The sight of his ass in the air, legs waggling around and his girlfriend screeching like an alley cat still brought a smile to Fox’s lips. Not to mention the beer the couple bought him as a thank you afterward . . . rather the multiple beers and the job that came with it when they found out he knew his way around computers. That little number kept him going for weeks. Until his paws got itchy again and the call of the wild pulled him once again away from civilization.
His fire was barely embers so he nudged a log over, settling it in the center before moving another next to it, making sure both caught light before using his senses to ensure there was nobody, or nothing, nearby. Once he was sure he was safe, he closed his eyes and relaxed, allowing sleep to take him under and his healing to finish.
Tomorrow was another day, one where he’d be fighting fit and ready to hunt, and maybe this time he’d get to eat his prey. He hoped so, he was starving and he was feeling decidedly out of sorts, both man and beast. Something wasn’t right with him and he wasn’t sure what the hell was up, but hoping that a good feed would set him right. Yes, that’s all he needed, a good night’s rest, a good feed, and he’d be right as rain and then he’d be on his way. Out of this land that had damn rogues roaming free. He didn’t need those fuckers on his tail.
They were too much trouble and were never on their own. He’d be glad to see the back of this place. Tomorrow he’d eat and be gone.
His beast snarled, the sound loud, reverberating around the cave. “What the hell’s up with you?” he asked of the beast he was always in harmony with.
“Not going. Stay,” his beast replied firmly.
Oh hell. What the fuck was wrong with him?
“We’ll see.” Fox appeased him yawning as he fell over into darkness.
As they pulled into the camp, Sheba could feel the unease of several members running through her. Hell. It was one of the perks of being Alpha she could do without.
She hated it at times, the feelings of others were overwhelming and she’d found it hard to come to terms with, but she’d slowly found ways to deal with it. Right now, she saw her bestie, Arabella, waiting on her right next to the Alpha cabin, pacing back and forth and nibbling on a nail . . . a sure sign she was upset. As soon as the truck stopped, Ari ran up, pulling the door open.
“Sheba, thank goodness you’re back!” Ari reached in, tugging her arm. “Come on! Dion’s back and he’s got news of rogues up near the waterfall.”
“Fuck!” Sheba cursed as Ari continued to pull her along. She dug her heels in, snatching her arm free. “I’m capable of walking on my own, Ari.”
“Oh, sorry, Alpha.” Ari lowered her eyes.
Sheba sighed, patting her friend’s shoulder. It had been hard for her exuberant Arabella to sometimes rein in her behavior in public. “That’s all right, sweetie, just don’t pull me along like that, I kinda don’t need it and it doesn’t look good.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Ari peeked up, her eyes twinkling. “I forget sometimes, ya know?”
“Yeah, me too.” Sheba smirked. “Now, why don’t you show me where all the action is?”
“Sure!” Ari skipped away, her short hair bouncing around her face that was flushed. “They’re over near Tilly’s place ‘cause a couple of the guys were roughed up a bit and weren’t fully healed by the time they got back. She’s fixing them up now.”
Ray overtook them, his thick thighs bunching the denim that encased them and straining the material as he snapped, “Who’s hurt and how bad?”
Ari jumped at his curt tone. “Not bad, Raylon, honestly, they were mostly healed when they got back, but you know Tilly, she’s going over them with a fine-toothed comb and adding some of her lotions and potions to some scrapes and bruises. Although . . .”
Ray paused, his head spinning around and barking, “Although what?”
“Well, Kai was banged up pretty bad.” Ari’s eyes dropped, unable to meet Ray’s angry scrutiny. “Dion had to help him back but he’s almost healed now but Tilly said she’s keeping him at her place for the night to make sure he’s okay.”
“Fucking bastards!” Ray sped away. “I’ll rip their hearts out when I find them.”
“Oh oh, he sounds mad,” Ari stage whispered, hand over her mouth for effect.
Sheba shook her head, teeth grinding angrily. “He’s not the only one. I’m about ready to rip some hearts out myself. Who the fuck do they think they are coming onto my land? They don’t know what kinda hurt is coming their way, but I’ll tell you this, Arabella, they’ll soon find out that this damn Alpha is no pushover.”
Ari had to speed up to keep pace with Sheba as she started to jog after Ray, who was on his way toward the Healer’s cabin. There they found a crowd of people gathered outside. Dion was pacing back and forth, his blond hair a mess as he ran his hands through it over and over. When he saw them, he stopped, anger tightening his normally placid features.
“Damn rogues! We found signs of them up by the waterfall but that’s not all, Alpha.”
Ray stepped forward, holding a hand up. “Hold it there, Dion. I think we should continue this conversation in private. Don’t you?”
Dion’s face flushed as he nodded curtly. “Yes, I do. I’ve not spoken of anything other than we
