“Is that my shoe?” I pointed to a boot sitting on its side right near the river’s bank. Please let it be. Already rocks and twigs had stabbed at my feet.

Oryn released a knowing growl and leaped forward in his wolf form, his black fur fluttering in the breeze. He launched out of the forest and targeted the river.

Dagen sniffed the air, his gray head pivoting right, then took off.

Nero edged in front of me, his white pelt soft against my legs, and he grumbled, pointing his chin toward a dead log where I could sit down.

“You read my mind.” I hobbled over and crashed onto the wooden seat. Crossing my legs, I rubbed my sole and plucked out a pebble pressed into my heel.

Nero sat next to me, his tongue hanging out as he studied our surroundings. I scratched his head, which twitched beneath my touch.

“Doubt you ever get cold in winter with that white fur. It’s beautiful.”

He twisted to face me, making a protesting sound.

“Oh, right! You have a handsome, manly coat.” I smirked to myself.

With the crunch of twigs, he jumped to his feet, and I spotted Oryn and Dagen trotting closer, each with a shoe in their mouths. They dropped them in front of me, and I clapped.

“I can’t tell you how amazing you guys are, otherwise, one of you would have to carry me.”

Oryn hopped closer, his head high, as if showing me his back was strong and ready.

I reached over and fluffed his fur. “You’re the sweetest.”

Nero wriggled himself between Oryn and me, making a yelping sound, offering himself.

“Ha, you two are funny.” My gaze lifted to Dagen, who sat there, studying me, his ears pointy. So I pulled on my boots, my toes exposed from the rip across the leather on one foot. Teeth marks dotted the next one. But the soles were intact, and standing up, I swore I floated on air.

“I can now run a marathon.” Up close to Dagen, I leaned over and hugged him, his warmth leeching onto me. “Thank you.” Then I stood, and we started off again.

Oryn led the march, as this was his territory and he had earlier insisted we take a longer path to avoid cliffs and wolves. Nero walked at my side, and Dagen behind, meaning no one could sneak up on us.

We hurried past dozens of pines, trampling over bushes. Foliage and broken branches littered the forest floor. We moved fast, the morning sun piercing the canopy overhead, warming my shoulders.

The deeper and farther we traveled, the more my gut clenched. What would I find back home? The priestess parked outside my shop, ready to arrest me? Or apprehend all of us? Would Santos be okay? What if townsfolk saw me with three naked men sneaking through the woods?

Yep, because as if getting one star on the Customer Approval Plank wasn’t bad enough, what would I get now?

Chased out of Terra with pitchforks?

My breaths sped up, and I hugged my stomach. Surely not. But then what?

A bird screeched, and a flock of crows crossed the skies.

By some miracle we’d had a smooth passage and now the sun reached high noon without a single encounter with wolves. Oryn’s suggested route worked like a charm as we now crossed an open field. Yellow flowers littered the meadow, and the grasses tickled my knees. Warmth beat on my back and shoulders.

Nero and Oryn leaped farther ahead of me like racehorses, pouncing and tumbling into one another. Something tinged deep in my chest. A sensation that my life was where it should be.

Dagen strode alongside me. Now and then I scuffed his fur. He rewarded me with gorgeous big eyes, staring my way, unblinking. Mesmerizing.

Woods surrounded us once we’d reached a middle point in the open meadow, branches swayed, and the breeze picked up, bringing with it a chill.

When a howl echoed behind us, I spun around, my hands clasped to my chest.

Half a dozen wolves burst out from the forest, fanning out and charging.

My heart slammed into my ribcage so hard, I swore it would break out. “Hell no.” I’d had enough of running for my life and fighting wolves to last me an eternity.

Dagen hit my thigh with his head and grunted.

Yes, move!

I whirled and darted, gripping the straps of my bag over my shoulders to stop it from bouncing about. The earlier glee twisted into trepidation. I pounded the ground, and already Oryn and Nero were charged in my direction, their fur bristled.

They whizzed past me in a zoom, targeting the wolves at my back. Dagen remained close, and I sprinted faster than I thought possible.

Snarls erupted behind me. I couldn’t look, not when my skin crawled as I pictured myself mauled to death.

In the meadow, we remained open targets. More so me. I was the vulnerable human the wolves saw as food. That thought squeezed my lungs, and I sprinted faster.

My breaths raced, a cramp settling in my side. I pressed a palm over the pain and kept going. Nothing would stop me. The woods were at least fifty feet away now, meaning more of a chance to find a weapon to defend myself. Somewhere to hide.

Dagen fell behind, and the thundering growls were right in my ears.

I dared a look over my shoulder, and Dagen tangled with two wolves, my other men in their own fights, but one wolf, brown as mud, circled the battles and charged right for me.

I ran with a scream pressing on my throat.

A needed a weapon fast.

I pulled my bag off, driving one leg forward, then the other. From my bag, I grabbed a wolfsbane root.

Paws pounded the ground behind me.

Heavy breaths were on my heels.

Dread iced my insides. If I could reach the forest, I’d scramble up a tree and be safe.

I jumped over a log.

A shadow flew toward me from my right. I swiveled, screaming, and threw out my hand with the wolfsbane.

The brown wolf crashed into my side, the air knocked out of my lungs, and I smacked the ground.

Scrambling backward, I drove the plant into the animal’s gaping mouth.

He fell, whining. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I didn’t want to die.

Another wolf rushed at me, teeth bared.

My world blurred with fear.

On my knees, I swung my bag at his face, and the force threw him sideways. I climbed to my feet, giving me enough time to spot Dagen storming ahead, head-butting the wolf so hard, he flew into a tree.

More wolves emerged from the forest behind us. I couldn’t wait for the others. Despite the worry piercing my heart about whether or not they’d be okay, I spun and ran.

Reality struck me like a lightning bolt. How was I ever supposed to live in the Den if the wolves saw me as nothing but a meal? Sure, they were under an influence, but all it took was a juvenile pup, or an angry wolf attack, and I’d die. I didn’t heal quick or have the ability to fight.

I burst into the woods, foliage snapping under my heavy steps. And up ahead, I spotted the huge hedge of wolfsbane marking the border between the Den and my land. Heavens. The best sight in the world. I thundered onward, tearing through the shrubs, and stumbled out from their tangled branches before crossing over into Terra.

Panting, I set my hands on my knees and glanced back over the hedge. Dagen paced back and forth near the barrier. Was he worried about following? I quickened to the plants, stepping in between them once more. I pushed my arms outward and forced them over, stepping on the stems, creating a narrow gap for my men to pass behind me.

“Come on,” I yelled, but Dagen wasn’t moving. I shoved the wolfsbane farther apart and widened the passage, yet he kept staring into the field, waiting for Nero and Oryn. A dark army of wolves hounded after them.

Dread scratched the inside of my skull like dirty nails on stone.

I prayed the barrier scared the wolves away and didn’t make them insane enough to attempt leaping over.

Already a faint tingle pricked my arms from the toxin where I’d touched the wolfsbane.

“Hurry,” I yelled.

Within moments, they were here. Dagen dashed past me. Then Oryn and Nero followed.

Climbing out of the shrub, I forced the plants back upright to cover the gap and recoiled as dark forms appeared on the other side. My flesh buzzed and my head spun.

The animals stalked back and forth, and we had to leave in case they braved a jump to their own detriment. So I turned away but stumbled on my feet. The forest doubled in my vision.

I shook myself and refused to rub my eyes as my hands and arms remained tainted with wolfsbane. I couldn’t allow the herb to hurt my men, even accidentally.

An electric sensation crawled up my legs, and I found Dagen transforming, while Oryn and Nero growled at the pack across the shrubs.

In his human form, Dagen rushed over, his face pained with worry.

I recoiled and held my hand up between us. “Don’t touch me. I’ve got wolfsbane on me. I think it’s affecting me.” Though it shouldn’t be affecting me this much.

“Okay, which way to your store?” His words raced.

Where were we? These woods weren’t the ones I frequented, and I kept scratching my arms. “We need to go before someone sees us.” I figured if I kept going straight, I’d soon stumble across something I recognized, praying it wasn’t a guard.

Right now I wasn’t sure what was worse. Me arriving with the wolves or with naked men. Hell, either way, I was drowning in trouble.

A root snagged on the toe of my boot, and I tripped forward, landing on hands and knees.

The whining grunt of my wolves closed in, and Dagen offered me a hand, but I pushed myself to my feet and scratched my forearms. “I won’t make you sick.”

Fear sat on me like someone covering my mouth and nose. I could barely get enough air into my lungs. Getting ill wasn’t an option, especially with three shifters in Terra, Oryn’s pack still in danger, and the priestess after me. My insides crumbled, but I smiled at the guys, putting them at ease.

Except Dagen, who stared at me with a frown, but he didn’t voice his concern. Sure, he’d read my thoughts but just knowing I wasn’t alone in this, eased the ache slightly.

We traveled through the woods, not always in a straight line, but the trees were lifesavers, as I used them to keep myself from falling on my face. Red blotches—as well as countless cuts—covered the skin on my arms. A cold chill rolled down my spine.

Breathing hurt, and I pressed my back against a trunk for a few moments, unable to stop scratching.

“Scarlet, tell me what to do,” Dagen demanded. “You’re pale as a ghost.”

“Basil.” I pointed to the green herb surrounding us. “Chew the plant and place it all over my arms.”

Dagen scanned the ground but seemed to be missing the green herb. Nero and Oryn transformed, both their wolves growing in size with ease, fur vanishing, their ears shrinking. Nero stood before me, worry crammed in his gaze.

“Little lamb, I’ve got this.” He plucked basil leaves and handed them to Dagen and Oryn. All three chewed the green leaves, their faces scrunching before they spat them into their palms.

I held my arms out. “Place them all over and my hands but don’t touch my skin with yours. It should calm the itchiness.”

The chewed-up basil felt warm against my flesh, and despite our situation, I couldn’t help but laugh at seeing these strong alphas masticating the plant in unison. “Can someone put fresh leaves into my mouth too?”

Nero obliged, careful not to touch me.

By the time the green paste coated my skin, the scratchy sensation eased, and I gulped down my mouthful, hoping it aided with my spinning head.

“Let’s keep going,” I said to my three naked men. It was past midday, and I wanted to reach my place before nightfall.

We traveled for what seemed an eternity.

“I smell fire,” Oryn said.

Raising my chin, I smelled nothing. We kept moving until the faint burning smoke hit me. Finally, civilization. Once we got closer to homes, I’d leave the wolves in the woods, while I found out where we were.

“Not sure that’s a good idea,” Dagen piped in.

“Neither is rocking into town with three naked men,” I hissed.

A carving on a tree we passed grabbed my attention. A circle with a triangle inside. Protective runes. My heart soared, as I’d seen them before. I found other pines with similar markings and looked around at the gurgling creek nearby, the land sloping upward.

“Oh, I know where we are.” And I pushed onward. “My friend lives here.”

My thighs ached with the climb, and still my vision refused to sharpen.

Soon enough, we reached the top, where we stood at the rear of a double-story, stone house. Decorative wooden slats covered the windows and the pointy roof had an iron weather vane, topped with a rooster.

Just being here had me ready to tackle the world. I turned to my men. “Stay here please, and I’ll be back.”

Oryn nodded, and I headed to the front of the building, pulling down my skirt, which had inched up my thighs. But when I raised my gaze, I found Bee already in the doorway. She wore pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Not her usual dresses.

Her eyes widened. “Scarlet? Where the hell have you been?”

My eyes watered at seeing a familiar face. I ran to her and leaped into her arms. “I wasn’t sure I’d even make it back home, and then I met these wolves, and I swore I’d die.”

“Holy fucking toads.” She gulped, and I broke away, following her gaze to behind me.

My shifters stood there, proud of their nakedness. Nero gripped his hips with a wink, Oryn had his arms folded, and Dagen studied us with his darkened stare.

Bee shoved me into the house to where two couches faced the fire. This was where we had spent nights chatting about boys and spells. We’d devour an entire cake between us and drink endless cups of coffee. Heavens, I missed those times so much.

She slammed the door shut and swung toward me. “Who the fuck are they? Did they follow you? Are they guardians? Why are they naked?” She paced to the window to peer out. “What do they want?”

“Relax; they’re with me. I have so much to tell you.” I stumbled toward her, and she seized my arm, her nose scrunching as she stared at the green stuff.

“What happened to you? What’s this green stuff and what are you wearing? Girl, your hair is atrocious.”

“Is your dad home?” I took off my backpack and dropped it near the couch.

She shook her head. “He’s at the markets. I was about to go and continue searching for you, as I’ve been doing for days.”

I swallowed the rock in my throat and stalked to the door, opening it to the men and waving them forward. I turned to Bee. “They won’t hurt you.”

They strutted their stuff indoors, each one spreading out to inspect a different part of the room. Nero made a beeline for the sofa and crashed, putting his feet up, while Oryn inspected the bowl of fruit on the table in the corner and helped himself to an apple. Dagen remained near the door, unmoving like a warrior.

It’s okay, Dagen. You’re safe, I promise.

Bee backed toward the window, the lace curtain fluttering around her. “Scarlet, what the hell is going on here? Have you finally snapped and are here to have an orgy?” She smirked. “’Cause I might be all in on that.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Nero added.

“What?” I walked to Bee’s side but tripped over my slow feet. Crashing into the side of the sofa, I caught myself before landing on the floorboards.

“Whoa! Okay,” Bee began. “Someone tell me who you all are or I’m pulling out my whacking stick.”

I couldn’t form words as I broke into a coughing fit.

“She’s got wolfsbane poisoning,” Nero barked. “And needs a shower to cleanse off the toxins.”

Footfalls boomed, but I remained on my knees, hunched. The world tilted.

“Come.” Bee was at my side and seized an elbow, drawing me outside and to the rear of the house. “I have a tub there. Dad uses it sometimes to wash himself when he works in the garden.” She turned to the guys. “Go into the bathroom inside and bring me several towels. Quick.”

Without hesitation, they hurried indoors. They’d probably return with the entire linen closet.

Bee led me to a wooden tub near the house. “Sorry, Scarlet,” she said. “We’ve got to do this with cold water. I’m worried you have little time if you’re already passing out. Now strip and get in.”

I stepped into the tub and removed my flimsy outfit made from Grandma’s cape. “So much has happened,” I said.

“You owe me an explanation.” She pumped water into a bucket. “Why you’re with three naked hunks. Why you’re covered in bruises and cuts. And where did you vanish to this week?”

She brought over the pail and plonked it on the ground. With her palm hovering over the surface, she murmured a few words I couldn’t decipher.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Just helping you heal quicker.” She dashed into the back door and appeared seconds later with two sponges. She pushed one into my hand.

“Now wash and explain.”

I dunked my sponge into the water and spread the liquid down my arms as a faint tingle buzzed up my flesh. Bee scrubbed my back. I flinched from the iciness, but the sun overhead kept me warm. Thankfully, she lived out in the woods alone and no one came without tripping her detector spells. I trusted Bee with my life, so I told her a super abbreviated version, leaving out the juicy details about my sexual encounters. That would come later when I had time. I did mention the whole mate thing. But I left out the part about my complication with Dagen, as I still hadn’t worked out what was going on with us.

“Crap balls, Scarlet. Wolf shifters? Are you sure we’re safe?” She wrung out her sponge before targeting the back of my arms. “I mean, if they kept you protected, then they must truly care for you. But all three of them? Is that what they do in their packs? Several guys with one girl? Hell, they’re sexy too, and I’d take one off your arms if they ever get to be too much. Ha… If it were me, I’d have them all take me at the same time.”

“Bee!” I twisted to face her. “I could never. Wouldn’t it be awkward?”

“Ha. You have three cocks around you and you’re still shy? Listen, one for your mouth, the other in your pussy, and then your ass. Simple.”

My cheeks burned. “Heavens, have you been with three men at once?” Personally, the closest I’d gotten to that was being watched by Oryn while Nero and I had gone at it, and then I’d taken a turn with Oryn as Nero had looked on.

“I wish.” She laughed when the three guys rounded the corner of the house, their arms piled high with towels. Called it.

“Good, you’re back,” Bee said.

Nero moved closer. “Can you wash her breasts?”

“Hey.” I tossed my sponge at him, but he ducked and it missed him.

Bee smirked and picked up the bucket of water. “Okay, hornbags. She’s clean of wolfsbane. Do your thing and wipe her down.”

Oryn and Nero approached, and I giggled. They each took an arm and wiped me dry, Nero sailed to my back, taking his sweet time on my ass, while Oryn caressed my breasts through the towel, his thumbs flicking over my nipples.

I tingled all over but didn’t need to turn into a sex-slave around Bee. So I snatched the towel off him and finished myself.

Dagen chatted with Bee a few steps away, but I couldn’t hear them. She laughed, and I loved her dearly, but still, a tinge of jealousy tugged in my chest. I climbed out of the tub with help from Nero and Oryn, then wrapped myself up.

At once, Bee stiffened and marched closer. “Quick, Dad’s home. Everyone get into the house and in my bedroom. Now!”

We all followed Bee into the house, and Nero was in my ear. “Is this code for what I think it is?”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “No. Her father is here, and if he sees any of you, he’ll raise the alarms.”