Two

The sound of screaming engines blistered Tana’s ears as she watched the race, keeping her focus on two cars specifically. Two Dirt Track Dogs were neck and neck on the oval, leaving the other cars in the dust, and she wasn’t rooting for either of them to win.

They pissed her off. Though she couldn’t really say why. They only had to breathe it seemed, and her cat got all hissy, claws coming out to scratch.

She clenched and unclenched her fists, shaking her head. It wasn’t Surge and Diz’s fault she was cranky. She needed to release some of this pent up tension. She needed a stress reliever. Building used to do the trick, but these days it wasn’t working. Her animal had become increasingly frustrated.

Surge drifted around the curve in the track and Diz caught a miniscule lead, gassing it.

Tana’s heart pounded at how close this one was, and the crowd cheered like a crazed mob at a rock concert. Had she ever felt anything as invigorating as a few hours at the track? So much adrenaline. Almost too much. Her panther licked it up like cream.

She glanced at Punk. On her feet, screaming at the cars like she wanted to bitch-slap them, she was a scary human. But she’d been the one to convince Tana to come to the races weeks ago when they’d finished cleaning up the storm damage. Tana didn’t know if she should thank her or eat her alive.

This shit was addicting.

A crash down the lane pulled her attention away from Surge and Diz. It was a small wreck, but the collective OHHH from the crowd made it seem worse, and the caution flag went up while they cleared the track.

A glance around left her feeling out of place. She was used to getting dirty working in construction, but this rowdy, raunchy life wasn’t her everyday norm. Spitting insults while getting dirt and mud-sprayed, was a far cry from her life on the peaceful lodge deep in the Ouachita Mountains.

Lake Haven Lodge was a retreat. People went there to unwind. For peace and quiet. Rest and relaxation. High excitement wasn’t their thing. And although some of the cats quarreled, their leader, Magic, kept a pretty tight rein on things. The business of the lodge took precedence over whatever spat they might have. As a general rule, personal relationships always took a back seat to anything else.

The only exception was Renner. He and his mate left the entire clan confused.

But the dogs lived in a whole different world. No matter that it was the same state.

Maybe that’s why Tana wanted to stay when her crew had finished repairing Annie’s house. She’d needed a change, or a distraction, or who the hell knows what. Something. But naming that thing was impossible. And so far, she hadn’t found what she was looking for.

The green flag went up and the race was back on, with Surge pulling ahead again.

He was a odd one, that guy. The wolf living inside was the least strangest part about him, she was pretty sure. What troubled her wasn’t his sudden outbursts necessarily—she could hang with the freaky ones all day—but the way she found herself wanting to get naked with him. He was downright sexy, even with the hyena qualities. His hair was buzzed short so there was nothing to hang down and hide the dimples at the sides of his mouth. And every single time those suckers came out to play, her ovaries went into overdrive.

Like, where did that come from? She hadn’t wanted anything sexual from a man in years. Not since her intended mate attempted to claim her. Brutally.

Her hand went to the scars she hid behind her thin cotton shirt. Claw marks that stretched from her ribs to her crotch. The bastard had slashed her deep when she refused to be his baby factory.

Now she’d never have a young of her own.

If she’d known denying him would end her chances at ever holding a baby in her arms, she might’ve thought twice.

Maybe.

Who knows.

At the time, mothering a kitten didn’t sound like anything she was interested in. Especially in the way of the cats, where the male had no regard for the mother’s wishes. But the older she got, the more her empty, ravaged womb saddened her.

A hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to jump. “You okay?” Punk yelled, but Tana had to read her lips to understand her over the roar of engines.

Tana nodded, turning her attention back to the track. Diz sped ahead of Surge, picking up speed on the straight.

And then there was Diz. The only other unmated shifter in the bunch. He was attractive, no doubt. But no matter how many times he sniffed her, she wasn’t his intended mate. And that’s what he really wanted. She could tell. He desired a family of his own so bad he wore it like a neon sign on his forehead. And since a person can’t see their own forehead, he probably didn’t even know how bad he wanted it. He’d have to take a good look in the mirror to fix that shit.

They were on the last stretch. Diz was going to win this one. He was a half a car length leading.

The crowd went wild as he finished with Surge tight on his wheels.

Punk pulled Tana from her seat and dragged her down the bleachers to celebrate with the rest of the dogs. There was so much back slapping she wondered how the wolves didn’t break into a fight. But it was all in good fun, and once again, she was reminded how different they were from her clan of big cats.

A loud whoop, had her head jerking around to find the sound coming from Surge. No surprise there.

He jerked the helmet from his head, mud caking his suit and face. She had to smile at his expression. He was lit up with excitement, his pale eyes practically glowing as he hooked an arm around Diz’s neck and let out a round of laughter.

“What a fucking rush, amiright? It’s like I can’t even race without winning. It’s sad really. For you guys. Not me.”

“Dude, I spanked your ass,” Diz gloated.

Surge looked stunned. “What? Out there?”

“Yeah, out there. You lost, man.” Diz shook his head, looking at his alpha, Drake, for back up. Not that he needed any. The entire place saw him win.

“Nahhh,” Surge argued. “I never lose, I only run out of laps and time.” He caught Tana’s gaze and winked, causing a ripple of excitement in her chest.

Damn. Winking was apparently a weakness of hers.

Diz laughed. “Sure, sure. Whatever it takes to make you feel better. I fed you mud. You can’t deny it.”

“Okay, alright. Everyone bring it in.” Drake grinned, holding Ella’s hand with his in front of him. Punk and Beast added their hands to the mix, followed by Blister and Annie. Drake didn’t wait for Surge and Diz before he started their chant. “Dirt track life.”

“Huh!” they said in unison.

“Dirt track love.”

“Huh!”

“Dirt track dawgs.”

“Win!”

“Dirt Track Dogs.”

“Win!”

And then in one obnoxious voice, they howled, “Owoooooooooo!” and erupted in cheers.

Tana couldn’t help the grin widening her face. The wolves made her rethink what it meant to be part of a group. It wasn’t like this in the Ouachitas. The cats tolerated each other. They didn’t… care about each other like the wolves did. Most big cats were loners. But maybe they just didn’t know what it was like to be part of a pack that cared.

Her teeth came down on her lip as she contemplated her own situation.

Until arriving in Cedar Valley and spending time with the dogs, she hadn’t realized how appealing pack life was. Maybe she was just aching to find her place in life. Her purpose. Her future. A future she could embrace instead of one she feared and despised.

But she didn’t have to worry about her intended anymore. He was gone. For good. Owyn had ripped his head from his body while she’d lain bloody on the ground from her injuries. Then he’d carried her to Doc Davis in the nick of time. Seconds later and she might have died from the attack.

He’d saved her life. She should treat him better. He was a good cat. But he’d seen her at her weakest, and so she felt like she needed to continually remind him of her strength. They fought constantly now. She had hoped he’d go home with Renner and leave Ryan in Cedar Valley with her. But instead he did that over-protective mock big brother thing where he goes wherever she goes. It was annoying as hell considering he wasn’t her brother.

Guilt niggled at her. Owyn wasn’t here celebrating the Dogs’ win. He was probably shut in the room he temporarily shared with Diz above the shop. Sulking. Because she’d ripped him a new asshole over the foundation mistake. She shouldn’t have. It wasn’t like he made mistakes often. He was careful. Too careful usually.

Tana shrugged off her unease.

Owyn wasn’t the type to party anyway. He was quiet and preferred his solitude. He’d be over their argument by morning.

As the others started scraping mud off the cars, Tana slipped away. She wasn’t part of them. Not yet. Probably not ever. Besides she had to work early in the morning. The faster she finished Beast and Punk’s house, the faster she could get back to the Ouachitas.

Back to her emotionally distant clanmates and less exciting lodge living.

Back to normal.

Me-ow.