CHAPTER 4

Fight or flight? He couldn’t decide. The bear loomed over him, its razor sharp claws ready to swipe and end his life. Alex was tired from running but it was a much better alternative.

Cynthia was well out of view before he turned to join her flight. The sinew of his muscles snapped and groaned against his shifting bones, his muzzle protruded from his face while fur cascaded down his back.

You can win.

Now isn’t the time. His body burned from running with Cynthia and it was only going to get worse.

I don’t want to find out.

Something whispered in the back of his mind. Like a nasty sliver that he wanted to pick at but hadn’t the time.

Kill the bear. Hunt. Feed.

Shutup. Now isn’t the time for stupid thoughts. He continued to sprint through the dark forest. Alex wasn’t even sure he was going the right way, but his nose could tell that Cynthia was in this direction.

Why did they have to come tonight? Cynthia was a goddess. She was perfection. And, she was all his. He’d given her a head start to get back to the den. He wanted to know that she’d be safe from the bear even if he had to sacrifice himself to be sure.

The forest broke open and he saw the farmhouse ahead. Cynthia was already standing, in the middle of the den, safe from harm. Alex slowed his pace and wheeled around at the forest edge. He lowered his head and growled while bearing his sharp fangs.

He scanned the forest with the light from the farmhouse porch. It cast shadows that tricked his eyes, but deep within, just out of reach of the light, he saw the hunched over figure of a bear. It stood and stared right back.

Kill it. Tear its flesh.

The whispers were louder now. Alex shook his head, trying to silence the voice that reached out.

No.

Let go.

The fur on his back stretched and grew, his skin tore, and his muscles ached. Alex was working his hardest to hold back his wolf, but his leash wasn’t tight enough. Darkness crept in the corners of his vision. The two were locked, each with one side of the leash and Alex was losing.

Stop it, dammit. Not now!

Everything around him was dark, and before him stood only the wolf. The corners of its mouth were twisted and snarled. With a blink of his eyes he was back in the den. A different creature was staring back at him, the bear.

What in the hell was that? How could the wolf be taking over his mind so easily?

Alex and the bear stared each other down for a moment before it disappeared back into the darkness of the thick wood. Good, one less thing to worry about.

However, for the time being, Alex was more scared of the wolf inside. Even now it was tugging at him to chase down the bear.

It’s over.

Not for long.

Cynthia walked up behind him and rested a hand on his shoulders. Her scent was intoxicating. Alex yanked at the leash of the wolf, returning it to its cage. His body obeyed shortly after. This time, though, the pain of the shift was tremendous. It felt like the wolf was punishing him. His bones cracked and broke while his muscles snapped and tore. Every hair on his body felt like a tiny needle stabbing into his skin. When he could finally stand up on his human feet, his head was spinning and he had to return to the ground.

“Are you okay?” Cynthia asked.

Fuck no, I’m not okay.

“Just give me a minute,” he replied.

Cynthia trotted over and retrieved her abandoned clothing, slipping her dress over her shoulders. When she returned, she tossed Alex’s pants at his face. He pulled them on quickly, shielding himself from the cold that was sucking the heat from his overtaxed body.

“I’m still wet,” Cynthia whispered in his ear. She sported a wicked coy grin. And, the boner was back. Even though he could barely stand, his dick still knew what to do.

He snapped to his feet, which he began to regret when the headache set in.

“You always say just what I want to hear,” Alex replied. He would have offered the farmhouse, but the idea of having sex in his bedroom with Connor and Tess just a room over was repulsive.

“Let’s go to my place,” she said, “it’s my grandma’s bridge night.”

“Can’t say no to an offer like that,” he joked.

Cynthia took Alex’s hand, pulling him along for the ride. Her house was one of the smaller buildings, barely tall enough for Alex to stand in. Still, it was big enough for Cynthia and her grandma even if they had to hunch from time to time.

The house looked dark inside, a good sign so far. Cynthia pushed her way through to make sure it was empty and Alex followed shortly thereafter. Inside didn’t look much better than outside. Two beds sat angled against each other in the back, a small round table made from an old wire spool was flanked by a pair of upturned buckets used as makeshift seats. A shelf was nestled against the only other wall. It housed various sundries and knickknacks.

Cynthia lit the single camp lantern that hung from a beam stretching across the ceiling. It provided enough light to see. Before the lantern grew to full brightness, Cynthia was already tearing off her dress and hopping into her bed. Alex watched her little butt wiggle with each step she took.

I am the luckiest man alive.

He began to unzip his own pants but was surprised by the creak of the door behind.

“I was wondering who was here. Hey Alex,” her grandma said.

I am the unluckiest man alive.

Dammit, again, why now? She was a nice enough old lady but three interruptions in one day?

“Evening Miss Bannon,” Alex said with a sigh while zipping his pants back up.

“You must be freezing without a shirt,” she said.

“No, I’m fine. It’s a style,” he said, taking a seat on Cynthia’s bed. She was still naked beneath the covers and his opportunity for some quiet time with her was waning.

“What the hell are you doing here, Grandma?” Cynthia asked.

“Bridge night was cancelled. I guess one of the girls got scared when she saw a bear in the woods. Oh well, we’ll get back together again next week,” Miss Bannon replied.

Cynthia face palmed. Alex merely thought about it.

“Since you’re both here, do you want to see something I found early today?” she asked.

“No, grandma, we don’t want to hear your boring story,” Cynthia said.

“I found this old photo with both of your mothers in it,” she said.

Alex was surprised that he was interested to see it. There weren’t many photos of his mother in the house. His dad was never one for taking pictures at family events and apparently his mother was always camera shy. Besides, this would give Cynthia a chance to get her clothes back on.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing it,” Alex said, giving a quick wink to Cynthia who quickly caught on.

Cynthia’s grandmother held out the crinkled photo. Alex took it gingerly from her wrinkled hand and held it to the light of the lantern.

Without hesitation, Cynthia quickly put her clothes back on before falling back on the bed in sexual frustration.

It was a large group photo. A stacked wooden cottage loomed in the background with twelve young faces smiling in front. They couldn’t have been much older than Alex was right now. He scanned the faces to see which one might be his mother and did his best to guess.

“Is this her?” Alex asked.

The old woman leaned in close.

“Nope, that’s Cynthia’s mother,” she replied and pointed to another woman in the photo, “that’s your mother.”

“Wait, they’re not sisters are they?” Alex asked. He felt a lump grow in his throat. If their mothers were sisters then he’d be dating … his cousin?

“Nope, not even close,” she reassured him.

Thank god. Alex swallowed hard.

“I remember your mother well. She was the daughter of the old alpha before your father. Actually, there’s your father right there,” she said.

Her finger rested on a dopey looking kid standing behind his mother. His arm was locked around another kid in the photo.

“And, that was his best friend before the packs split,” she added, “they were inseparable, until they got old enough to fight over your mother. The rest is history.”

Alex returned the photo.

“I think Cynthia’s father is in the photo as well but I can’t remember which one he is,” she added. Her eyes darted through the photograph. She stood with sudden realization, pointing at the largest of the group. “This one is him, Bruce.”

He was the tallest by more than a head and a thick beard was already growing on his chin. He was a barrel chested monster in biker boots and a thick leather jacket. A scar ran vertically from his forehead to his cheek over his right eye. Beside him sat a brand new black motorcycle.

If badass had a look, his would be it.

“Wow, Cyn. Did he ever take you on that motorcycle?”

“Nope,” she replied, “I never even met the guy. He’s a deadbeat.”

“Last I heard he was still on the mountain with his gang but they never come through this way,” Miss Bannon added.

“Thanks, grandma, for ruining my night,” Cynthia said.

“No problem, dear,” she replied without listening.

Wow, no wonder Cynthia is always so frustrated. Alex handed back the photo and joined Cynthia on the bed. She stared at the ceiling, clearly annoyed. Alex couldn't help but find her sexy.

“I’m going to sleep,” Miss Bannon said, snatching him from his thoughts. She eased herself into the only other bed. “Please turn out the light when you go to sleep.”

Cynthia and Alex locked eyes. Looks like tonight was a bust. There was nowhere else in the den to be alone. Running off might lead to another bear attack, and Alex had to be up early to travel. He could have pounded his head through a wall with the amount of tension that built up inside of him.

“Don’t worry about it,” Alex whispered, “I’ll be back in a couple days.”

“I don’t want you in a couple days, I want you right now,” she whispered back.

Ugh. She wasn’t making this easy. He pulled himself under the comforter, and pressed his body against hers. Her soft skin was still flush and warm to the touch. She kissed him on the lips and ran her finger along his toned abs.

“It’s too bad you can’t come with me on the trip,” he whispered. Only when his head was on the pillow did he realize how tired he was. What a day. He fell asleep to Cynthia’s warm body and her tender smile.