be really eager to get into me.” A laugh spilled from his lips, and the tension eased between them. He stepped behind her and trailed his fingers along her bra straps until he came to the clasps and undid them. She began to slip the straps from her arms, when he caught her hand and pushed it away. “My being fast comes from years of undressing to run. You get pretty good at it after a while. But you don’t need to get out of your clothes so fast.” She turned toward him and gazed into his eyes. “So you don’t want to throw me down and fuck me?” A strand of hair got in her way of seeing him, but Elliot brushed it away. “Oh, there’s a lot I yearn to do to you, but we can take it slow. This isn’t a race. I can be gentle or rough. What do you want?” October slid her fingers along his cheek, the light stubble along his jaw scratching them. “Maybe we can do it doggy style.” “Just had to say that, didn’t you?” 70

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She shrugged and then pulled his lips to hers. She sucked in his bottom lip while he inched closer. One hand slid over her stomach and then under her jeans. He cupped her sex through her panties. Elliot pressed his thumb into her clit and began to manipulate her. His other hand glided over her chest and then pushed up her bra to cup her breast. He squeezed her pert nipple until she felt a gush of wetness dampen her panties. She moaned into Elliot’s mouth and pressed herself against him more. He worked his lips down her cheek to the line of her throat. The impression of his lips burned into her skin even after he moved away. Every place he touched came alive under his fingers. And yet she craved more of his lips and the soft caresses of his fingers. Being with him fulfilled something inside of her. Elliot nipped along her nape and finally pushed one strap of her bra off her right shoulder. Then he worked on the other until her bra dropped to the bed. All the while he hadn’t stopped his torture on her clit, rubbing her slowly, building her into an orgasm that gripped her entire body. The air stuck in her lungs. Her head was already floating. The fire was already winding along her veins. She closed her eyes and tried to block out everything except his touches and his lips. How he swept over her flesh and then drew in the skin along her shoulder between his teeth, where he bit her. “You taste so good, like fall and cloves. You’re so strong. So beautiful.” “I need you inside of me.” She cried out when the beginnings of an orgasm tore through her body. “Anything you want.” He released her from his blissful torture on her clit. October was well aware of his naked body behind her, and she quickly slipped out of her clothes and looked at him. His body was sculpted in all the right places. His cock rested against his thigh. Without a second thought, she took his length between her hands and rubbed it, watching his expression. Elliot’s eyes closed, and his nostrils flared. He ran his hand through her hair and brought her to his lips. They were soft and insistent. His fingers dug into her flesh the longer she stroked his dick. October was happy to see him in such distress from her stroking his length. Short 71

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breaths left his lips, followed by a groan. She ringed her fingers along his shaft and pulled upward until she came to the soft head. He shivered from the action. October placed her lips over his heart and flicked her tongue along his skin. He tasted slightly of vanilla. She swept her tongue over his pecs and bit down on his nipple. She gripped his hips and slid her tongue around the puckered skin while she continued to pump his cock. His hips thrust forward. He shivered and then pushed her away. “You keep doing that, I’ll lose it right here. Turn around, baby,” he groaned. October did what he asked and turned around on the bed, going to all fours and showing him her ass. His fingers trailed over the mounds. He kept going lower, until his hand cupped her pussy. Elliot slipped his fingers inside of her. She cried out. He continued to thrust inside of her until she was panting. He brought her closer to another orgasm, but it wasn’t enough. She needed the real thing. “You had enough yet?” Elliot whispered next to her ear before biting her throat. “Do me.” In response, he separated her legs further and pushed her head down. He grasped her hips and pulled her closer. October held her breath and then let it out when he plunged into her already slick pussy. She screamed from his entrance. She balled her fingers into the blanket and gave herself over to the sudden and enticing ecstasy that engulfed her. Elliot was fatter than Mika and stretched her insides, but it felt good. Her heart hammered in her chest. Sweat dribbled down her forehead and settled on the tip of her nose. The bed groaned from the frenzy between them. He held on to her hips and thrust into her at a lightning pace. The sound of skin hitting skin sounded around her. The fire in her veins had grown into an all-out wildfire, and she didn’t want to douse it. The pressure was building in her once more. All it would take was that one second of release and she would be free, but she didn’t want to be parted from Elliot. They belonged together the way she and Mika

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did. If only he would see that. If only he would join them, then all would be wonderful in the world. “I love fucking you,” Elliot cried out. It sounded like a primal growl, and she could barely make out the words. “Then do me good. Slam that dick into me.” One more drive and he had his dick all the way inside her. He raked his hands along her side and held her breasts, kneading them until they hurt. The world was falling away around her. All she could think about now was their entangled limbs. She couldn’t discern where he started and she stopped. His hands roamed lower on her stomach, until he settled on her clit. Once his fingers slid along her slit and manipulated her throbbing bud, the stars exploded in her vision. She rocked back and forth, trying to keep pace with her lover, but he kept on going and manipulating her. An orgasm was building deep inside of her, and her soul was already awash in light. “Now. Oh God. Now!” October shouted and felt her stomach tighten. The ecstasy washed over her. She tried to draw in another breath, but it was hard. She grasped the sheet and felt the pain of Elliot bite into her shoulder. He plunged into her once more and then moaned. He fondled her a couple more times and then let her ease back from the orgasm. He rested his head against her back, his warm breath blasting on her skin. After a moment, he began kissing her nape. “That was amazing.” Elliot eased them down on the bed together. He slipped his arm around her and spooned with her. October was content. The warmth of his body helped to lull her into a half trance. His lips pressed on her shoulder. Then his tongue swiped over the spot. She sighed and snuggled closer to him. His cock pressed into her ass. “You’re ready to go again?” “I could. Shape-shifter libido. We can go like bunnies before we get tired.” “I’ll have to keep that in mind for next time.” “I’m glad you want there to be a next time. I— ” He sat up in bed. A low growl echoed in the room. “Son of a bitch.” 73

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October sat up. “What is it?” Elliot got out of bed and pulled his pants on. “Stay here.” He bounded out of the room. What the hell is going on? We just had great sex, and he leaves me high and dry. Men. I don’t care if he is another species. She got out of bed and put on her shirt and underwear. She crept out of the room, still limping, and slunk down the hallway. She reached the top of the stairs and heard glass shattering. A man cried out. Elliot. Oh shit! There was more noise, which ended, like a scuffle had moved outside. Her heart went into overdrive. All she heard was the thundering of her pulse. Her throat went dry, and her legs shook. I can’t freak out. It could have been something else. Maybe he fell and broke something. She went down the stairs and then peeked around the hallway. The glass from the sliding door was scattered on the deck. The front door was open in the kitchen. There were snarls and growls coming from the backyard below. A painful yelp came up to her ears. Without thinking, she rushed through the door and felt a sharp jab in her foot and another along her arm. Fuck. October looked around and saw a pile of laundry on the table. She grabbed one of the guys’ socks and wrapped it around her arm, seeing the cut was deep and gushing. She probably needed stitches, but for now, the sock would have to do. In the moonlight, a silver wolf fought with a black wolf. Horror ran cold through her, and she froze. The silver wolf leaped up, and he had a red streak on his side. He jumped and landed on the wolf’s back. The black wolf tried to shake him off. After a moment, he did. The silver wolf landed in the underbrush and lay still. “No!” she screamed. The black wolf, her captor, looked up at her and smiled. His eyes glowed. He was coming for her. October backpedaled and tried to find a way out. She headed toward the front door, but the clicking of claws on wood was advancing. She didn’t see a car coming, and there wasn’t one in the driveway. They were miles from anyone. October turned around and then went to head back upstairs to hide, but a naked man stood before her. Those yellow eyes told her who he was. 74

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“My, my, don’t you look scrumptious. You have both of them wrapped around your little finger. “They rescue you from the big bad wolf, take you into their home, and then fuck the shit out of you. You’re going to make one hell of a wolf. Then you’ll be my bitch.” “I’ll never be yours. No matter what you do to me.” October looked at his smug smile and saw by his hard cock that he was excited by this whole thing. “Oh, you’ll be mine, all right. I’ll set a silver spiked collar around your neck, and you’ll beg me to let you go. Soon you’ll do anything I wish just to get the burn away from your skin. Now come to Daddy.” He lunged at her. She tried to get away, but landed on her bad ankle, which was also the foot she had cut. She fell and tried to crawl away. Her attacker stood over her and wagged his finger. “Please,” she whimpered. He put a finger to her lips. “Hush now. There’s no one here to save you. It’ll all be over soon. Then you’ll wonder why you ever wanted to be human.” Her captor hoisted her over his shoulder. October struggled while he strolled out onto the balcony, climbed over the railing, and then jumped to the ground. A small scream left her lips as she was jostled on his shoulder. He readjusted his grip and held her tighter as he headed into the woods. Elliot still lay in wolf form, unconscious. Please get up. Please don’t die. She kicked and screamed, but his grip wasn’t letting up. “Scream all you want. No one will find you where I’m taking you. Neither of your men will come either. I made sure of that.” “What did you do to Mika?” “Nothing you need to worry about. Now shut the fuck up before you make me mad. And you know what I do when I get mad,” he grumbled and quickened his pace. October stifled her cries and tried to think of anything that would help the men find her. They would come for her. Think. Gotta think. She glanced at her arm and saw the gash. The sock was soaked through with blood. It dawned on her. She untied the sock and threw it on the forest floor. 75

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The blood dribbled down her arm and splattered on the ground behind her. October prayed it would be enough.

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Chapter Twelve Mika opened his eyes and felt the stab of pain run from his throat and encompass his entire being. Fuck! What the hell happened? The bright light of the room pierced his eyeballs and made him want to retreat back into the darkness of the world he had been in. But then it all came back to him. The car accident. The naked man standing in the middle of the road. Him latching down on his neck and tearing out a large chunk of it. Mika had crawled a ways down the road, hoping to find someone to help him, but knowing that no one would. Then the darkness from the blood loss took him and he was swallowed up. Shit! He tried to get up again, but a hand held him in place. “You’re not going anywhere.” Dawn stood over him with her white coat on, stethoscope around her neck, and a smug smile plastered on her face. He sighed and looked around, seeing he was lying down on a gurney. The harsh scent of chemicals burned his nose. Mika’s rage allowed him to sit up. He gritted his teeth and fought through it. His attacker had done quite a number on him. “I have to get out of here. October’s in danger.” She snorted. “What happened this time? Did she stub her toe?” “No.” Fighting with Dawn was exhausting. He was getting tired of doing it. “Can I use your cell phone to call Elliot? There isn’t much time. They’re both in danger. The rogue did this to me. He’s going after October tonight. I need to get to the house or at least warn them.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Sure he is. And your car just happened to be in a ditch because you ran into an elk again.” “What? No! Please, Dawn. I have to warn them.” He swung his legs over the bed and tried to stand, but the world spun, and he landed back on the mattress. He put a hand on his head. Frustration poured into every fiber of his being, along with the determination that he had to find a way out of Dawn’s office and get back to the house. “What is it about this woman that you can’t be without her?”

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Mika met Dawn’s eyes, and for a moment saw the woman he had fallen in love with, the very human woman who was innocent and loved the outdoors. He tried to get up again, and was feeling a little better, but Dawn wasn’t budging. Many moons ago, he thought they could be together after she’d stepped into his world, but he knew now they would never be able to do that. What he had done to her was inexcusable. The human in her had to be in there buried under all the hate she carried for him. The compassion had to be there because she still cared for the sick and was the pack’s healer as well as the doctor for the town. The hard edge she had to her might have been directed only at him, but hopefully he could appeal to her sympathy. “Dawn, I get that you disbelieve everything I say. I’ve told you I’m sorry a thousand times, and I’ll say it a million more for what happened between us. If I could’ve stopped the wolf from biting you, I would have. I assume you’ll make my life a living hell for the rest of my days, and I’ll accept that for my punishment, but you have to let me go.” “I could’ve left you to rot on the side of the road, you know.” Wetness lined her eyes. He nodded. “I know. Thank you for saving my life, but I have to go.” He scanned the room for his clothes, but all he saw was a pile of bloody fabric. He couldn’t just run around naked. “What do you see in her?” A tear slipped from her cheek, and he heard the dejection in her voice. Some part of her still loved him even after everything that had transpired between them. “She’s strong, and she’s survived so much. We unintentionally revealed ourselves to her. After everything she’s been through, October still accepted us. She loves us for who and what we are. It’s nice not to hide when I’m around her. She makes me feel whole, and I want to protect her. I want her to stay and be my mate.” “What if she chooses Elliot over you? Will you turn her just to get your way?” “No. But if I don’t get to her now, then there won’t be anything left for me to go back to. Will you help me?”

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Mika saw the struggle in her eyes. She wanted to chew him out again, leave his soul battered, and watch him die of loss, but Dawn closed her eyes and bowed her head. “Fine. I’ll get you some scrubs, but I’m coming with you. You’re still in no shape to do much. You lost a lot of blood. It was a miracle I came along and was able to save you. I don’t care what you say. As your doctor, I’m coming.” “Wonderful. Can you get me some pants?” Dawn nodded and went to a cabinet she had in the room and fished out a pair of scrubs for him. Mika didn’t balk at being naked in front of her, considering their history. He slipped them on and stood up, this time feeling the coolness of the floor. The world spun for an instant, but Dawn caught him, and he regained his balance. “Thanks.” They left the office, and Mika found that he was feeling a little stronger when he got into the car. His neck hurt like a mother, but his head wasn’t spinning, so that was a plus, and his wolf was chomping at the bit to go after the asshole who had bit him. He prayed there was enough time for him to get back and save the day or warn October and Elliot about the impending danger. Not a word was uttered between him and Dawn. Questions raced through his mind that he wanted to ask her, but those inquiries wouldn’t roll off his tongue. They pulled up outside of the house. Before Dawn even pulled to a stop, he had the door open, and jumped out when she slammed on the brakes. He was steadier on his feet, but moving too quickly hurt like hell. Mika pushed the pain aside and ran to the house, only to find the front door ajar. He pushed it all the way open and listened. His ears didn’t pick up any heartbeats in the house. The one thing he smelled was the coppery scent of blood. There wasn’t a lot of it, but it was October’s blood. A growl spilled over his lips, and the hairs stood up all over his body. His muscles trembled with the oncoming shift, but he had to fight it off until he figured out what had happened. Mika went into the dining room, where he smelled the most of October’s blood and saw the broken glass glistening in the moonlight. He hopped over it, avoiding it the best he 79

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could, but still landed on a couple of shards. Below him he saw a naked form moving around near the bushes. He rushed down the stairs and saw Elliot crawling toward him. He fell to his knees, and Dawn was on the other side of him. Elliot grasped his hand and peered into his eyes. “He took her. I tried to stop him, but he was too strong.” “I know. Dawn patched me up. Do you know where he took her?” Elliot gasped when Dawn helped him sit up. Mika saw the scratches and bite marks where the other wolf had attacked him. “No. He knocked me out cold. I’m sorry. I tried. Fuck, Dawn. Watch what you touch.” He jerked away, but Dawn held his arm and pulled and twisted it. With a loud pop, it went back into place. His friend winced. “Sorry, but it was starting to heal wrong. The rest of your wounds are superficial abrasions and already healing. Nothing to worry about.” Elliot got up and then looked at Mika. “What the fuck happened to you?” “I was coming back from the police station, and he was waiting for me in the middle of the road. I slammed on the brakes, car swerved and ended up in a ditch. He taunted me that he was going to take October. I woke up in Dawn’s office.” “Good thing I found him too. He was bleeding out on the road, his throat nearly torn out.” Dawn plucked the shards of glass from his feet. “I’m sure he’s grateful that you saved him.” Mika felt like flipping him off, but he forced a smile while he scoured the ground for any sign of October or the way the kidnapper had gone. He noticed the depressed grass and how the branches were broken on a few trees. His hunter’s trained eye saw the human footprints in the scattered pine needles. “Can you run?” Mika asked Elliot. His friend got up and cracked his neck. “Of course I can. How are we going to track him if we can’t find his scent?” Mika got up and investigated the trail he had seen in the pine needles. He walked a few more feet and saw one of Elliot’s socks lying on the ground. He reached down and picked it up, only to notice it was still wet with blood. He 80

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brought it to his nose, and instantly October’s scent assailed his senses. When he looked down at the leaves, he saw the smattering of dark spots of her blood on the ground. “What did you find?” Elliot asked. He handed him the sock. “It seems she’s trying to leave us a trail. We have to get to her in time.” “You’re in no position to shift, Mika,” Dawn chimed in. He glanced at her and saw some concern in her eyes. That told him there was somewhere inside of her that still cared for him, but they would never have a future together. Besides, he wanted to be with October, and he would do anything to make sure she was safe. She was going to be the woman who bore his pups. That will never happen if we don’t get to her first. Every second we waste means that she is in more danger. He flashed Dawn a smile and then slipped out of the pants he wore. He tore the bandage from his neck, feeling the wounds flex with him as he moved his muscles. Dawn was going to say something, but he bounded off and felt the pain of the oncoming shift. It only took a few seconds between his feet touching the ground and him being on all fours. Mika hadn’t made it very far when he heard Elliot’s footsteps running next to him. And there was another pair. When he glanced over to his right, Dawn was there as well. He put his nose to the ground and inhaled October’s scent again. This time the coppery aroma of the blood was stronger than it had been when he was human. He growled when he thought of what he was going to do with the asshole who had kidnapped her once more. If he hurt her, I am going to rip his dick off. Regardless, I’m going to tear his throat out and make him wish he never thought of coming after me and mine. The moon above gave them ample enough light to see by. It was close to full, anyway, and his wolf rejoiced in being free of the human flesh. Together they were stronger. Together they were going to avenge October and then beg her to stay with them and be their mate. The trail of blood led the trio deep into the woods, where he didn’t hunt. When he stopped, his sides were heaving. In the distance he heard the thundering sound of a waterfall. The blood trail had stopped in the middle of the forest. He glanced at Elliot, 81

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wishing he could communicate with him, but being cut off from the pack didn’t allow him to. Elliot whined and then motioned he was going to head off to the left. Dawn bit Mika’s tail to get his attention. He growled and felt the hair rise on his back. When he glanced in her direction, he saw a faint pair of footprints in the mud. She motioned she was going to explore around the area. Mika looked closer and saw a crack in the ground. The way the pine needles and other debris were arranged on the forest floor weren’t natural. He yipped a warning, but it was too late. Dawn stepped forward and then disappeared. He heard a yelp. Elliot bounced over carefully, and they both edged toward the hole. In the middle of the pit were jagged tree branches buried in the dirt as spikes. Luckily Dawn had landed on the side, and her body had twisted enough that she wasn’t hit by any of them. It was obvious when she didn’t move right away she was hurt. Elliot shifted back and then poked him. Mika did the same. “We have to get her out of there.” “Yeah. And we have to save October.” Mika glanced around and saw another set of footprints leading further toward the waterfall he heard deeper in the woods. “Try to get her out of there. Go back for help if you need to. Call in the pack. I don’t care at this point. I’m going after October.” “Okay. But be careful.” Mika nodded and ran off in the direction of the footprints. They led him closer to the falls. Then they stopped, and so did the trail of October’s blood. He examined the ground and again saw a faint split in the soil that shouldn’t have been there. Mika listened harder, and he thought he heard a hum that wasn’t caused by the water rushing over the rocks of the nearby river. He bent down and noticed a small branch that was shaped like a handle. He grasped it, and he was able to pull it back, revealing a door. In the darkness, he heard a loud and long howl pierce the night air. Elliot was calling in the pack. It didn’t matter to him anymore if the pack was coming and they

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punished him later. All that mattered was that October was going to be rescued and the man who stole her from them was going to be punished. Before him was a staircase that led into a faint darkness. The overwhelming sense of danger washed over him, but he gritted his teeth and faced his fear to descend into whatever was awaiting him. He went down carefully, holding on to the railing, which was rotting away under his fingers. The stairs had been reinforced with new wood where the foundation was crumbling. This has to be some cellar from an old house. I know they used to have houses back up here in the old days, but I never suspected anything like this. When he reached the bottom, he entered a large room. Two hallways branched off the main room, leading left or right. Now that he was underground, he heard the hum of a generator. The air was heavy with the smell of the kerosene used to run it. Above him was a chandelier all lined with candles, and a rope that was tied off to the side, where someone would lower it. Underneath the chandelier were piles of wax from the candles. He sniffed and caught October’s scent. Lights flickered in the hallway, but none were in the great room. Mika caught the smells of other women who had come and gone through the room. He glanced around looking for a weapon, but saw none. Mika looked down the left corridor and saw five doors scattered along both walls. Three of them were closed. When he checked down the right corridor, there was another large room at the end of the hall and only four doors on both walls. One was closed. He figured the open room at the end of the hall was where the generator was. He looked closer and saw more drops of blood going down the hallway. Shit. She could be in any of the rooms. He tried the left passage first. When he came to an open door, he saw an old mattress and a bucket thrown in the corner. Rusty manacles, like the ones used to bind October, hung on the walls. There was nothing strewn on the floor that he could use as a weapon. He eased out of the room and passed the first closed door. He peered through the bars and saw a woman huddled in the corner. Mika tried the door, and she glanced over at him. A whimper left her lips. “No more. Please.” 83

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“Shh. I’m here to help you. But you have to be quiet, okay?” He saw the hesitation in her eyes, but she nodded slowly. Her face was smeared with dirt. Her lip was swollen, and bruises adorned her arms. She wore nothing more than a red negligee, and that was torn. It revealed her legs, and he saw even more bruises. A pang of sympathy went through him knowing that October had to have endured the same treatment this poor creature had. It took everything in him to smile, press his finger to his lips, and then move away. As he inched closer to another open door, the stench was horrendous, like a dead animal. Inside were the remains of a woman strewn about the room. The wolf growled inside his head. In the two remaining cells, he found half-starved women huddled on the mattresses. Another was rocking back and forth. Her eyes were glazed over. Mika shook his head and made his way silently back toward the other end of the passageway. He made it to the stairs, when a large red wolf bounded out before him, lips pulled back, showing its teeth, with its eyes glowing red. Its claws were fully extended. Behind the wolf was the man who had kidnapped October. He was bare-chested and wore nothing more than a loose pair of gray sweatpants. “My, my. I thought it’d be the other one coming to look for her. You were as good as dead when I left you on the road. Guess you got some help.” Mika glanced at the other wolf. It didn’t look familiar to him. Still, he wasn’t letting the other beast out of his sight. He inched along the wall and felt something scrape along his back. He glanced up the stairs, the only way of escape, and saw the deteriorating railing. He gripped it behind his back and pulled. It gave way a little. “Where’s October?” The other man smiled smugly. “You don’t have anything to worry about. She’s soon going to be all mine.” He gritted his teeth and then pulled again, hoping the other two wouldn’t notice. He winced when he heard the groan of the wood. The wolf stepped closer. “She isn’t yours. If you did anything to her, I’ll rip your balls off.” He tugged again. This time the board came with him. He stepped forward at the same time the wolf sprang at him. Mika swung with all his might and hit the 84

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wolf across the skull. The wolf dropped to the floor, and the piece of rotten railing splintered into a thousand pieces. The kidnapper growled, but Mika kept on running, head down, and tackled him. They both went down to the floor. The landing knocked the wind out of him, but he straddled him and began to pummel his face. The kidnapper grabbed the place where he had bitten him and squeezed. Bolts of white-hot pain seared his nerves, and he saw stars from the pain. The other man hit him again across the nose and broke it. Mika concentrated through the agony and poured all of his energy into shifting one part of his body. His hand twisted. His fingers thinned, and his fingernails sharpened. He slashed at the other man and caught him with his claws. The attacker staggered backward toward the center of the great room. Mika had gotten him across the chest, and he could see bone underneath. The other man looked down at his wounds and only smiled. “You may think this will stop me, but it won’t. We have other holdings. My partner will make sure the other girls will suffer for what you’ve done. You can kill me, but you won’t stop us.” Mika stood over him and growled. The rage that burned in him nearly blinded him. It took everything in him not to tear at this man’s throat. “Where is she?” “You must really love that tail. She’s by the generator, but be careful if you move her. The whole place could go boom. You really didn’t think that I was going to let you get away free and clear from this. None of you will get out of this alive,” the other man laughed. Mika hit him across the face, and the kidnapper fell to the floor. Mika saw the other wolf was under the chandelier. He rushed toward the rope, and with one swipe, he cut it with his claws. The kidnapper looked up as the chandelier fell, pinning him underneath it. Mika waited for the dust to settle. When he did, the other man was still breathing. A trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth. Mika stood over him and raised his hand for the killing strike, but it was caught. He turned around, ready to snap at whoever had stopped him, and saw Elliot, covered in mud and scraped up. It appeared he had gotten Dawn out of the pit. 85

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“Leave him. The pack is on the way. We want to make sure he gets justice for what he’s done.” “What about the other one?” Mika asked. His friend’s brows knitted together. “What other one?’ Mika glanced back to where the wolf had been lying. The body had vanished. Fuck! “His accomplice. There was a red wolf just there.” He pointed to the pool of blood near the right hallway. “Didn’t you see him when you came down here?” “No. There wasn’t anyone else. We’ll find him, don’t worry. Go get October and see if she’s okay.” Mika nodded and ran down the hallway. He heard October’s distinct heartbeat, and it was hammering in her chest. When he got into the room, she looked up. The stench of the kerosene was overwhelming and made his eyes water. Piled in the corner were other buckets and a couple of shovels. He saw some other tools, but could only guess what they were for. His heart dropped when he saw his beloved. She was covered in bruises, and there was a gag in her mouth. Mika dropped to his knees and gently pulled the gag from her mouth. Her eyes were wide, and her lip was puffy from where she had been hit. Her arm was sliced open. She was pale, but she was awake. Her shirt had been ripped open, exposing her breasts, and there were superficial scratches running over her chest. She was tied to a pole. He reached for the ropes. “Stop. There’s a bomb.” He glanced behind her and saw the thin wires lying on top of the loose earth. He followed the wires and discovered the generator was full to the brim. On the back side was a bundle of dynamite attached to a cell phone. There was a timer next to it with only thirty seconds on the display. Oh shit. He traced the wires back to a plate that October was sitting on. They had to get her out of there. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You’re not going to die in this place.” A tear slid down her cheek. “You need to go.” “No. I won’t leave you here. Did he bite you?” 86

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“No. Just the scratches.” Mika nodded more to himself than to her. “Good. Then he didn’t infect you. Do you know anything about the other wolf, his partner that was with him?” October shook her head. “No. I never saw his face. He was rougher with the girls. They screamed and died quicker. He came for me once, but the other got to him first and said I was off-limits. He got the left hallway. Sometimes I wished I was his so he would just let me die.” “Shh. Don’t worry about it. I’m going to be right back.” “Okay.” Mika returned to Elliot, who was with Cooper. He saw other wolves opening up the cells in the right hallway, freeing the other women in them. The pack leader looked up at him. “You catch this one?” “Yeah. I thought I had his partner too, but he got away.” The kidnapper chuckled and shook his head. For the first time, Mika saw how truly mad he was. “You’ll never find him. And the best part of it is, he’s been among you all along.” Cooper grabbed the other man’s face and pulled him closer. “What do you mean? Who is your partner?” “I’ll never tell.” Cooper gripped the man’s face and growled, “Tell me!” The other man spit on the pack leader. He wiped the spittle from his face and then slugged him. “Take him upstairs and let the others bring him back into town. Help bring the remaining victims to safety. Be quick about it. See they are cared for. The same with Dawn,” he said to Elliot. Cooper glanced at Mika. “Is your girl back there?” Mika nodded. “Yeah. But there’s a bomb. I’m not sure I can move her.” He led Cooper back into the room at the end of the hall. October looked up at him with a hopeful light in her eye and a small smile. Cooper glanced at her and then to the setup. He knelt down and picked up the wires. “This isn’t good. If we move her, the timer will be triggered.” 87

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Mika stayed with her and kissed the top of her head. “How much do you weigh?” Cooper asked. October blushed and then glanced at Mika. “One thirty. One forty. I don’t know. I haven’t been on a scale in a while. You know, being a prisoner and all.” The pack leader grunted and then left the room. Mika stayed behind and chuckled. October glanced at him. “What’s so funny?” “Just how you are with him. He hates attitude of any kind.” “Let me guess, he’s the type of guy who thinks he can look at someone and they will bow down and suck his dick, right?” “Actually, I prefer a hand job rather than a blow job. Maybe when you get out of here, you can give it a try.” Cooper came back in carrying a woman over his shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t substitute another life for hers.” “Relax. This one was already dead. I’d say within the past hour or so. She seems to be about your weight. I don’t know how long we have, but when we switch, we have to run like hell.” “Do you think it’ll work?” Mika asked. Cooper shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m going off an Indiana Jones movie here. I’m not a bomb expert. Samuel never showed up, and he’s the only one who had training with this kind of thing. We try it or we leave your girl down here.” Mika glanced at October. “Do it,” she said. “I’m not going to die down here no matter what. He won’t get the better of me.” She held up her bound hands, and Mika sliced through the rope. He carefully undid the bindings around her. Cooper knelt down next to them. Mika glanced at the pack leader and then nodded. At the same moment, he scooped up October, and then Cooper set the body on the plate. It all seemed seamless. They glanced at one another. Mika heard a faint click. “We gotta go!” Cooper yelled and took off down the hallway. 88

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They raced against time. The first explosion rocked the cellar. Mika was halfway up the stairs when he felt the heat of the flames. October whimpered, but he made it up another couple of steps before he leaped to solid ground and landed safely. The rest of the pack was nowhere around. He tried to catch his breath, but felt the earth rumbling beneath his feet. He and Cooper met eyes and then kept on running. They didn’t stop until they were safely away from the cellar and Cooper had rejoined the other wolves. Dawn was looking over the girls, who were being cared for by other members of the pack. Mika set October down. She looked up at him and then went over to Elliot and kissed him. A pang of jealousy went through Mika, and he couldn’t help the small growl that escaped his chest. “If you love her, then you’ll figure a way to work it out. You have to fight our instincts.” Cooper motioned toward them. “I don’t want to lose her because I’m being an ass. Thank you for coming.” Cooper eyed him. “You have more balls than I gave you credit for. You did something that even my best hunters couldn’t. I’ll take that into consideration when I meet with the council. Maybe we can think about reversing the decision about you being banned from the pack.” Mika nodded, not sure what else to say. He had never expected any praise from the pack leader. Cooper walked away. Mika joined Elliot and October. He ran his fingers over her face and then looked at Elliot. His friend’s muscles were tensed as if he was waiting for Mika to strike out at him. He offered his hand to Elliot. The other man smiled and then pulled him into a hug. “Why don’t we get October back home and get her cleaned up? I think our girl needs to get some rest.” October glanced at both of them. “I’d like that.” Mika kissed her cheek. He would do anything to keep her happy. Even work out whatever schedule they needed so the three of them could be with one another. However it was going to work out, he would make an effort for the love of the woman who was with him. 89

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Chapter Thirteen October had been questioned by the pack leader and the other cops in the town. It had been another week, and she was still recovering from the last incident of being abducted. The superficial wounds had healed, and her ankle was finally sound. Mika and Elliot had left her alone for the last week, but she sensed the tension in them. They wanted to make her happy. She had wanted to make them happy too, but so much had happened. She had to get away for a while and see if she could reintegrate back into a normal life. Questions ran through her mind. Was her attraction to them brought on just because they had rescued her? Did she really love them? Her heart screamed yes, but her head dictated her actions, and she needed normalcy, where there were no woods, no wolves, and no dark cellars. The hustle and bustle of the city called to her. October was tempted to fly back to Massachusetts, to her family, but that seemed too far. So she was heading back to Charlotte for now. Once she figured it out, then she would make up her mind. She zipped her bag and then headed out to the dining room, where Elliot and Mika were waiting. Elliot’s face was blank. The walls were up around his heart once more. Mika’s eyes burned with rage and with wanting. She could see it. Dawn stood in the kitchen and smiled at her. “All packed?” Elliot asked. She nodded. “Yeah.” “I’ll put your things in the car.” Dawn grabbed her bags and headed outside, leaving her with the two men. She glanced at Mika and Elliot. She brushed a kiss along their cheeks. Everything she wanted to say to them stuck in her heart. “I need some time to figure all this out.” “Of course. Take all the time you need,” Elliot choked out. “We’ll be here.” Mika gave her a stiff hug. She wiped the tears that slid down her cheeks and then went outside to meet Dawn. As they pulled away in the car, she looked in the mirror and saw the men on the porch. Dawn and she drove for a while. The knowledge of 90

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what she had done to Mika lingered in October’s mind, but she couldn’t judge her just on that. Dawn had been kind to her and helped treat her. She had brought her clothes, and now they were going back to her apartment. “Running away from the wolves?” Dawn asked. “I’m not running away. I’m trying to get my life back. I need to figure things out. You would too after you’d been kidnapped. I just want normal for a bit.” “So you don’t love them?” “I didn’t say that.” “You going away like this is hurting them both. Mika especially.” October glanced over and saw the hard look in her eyes. “What do you care about Mika? You’re the one who threw him to the wolves. No pun intended.” “I did what I thought was right at the time. I loved him once upon a time. I wanted to make his life a living hell. I never expected him to almost die or to meet you. Then you broke down the walls around Elliot’s heart. I didn’t think that was possible. I loved him like a brother. Still do because he was going to marry my sister. Now you’re leaving, and that wall will go back up. He’ll never open up again.” “I’m not leaving them all alone. I just need some time to think. I’m not used to all this supernatural stuff. Give me a break.” October stared out the window and didn’t want to think about what she was leaving behind. It hurt her heart enough, but it was something she had to do. I slept with both of them, and I know I feel something for them, but is it love? Thinking about it only made her want to turn around and head back to them. She shook her head, knowing she was doing the right thing. They didn’t talk for the rest of the ride home until they pulled up outside of her apartment building. She got out and thanked Dawn for the ride. The other woman smiled and pulled away. October looked up at her residence and then took a breath. She had told her roommate she was coming back today. Hopefully, she could settle back into her old life and find another job. Once all the rubble cleared in her head, then she would head back up Lupine Gorge. 91

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**** October tapped on the keyboard again and tried not to let the boredom of her temp job overtake her. After trying to get her job back, her boss was sympathetic, but he had already fired her. He gave her some great recommendations and said that he hadn’t wanted to let her go, but when she didn’t show up, he had had to fill her position. The references had been great, but in this economy, she wasn’t getting anything permanent. So she was making rent the best way she could. Each day that passed, her thoughts turned more toward Elliot and Mika. She missed the way their hands roamed over her body. How their lips felt on hers. Ever since she had left, part of her was empty, a vacant hole that needed to be filled with their warm presence. A tear slipped down her cheek as she thought of them, but she wiped it away before it could ruin her mascara. It didn’t matter that they were wolves. The idea of being away from them any longer was grating on her soul. She had claimed she wanted to get back to a normal life. Now she was back, and the craving to be immersed in the world she had discovered consumed her more and more each day. October pulled out her cell phone and looked at their numbers. She had their address too. Being away from them tugged at the very fabric of her being. She was getting more depressed by the day and had never thought a man, or even two men, would have such an effect on her. Her roommate tried to cheer her up by setting her up on blind dates. The men she had seen hadn’t ignited any sparks. That’s it. She punched in the navigation and then looked at how long it would take her to drive there. Two and a half hours. It would be after dark and late when she arrived. I hope they’ll be there. The rest of the day passed slowly as she tapped in the data the job required of her. At her apartment, she changed into T-shirt and jeans. She packed a bag for a couple of days and didn’t care if she was blowing off her job. The compulsion to see Mika and Elliot drove her forward as she made her way closer to the men she loved. Darkness pressed around her. Rain had 92

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started falling when she got into the mountains. Lightning bounced off the peaks. A bolt struck a tree, and it blazed into flames. She jumped, but sped past the natural light show. She got off the exit and made her way down the two-lane road where she had emerged after escaping her kidnapper. It was good to know the wolves had dealt with him. That meant his partner was still on the loose, but she couldn’t think about him. If she did, then she wouldn’t move past the trauma that lived within her nightmares. Her roommate had asked her about what had happened, but October couldn’t bring herself to tell her all the details. Maybe I wanted to see if I could put it all behind me, but that didn’t dull my attraction for them. Maybe I figured it would. But it didn’t. She bit her lip and continued driving until she arrived at the entrance to their long driveway. Her heart beat in time with her blinker. It was now or never. She could turn around and head back to her apartment or go down the driveway and make her life go in another direction. That small fear of the unknown almost held her back, but the thought of never seeing Mika or Elliot again broke her heart. She couldn’t do that. They might have been big bad wolves, but they would blow any house down to get her if she was in trouble. October turned into the driveway, then shut off the engine. It took a minute before she got out of the car. When she did, the cool November air cut through her. The house was dark. The clouds were distorting the moon. In the distance, she heard another rumble of thunder, and then underneath that, the howl of wolves. She remembered the jacket in her trunk. She grabbed it and then followed the driveway around the back. She glanced up and saw the deck and bit her lip. Maybe it’s open. Taking a chance, she climbed the stairs and looked at the balcony. Their clothes were folded neatly on different chairs. She picked up the first shirt and held it to her nose. Elliot’s musky cologne filled her nostrils. Images from the past two months filled her mind. She placed the shirt back on the chair. October went to pick up the second shirt, when she noticed a third set of clothes. They belonged to a woman. She felt the color drain from her face. Of course. How could I expect one of them not to find someone else after I left? They would forget about me and probably find someone else who is their same species. She ran 93

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her hand over the plaid shirt and wondered if the woman was with Mika or with Elliot. Tears burned her eyes. What am I doing here? October turned and studied the spectacular landscape. She had missed the quiet and magnificence of the mountains. All that was left was for her to make the long drive back to the city and find the store open late where she could get a pint of butter pecan ice cream. She turned back to the stairs, when she heard them squeak. Her back went rigid, and her heart hammered on her breastbone. All she could think of was that the other man had found her. “October?” Dawn stood naked before her. She averted her eyes. “Hi. Umm . . . sorry, I didn’t know you were—” “Could you hand me my clothes?” “Sure.” October grabbed the garments and held them out to her. “You don’t have to be shy. We’re all used to seeing one another naked around here.” “So how are you?” “I’m good. So are the boys. They should be along in a minute. You can look now.” October forced a smile and then looked down at the tree line. Two wolves emerged from the forest. One silver and one dark. Her heart stopped as their forms shimmered. While they walked, they changed from man to wolf. “They’ll be happy to see you. They’ve both missed you, even if they don’t admit it. I’ll be seeing you.” “Wait. You’re not going to stay? I thought . . .” Dawn laughed as her eyes widened. “Oh no. Sweetie, they are all about you. Just be careful. If you’re not in this for the long haul, then I’d turn around and leave now.” She squeezed October’s shoulder and then bounded down the stairs. October watched her disappear into the woods. Her heart hiccupped when Elliot came up the stairs first, and then Mika. The clouds overhead parted and bathed them in silvery moonlight as if they were gods. They were so beautiful. It made her realize that they were supernatural creatures and she had been privileged to learn about them. They got to the deck, each naked, 94

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and then stood before her. Their amused looks changed from surprised to stone-faced. Mika stepped forward. Her gaze traveled down his body to his semihard cock. She bit her lip and then dared a look at Elliot. He was growing firmer just looking at her. She waved at them, shifting her weight, feeling her stomach tie itself into knots. “Hi, guys.” She studied their bare feet. A few pine needles clung to their toes. “October, what are you doing here?” Elliot asked. “I figured I’d see how you were doing.” “So you drove all the way up here to see how we were doing when you could’ve picked up the phone and asked us. Maybe you could’ve called and told us you were alive.” Mika brushed past her and then grabbed his clothes. The edge in his voice was hard to ignore and stabbed at her heart. She hadn’t realized how she had wounded him by leaving. October went to say something, but he wrenched open the sliding door with enough force it bounced back. Elliot took his jeans, and then he walked back into the house. She remained on the deck, not sure if they wanted her to come inside. After a moment, he poked his head out the door. “It’s kinda cold outside. You coming in?” She nodded and stepped inside. When she looked around, nothing had changed. She closed the door behind her and looked at Elliot. The need in his eyes was there. She crossed the distance between them and touched his face. He ran his fingers down her cheek and tilted her chin up until their mouths met. He wound his fingers through her hair and pulled him closer together until not even a wolf hair could get between them. Elliot thrust his tongue between her lips, darting along hers until she had to pull away to catch her breath. He was panting too. He brushed his thumbs along the column of her neck. The simple gesture made October whimper with a craving so primal she wasn’t sure she could describe it. All she knew was that she had been a fool to leave. “I thought we’d driven you away.” She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t you. I just needed some time to figure it all out. I was wrong to leave. I’m sorry.” 95

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He kissed her again. “Don’t be. You’re here now. I knew you’d come back when you worked it all out. Mika is the one who needs you now.” She placed her hand on Elliot’s chest, feeling his erect cock resting against her inner thigh. She ran her palm down and fingered his shaft. A smile spread on his face. “I need you too. Both of you.” “You don’t have to convince me. I’ve wanted to have you between us if that’s what you desired.” “Oh yeah. What about Mika? He was about to bite your head off whenever I was with you before.” Elliot shrugged. “We talked about, if you ever came back, that we were going to work it out. Figure out a schedule to keep you satisfied.” “You don’t have to work out a schedule.” She glanced down the hall toward the stairs. “I should go up and talk to Mika.” “He took it rough. I’ve never seen him like this. He reminded me of me when Dominique died. He’s built up a wall. Even him rejoining the pack, I only saw him crack a smile.” Her eyes widened. “He was accepted back into the pack. That’s great.” “Yeah. Dawn even confessed about what happened and said that it wasn’t his fault and she overreacted. We were running tonight so they could try and put things behind them. It’s like he was never exiled. It’s great, but he’s depressed.” He kissed her again. “I’ll be upstairs.” “Okay.” October went upstairs and into Mika’s room. It was empty. She suddenly got hot and took off her jacket and slung it over a chair. She fluffed her hair and tried to work out some of the tangles. The door hit the wall, and she spun around. Mika stood in the doorway. His chest glistened with water. “What are you doing up here?” “Mika, I’m sorry. I needed to wrap my head around everything that happened to me. Everything I had seen.” He grabbed her arms and made her jump. October couldn’t help but freeze when she saw his eyes glowing yellow. She tried to take a step back as the images from before loomed on the edge of her psyche. Her breath quickened when he eased the grip on her arms. Mika’s expression changed,

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and he stepped away. He closed his eyes. The muscles corded in his neck, and the veins throbbed in his temples. “You fear me now. Why did you ever come back?” October heard the pain in his voice and the hurt in his heart. She walked up behind him and rested her head against his back. She trailed her hands over his shoulder blades, feeling how toned he was, how much he was holding back, until he quivered when she encompassed his waist. Her lips pressed into his skin. She tasted the cleanness of his flesh and the slight hint of the soap he had used. Mika didn’t respond. Please don’t turn me away. “I’m not afraid of you or Elliot. My days are okay, but the nights are tough. I wake up screaming. When I fall back asleep, the dream picks up where it left off. It’s always his eyes.” “So you came back to face your fears.” She shook her head. “No. I came back to see you and Elliot. I’ve dreamed about the three of us together. You on either side of me.” She slid her hands up along his chest, feeling the hard muscles, and settled them over his heart. October kissed his back and waited. His heart beat steadily underneath her hands. All she wanted was to make him understand that she had needed some time. Now all she desired was to be happy with them. She would give up her life to join them, maybe even become like them, but she hadn’t made up her mind about that yet. “I missed how you tasted. How you moved. My roommate tried to set me up with a few guys.” “What happened?” he asked in a strained whisper. She shrugged. “Nothing. We went out. Had dinner. Some tried to get me into bed, but all I thought about was the both of you. Please don’t turn me away after everything that happened.” He rolled his shoulders and let out a long breath. Some of the tension was easing out of his body. Mika turned and then took her face in his hands. He lifted her chin until their gazes met. He wiped the tears from her eyes and then smiled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. Just when you left and didn’t call, I didn’t know how to react. Elliot said you’d come back. After a couple of 97

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weeks had gone by, you never called to let us know how you were. But you’re here now. Are you going to stay?” “It all depends on if you want me to.” “Of course we want you to stay. Elliot even made up your room downstairs so you’d have a place to sleep.” Warmth spread through her knowing they had anticipated her returning. “When I saw Dawn, I thought you and she might have reconciled.” Mika chuckled. “No chance on that. But she did confess to the pack leader about what happened between us. Between that and bringing in one of the killers, they reinstated me. Elliot let me stay, saying that he couldn’t just throw out the tenants living in his house, so here I am.” “I’m glad you’re back with your pack. It’s what you wanted. Mika, if I stay here, will I have to become a wolf?” He smoothed the hair from her face. “Only if you want to. But we don’t have to think about that right now.” She ran her hand down his chest to the bulge hidden behind his towel. His eyes rolled back when she squeezed it. “Can we think about this?” “Oh yeah.” He kneaded her breasts through the material of her shirt. Mika brushed his thumbs over her pert nipples and then tugged at her shirt. She giggled and backed away from him. Frustration returned to his eyes, but she put a finger to his lips and then pulled off her shirt while continuing to leave the room. October dropped it and then worked on her bra, making a show of pulling the straps over her shoulders and then cupping her breasts. “Where do you think you’re going?” “Come and find out.” She threw the bra to the floor and waited. Mika took a minute and then followed her. October went a few paces toward Elliot’s room before she took off her shoes and socks, leaving only her pants on. When she went into Elliot’s bedroom, the strong perfume of vanilla hit her. The lights were out and the room illuminated by candles. Elliot beckoned her closer. October stood up on tiptoe to feel his lips on hers. He snaked his tongue into her mouth. He cradled her breasts in his palms and kissed down the line of her throat. Small sensations of pleasure 98

Three Fur All

Crymsyn Hart

began to wind through her. He nipped along her neck and turned her around in his grasp. His hands trailed along her belly and undid the button and then the zipper of her jeans. Elliot pushed them down so they hung around her hips. He then slid his hand under her panties and found her hidden bud. Once his thumb connected with the hard nub, she started to feel the bliss blossoming inside of her. She wrapped her arm around his neck and leaned back against him so he held her weight. A small moan burst from her lips, and she saw Mika in the doorway. Passion burned in his eyes from watching them. Elliot continued to manipulate her until her back arched against his chest. It took all her willpower to continue staring at Mika, and she beckoned him to them. “Mika.” He came toward them in a daze. The heat of his body was already radiating against her skin. She reached out and placed a hand on his chest. At that moment, the orgasm Elliot was building in her to was about to take over. Mika leaned in and captured her lips. He thrust his tongue into her mouth. When October moved upward, her body was trapped between Elliot and Mika. “You look so beautiful,” Mika whispered in her ear. He dragged his fingers down her chest and pinched her nipples. October cried out and felt the flush of the orgasm flood through her. Her skin was on fire. She threw her head back and squirmed. Mika bit down on her neck. The feel of his teeth and his hands on her breasts were all she wanted. He continued down her chest until he drew one of her nipples between his teeth and bit down. A loud cry came from her lips. She tried to focus on the world around her, but all she could think about was having one of them, or both, inside of her. She dug her nails into Mika’s scalp and held him at her breast. He bit down on her nipple a little harder. Elliot rubbed her once more. The feeling that overwhelmed her was nothing she had experienced before. She was lost to the sensations bursting inside of her. Then she collapsed between the two of them. Mika fell to his knees and pulled down her jeans and panties. “What are you doing?” October asked.

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He didn’t respond, but nuzzled her downy curls. He parted her already wet slit and flicked his tongue along the mounds of her sex until he plunged his tongue inside of her. October jumped. Elliot held her in place while Mika sampled her. He thrust his tongue into her a few times while Elliot kissed her shoulder. His teeth nibbled her skin, but he didn’t break it. A deep growl came from his chest and worked up his throat. His other hand trailed along the curve of her thigh while his cock poked her ass. She reached down and tugged on Mika’s towel. October tried to grasp his dick, but it was out of her reach. Stars formed on the periphery of her vision. Mika’s mouth encompassed her clit while he sucked on it. She pushed her hips against him. “Mika, please.” He glanced up at her. His eyes glowed, but she wasn’t afraid of him. All she wanted was the pleasure between them to go on and on for an eternity. Elliot’s fingers moved over her stomach. Her muscles were already quivering. She could barely contain her grip on reality. Fire blazed along her soul and consumed her. Once the fire had burned out, she found she was naked and on Elliot’s bed. “How did I get here?” Elliot smiled and dragged his finger along her calf. “You blacked out for a couple of seconds. Guess we were too rough on you.” Her body felt like mush, but in a good way. She glanced over and saw Mika sitting next to her. He kissed her shoulder blade. “You tasted so good. I just had to have you. Now I want to be inside of you.” October took both of their hands and kissed the backs of them. She hooked her leg around Mika’s and scooted closer to him. She turned a little and faced her ass toward Elliot. The other man ran his hands over her mounds. “Any objections?” October asked. Mika parted her thighs and guided his length inside of her. “Now that feels good, baby.” Elliot slipped his hand around her side and cupped her breast. He pushed closer to her, and she felt his cock settle between her ass cheeks. “No

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objections here. God, even this is wonderful.” He wrapped his leg around her free one. Mika claimed her lips with his, pushing his tongue into her mouth while he plunged his shaft into her. She pushed her hips against his, and then Elliot also thrust against her, using her clenched ass for friction. The three of them found their rhythm. October clung to Mika while he kissed her and pushed his length into her. Elliot’s nails dug into her flesh. The bliss that suffused her body was raking her mind. Bursts of ecstasy ran along her veins. Elliot groaned in her ear. He clutched her breast. Her nipple hardened between his fingers, and her moans were lost within Mika’s mouth. October was brought to another level of passion. She couldn’t fight the sensations engulfing her. It had been so wrong to deny the men she loved. Mika kissed her once more and then dove into her. At the same time, Elliot slid against her, and she felt his hot seed spill onto her back. “Fuck, that’s it,” he cried out. Mika drew in a long breath and then thrust into her one more time, hitting her clit. October didn’t think she could survive another plunge into the inferno the men had created inside of her, but with one more ignition, she felt herself come and screamed. Both men moved with her. Elliot kissed her nape and breathed slowly. Mika nuzzled her throat and then lay still. “I think we need to get you cleaned up in the shower.” Elliot flicked his tongue over her shoulder. “Can’t we just stay here for a minute?” she asked. “We can stay here as long as you want,” Mika said. October snuggled between the two of them, feeling their love cover every part of her. It didn’t matter if they were wolves. With them, nothing was ever going to hurt her again. Her life had started over when she found them. Returning to her life in the city was something she couldn’t fathom now. Together they would help her create a new life. “You do know what this means?” October asked. “What does it mean?” Elliot asked. “It means my roommate is going to be pissed at me. I promised her I wasn’t moving out.” 101

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“Oh well. She’ll just have to deal with it. We get the better end of the bargain anyway. We get to deal with you. For now and always.” Mika touched her cheek gently. Even though his eyes burned yellow, they didn’t spark fear in her. All that enveloped her now was the love and devotion of the two wolves she could call her own.

The End

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TuÉâà à{x Tâà{ÉÜ Crymsyn Hart is the author of over thirty books. Each world is filled with luscious vampires, gorgeous gods, quirky witches, and everything else that goes bump in the night. Crymsyn worked as a psychic for many years in Boston while attending Emerson College. She graduated with a BFA in Writing, Literature, & Publishing. Crymsyn shares her life with a small zoo, two playful puppies, and her hubby Mark. If you come after dark, you’re more than likely to find her snuggled up with a gory horror movie, or a bloody vampire movie. Crymsyn has a collection of Living Dead Dolls and five bookshelves overflowing with books. Of course there’s always room for more.