Matthew's Return

Wolves of Climax 3

Matthew’s Return Life in Climax is anything but ordinary. Cassidy does things with her four men she only ever dreamed of, but as the days pass, she craves more than just sex. She wants the whole happily ever after with the men who quickly capture her heart. Cassidy slowly feels like she belongs in Climax, but something is still missing. Her lovers continually remind her she'll have to accept Matthew in her bed if he returns. She's ready to include him, anxious to experience five men, but what if he wants nothing to do with her? When she goes in search of her half brother, the Rockford miners lead her into a trap. It's too late to follow Garret's warnings about leaving the mine alone. Now she's faced with madmen and surrounded by wolves. Will her men be able to rescue her before it's too late? NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest serialized imprint, the LoveXtreme Forever Series. This is Book 3 of 7 in the Wolves of Climax collection. These books are not stand alone. Each is a continuation of the previous book and must be read in the numbered order. Each book may end on a cliffhanger but usually with a happy-for-now for the heroine and one or more men. The final book contains a happily forever after for the heroine and all her men. Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 24,875 words

MATTHEW’S RETURN Wolves of Climax 3

Stacey Espino

LOVEXTREME FOREVER

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever

MATTHEW’S RETURN Copyright © 2012 by Stacey Espino E-book ISBN: 1-61926-689-X First E-book Publication: April 2012 Cover design by Les Byerley All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Matthew’s Return by Stacey Espino from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Stacey Espino’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Espino’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION I’m dedicating this book to Susan Foulkes. My dedicated readers mean the world to me. Thank you for all your support!

MATTHEW’S RETURN Wolves of Climax 3 STACEY ESPINO Copyright © 2012

Chapter One It was a race against the setting sun. The sense of urgency gripped Cassidy’s heart as she drove along the desolate dirt roads. She wasn’t even sure what she was looking for, but knew she needed to find Scott. Would she even recognize him if she saw him? What kind of car did he drive? The mere thought of finding a blood relative spurred her to search for him in the unfamiliar town of Climax as the sun set. Garret’s warnings and her recent run-in with Ryder and the wolves weren’t enough of a deterrent. She was sure to be back at the mine before Evan or Garret noticed her missing. She’d been trying to contact her half brother for too many years to remember. She’d promised Garret not to run off without telling him, but he’d also kept a secret from her. He knew about Scott’s arrival but decided not to tell her. Why? He knew how desperately she wanted a link to her past. She thought things were cementing between her and Garret after their time alone in the woods, but maybe she’d been too hasty. Without streetlights, she could see nothing past the tree line to her right and little through the occasional gaps to the left. Nights were bitterly cold at this time of year. Cassidy had to find her brother before sundown or he could freeze to death. There were no hotels in

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town, and the rough miners and loggers living on the periphery didn’t do handouts or take kindly to newcomers. Business was competitive, so if a strange man suddenly showed up in Climax, people would talk and grow suspicious. She was curious how Scott had found her at all. Without credit cards or a visible web presence, she didn’t think she would be easy to find. God knew she’d unsuccessfully tried to find her half brother with the meager amount of information she had about him—with no luck. A deer suddenly appeared in the bright cones of light, cutting across the road in front of her. She slammed on the brakes so fast that the car fishtailed on the loose gravel, swerving violently until it came to an abrupt halt. Cassidy’s heart pounded in her ears, her body tense, and chest tight. She gripped the steering wheel in a death grip, her foot heavy on the brake pedal. It took a few minutes before she felt calm enough to back up and continue driving. Even out in the middle of nowhere, it was foolish to drive while her thoughts were elsewhere. Maybe it was her frazzled nerves, her fears and insecurities about her brother, or the foreboding darkness closing in around her—but she could only think about Garret and the security she felt when he was near. She was still pissed off at him for not telling her about Scott, but she needed him, wanted him. It had been days since she had quality time with her other three lovers, and that distance was manifesting inside her as a deep-seated longing. Cassidy decided she’d never be able to find Scott at this hour. Her only hope was that he was smart enough to visit the local diner rather than brave the elements. It stayed open until midnight most nights, so she still had plenty of time. As she drove toward the heart of Climax, she wanted to run into Patrick or Travis almost as much as her brother. She still hadn’t seen them since arriving back from the forest, and part of her yearned to connect with them, to win them over. The last time she’d been with them they’d been fighting, soiling any hope she had that the four men could actually share her. Their frequent talk

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of sharing a woman, the one Garret would choose, was ridiculous on so many levels. Even if she secretly hoped she’d be the one for the miners, she wasn’t deluded enough to put all her faith in the idea. She parked in front of the diner, the lights from the plate glass windows like a beacon in the dark, sleepy town. As she stepped out of her car, the silence set in immediately, burning her ears. It amazed her how the nature around her could be so magnificent during the day, yet sinister at night. When the sun warmed the land, she could look out for miles and enjoy snow-peaked mountains covered by a heavy blanket of green woodlands and lush, moss-covered trees along the sides of nearly every road. But now those fairy-tale forests were a breeding ground for all her fears, and a bitter chill crept along her skin. It was the reason she didn’t use the parking lot at the side of the diner which bordered a sizable forest. The small bells hit the glass as she entered the diner. Immediately, the savory scent of bacon and country chili struck her, reminding her she hadn’t eaten for hours. There were a few men along the counter wearing hunter’s orange and yellow vests. They all turned when she entered as if marionettes pulled by the same string. She coiled into herself as she entered. Cassidy knew these men didn’t like Garret or care for Gregor Mining. They blamed him for the missing hikers, even Matthew’s disappearance. But she knew the foreman better than most, and he would never do such a thing. He could have hurt her on more than one occasion but never did anything she didn’t welcome. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again. The dispatchers don’t seem to last ’round here.” The waitress leaned on her hip, pointing to the door. “You just missed two of your boys from Gregor.” Cassidy hadn’t seen a truck drive by when coming into town. “Who?” “Patrick and Travis were in for a drink. I heard talk of you staying on permanently. Congratulations.” They’d spoken about her? She felt warm inside knowing they weren’t ready to cast her completely out of their lives. As long as

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there was hope of getting through to the men, she wouldn’t give up. How could she return to the lower mainland now that she’d know what she was missing? Even with the numerous threats surfacing since she arrived, it wasn’t enough for her to give up on love, and a life in Climax. “Was anyone else in today? A stranger to town?” She had to remember why she’d come into town at all. Her half brother was somewhere in Climax, likely freezing and alone. She was so close to meeting a blood relative. It drove her to keep looking, to take chances. “Can’t say I have. Not as many tourists come up this way with all the wolf attacks on the radio. Word travels fast in these parts.” A couple of the hunters from the other end of the diner crowded Cassidy as she leaned over the counter talking with the waitress. “I don’t think it’s a wolf we have to worry about. We’ve trapped and skinned dozens of wolf and bear in the last couple months. None of them were man-eaters.” “George, that’s fool’s talk. Them hikers were torn to shreds. I spoke with the police who passed through after the last attack.” The blonde waitress shook her head as she poured a cup of coffee for Cassidy. “They had no doubt it was wolves.” “I suppose it sounds better than having a serial killer on the loose.” The way the men looked at her sent a chill up the length of her body as if a draft had swept through the diner. They associated her with Garret because of Gregor Mining. And for some reason they believed Garret had something to do with the deaths in the forest north of town. He may own it, and he may like to hang out in the woods in the dead of night—but that didn’t make him a murderer. He was just at one with nature, enjoying the simple pleasures in life. When they’d camped together, he’d taken care of her, so at peace with the nature around him. Cassidy couldn’t picture Garret harming anyone.

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She may be new to town, but decided she needed to stick up for the people who counted in her life, rather than trying to be accepted by virtual strangers. “If a human’s responsible for the attacks, I know for a fact the men at the Gregor Mine have nothing to do with it.” One of the men laughed. “You’re vouching for the whole lot of them? Truth is you don’t know any of them miners from Adam. They’re not right in the head over there, creeping in the woods under just the light of the moon. What man in their right mind would spend so much of their off time traipsing through the bush? They ain’t hunters, so God knows what they’re up to.” It was true she hadn’t known them long, but there was something indefinable between Cassidy and each man. She was drawn to them, inexplicably connected on a level deeper than just her intense sexual attraction. “Meaning they look for lost hikers to tear apart?” She didn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice. “Garret runs a successful business. What you’re suggesting is ridiculous.” “Maybe it’s a rich man’s game to them. Why else wouldn’t they sell that massive stretch of land? I hear the loggers to the north are ready to pay a pretty penny.” Cassidy scoffed. “Thanks,” she said to the waitress before heading to the door. If Scott hadn’t been in the diner, she had no more business there. It angered her when the townsfolk judged the Gregor miners unfairly, but it also forced her to think too much. Why did they spend so much time in the dark, cold wilderness? Were they keeping something from her? Garret, Travis, Evan, and Patrick were unlike any men she’d ever met before. They had a raw, untamed quality, and Cassidy knew they kept secrets from her. As much as she should stay away from them, she couldn’t stay away. One word, one touch, an empty promise and she was lost. “You be careful, little lady. I’d hate to hear about your body being discovered next,” called one of the hunters as she opened the door to leave. She ignored them, bursting out of the suffocating air into the

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crisp, night chill. It felt invigorating rather than sinister after feeling cornered by those ruffians in the diner. Cassidy leaned against the brick wall around the corner, one leg bent up. She tried to calm her breathing, clear her thoughts. Her half brother was somewhere in Climax, but where? She felt helpless not knowing where to turn next. “Troubles?” She dropped her leg and stood at attention. The trickle of adrenaline made her breath catch in her throat. The voice originated deep in the shadows, coming from the direction of the forest. She didn’t recognize the voice. “Who’s there?” A soft chuckle echoed around her, but it calmed her somewhat, no hint of a threat in the sound. “You must have heard of the Rockford Mine.” She tensed. “You’re from there?” “I am.” He stepped into the faint moonlight. Despite the evening chill, he only wore a white wifebeater and low-cut jeans. He was scruffy in appearance, but devastatingly handsome. She didn’t feel scared of the stranger, but still associated the name Rockford to everything base. But shouldn’t she judge for herself? Since she barely knew the Gregor miners, it was premature to side with them without hearing from their so-called enemies first. “What’s your name?” “Corbin. And you must be Cassidy.” Her name on his lips was pronounced with the utmost of care, as if he revered the sound of it. It made her feel special. “How do you know my name?” Then she thought better. Climax was a speck on the map, and a new dispatcher at the competition would likely be big news. He smiled, his bright white teeth dazzling as the moonlight reflected off his face. He stepped closer. Where had he come from? There were no cars in the parking lot. She looked from side to side, suddenly feeling leery being alone with him. If she screamed, surely

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the hunters in the diner would come to her aid. Or would they cower in fear of the serial killer they’d concocted? “My brother, Ryder, tells me many things. His descriptions don’t do your beauty justice.” He reached out to touch her face, but she turned her head away to the side. “Cassidy and Corbin. That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” “Look, I’ve got to go. I’m looking for someone.” He may be cute, but she had no interest in Corbin. Her heart was already taken by her Gregor miners whether she liked it or not. A woman couldn’t command her heart where to place its loyalty. “Tell me who you’re looking for.” “A man new to town. His name’s Scott but I don’t have a physical description.” Cassidy didn’t even know what her own brother looked like. She’d never even seen a picture, but had imagined him somewhat similar to her with brown hair and blue eyes. It would be indescribable to look at another person who shared her DNA. They’d likely reminisce for hours, compare traits, and detail their lives thus far. She wouldn’t have too much to tell. Her life had been a game of survival, trying to fit in, and a constant search for her own happily ever after. She’d begun to believe she’d found her place in Climax, but that was yet to be seen. “I did see a newcomer earlier today.” Her interest piqued. “Really? Where? What did he look like?” All her fears and insecurities fizzled away with the new revelation. “Whoa there, you’re making my head spin with the questions. How about I show you. You can ask me anything you want on the way there.” The temperature was dropping. She had no other leads to go on and felt desperate to locate her brother if he was still in Climax. Garret would already want to kill her for running off on her own again. In the very least she wanted to accomplish what she set out to do and find her brother. “Okay…Is it far from here?”

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“No. Actually, he’s camping not far from here. He said something about looking for lions. I thought he was half-mad so I left him be.” He ran a hand through his tousled hair. “There is a serial killer on the loose, you know. We can’t be too safe.” “Lyons. My last name is Lyons! It must be him. It has to be. Please, take me to where he’s camping.” Excitement made her nearly giddy. She’d found Scott, and he was looking for her. A sense of peace and love filtered through her veins. Nobody had ever made such an effort to find her before besides Garret and Travis. “I hope you’re not afraid of the forest at night.” There was an odd inflection in his tone. She wasn’t sure if he was serious, teasing, or threatening. Should she go or stay? Her instincts warned her to refuse his offer, but then again, he’d mentioned Lyons. It had to be Scott. Why should he suffer in the freezing Climax night just because she was too afraid to go with Corbin? Her inner doubts didn’t matter, not when she was so close to finding Scott. Cassidy swallowed her fears and followed the man who’d lead her to her flesh-and-blood brother.

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Chapter Two “There’s their truck!” shouted Garret, grabbing the steering wheel from Evan. He turned the truck sharply to the left to block the road. Evan slammed on the brakes. “Warn me next time,” said Evan, unimpressed as he left the truck. Garret joined him, only the beams of light from both trucks creating illumination in the pitch darkness around them. Forests closed in from both sides of the road, creating only a narrow alley for cars to pass. Nature continually tried to reclaim the land from human development. Two more truck doors slammed shut before Travis and Patrick joined them. A flurry of insects danced in the light between both vehicles, briefly scattering as the other two men cut across to lean against the front of their truck. “What is it?” asked Patrick. “You going for a run?” “We’re looking for Cassidy,” said Garret. It was hard for him to hide the urgency in his voice. He couldn’t wait to have his woman safely in his arms. She was obstinate, not listening to a word he said. After her last close call, he thought for certain she’d heed his warning about running off on her own. This wasn’t a safe area, certainly not a place for a helpless female to be roaming around, encouraging all the predators she didn’t know existed. There was a fucking stalker after her, the Rockford wolves knew she was important to them, and a killer roamed the forests. “What for? I thought she was with you.” Garret growled low in his chest, but loud enough for his pack mates to hear. “She’s run off on another goose chase, this time thinking she’ll find that bastard brother of hers. It’s dark and I don’t

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like her wandering around Climax unprotected. Did you see that truck of his around town?” The cowboy shook his head. He could feel Patrick and Travis’s concern before either of them spoke. The curse of being alpha. They’d said they knew something was off with her brother when they’d caught up with him originally. It was Scott’s scent near Cassidy’s house, and they suspected him of leaving the threatening letter on her door, even though he denied it. Garret hadn’t even had a chance to do a thorough check on this guy. For all he knew, it was some gold digger trying to benefit off Cassidy’s inheritance, or some crazed boyfriend who couldn’t take no for an answer. There was no proof he was a blood kin, and even if he was, that didn’t make him a saint. Whoever Scott claimed to be, Garret didn’t feel safe knowing his woman was alone with him. Neither did his pack. The malevolent energy emanating from the men was palpable. Their thoughts were bombarding his mind, making his blood race with the rage they each felt. “Then let’s find her,” said Travis. “No sign of her or the brother at the diner? Nothing suspicious around town?” asked Garret. Patrick tested the air. “We didn’t think to look. As far as we knew Cassidy was at the mine with the two of you.” Garret could also hear Patrick’s unspoken words thanks to his so-called gift as alpha. The blame, the accusations. “Red, if you have something to say, say it,” he goaded. The crazy shifter crossed his arms over his chest. “For a male claiming to be mated, you’re being pretty lax with Cassidy’s safety. You should have marked her for the pack while you had the chance.” “I didn’t let her leave. Evan did.” “Well, nobody told me she was a fucking prisoner. If I had known she’d leave the mine on her own, I would have stopped her, so don’t look at me like that.” Evan began to walk around to the driver’s side

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of the pickup truck. “Are we driving back to town or breaking out the fur?” Garret couldn’t think clearly. He’d finally found the woman he knew was his mate, the one he planned to offer his pack as their one and only. Now she was out of his protective grasp, and he felt like a cornered dog, desperate and dangerous. His wolf clawed at his innards, begging to be freed. It took all his control to keep his human skin and focus on the task at hand. Garret opened the passenger door, but paused before entering. He swore he could sense the fifth member of the pack now that they stood silently on the edge of the forest. He’d traveled these woods in search of Matthew for weeks and never felt such a connection. Was it his imagination or a sign that Matthew was still alive? Or was his mind such a mess he couldn’t think straight? Right now Cassidy had to come first. “Let’s drive by her place and then hit the town. If she’s not there, we’ll regroup and decide what to do.” Garret got in the truck, eager to get moving. Evan didn’t spare any time, reversing on the gravel road and doing a three-point turn so they could check out Cassidy’s house. She hadn’t lived in her cottage-like home since she first arrived in town. It needed too much work, and after the threatening note pinned to her door, Garret didn’t like her being there alone. Not to mention she claimed to hear wolves clamoring outside the walls by night, wolves not belonging to the Gregor Pack. “You’re sure about her?” Evan asked after a lengthy silence. Garret had his window rolled down as they drove, listening to the drone of insects, trying to pick up anything out of the ordinary. “She’s the one. The woman you choose for our pack?” He knew Evan wanted to claim Cassidy. She’d been a topic of conflict between them ever since she arrived and Evan got a hard-on for her. He wasn’t good at masking his emotions like Patrick and Travis, making it more than clear he wanted Garret to mark her for the pack. He’d gone so far that Garret wondered if he’d defy him, turn

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on his alpha for the love of a female. So far he’d remained loyal, but Garret wasn’t foolish enough to think it would have lasted much longer if he hadn’t claimed the human girl. “I’ve already made my choice clear. After spending those nights alone with her, I discovered what my wolf already knew. She’s ours. Explaining that to a hotheaded human isn’t going to be so easy.” “She feels it, too. She must. The gods wouldn’t bless us with the mating call for nothing.” Garret shrugged. He wasn’t sure about much, not even the wisdom of the gods—not with his friend missing for so many weeks. But he knew Cassidy was the one woman for him. Her body was ripe, responding to his touch as if they were made for each other. Her scent aroused his beast, called to him like a beacon. He had no doubt. Yet, he was foolish enough not to mark her. He had to stop thinking like a man and listen to his wolf in matters of the heart. “Maybe.” Evan pulled in the small clearing beside Cassidy’s deserted house. There was no fire burning inside so he doubted she was there. The night was cold, and Evan had cut her enough wood to last a lifetime when she’d originally moved in. “I’ve missed her,” Evan admitted. “I was looking forward to having her in my bed tonight.” “Apparently our little wildcat likes being punished. When we get her back, I’ll enjoy branding her ass.” He slipped out of the truck as the other pickup pulled in behind them, crunching along the gravel and twigs. There was no fresh scent of Cassidy or a male near the house, but he could make out the rancid markings of foreign wolves. Those bastards from Rockford thought they owned everything in sight, but Garret would never give up his land, his mine, or his woman. “Well?” asked Patrick. He’d pulled on one of his toques, the evening chill setting in quickly. Garret couldn’t help but imagine Cassidy scared, cold, and alone somewhere.

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“I scent nothing.” He kicked the tire of his truck. “Damn it!” “What if she’s back at the mine already?” asked Travis. He shook his head. “We would have passed her.” His mind was reeling, trying to decide where to look next. He was the alpha and had to make the decisions for the pack. So far he felt like a failure, not worthy of the title. Matthew was missing, and he couldn’t even keep tabs on his mate. **** Cassidy followed Corbin as he approached the black wall of forest ahead. He didn’t even have a flashlight, but walked with confidence, not the least bit leery of the darkness about to engulf them. She wasn’t so sure about her decision to follow this stranger into the secluded woods. Nobody knew where she was, not even Evan. With each tentative step, she thought more about all the recent events in Climax. There were either man-eating wolves or a serial killer lurking in the shadows awaiting their next victim. Garret continually blamed the crew at the Rockford Mine for all his troubles, including Matthew’s disappearance. She wasn’t sure if his claims had any validity, but she knew the foreman loved the missing miner like a brother. Every time he spoke about his memories of the man, his eyes would take on a different light and the energy around him would soften. “How far out is he?” she asked when she could no longer see her next step. “Not too far. Try and keep up.” “But I can’t see.” With her luck she’d trip over a downed log or get whipped in the face with sharp twigs. All she could go by was the sound of Corbin’s voice because even his steps were silent as if he walked above the grass. “If you want to see your brother, you need to try your best.” She decided to stop complaining and just follow before he got tired of leading her. As much as the situation screamed for her to

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escape, to run back to her car and the safety of the Gregor Mine, she had to find her brother. Not only were the elements a danger to him, but he may give up his search for her and leave town, stealing away her only chance of meeting him. She put her fears aside for the sake of her brother. Cassidy trudged through the forest, feeling around, and cautiously stepping her way along. Occasionally Corbin would whistle and shout back for her to keep up. His voice was her only link, the only thing grounding her in such a frightful place. She could hear leaves crunching and twigs snapping to her sides. Animals scurried in the branches high above and wolves bayed in the distance. Her body was stiff with fear, her heart racing as she followed blindly through the obstacle course of old-growth trees. “Are you sure you remember where he is? Should we go back for a flashlight?” There was no response. She stopped dead and listened. “Corbin?” Her own voice startled her now. Even the forest critters seemed to silence at once. Cassidy felt as if she were in a black void, a vacuum in time where no light or sound existed. She’d never find her way out of the forest alone. Not tonight. Corbin had led her a good twenty minutes into the thick of it. “Corbin!” she screamed, just the once. Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t dare to keep calling him and rouse the attention of bears or wolves. What else lurked around her? Fear of the unknown nearly brought her to hysterics. Instead, she squatted down, determined to bunker down until the light of day gave her the courage to move again. A small part of her, deep down, hoped Garret would rescue her. Why hadn’t she listened to him? “You smell sweet.” The male voice came from behind her. It didn’t sound like Corbin. She stayed in her position, not moving, not speaking. How could someone see her if she saw nothing? Did they have special night-vision goggles?

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“Delectable,” said another male from her left. What the fuck was going on? She heard no footsteps, no rustling of leaf litter. It was as if ghosts were tormenting her, whispering in her ears to drive her mad. “Who’s there?” she finally asked. Cassidy wanted to wake up in her bed with the blankets over her head. She felt like a terrified child—cold, alone, and vulnerable. “Get up, Cassidy. It’s not much farther,” said Corbin. He reached down and grabbed her upper arm, tugging her to her feet. “You have to walk. I’m in no mood to carry you.” “What’s going on? Who else is here?” He laughed, the sound no longer safe and comforting. It had a sinister edge, making her shiver like a fingernail scraped down a blackboard. She believed his intentions were honorable when she had first agreed for him to lead her to Scott. There had been no hint of deception in his tone. That false assurance had motivated her to follow him into the darkness. She should have listened to the concerned voice in her head, but now it was too late. “It’s just you and me, Cassidy.” She knew what she’d heard, but didn’t argue. Maybe she really was losing it. They finally reached a slight clearing where the faint light from the moon was able to cast a soft glow. She could see shadows, the outlines of trees, and the large man in front of her. Corbin backed her up until she struck a large tree. She reached behind to stabilize herself. The moist moss covering the tree trunk had her pulling her hand back. “What are you doing? Where’s Scott?” He chuckled, cupping her face in his palm. She cringed away from his touch. When her head turned slightly to the left, she noticed the figures of several other men. She swore her heart stopped. If she were with Garret, Travis, Patrick, and Evan, she knew she’d feel safe, aroused, and at peace. But being surrounded by these strange men crippled her with fear. She wanted no part of them.

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Cassidy nearly laughed out loud. She’d gone her whole life living in the so-called bad areas of the city and never had a problem. Now she was faced with God knew what at the hands of these bushmen. So much for safe country living. “Who?” He lowered his head and nuzzled her neck, his stubble scratching her sensitive skin. “My brother. You were supposed to lead me to him.” She tried so hard to keep the fear out of her voice, somehow knowing it would only encourage such a predator. “You’re getting weak in your old age, Corbin,” said another man. “You have to resort to tricks to get a female to follow you.” The group of men laughed, the sounds coming from all around her. She was surrounded with no chance of escape. “She looks more frightened than a prairie mouse trapped by a barn cat. What are your plans? Are you claiming her for our pack?” How many men were out here? How could they see with such ease? Corbin snorted. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t take her as a mate. She’s been soiled by our rivals.” His hand traveled lower, down her arm and around her back. He tugged her against the firmness of his body. “Please…” she pleaded. “There’s no room for mercy in these parts. I’m just sorry we didn’t meet under different circumstances.” Then he leaned forward and crushed a bruising kiss to her mouth.

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Chapter Three Patrick shoved open the door to the diner. There were a few hunters sitting at the counter wearing heavy orange reflective coats and beaver hats. Earlier in the evening, he’d left with Travis as soon as they came in. There was no love between the Gregor miners and the hunters and loggers of Climax. They represented a threat to their inner wolves, an enemy of nature’s delicate balance. Since Garret banned them from hunting on his land, the hunters hated them just as much in return. They had to either travel far east or risk hunting illegally. Garret wasn’t friendly with trespassers. “Back so soon?” asked the waitress. His other three pack mates entered the diner behind him. “A girl. Brown hair, blue eyes. You see her in or around here recently?” “You talkin’ about that little thing you hired at the mine? She only left here about twenty minutes ago.” Patrick’s heart began to race. She’d seen Cassidy. “She say where she was heading?” The woman lowered her brow and fiddled with the straps of her apron. “Can’t say I recall. She said something about looking for a stranger to town.” He stifled a growl. Patrick had no patience for the woman in front of him or the men eavesdropping. “You have any luck finding that missing miner of yours?” asked one of the larger hunters. He had a thick beard and rounded gut, his skin glistening from a diet rich in fats. Garret brushed past him. “Why you asking?” “Just curious with all the wolf killings in the area.”

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Patrick placed a heavy hand on his alpha’s shoulder. The topic of Matthew’s disappearance was a sensitive subject for him. None of them were sure where to point blame. Hunters? Loggers? The Rockford wolves? Patrick often blamed himself. If they hadn’t split up in the forest that fateful day last month, Matthew would likely still be here. Life wasn’t the same with a pack of four. As much as Patrick kept his feelings to himself, losing Matthew was like missing an arm or a leg. He could function, but even the simple things in life made him weary. “Let’s go,” he said. Then he whispered for Garret’s ears only. “We’ll be able to pick up her scent outside if she was here recently.” His alpha butted shoulders with him as he turned, reluctant to leave without a fight. The four of them left the warmth of the diner and regrouped at the side of the building. Garret wasted no time in losing his skin, not even checking to see if a human was nearby before tearing at his shirt and snarling as he forced the shift. There weren’t many residents in Climax, but they still had to be careful. Once shifted into his fur, Garret shook out his thick coat and pawed the ground, sniffing for a lead. Even though they could all see and track fairly well as humans, their skills were nothing compared to the ones they possessed in their wolf forms. Garret motioned with a jerk of the head and then bounded off toward the tree line on all fours. He must have picked up Cassidy’s scent. Why the fuck would she go into the forest in the dead of night? Didn’t she realize Matthew disappeared in these woods and he was a skilled fighter and tracker? Didn’t she learn anything from the tragedy? Patrick commanded the change to envelop his body. His bones contorted, his fur pricked his skin, and he dropped down as his form morphed from man to beast. He still remembered the fascination on Cassidy’s face when she ran her hands through his fur. It was at that moment his love for her doubled, tripled. She accepted his wolf, even

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though she didn’t yet know it was him. If Garret had his way, maybe she never would. Her innocence, curiosity, and scent captured him, body and soul, and she didn’t even realize it. But he didn’t give away his love lightly. It was his little secret, a weapon she could wield against him if he gave it over too quickly. “This way. Her scent is strong,” said Garret. The four of them raced soundlessly through the trees and underbrush. This wasn’t their forest but they’d traveled it many times when searching for their missing pack mate. “Can you smell the males? It’s the Rockford wolves.” Travis’s voice had a menacing tone. Texas loved a good fight, especially when he had a worthy reason. If their rival pack had done anything to Cassidy, there would be bloodshed. Patrick was ready for it, his hackles up, and fangs fully lengthened in preparation. Life had hardened him to the point that death no longer held fear for him. The scent grew stronger the closer they got. He could practically see her in his mind’s eye, taste her skin on his tongue. If one hair on her pretty little head was harmed, he’d show no mercy to those responsible. “I hear her,” said Garret. “She whimpers.” Those few words were fuel to the pack. Their female needed them. Patrick forced his legs to run faster, his muscles burning as he pushed his wolf to the limit. Evan brushed his side, keeping a similar punishing pace. Only the sounds of their labored breathing and odd brush of leaves could be heard as the four of them charged for their target. Their wolves greatly exceeded the native species in size and strength. Anyone daring to get in the way of four determined males had a death wish. Patrick had no clue what awaited him, but it didn’t matter. A real man would sooner die than allow their female to suffer. And Garret had declared Cassidy theirs. He may not have officially marked her, but the choice had been made. “How many?” asked Patrick. Garret was in the lead. There was a break in the trees ahead. Already he could make out human forms.

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“Enough. But we have the advantage. It’ll take them time to shift.” His lips naturally rolled back off his canines. He wanted blood for blood. Then he heard Cassidy’s voice, a desperate plea to her aggressor. Patrick only saw red. **** Corbin pressed himself tight to her body. She could feel his cock hard against her hip. He ground it against her as he groped her ass with both hands. Were all these men going to rape her? Force her to have sex with the lot of them and then leave her for dead like all those hikers? The reality of her situation filtered through her fear-laden mind. This was it. No one was coming to rescue her, and there was no escape. Screaming for help would only draw attention to the wildlife, not anyone who would actually be of help to her. They were in the middle of nowhere. The town of Climax was a good half hour away from their remote spot in the woods, and after that there was no civilization for many hours of driving. She was isolated and felt stupid for trying to take on more than she could handle. Garret was one hundred percent right. It wasn’t safe to be roaming around on her own. “Please, let me go…” She wanted no part of this man. He wasn’t giving her a choice. Nothing excused the fact. Corbin may be handsome and fit, a dream catch to most women, but her heart was already taken. It may be foolish to give her love away so quickly, to men not ready to commit, but it happened with her four Gregor miners. “Beg me to stop. It makes my cock harder.” He reached down to unzip his jeans. She tensed, her blood running cold. Even without sight, she had to at least try to save herself. Cassidy struck out, raising her knee to Corbin’s groin. Every move was on instinct, fueled by her adrenaline-riddled blood. She clawed at his face, anything to give her

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a few precious seconds to escape. If she could just get free of his grasp, she’d try and run, hopefully not straight into a tree or one of his perverted friends. But just as quickly as she’d lashed out, Corbin took control of the situation. He shackled her wrists, squeezing hard enough to leave bruises, and tsked mockingly in her ear. Oh God, no. Would she be able to drift away if he forced himself on her? Blank out the events to save her sanity? If only she had a weapon, but she couldn’t even see if she did have one. “They’ll come for me,” she warned. Cassidy was pulling at straws, desperate to convince this lunatic to let her leave. “Who?” “My men. They won’t take kindly to another man hitting on me. They’re very jealous. All four of them.” At least she hoped Corbin would believe the bullshit she was spewing. Any seed of doubt meant she was a bit closer to freedom. “So they have claimed her for the pack. You’re right,” said one of the men. “She has no love bite. It’s only a rumor,” said another. Corbin trailed a finger down her neck. “It’s odd that Garret wouldn’t mark her. Maybe she’s not as valuable as I thought.” He made a dismissive sound. “Regardless, she’ll be entertainment for the night. I haven’t had a female since our last trip to the port town for supplies.” “I’ll do anything, just please let me go.” She knew pleading with a madman was probably wasted breath, but she was so desperate to get away from him. All her years in foster care and struggling to survive on her own, she’d never felt this hopeless. If she could promise him the moon, she would. “That’s right, you will do anything, no matter how rough things get. We’re not the soft-skinned city boys you’re probably used to.” He paused for what felt like an eternity. “Take your clothes off. I want to see what I’m going to fuck.”

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She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, will her life to end rather than endure their assault. But she was frozen in place, unable to move or speak. The numbness was either a saving grace or a final insult. Cassidy doubted they’d let her leave to tell about it afterward. “Wolves!” cried one of the men. Corbin’s hands immediately slipped away from her body. She could hear them now, low growls of warning. There was scuffling and then a chorus of vicious snarls. She crouched into a ball and covered her ears. The sounds reminded her of her last frightening visit to the forest when she’d met Ryder, only this time she doubted she’d be so lucky to escape unharmed. How long could she escape fate? Maybe she was meant to die by the teeth and claws of a wolf. The sounds emanating around her were bloodcurdling. Once they finished off her attackers, they’d no doubt turn their attention on her. She had to get away, but she couldn’t see, had no sense of direction. She did the only thing she could do and began to slowly creep away from the melee on her hands and knees. If she stood, she would attract attention. Maybe if she got far enough away, the wolves would be satisfied with their kills and not notice her. Cassidy had no doubt Corbin and his groupies were wolf meat. They’d be the next men spoken about in the diner, the latest gossip until the next person showed up mutilated by animals. It did strike her as odd that none of the men cried out, screamed, or yelled during the attack. It made the incident slightly more digestible. All she could make out were growls, snarls, and the sound of wet flesh and teeth snapping. “I’ve gotcha.” A hand wrapped around her upper arm, pulling her to her feet. She recognized that voice. How? Cassidy wrestled to get away from Corbin, but he was too strong. His grasp was like an iron shackle. “They think they own Climax. Think they can do whatever they please. Well, I know they’re responsible for one of ours going missing. Until we get him back, you’ll be our little plaything.” He laughed maniacally, dragging her along. He moved at a brisk clip away from the wolves. She could only

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follow as her alternative was to scream, but that would only alert those bloodthirsty beasts. Why couldn’t these wolves be like the one she’d met during her camping trip with Garret? That animal had been so peaceful, allowing her to caress it, look into its eyes. It made her feel safe, not threatened. “Move, woman!” His fingers bit into her tender flesh. “They’ll be after us in no time. I won’t give up my leverage.” “I have no money. If you think kidnapping me will get you money, you’re wrong. I have no family, no savings—nothing but that old shack I inherited.” “Hush!” There was a new layer to his tone now. He was nervous. The cockiness had been replaced by a new fear. Even big, bad men feared meeting their maker by the fangs of a carnivore. Her shoe caught on a root and she lurched forward. He continued to hold her upright for a minute, and then he dropped her heavily to her knees. He’d just given up? Decided it was too much trouble to cart her back through the forest? Before she could count her blessings, she heard them. The heavy, animalistic breathing charged past her in pursuit of Corbin, no doubt. Why had it passed her by? She wasn’t skin and bones, but would make a healthy meal to a wolf, and yet the animals practically brushed right by her. “Cassidy, are you okay, baby?” The deep, masculine voice was the most beautiful music after so much stress. “Evan!” She leapt up against his body, wrapping her arms around his neck. He was so big she had a hard time reaching, even on her tiptoes. She forgot the kidnapping, the cold, the darkness, and the wolves when in Evan’s protective embrace. The whole world went away, and it was just the two of them. “Thank God you found me.” She should probably ask how he found her and why the wolves hadn’t attacked him. But she was too mentally exhausted and just wanted to forget everything.

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She was back in that trailer, happy to see him after her absence with Garret. The reunion sparked all over again, fear and distress temporarily forgotten. “Let’s get you home where you belong,” he said, hoisting her up into his arms. Where was home? Where did Cassidy belong? That old shack she inherited from her blood grandfather? One of the many apartments she’d rented over the years? She’d searched for a connection to her past for so long that she forgot how to enjoy life. Cassidy couldn’t see a good thing when it was staring her in the face. Garret and Evan both showed genuine interest. They wanted her, cared for her, and pleasured her like no other men outside of Climax ever could. That was when she realized Evan didn’t wear a shirt. His back, arms, and chest were all bare flesh. He wasn’t freezing, but almost hot like a space heater. Her body was chilled to the bone from the cold bite in the air, and he felt heavenly to be cuddled up against. Evan carried her effortlessly through the forest, apparently not having an issue with the pitch-black conditions either. Maybe she should get her eyes checked. “The wolves—” “Don’t worry about them. They’ll never get their paws on you again.” He thought she’d been attacked by wolves? “I never should have let you leave the mine. You tricked me, Cassidy. It won’t happen again.” “It’s not your fault. I can get pretty convincing when I want my own way.” “Well, I have no doubt it was the Rockford wol—the Rockford miners who took Matthew now.” She pressed her head to his shoulder as he carried her along. His breath wasn’t even labored, his arms not sagging from her weight. He made her feel feminine and protected. “They think the same thing about you guys. Corbin seems to believe you’re holding one of his men hostage. He was going to use me as collateral to trade or something.” The entire night of events was

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surreal. It was the stuff movies were made of, not lives of boring women like her. “Why would we want one of them? We mind our own business and try to keep out of everyone else’s. Even with Garret suspecting the Rockfords of having something to do with Matthew’s disappearance, we never went looking for a fight.” “Where’s Garret? Did you see him before you left?” “Garret has a mind to punish you. And they’re all here, no doubt just as eager as I was to see if you’re okay.” “Where? Back there with the wolves?” She hoped he’d say they were waiting in the truck down by the road. If anything happened to the other three men, she didn’t know how she’d handle it. Somehow her four lovers had branded on her soul. She thought of them constantly, even in her dreams. Evan didn’t answer her for a while. “You don’t need to worry about them.” “What about Matthew? He never came back from the forest.” She regretted her words as soon as she spoke them. The miners loved Matthew and mourned his disappearance like a death—perhaps rightfully so. Having the unanswered questions looming over them was the worst. “Matthew was well trained by Garret. He wouldn’t have been captured by men or wolves. Something else must have happened.” She decided to keep her mouth shut in case she said something upsetting again. All she wanted was for Garret, Patrick, and Travis to be safe. If anything happened to them she’d blame herself. What was she thinking following Corbin into the dark woods? Even the voices of her grade school teachers blared in her head as she took that first step, but she ignored them, too excited about the prospect of finding her brother. Scott wasn’t even in the woods. It was all a lie, some sick ruse to get her alone so they could do God knew what to her. Cassidy cuddled deeper into Evan’s embrace. The only men she wanted were her four, no others. Everything she’d done with them

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had been consensual, more than consensual. Even now, in the eye of the storm, she felt the tingling between her legs. She’d been alone with Garret for so long that she craved having more than one man pleasure her body. And they were so good at ménage loving. But would they break into violent fits of jealousy and possessiveness again? Was a long-term relationship destined to failure? Right now she just wanted to get out of the forbidden forest and far, far away from those hellhounds. She wondered if Corbin was even alive. As much as she hated him for tricking and attempting to assault her, she hated to think of a young man losing his life so soon. A death by fangs and claws had to be one of the worst ways to go. “Thank you for coming for me,” she whispered as they broke free of the forest. The grassy field behind the diner was like a lake at night, a vast black void. “Of course we came.” He kissed her forehead. “You’re ours now. We’ll never let anything happen to you.” “Are you so sure Patrick and Travis feel the same?” Despite her insecurities with commitment, she sensed genuine interest from Garret and Evan. Not love, not yet, but something warm and pleasant. She hoped that germinated seed would continue to grow and flourish until the two men were too much in love to walk out on her. Cassidy didn’t think she could handle more abandonment in her life. “I’m sure.” “How can you be?” “I just am.” She squirmed uncomfortably in his arms now. Rather than worry about them getting out of the forest alive, she was more concerned for them to accept her, want her. She didn’t deserve a single one of them. Cassidy said a silent prayer that those wolves didn’t attack her men. Garret had some magical gift with that wolf in the forest. Maybe that talent extended further than that one lone wolf with the intelligent eyes.

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“She was kidnapped by a crazed man and nearly killed by wolves, but she’s worried if we want her?” Out of the darkness came the sweetest sound she could hear under the circumstance. “Travis!”

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Chapter Four Garret stood off in the shadows, watching, waiting. He needed to calm his beast before he showed himself to Cassidy. There had been bloodshed, but no deaths tonight. The Rockford wolves were also excellent fighters. Before the battle, they’d spewed allegations that he’d taken one of their men, which was ridiculous. Ever since Ryder discovered they were interested in Cassidy for more than just the typical nine-to-five, Garret knew their twisted wheels would be turning. He hated having a weakness for them to exploit, especially one so precious to him. Having a mate was an incomparable gift—from the gods or fate, he wasn’t sure. Because of his obsession for finding Matthew, he’d left her alone on more than one occasion. He had to accept that maybe his pack mate wasn’t coming home. Ever. Whether it be by the hands of the Rockfords, hunters, loggers, or some other menacing force, his disappearance may be permanent. It was time to focus on his remaining pack and his woman. Travis moved in, taking Cassie from Evan’s arms. He set her on her feet against the rear wall of the diner. Garret was afraid to ask her if her kidnappers had touched her, hurt her. Knowing they had would set him into an unstoppable rage, turning a battle into a war. The mere thought of another male touching his mate drove him mad. She was for him only, his pack. He could sense Travis’s need, the sexual desire building and building—a mix of relief and unadulterated attraction to the little brunette. Her scent was so potent, he couldn’t blame Travis…or Evan.

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His usually cool and controlled pack mate was an unstable mess around Cassie. A red wolf brushed up alongside him, tickling his bare leg. Patrick shifted back into his skin, his heart racing, likely from the thrill of giving up his humanity completely during the fight. Garret had savored it as well, but they always had to remember to control their wolves or they’d end up controlling them. With a human mate it was imperative to maintain some semblance of order over their emotions. “You’re not going to her?” asked Red. “Let them have their reunion.” He continued to stand and watch. Patrick scoffed. “I think choosing a mate has messed with your head. She’s yours but you keep your distance. You know you want her. I can feel your hunger for her, even as I speak.” He knew his pack would forever question his choice not to mark Cassie. Garret just wanted to do things right, have her accept them before being forced into their secret life. Humans didn’t know of the existence of werewolves. It was a closely guarded secret amongst their kind. If he was being perfectly honest with himself, he felt like he’d be betraying Matthew by claiming a mate without him. He’d never feel as attached to her if he returned to find Cassie already attached to the other four in his pack. But he had to stop thinking in hypothetical terms. Garret had to live in the reality that Matthew may never return. “We just lost our skin, lost blood with the Rockfords, and nearly lost Cassie. That doesn’t put me in the mood for play.” Patrick laughed. “Yeah, sure, boss. Try to convince someone else of that bullshit.” He reached up and ran his hand atop his head. “Fuck, I lost my toque.” “That tends to happen when you shift.” They were both naked, as were Evan and Travis. Luckily the darkness hid their nudity from the terrified woman they’d just saved from their enemies. But she wasn’t so scared anymore, was she? Her body wasn’t as rigid, although her heartbeat continued at a rapid pace.

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This time her blood pumped from arousal, not fear. What kind of human could embrace her own lust under such harsh conditions? Cassie was unique, a tempting mix of vulnerability and strength. Garret liked that their presence calmed her, made her feel safe. He knew any one of his men would protect her with his life, just as he would. “You said she’s the one, so you can stop resisting.” Patrick left his side, pulled by the lure of the seemingly fearless little human. She braved the night in Climax in search of a link to her past. He knew she would do anything for those she loved, and it made him proud to call her his. His heart went out to her. If he could erase all her negative memories from a failed childhood he would. He’d also bring her brother right to her feet if he knew the man was worthy of her love. But so far that was left to be seen, and he wouldn’t have her get hurt again unnecessarily. **** Cassidy’s eyes lolled back in her head. She loved the heat, the multiple hands, and the burning desire growing inside her. There was nothing like having these strong, strapping men dote over her, lavishing her with layers of pleasure. They worked so well together, it seemed a sin for them to fight over who’d get to have her. For any one of them to want her was enough of a blessing. When they all showered her with attention, she became lost, only a shadow of herself as she gave in to their ministrations. “Where’s Garret?” she asked. She knew Evan and Travis were with her, and she heard Patrick join them. They each had a unique touch she already recognized. “Right here, sweetheart.” Cassidy hadn’t heard him or felt his presence a moment ago, but now felt his words spoken in her ear. The erotic whisper titillated her senses.

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One of them cupped her mound with a rough palm. She sagged momentarily, liquid heat escaping her body. “Oh, God,” she murmured, knowing what these men were capable of. “Tell me, Cassie. Did any of the Rockfords hurt you? Touch you?” asked Garret. He must know she wasn’t injured. But he did have a dominant, possessive quality which seemed to arouse her more and more. It felt good to be wanted and protected. “Corbin…he tried to touch me. He kissed me.” She wasn’t going to lie since she’d done nothing wrong. In fact, she was curious to see his reaction, almost eager. She felt the pad of his thumb stroke her lower lip. “Did you allow it?” “I had no choice. He forced himself on me. If the wolves hadn’t shown up when they did, things would have gone a lot farther.” If a man could growl, Garret just did. The sound was animalistic, erotic. He hooked an arm around her, tugging her to his body. “He’ll pay for what he did,” he said in her ear. He nipped her earlobe lightly before painting a trail down her neck with his tongue. “Forget him. No more fighting.” “Would you like to forget everything about tonight, darlin’? I promise we can make you forget every detail.” Travis’s words sluiced through her body, settling in her cunt. If he wanted to challenge himself to bring her the ultimate sexual satisfaction, who was she to complain? The recent mix of nerves and adrenaline had come crashing down in her body, leaving a twisted mix of need. She’d never felt so horny, so ready to be fucked by her men. Garret was with them. For once Cassidy wanted to know the pleasure of having all four men share her body. It wasn’t enough for Garret to watch or direct. “Yes,” she said on bated breath. “Make me come. Please.” Somehow she knew her release would alleviate the pent-up tension in her body, give her a fresh start from a horrifying night.

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“Good girl,” said Patrick. She reached out and ran her hand over his broad, rounded shoulder as he lowered in front of her. Were they all shirtless? She wished she could see his tats, his ripped muscles, but her hands would have to be her eyes tonight. He unzipped her jeans and then tugged the material down her hips. She instinctively wanted to stop him or pull away, but knew she had to open up and accept them. This was exactly what she wanted despite being outdoors in the chilly northern air. It didn’t matter that wolves lurked only minutes away in the thick woodlands behind the diner. Somehow the presence of her miners made everything okay. “I can’t wait to taste your little pussy. I could smell your arousal from across the field.” They said the oddest things, but turned her on nonetheless. Once he plucked her panties off each leg, he parted her thighs slightly and delved in. His facial hair prickled her fair skin, but his hot, lively tongue made up for the assault. She felt herself grow wet again as he ate her pussy, licking her entire labia before settling over her engorged clit. Her shirt was tugged off her body, her hair fanning down over her bare back. As Patrick continued to bring her closer and closer to orgasm with his mouth, the other three men converged on her. She didn’t even know who was who now, too enraptured to care. A crushing kiss parted her lips, but this time it was welcome. She wrapped her arms around his neck while another set of lips suckled her right tit. Hands were everywhere, some soft like the brush of feathers, others rough and unforgiving. The mixture of pleasure, pain, and intense stimulation to her cunt was surreal. She could feel her orgasm looming, calming her, flooding her veins with heat. Cassidy didn’t want to come yet. She wanted the experience to go on and on, knowing her lovers would never tire before her. It was liberating to be able to let loose, not having to fear being left unfulfilled. They were each determined to give her more than she could handle.

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“Yes…” Her body thrummed, her bones turning to mush as she tried to brace herself on two feet as her back leaned against the side of the diner. She imagined they’d create quite the scene if it had been daylight. Then she began to wonder if any of them had been hurt by the Rockfords. The darkness blinded her, so she couldn’t look for injuries. Luckily the wolves hadn’t gotten to them or they’d be dead. It was her fault if any of them were hurt. They’d come in search of her because they cared, worried. When was the last time anyone ever gave two shits about her? “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to go out there to rescue me.” “Nothing to be sorry about, baby girl.” Travis slipped a hand over the curve of her ass. “A fight once in a while is good for a man, keeps him seasoned.” No men were harder or more weathered than hers. Their muscles were earned. She held Travis’s bulging bicep, testing the strength as his other hand probed the crack of her ass. When he lightly teased her nether hole, she didn’t tense as she had before. She knew what to expect and the spark of electricity from his forbidden touch was the final key to her release. Cassidy tightened her hold on Travis’s arm while clawing her other hand into Patrick’s hair. Her body convulsed, her pussy throbbing in great waves as her orgasm flooded her veins. The heat and satisfaction didn’t leave a cell untouched. She slumped down, feeling boneless and spent, only to be held up by multiple hands. “Turn around, Cassie.” It was Garret. His deep baritone cut through the night, thrilling her despite her recent satisfaction. The way he spoke left no room for argument. She turned around and planted both hands on the side of the diner when he pushed her back down. Cassidy was bent forward at the waist, her arms outstretched, palms against the rough bricks. Her breath caught when he warmed her ass cheeks with both hands. He was so hot, so steady in the way he touched her. “Don’t move.” “What are you doing, Garret?”

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“I’m going to enjoy you, share you with my pack like I should have already.” He smacked her ass once. How did he know exactly what she craved? The smack vibrated all the way to her sensitized clit, exciting her, making her pussy weep once again. She felt his cock nudge between her cheeks. Cassidy gasped, not prepared to feel the warm flesh pressed against her. She hadn’t even heard a zipper lower. Garret slid the head of his dick in her overflow of moisture. Each trail through her pussy lips sent a powerful thrill racing deep into her center. “Claim her, Garret. Mark her and make it official,” said Evan. She wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but the fact they wanted to share her was an improvement over the last time they were together. Cassidy remembered her night with Evan, Patrick, and Travis in their cabin. When the three men had shared her body without jealousy or male posturing, it had greatly aroused her. She could just let loose and bask in the pleasure they surrounded her in. Admittedly, it wasn’t the same without Garret. She wanted to see him in action, fucking her alongside the men who worked for him. Could such a masculine male, a born leader, share her with other men? Was it possible or would he demand they leave after a certain point? Since he’d accepted her after time alone in the woods, claiming to want her for more than a casual affair, he could be the bonding agent for a lasting ménage. “Yes, do it,” she said. She was only concerned with being fucked. Cassidy knew the pleasure of being filled with cock. Once her ass accepted his invasion, the pressure, stretching, and erotic thrill would be incomparable. She needed the men to penetrate her—her pussy and ass. Nothing was the same as having two dicks share her body, two men sandwiching her within so much male strength. “Can you handle me?” Garret thrust his cock past the opening of her ass, spearing her tight anal ring. She pushed back against him, gritting her teeth from the uncomfortable invasion. It was only temporary. The sooner she accepted all those thick inches, the sooner

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another man could join them. Would he allow one of his miners to double-team her with him? Patrick brushed her hair to one side, kissing her neck. “She wants it. She likes being fucked in the ass.” Garret gripped her hips, smoothly entering her until to the hilt. A wolf bayed in the distance, but it was only a hazy afterthought now. Her senses were heightened—Cassidy could feel the cool breeze along her moist flesh and hear the growl from Garret’s chest. “Don’t!” he warned. To whom he spoke, she wasn’t sure. She felt the sharp scrape of Patrick’s teeth against her skin as he continued to kiss her with increased urgency. “Why not? Obviously you’re not going to.” She wiggled her ass, wanting Garret to continue what he’d started. There was no way she’d let the guys start fighting again. She wanted all of them and didn’t want things cut short this time. Her breasts swayed, her fingertips digging into the mortar between bricks. “Stop!” she yelled. “No fighting.” She’d had enough stress for one day. Their seduction had been welcome in such uncertain times because it brought her to a blissful place where her worries temporarily went away. “Garret knows what he’s doing, Red.” Evan grabbed her wrists and tugged her down. She lost her balance, a cock still penetrating her ass. Cassidy and Garret toppled down over Evan, a mass of heat and flesh on the ground beside the diner. Evan’s body was powerfully built, easily taking her weight as she shifted into a straddle position. “Even better,” said Travis. “Her pretty little mouth is just where I need it.” “How can any of you see?” With her eyes fully adjusted to the darkness, she could still only make out the faint blur of movement, a partial silhouette. At moments she swore their eyes glowed. “Hush now,” said Garret, lifting her up slightly. She could feel Evan’s erection bobbing between her legs.

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Both men guided her back down until that second cock forged its way into her pussy, so slick and ready to accept him. It squeezed into her body, fighting for space with Garret’s cock, already filling her ass. She loved the sensations of being double filled. She gasped, nearly gagged from being so full. The pressure of a new orgasm was already well on its way to erupting. She braced her hands on Evan’s strong chest, taking extra attention to feel his developed pecs. As the two men pistoned in and out of her body, bringing her dangerously close to release, Patrick and Travis showered her with attention. Hands and mouths were on her tits, her hair was tugged back, and her throat licked. She spiraled out of control, her consciousness riding the wave of ecstasy. This was a ride she never wanted to end. If only the two men at her sides were willing to play for keeps. It always loomed in the back of her head that they could walk away at any time, leaving her feeling that familiar sense of abandonment. Her life was unstable enough, it would be a blessing to have the security of committed men in her life. Another cry from a wolf, then another. The sounds were closer now, sending a chill up her spine. “Something’s wrong,” said Patrick. “Not now,” grated Garret, his fingertips digging into the soft flesh at her hips. One hand pulled away, then came down in a sharp smack. She bit her lower lip, assisting the men in working their cocks. Every thrust brought her that much closer. She wouldn’t sacrifice the beautiful orgasm desperate to be unleashed—not even for wolves.

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Chapter Five They were racing against the clock, trying to pleasure Cassidy before their unwelcome guests arrived. Patrick was sure they’d dealt with the Rockfords for tonight. After battling it out, they’d both gone their separate ways, licking their wounds. Corbin must have a death wish. It was not like the wolf was smitten with Cassidy. He didn’t even know her. The Rockfords only sought to bring down the Gregor Mine at every turn. The first major blow had been Matthew’s disappearance. The second was their attempt to steal Cassidy away. Patrick didn’t want to think about what could have happened had they not shown up when they did. It was best to keep his emotions in check. Until Garret marked the girl properly, he’d be a fool to offer his heart up on a silver platter. They needed a love bite—first from the alpha, then from all pack members—to complete the mating. Until it was official, any wolf, any human, could lawfully claim Cassidy as their own. “Come on, baby,” said Garret, encouraging her to come. Travis rose from his knees and gripped the back of her head. “Take it,” he said. He offered her his cock, and she greedily sucked on it, resting a hand on his thigh. He loved watching her little body take three cocks. Her taste still lingered on his tongue, the sweetest gift. He couldn’t wait for his turn to fuck her proper, but it looked like tonight would not be the night. The howls had stopped, which meant they were close, possibly watching from the tree line in the distance. What did they want this time? If they thought they had a chance to get Cassidy, they’d soon learn exactly what the Gregor Pack was willing to do to protect their

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mate. It was probably more bullshit about Garret stealing one of their men. Patrick knew his alpha never took a hostage, so they had to be lying. Or scheming something new. Sometimes he believed a life as full-blooded humans would be so much simpler. All the territorial bullshit grated on his nerves. Since he was a pup, life had been a challenge. For once, it would be nice to just enjoy, to live. But that was wishful thinking, a reality unlikely to happen for a Gregor shifter. Evan and Garret continued to pump into her body, their pace frantic. The sound of sex, wet flesh slapping flesh, created an illicit backdrop to the evening. Cassidy didn’t let up her attention to Travis’s dick. He craved to touch her, to connect with her, but he had to keep his eyes on the enemy. “Cassie, come!” She complied, as if a detonation switch had been activated. Her body released as soon as Garret spoke. The little human called out, tearing a streak through the silent night. There was something incomparable to an alpha’s command. His voice and presence carried the power to demand loyalty. Even Patrick had difficulty defying the alpha wolf. At least he respected his leader, unlike the males from the pack he’d escaped from. When they’d all been sated, Garret rose to his feet. “Get her to safety. Take the truck and bring her to my place in the woods. We’ll find out what’s going on.” Patrick nodded, assisted a limp Cassidy to her feet. Rather than aid her in walking all the way to the truck, he hoisted her up into his arms. Evan tucked her clothes into the space between them. “Where’re they going?” she asked, trying to turn her head around even though she couldn’t see with her human eyes. “Don’t worry about it, little one. Garret wants you safe, so that’s what I’m going to do.” “They can’t go back to the forest. There’re wolves in there.” The concern in her voice was adorable. He had to stifle a chuckle. If only she knew how capable a Gregor wolf truly was. In fact, he wondered

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when his alpha planned to tell her about their real identities. How could he expect to make her their lifelong mate while living a lie? “Cassidy, this is no place for a woman. I promise they’ll be in your bed when you wake up in the morning.” She struggled in his arms, but her attempt to get to her feet was a futile effort. “Tell them to come with us. This is ridiculous.” “Garret’s word is law, Cassidy. You should have learned that from him by now. He’s a big boy and knows what he’s doing.” He opened the driver’s-side door to one of the trucks and set her on the bench seat. “We’re not your average men. You have to trust me.” He leaned into the cab, looking her in the eyes. She exhaled, an exasperated sound, but he knew she wouldn’t argue any longer. “I just wanted to find my brother,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” “Of course not. Sometimes we have to trust the gods. They know better than us. If Matthew returns or you find your brother, it’s because they willed it so.” Cassidy nodded and tucked her legs into the truck so he could close the door. He highly anticipated being alone with her at Garret’s retreat, even if only for an hour. There was a valley between them that needed to be bridged if she was to be his mate. He needed to know more about her—her dreams, hopes, and fears. Patrick was warming up to the idea of committing to a woman, but still had his guards up. It would take a lot more than a pretty face and intoxicating scent for him to give up his heart. **** They drove along the narrow road, forests closing in from either side. It wasn’t as daunting with Patrick doing the driving. Every bump in the road aroused her pussy, so raw and sensitized from her recent orgasms. She should be traumatized at the prospect of spending even one more day at Garret’s remote cabin with no running water. But her

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entire body was alight with anticipation. That place symbolized belonging and a love she’d never known. She wondered if she’d see the red wolf again. Cassidy stole a peek at the man beside her. He had an emergency blanket over his lap, but she could see he wasn’t wearing any pants. The man was completely naked. He wasn’t even wearing his trademark toque over his unruly red hair. He looked devastatingly handsome with the scruff on his face. She’d already dressed back into her jeans and sweater, although it had been awkward doing so in the passenger seat. Her undergarments were MIA. “Where are your clothes?” He’d gone down on her, but they hadn’t done anything else together to warrant his nudity. “Guess I was thinking ahead.” Patrick turned and winked at her. “Maybe we’ll get some time together—just you and me.” She’d sit on his cock right now if he asked her. Her hormones were always in flux around these men. The hum of the engine and uneven road beneath the tires were the only sounds in the truck. She had so much to say and ask, but couldn’t form even one coherent thought. “Watch it!” she yelled. A naked man cut across the cones of light ahead. He’d been there one second, gone the next. “What?” Patrick slammed on the brakes, the truck swerving before coming to a dead stop. “Didn’t you see him? That man?” “What man?” “A naked man ran across the road.” She pointed to the bush on the side of the road he’d disappeared into. Patrick pulled the truck to the gravel shoulder of the road and then cut the engine. “Wait here. I’ll check it out.” At least he didn’t think she was crazy. The door had already closed behind him when she called out. “You have no clothes.” The night air was sharp, chilling her even with clothes on. What did he plan on doing? And who the hell was

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that man? Could it be the hiker-killer or maybe her brother? Patrick was impulsive, seemingly fearless. Now she had to worry about the guys back at the diner with the killer wolves and Patrick running off on a dangerous goose chase. Silence settled into the cab. A few minutes after Patrick left and the interior lights timed out, leaving her in complete darkness. She couldn’t hear any sounds out of the ordinary. Please be okay. When he didn’t return after a lengthy absence, she braved slipping out of the truck. The windows were already humid from her breathing. Cassidy couldn’t stand the stale air and wondering what was going on a second longer. She stood on the gravel shoulder, barely breathing, hoping to hear Patrick in the distance. Then she swore she heard him, just off in the distance. It sounded like a low groan. Was Patrick hurt? Leaving the door ajar, she walked away from the truck, her arms outstretched. She wasn’t sure where she was going or what she’d do when she got there, but the sudden desire to help Patrick overwhelmed her. Maybe he was injured, lying somewhere just inside the forest. She came to a tree, her fingers feeling the pattern of bark like a blind woman to braille. The trees were close together, so she was able to move from one to the other while always having her hand grounded on at least one trunk. “Patrick,” she whispered. This time she couldn’t hear him, so wasn’t sure which direction to follow. She moved deeper into the forest, the smell of black earth and pine growing stronger. At times she was tempted to shout Patrick’s name, but held back in fear of what else may hear her. The experience with Corbin was still fresh in her mind, making her nerves more ragged. The ground was uneven, the forest sloping down a hill. She almost lost her footing several times on the moist leaf litter, but used the trees and saplings for balance. This was the direction Patrick had taken. How far had he ventured? Had he returned to the truck by another

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path? She’d moved so deep that she feared she wouldn’t be able to find her way out now if she tried. If she never saw another forest again, it would be too soon. “You should be careful. There’re bear traps around here.” She froze in place, not expecting to hear an unfamiliar man’s voice. There had been no warning, no footsteps, no rustling of leaves, nothing. It wasn’t Patrick or any of her men. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she tried to place the voice. “Who’s there?” she whispered, wishing she’d imagined the voice. There was a deep, masculine chuckle. It sounded too loud in the stark quiet. “I’m not so sure of that myself.” She remained silent, frozen in place. So far her experiences of meeting men in the woods had been negative—first Ryder, then Corbin. She also had to consider the killer on the loose. “I’ve never seen you before. Surely I’d remember you if I had.” Now she heard the distinct sound of a footstep. A twig snapped, then another. “My head’s killing me. I’ve probably drank too much.” Great. Isolated in the bush with a drunk. If she ran for it, it would take a good fifteen minutes to reach the road, but there were trees at every turn which would slow her down. “My boyfriend is only a couple minutes away.” “A human?” She felt the brush of his fingers against her neck. “But I scent wolves.” “We were almost attacked by wolves. They’re dangerous beasts in the woods, killing hikers by the dozens. But you should know that if you live around here.” “And I suppose you’re another tasty treat sent to entice them?” She mentally forced herself to calm down, taking a cleansing breath. “Are you going to hurt me?” “Why would I do that? I may be a bit confused right now, but I know I’d never hit a woman…or eat one.”

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For some reason his comment sounded sexual to her ears, but then again, Patrick had eaten her pussy less than an hour ago. Her mind was obviously in the gutter, and it didn’t help that this guy’s voice was like erotic music to her ears. “What’s your name?” she asked. “I told you, my mind hasn’t been right since I woke up. Can’t even recall my own name.” He made an exasperated sound, bringing down her hackles slightly. “Scott. Is your name Scott?” Was this the half brother she’d been looking for? Had he been trying to survive the night, only to wake up dazed and confused? Perhaps some men beat him up, leaving him with temporary amnesia. When he didn’t answer right away, her hopes soared. “That doesn’t sound familiar. Do I look like a Scott you know?” “I don’t know. I can’t even see you in this darkness. I suspect you have no difficulty seeing me?” By now she’d gotten a complex. Everyone could see in the night except her. She probably needed glasses. Without a history, she didn’t know if bad eyes ran in her family. “I see you with perfect clarity. Your eyes are blue, your hair the color of leaves in autumn.” He touched her face, but she turned away from him. She’d only trust Patrick right now, but he’d disappeared. She wanted no intimacy with this stranger. “How do you know about bear traps if you don’t even know your own name?” “I can’t explain it, but I know this forest. It feels like home…only my mind is fuzzy. It’s like I know the question, but can’t access the answer. The only thing I don’t recognize is you.” There was a distant gunshot which echoed through the forest, unsettling the wildlife. The faint murmur of multiple voices drew closer, along with hounds howling. “Fuck! We have to go.” He grabbed her hand and led her further down the hill, faster than her feet could carry her. She was terrified to smack head-on into a tree

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or trip over an exposed root. But the strange man held her hand and expertly weaved through the trees, ensuring she was directly behind him and out of harm’s way. He moved fast, as if it was high noon with everything visible with perfect clarity. “Were you the naked man on the road?” Her voice came out in a string of staggered words as she bounced along the maze. A painful stitch started in her side, causing her to slow down. “I have to stop,” she said. “The hunters will help us, show us the road.” The stranger shoved her down to her knees. “Get in. Quickly.” She crawled forward, the dirt and debris moist and alive under her palms. Cassidy imagined all kinds of creepy-crawlies. The cave entrance was rocky, low, and narrow. Claustrophobia set in immediately. Was this a path to a larger interior or was he trapping her in a virtual coffin? He prodded her through, right behind her. When she reached an end to the tunnel she was relieved that she could stand up without crouching, and there was more than an adequate air supply. The faint light of the moon filtered down through an opening high above. “Where is this place?” “It’s safe, that’s all I know.” He paced around the cave like a restless tiger. She could make out a faint silhouette. He was a large man. “And those weren’t hunters. They were loggers.” “How do you know?” “I don’t know. I just do. Some thoughts are starting to come back to me, but the harder I try to concentrate, the more my head hurts.” “Then don’t try,” she said.

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Chapter Six He didn’t know this woman. So why did she have concern in her voice? And why the fuck did she arouse him? He couldn’t remember his own goddamn name, but the sound of her voice made his cock hard? His mind was a sinister playground of broken images and jumbled thoughts. He wished he could shake his head and watch everything fit back together like a jigsaw puzzle. All he knew for a fact was the loggers closing in on their location were to be avoided at any cost. His palms grew clammy, his heart racing the closer they came. The sudden need to shift, to find security in his fur, nearly overwhelmed him. Yet he had to keep some semblance of control because his behavior affected the little human as well. “Why are we hiding?” she asked. “Shhh!” He pulled her into his lap, one arm around her waist, his other hand cupping her mouth. He couldn’t risk her giving away their location. There was no way he’d return to captivity. Captivity? More scrambled thoughts tried to arrange in his mind. It felt like hours passed by before the hunting party drifted downhill and away from them, the dogs howling finally a faint echo. They’d stopped at the cave entrance, but the loggers urged them on, probably suspecting a bear or other wild animal. He took a deep breath of relief, releasing his tight grip on the girl. “What the hell was that? I’m not your prisoner here!” She toppled down to her knees in front of him. “I was keeping you safe.”

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She turned. “From what? Getting rescued? Being taken to town and away from man-eating wolves? Now we’re trapped. How long until they track down our scent? We’re sitting ducks in here, a meal waiting to happen.” “You’re tired. I can hear it in your voice. Sleep now. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.” Even he knew he must sleep. Whatever had a hold over his mind was only exasperated because of his great lack of rest. “Someone will be looking for me soon. They’ll be worried.” “Sleep.” She frowned, but didn’t fight him before curling up on a bed of straw and leaves in the corner. Her eyes were heavy, her breathing shallow. It wouldn’t take long for her to slip off into REM sleep. As soon as he was sure she wouldn’t run off on her own, he dropped down to his back by the entrance to the cave, his arms as a makeshift pillow, and let the exhaustion take hold. Black-and-white images crossed his mind’s eye as he slept. Wolves. Cages. Whips. He tossed and turned, feelings of anxiety washing through him. Starving. Alone. Pain. The memories bombarded and weakened him. Matthew. His name was Matthew. **** Warm light flooded the small cave. It took Cassidy a few moments to remember her predicament. Her surroundings were so different now that she could see. The rock face was irregular, parts smooth, others jagged. The shadow of dancing flames revealed every pit and fissure. The ground was littered with natural bedding, making her think they’d stolen an animal’s home for the night. Her confidence was partially restored thanks to her returned vision and the warmth of the fire.

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Where was her mystery man? She’d heard him breathing in the night, sometimes irregularly as if in the fit of a nightmare. Now he was nowhere to be seen. Cassidy had to get her act together. She had to find the road and Patrick, discover if Garret, Evan, and Travis were safe and sound, too. At least she knew to follow the forest uphill to get to the road. She stood up, her body sore from sleeping on the rocky mattress. Cassidy quietly padded to the entrance and squatted down to peer out the low tunnel and only means of entrance. The world beyond this little place was still encased in blackness. She dare not leave until the light of day, especially now that she had fire. She stood up and turned, bumping into a solid wall of hard muscle. Cassidy looked way up. Was this her mysterious stranger? His hair was a tousled brown, slightly overgrown, his face rough with scruff, his eyes a penetrating green. Had she ever seen eyes like his? She was momentarily mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze. “Sorry, I didn’t see you,” she managed to say. He held up one hand, displaying a skinned rabbit. She bolted back. That was when she noticed he was wearing some sort of loincloth and nothing else. His body had been etched in marble, every ripple of muscle pronounced. There was more—he was underweight. For such a large bone structure and broad shoulders, he should have more bulk. She could see the slight outline of his ribs in the shadowed light. She instantly felt concern for her strange rescuer. Who was he? Now that she thought about it, she realized he had saved her from the elements. He even attempted to give her food and warmth. God, he was handsome. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I’m not that hungry.” The kill he carried didn’t look appetizing. Her stomach grumbled in protest and she hoped he didn’t hear it. “Again, you lie. Why?” He crouched over the fire pit he made, the black smoke escaping through the opening high in the rock. Wood crackling under the flames was the only sound after he spoke. The man was made for rural living. He had a quiet, old-soul aura

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surrounding him. He staked the rabbit over the fire with a few sticks and then brushed his hands off before standing. “I’ve never eaten rabbit before.” She softened her tone, not wanting to offend. “It’s good for you. You need to eat.” He approached her, reaching for her wrists. Her breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t fight him. His thumbs painted soft circles at her pulse points. Then he released her hands and tilted her chin up. “You have blue eyes. Beautiful blue eyes.” She swallowed hard. Her dried-up voice wouldn’t allow her to tell him she’d never seen such exotic eyes, a green to rival the acres of forest under the light of the new sun. The man was a stranger so she shouldn’t be doling out compliments anyway. “I remember everything now,” he said. Why was he so calm about it? If she’d suddenly remembered her identity after running around the forest naked, she’d be a little more exuberant. This man was quiet, stoic, and a complete mystery to her. “What’s your name?” “Matthew.” She bolted back, her hands seeking something to stabilize her. When she hit the rock wall, she slunk against it. Her mind processed so many thoughts at once. If this was the Matthew, Garret’s search would be over. She felt the wash of relief she knew the Gregor foreman would feel when he laid eyes on his missing miner. “Matthew? Where have you been? Everyone’s been looking for you. Garret’s been worried sick.” He smiled, making him devastatingly handsome to look at. “You know Garret?” “I work at the mine as a dispatcher. Garret scours the forest almost nightly trying to find you.” “There’s more,” he said, tilting her head this way and that. “I know my alpha well. Has he chosen you?”

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Everything came back to her in a rush. The talks of mating, sharing, Garret’s leadership. She remembered when the men told her they’d accept whatever woman Garret chose for them, and that they’d share that one woman. When she’d been alone in the woods with Garret, he’d revealed his excitement to share her with his missing crewman. The idea had been theoretical at the time, but now a fleshand-blood Matthew stood before her. She was not repulsed by the man, but inexplicably drawn to him. If her four lovers demanded she accept the fifth member of their team, who was she to argue? “Yes,” she said. Cassidy wasn’t sure of the full significance of being chosen, or even a hundred percent sure she was the one, but she wanted Matthew to want her. The cave suddenly felt as if it closed in around her, leaving just the two of them and her wildly beating heart. She was giddy with excitement, anxious for Garret to reunite with his friend and end this war with the Rockfords. Besides her multitude of questions, she was painfully attracted to the man in front of her. “Really?” He circled her, lifting her hair, examining her from every angle. “No love bite?” Again with the love bite. “Is that customary in Climax? Do you all bite your women?” His brow lowered. Matthew licked his thick lips, staring at her as if she were an enigma. “I’m not disappointed, but I can’t understand what Garret plans for you. He’s left you innocent to our ways.” “Then teach me,” she said on impulse. As soon as the words left her mouth, her pussy clamped tight, pulsing hard and demanding. She didn’t know Matthew, but felt as if she did by the many personal recounts from Garret. Cassidy knew full well the other men would accept Matthew and offer her to him as they had with each other. But dare she fuck a complete stranger? Her body screamed yes. “I haven’t been with a woman in a long while.” The rich scent of roasting meat on the fire made her mouth salivate. The Adonis in front of her made her pussy moisten. She was experiencing a sensory overload, and there was only one cure.

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“If I can handle your friends, I think I can handle you.” He tilted his head and shrugged. There was a lighthearted air to him which pulled her in. His simplicity was refreshing. “Is that so?” His gaze roamed over her body, heating her from the inside out. The flames and shadows danced along the toned planes of his chest. He looked hungry, an untamed glint in his eyes. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to handle him. She nodded. “I’ve been imprisoned, barely fed, beaten, and drugged.” “Oh my God.” Cassidy gasped. “That’s horrible.” Matthew sat down close to where she was now sitting. “Why do you care?” He spoke with honest curiosity in his voice. “Isn’t it natural to care about another living thing?” He narrowed his eyes slightly as if trying to unravel the mysteries of her mind. The moment felt intimate, even more so when he adjusted the collar of her shirt which was hanging low on one shoulder. He made no advance, completely in control of his actions. “Not in my world,” he said. “Are we not from the same one?” Matthew lowered down to his side and began to draw rudimentary pictures in the thin layer of dirt and debris on the cave floor. “I haven’t lived an easy life. Until I found Garret, I considered my life a forfeit.” “That’s an awful thing to say.” Cassidy knew what it was like to struggle through life, to feel the constant ache of loneliness, and to fear the future. Maybe Garret had saved her, too. “You’re not from around here. Do you even know what it means to go without?” She frowned, not liking his assumptions. “I’ve been on my own since I was a teenager. I have no parents, no family, and had nothing but the clothes on my back when I came to Climax.” Now he smirked, propping himself up higher on his elbow to look at her. She avoided eye contact, suddenly noticing he’d drawn a

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picture of her on the cave floor. Her chest felt tight, emotion gripping her when she least expected it. “You can draw?” He didn’t speak until she finally met him eye for eye. “I’ve lived my life as an orphan. Living without roots is like driving without a map. You feel lost, don’t know where you’re going…” Her chest was rising and falling to match her increased heart rate. She felt an inexplicable connection to Matthew, as if they had a souldeep bond. “You’re right. That’s exactly how I feel sometimes. It’s just a matter of looking ahead, rather than back. If you dwell on things that can’t be undone, you can drive yourself mad.” He shifted into her personal space, his broad shoulder gleaming in the firelight. “You already know me better than some of my pack mates. What does that mean?” “What do you think?” “I think Garret chose well.” He spoke slowly. “Right now all I can think about is your scent, the soft texture of your skin, and what I plan to do to you.” She couldn’t imagine a man who’d been through such hell could even think about sex. It must be a testament to his need. How could she deny him now? Cassidy wanted him nearly as much as he did her. “What’s your name, little human?” “Cassidy Lyons. And why do you keep calling me human? Are you the Big Bad Wolf or something?” He smirked as he moved in on her, rising into a sitting position. So close. “Something like that.” Matthew attempted to undress her, but gave up and tore open her shirt as if it were a button-up. His strength astounded her. She looked down at her bare breasts, her heart thumping against her ribs. “Garret has definitely chosen well. You’re good on my eyes, Cassidy Lyons.” “Just Cassidy,” she said.

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Matthew kept silent, but proceeded to push her down to her back and unbutton her jeans. Once they were tugged down to her ankles, he slipped them off. He held her hips and inhaled against her mound, growling like a man on the edge of losing his humanity. “I smell them on you.” “Really?” “But no mark. Odd.” He kissed up her stomach, slowly despite his professed need. When he reached her breasts he exhaled against her skin, taking a tentative lick of her nipple. She gasped, the brief contact so electric. “You like that.” She nodded rapidly. He covered her areola with his hot mouth. His lips were soft and thick, his tongue magical. She could feel his scruff against her skin, but the burn only aroused her further. This was a real man like her miners. He was one of them. The missing link they’d all sought. Part of her was thrilled that he’d already accepted her, but she wasn’t foolish enough to think it was anything more than sating his raging lust. He affected her like the others, turning her into an insatiable, wanton woman. Cassidy could say she didn’t recognize this side of her, but in truth, she was being more honest with herself than she’d ever been. She took what she wanted, dismissing societal expectations. “I should take my time with you, explore you thoroughly. But I’ve been waiting too long to be patient.” “Then just fuck me,” she dared. His breath faltered for a moment, surprise altering his features. “Be careful, Cassidy.” He pulled his loincloth loose and tossed it. She looked between them at the virile cock jutting out from the nest of dark curls. The thick erection didn’t look malnourished. In fact, he looked like he could break her in two with a thing like that. “What are you going to do with that?” she asked, reaching out to lightly stroke it. His dick jumped, swelling further from her touch.

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He cupped her mound and drove two fingers into her soaking pussy. She moaned, tossing her head back. He moved his fingers just right, hitting her G-spot dead-on and toying with it. For a man who’d been out of practice, he certainly knew how to please a woman. “I’m going to fuck you with it.” Matthew sucked her neck, kissing, tasting. One hand cupped her ass, while the other smoothed up her side and down again. “Over and over again.” She already knew how good that well-endowed cock would feel filling her, quenching the burn deep inside her. He pulled back, licked his lips, and then settled on the cool, stone floor. His cock swayed, begging for her to impale herself over the rigid flesh. “Come. You ride me, that way I won’t hurt too much.” Cassidy wasn’t used to taking control. She liked her men to conquer her, leaving her in a liquid state where all she had to worry about was absorbing pleasure. But she wasn’t going to argue. She straddled his lap, stroking his chest and abs before positioning herself over his dick. As she sank down, the relief was instantaneous. What had she become? Was this the sexual peak people warned women about once in their thirties and beyond? “You’re tight,” he said between clenched teeth. His grip on her thighs was bruising. Was he restraining himself that much? “Go on,” he coaxed. She braced herself on Matthew’s chest and began to rise up and down over his cock. The friction was slow and delicious. The firelight danced in his eyes, highlighting the flecks of gold within the green. He stared at her as if mesmerized. Her heart rejoiced as she envisioned Garret’s reaction to finding out Matthew was safe and sound. Daylight couldn’t come soon enough.

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Chapter Seven It amazed Matthew how quickly he could revert to his feral side. After less than a month of being imprisoned to his wolf form, it was so much more difficult holding back his aggression and sexuality. He knew he’d been drugged, which was what kept him in a stupor for so long. His shifter DNA, along with the night of rest, aided him in detoxifying his system. The loggers had captured him and a couple other wolves, starved them in small, dank cages, and let them loose on unsuspecting hikers. The drugs combined with the hunger and predator’s instinct of the wolf drove them to attack. Metal tracking collars ensured they were found, but also made it impossible to shift forms. By some miracle one of the new wolves had shifted before they could collar him, and he helped Matthew to remove his. The other two wolves were native and quickly returned to the woods. They’d made a break for it, vowing to meet up again once they’d reunited with their packs. The loggers must have found out of their escape within the hour, which was why he had the natural instinct to hide when he heard them, even before his mind was fully clear. He never thought he’d have a kind word to say about a Rockford wolf, but now he called one a friend. To his pleasure he happened upon a beautiful girl wandering blindly through the woods. It was something out of a fairy tale, but who was he to argue with fate? She reeked of wolf—Gregor wolves, his pack. He needed to find them, to tell them about the threat. But the little siren was too tempting to ignore. Once isolated with her in the cave, her ripe little body called out to him. He couldn’t think of

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anything else. Normally he would refuse her or turn her to her knees and fuck her hard from behind, if she insisted. But Cassidy was different. She knew him and what he’d been through because apparently she’d lived her life on a parallel course. He wanted her for more than sexual release. There was so much he wanted yet to learn, and the fact he could see a future with her at all was a testament to his attraction. Commitment was something he avoided because it meant he could get hurt. But today seemed like a good day to reconsider. Matthew refused to close his eyes as she worked his cock. She was a beauty, her dark hair fanning down over her shoulders, her pert breasts bouncing slightly each time she came down on his groin. He’d been excited when he thought she was the mate Garret chose for the pack. However, with no marking, he had serious doubts she was the one. “I can’t…” she murmured. Her hormonal signature snapped around him, teasing his beast. If she kept mewling and begging, he’d roll her over and fuck her harder than she knew possible. “Please, I can’t.” “Can’t what? You’re doing fine.” She shook her head, her breathing frantic. “No, you need to do it.” He hoisted himself up into a sit, holding her body tight to his. His cock throbbed within her, painfully engorged. “You sure you want me to take over? To fuck you?” “Yes.” He kissed her neck, tempted to sink his fangs into the soft flesh. But he was still a pack member, loyal to Garret. Only the alpha chose the mate for the pack, and if she carried his leader’s scent, but lacked a love bite, Garret mustn’t have chosen her. Matthew rolled them over, but kept an arm caged beneath her. She was delicate and the floor too hard. Since when had he cared about a particular female this much? His cock was still penetrating her when he began to thrust. He quickly worked up a rapid tempo, his heart rate

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steadily climbing. His fangs pricked his gumline, his wolf howling within him. “Matthew!” she cried. “Oh God, that’s so good.” His name on her lips spurred him on, made him desperate to claim her. Maybe if he talked to Garret, he could convince the alpha to mark her as theirs. He knew he had to do something. All the years he’d been with the pack, he’d never desired a female for anything more than a quick release. This girl’s blue eyes and gentle aura enticed him like never before. No wonder Garret had noticed her. Her scent was wickedly appealing, making his mouth salivate. He wondered if his weakness was a result of the drugs. He drove his cock into her, bumping her womb, tugging her up with his arm around her back. The longer he fucked, the more he lost his wits. He tugged her head back with a handful of hair, exposed the smooth plane of her neck, so milky white. “Cassidy, you tempt me…” But if he marked her now, he’d be cast out of his pack, forced to live with her in exile. He didn’t have the right to modify the rules passed down for generations of shifters. And he couldn’t live a solitary life again under any circumstance. “Good.” The little siren was unhinged, encouraging a werewolf to take more than she could give. Apparently his alpha had left her in the dark about their true identities, too. She lifted her head to nip his jawline. Her toying would be his undoing. He collected her wrists in one hand above her head, holding strong. Restraining the fragile female took no effort but enticed his dominant side. The wolf clawed to be free. He pinched her nipple with his free hand. She yelped and squirmed, her mouth parted. He gave the same treatment to her other breast until her nipples were firm, reddened buds. Then he leaned down to soothe them with the lapping of his tongue. She arched up, seeking more. Cassidy was tough, willing to take a proper fucking.

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Matthew pulled out and flipped her to her hands and knees. “You like pain, do you?” He smacked the fleshy part of her hip, the meaty sound echoing in the cave. She whined, a needy, erotic sound. His cock was nearly purple with arousal, but he had a few minutes of control at his disposal for some playtime. In less than an hour he predicted the first signs of light would shower down on the earth, filling the cave with the warm glow of morning. He leaned down and bit her ass, not penetrating the skin like he wanted to. When she bent forward, away from him, he righted her with both hands on her hips. “You asked for it, little one, now you’re going to get it.” Her asshole was a tight rosette, her pussy lips moist and swollen. He craved a chance to taste her, to settle in and eat her cunt at his leisure, but tonight was about sating his lust quickly. He’d soon have to search for his pack. Matthew fondled her breasts and then trailed his hands over her back toward her ass. More spanks—smack, smack, smack. A deep pink glow emerged on her flesh, a marking nonetheless. It would have to do for now. He plunged his cock into her pussy, the tight grip almost undoing him instantly. Matthew rammed into her, holding back the worst of his passion. Her cries were deep and satisfied, likely spreading through half the forest. His seed was filling to overflowing in his sac, burning for release. He pulled her hair back. “Fucking come, woman. I want to feel your pussy milk my cock before I finish.” He tugged harder, finally aiding her in exploding. She called out his name again, her pussy contracting around his dick in deep, throbbing waves. “Good girl. Fuck!” He spent his load deep inside her, feeling a sense of purpose when that connection between them was formed. Mine. ****

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Patrick tracked the male deep into the woods. He shifted into his wolf form, following the scent of the naked man Cassidy had seen. If this was the elusive killer or her twisted half brother, he’d capture him and set things straight once and for all. Life in Climax had been crazy lately. He wanted everything back to the regular routine when he worked at the mine during the day and connected with his wolf by night. Well, everything the same while including Cassidy in the mix. He couldn’t get the girl off his mind, especially since his wolf met her and approved. The human slowed and then rested, leaning against an old-growth oak while attempting to catch his breath. Patrick crept closer, not even disturbing the air. He was an excellent hunter and tracker. He’d been doing the same thing when Matthew disappeared, hunting for game, but his skills didn’t aid him in finding his friend that fateful day. When he was a breath away from the naked human, he could pick up the scent of a Rockford wolf. He growled to warn the man, curious as to what he’d do. If he was indeed a shifter, he’d likely lose his skin as a defense. He only turned, his eyes flashing inhumanly. Only a wolf’s eyes could glow in the dark. “I’m too tired to shift. I mean you no harm,” said the man. Patrick had already wasted too much time in his opinion. He needed to get Cassidy to the safe house and find out the status of his pack mates. He shifted forms, not feeling a threat from the lone male. “Why were you running?” “I was caught in a bear trap not three days ago. I only just escaped.” He leaned over his knees to catch his breath before continuing. “Set one of your guys free, too. The operator you’ve all been looking for.” “Matthew? He’s alive?” This revelation took him off guard. As much as he wanted to keep up the hope of finding his friend, deep down he never expected to see him again. Not after so long. “We left together, only went our separate ways just before we hit the roadway.” He waved in the general direction they’d come from.

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“Who did this? Our alpha thinks it was your pack who took Matthew.” He shook his head. “Loggers.” “Loggers? What on earth would they want with wolves?” “They want the Gregor land. They figured if they put enough heat on Garret, he’d be willing to sell.” “Hunting wolves was supposed to make him sell?” “I didn’t have it too bad because I was just caught. I spent the last couple days recovering from my wound, so they didn’t collar me. Your boy was starved to the breaking point, until he was more wolf than man. Then he was set loose when they knew a hiker was in the woods.” Patrick paced the area. The entire situation was fucked up. Those loggers knew Garret would never sell. They tried bribing, threatening, offering higher-than-market value—but nothing could convince his alpha. The land belonged to a long line of shifters, and he wouldn’t give it up for all the money in the world. Land equaled power for a wolf pack. But to knowingly kill off their own kind to create a media buzz? They were sick and much more of a threat than he’d ever suspected. “I have to find Matthew, to bring him back to our alpha.” “He can’t be too far off. Of course you’ve already chased me halfway to Washington.” The Rockford wolf chuckled, but then his mood slipped back into something somber. “Will there be war?” Patrick scoffed. “What do you think? Once our alphas hear of this, the loggers best sleep with one eye open.” He wondered if the two rival packs would be able to band together under one common goal. He doubted it, not when the bad blood reached so deep between the Rockfords and Gregors. Right now all he wanted was to see Matthew with his own two eyes. “I suppose. They’ve had it coming for a long time.” Before he shifted, he asked the man why he didn’t shift when running from him.

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“It’s not safe to be a wolf these days.” Then the mystery man shifted for the first time, and dashed off into the underbrush. Patrick did the same, losing his human skin and embracing his red wolf. He had to use his tracking skills to find Cassidy and Matthew. Garret would be pleased with him, but not if harm came to either of them. So much time had passed since he took pursuit of the naked man. He’d been one-sided, forgetting about the bigger picture, even Cassidy, alone in the truck. Now he began to worry, his heart thumping in his chest as he navigated the forest, testing the air for the slightest clue. He finally found both scents mingling together. A great wave of relief crashed over his body. They were finally within reach, almost. He followed the trail which led to a small opening in the rock face. Patrick never liked small places, reminding him of his childhood when his so-called pack would torment him as a pup. But he braved his fears and ducked low before entering the concealed opening. **** Cassidy settled into the crook of Matthew’s arm, listening to the strong beat of his heart. Being with him felt right, natural. He smelled like the earth itself, natural and musky. She inhaled deeply, savoring his heat and the intimate connection. He ran the tips of his fingers up and down her bare back, soothing her into peaceful submission. She could get used to this, used to him. “So you have no siblings either?” she asked. “Not that I know of.” “I may have a brother. Well, I do, but I’ve never met him.” “He’s important to you. I can hear it in your voice.” She nodded, not wanting to speak further on such a sensitive subject.

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“Garret, Patrick, Travis, and Evan are my family now. I’d do anything for them. They have my complete loyalty. As far as I’m concerned, blood isn’t always thicker than water.” “I agree.” Then she thought of what Garret had told her at his cabin about adding Matthew as her fifth lover. “Do you usually do everything your leader tells you?” “Not everything.” She felt his body tense under her slightly, so she traced the muscles on his chest to soothe him. “What about a woman? A mate?” “Someone’s coming,” he snapped. Matthew sat up so fast she didn’t even have time to process what was happening. One minute she was drifting off in peaceful surrender, the next she was thrust to the side as Matthew leapt to his feet. “Get to the back of the cave,” he whispered. There was genuine concern in his voice. He didn’t appear to be the type of man to cower in fear, so she believed he was trying to protect her from harm. When she saw that head full of red hair, she knew it could only be one man. Patrick emerged from the cave entrance, rising to his full height. The two men stared at each other as if witnessing ghosts. “It’s really you?” asked Patrick. He reached out and gave Matthew a slight shove. “You feel real.” Matthew smiled. “Red. Did you give me up for dead already?” They were both naked, both perfect specimens of the male form. She took in every inch of the men as the shadows and fire complemented all their toned muscles. “Do you think Garret would let us forget? He’s searched for you every night since you disappeared without fail. Even when we had doubts, he never did.” “I must see him.” “I’m supposed to take Cassidy to his safe house. They’re to meet us there.” Patrick looked over at her, her body naked, the scent of sex in the air. “I take it you’ve met the girl.” Her cheeks heated.

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“Ah, yes, the little human. She’s been entertaining me, and doing a smashing job at it.” “She is something else.” They both turned to look at her now. She felt like a child being caught breaking the rules. Patrick’s cock hardened before her eyes. She realized he hadn’t been an active part of the ménage earlier, standing aside after giving her intense oral pleasure. He’d still be pent up, yearning for release. “No love bite? Any reason for that?” “She’s still innocent to our ways. Garret seems to think she should know everything before he administers it.” Matthew shook his head in disapproval. “So he hasn’t changed in the past month, I see. Even I can see she’s the right choice for the pack.” “Maybe he’ll think clearly now that his obsession with finding you can finally be put to rest.” Miner talk always confused her. They didn’t speak like any city people she knew. Her trip to Climax had been an eye-opening experience thus far. She felt like an actress in a horror movie when all she wanted was a sweet little romance with a happily ever after. Perhaps Patrick was right and Garret would finally settle down now that Matthew had returned. She could only hope.

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Chapter Eight “Let’s wait until daybreak,” said Matthew. “I don’t want to run into the loggers’ hunting party. Not tonight.” “You’ve lost so much weight, brother. It’s not a good look for you.” Matthew shrugged. He’d eaten the rabbit he’d cooked since Cassidy refused to eat any. She contented herself on some wild berries he’d brought for her. “Captivity tends to do that to a man.” Patrick had run into the Rockford wolf he’d been confined with, the one who set him free. If it wasn’t for that one kind act, he’d still be locked in a cage, waiting for the next time they set him loose on an innocent human. Guilt and shame for the things he’d done would haunt him forever, but those bastards had taunted and tortured him until all traces of humanity were gone. He barely remembered a thing, only random snapshots in his memories. Perhaps the drugs they’d given him were a saving grace. His pack mate turned to face Cassidy. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone at the truck. I got so caught up in the chase that I lost track of time.” “Matthew wouldn’t have found me if I hadn’t been wandering the woods alone, looking for you.” He still remembered the moment he stumbled across her. She was beauty amongst the darkness, an angel sent to redeem him. He’d never wanted a mate until her. Now it was all he could think about. Matthew crooked a finger, beckoning her to join them on the other side of the fire. She sat curled up, her knees to her chest, and her torn T-shirt over her as a makeshift blanket.

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It had been so good to see Red again, a man he’d shared many a laugh with and even a few tears. They’d been through hell and back together. The reunion was so much sweeter than he’d imagined in his countless visions of this day while in captivity. Cassidy got up and came around the leaping flames, sitting down in the space they’d cleared between them. “So, what do you think, Ms. Lyons? Would you be averse to adding me to your list of lovers?” “I don’t have a list. Just four.” She crossed her arms, insulted. “I didn’t mean it like that. You know what you have with my friends, and I want the same bond with you.” She smiled to herself. “Garret said he knew you’d like me. I didn’t believe him, of course, because I hadn’t even met you.” “Well, I do like you, Cassidy. Very much.” He caressed her hair, already knowing how much she loved the feel of his fingers along her hairline. She briefly drifted, closing her eyes. Cassidy leaned against Patrick’s shoulder as Matthew touched her—her hair, her face, her breasts. Within the span of a heartbeat everything turned sexual. “You have strong hips, stronger than they look.” “She certainly can take a hard fucking,” said Patrick. “I think she prefers it.” He laughed. “Her little ass is still red. The girl likes it rough, enjoys a proper spanking, too.” Matthew was comfortable with Patrick and his own sexuality, no secrets between them. He wasn’t insecure about sharing Cassidy. Why should he be? This was his pack, the men he’d happily die for. She looked between his legs and noticed his new erection. It wasn’t just his werewolf DNA making him capable of pleasuring a woman all night long. It was this particular woman. She did new things to his body, affecting all facets of his being, not just his need for physical release. If his month of torture led him to her, he’d do it again without question. ****

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Why not enjoy themselves? She hadn’t been able to find her brother tonight, but everything else seemed to be going right. Matthew was back, which would solve countless problems in Climax. It sent a wash of relief through her, leaving her feeling lighthearted and jovial. The new sense of peace was a catalyst to unleashing her dark sexuality. She’d loved the way Matthew fucked her in a rough, untamed way. It was difficult to ask for what she wanted when it seemed so depraved, but he took without asking, somehow knowing she wanted it dirty. Looking at Matthew’s ready cock made her lose her sensibilities. “She loves to have her pussy sucked. Have you tasted her?” “Not yet.” She looked up into Matthew’s green eyes, slightly narrowed and pure sex. Her breath caught in her throat. What wicked things was he contemplating? “But I plan to remedy that right now. We have nearly an hour until daybreak.” Cassidy waited for them to make the first move, hoping, anticipating. Seconds felt like hours sandwiched between these two naked men with cocks so hard they rivaled the firmness of the stone floor beneath her. As much as she couldn’t wait to get out of the cave, the thought of being trapped with these two beasts for the next hour was titillating. When Matthew mentioned wanting to taste her pussy, she instantly creamed herself. She loved the sense of complete abandon when one of her lovers would suckle her clit until she cried out in orgasm. Her cunt tingled, excited at the prospect of more pleasure. “Then let’s amuse ourselves,” said Patrick. “We have the perfect plaything to entertain us.” “Open her legs.” Without question, Patrick lifted her up under the arms and set her on his lap. She could feel the hard length pressed against her back. He proceeded to hold her legs open at the knees, exposing her pussy to the firelight and Matthew’s hungry gaze.

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“Is she wet?” asked Patrick. “She’s glistening. Her little pearl looks like a treasure.” He crouched low and lapped at her folds. She cried out, unable to help herself. These men continued to shock her with their no-apology sexuality. She loved it, welcoming all her new base desires. The word no was no longer part of her vocabulary when the heat turned up. “More,” she murmured. His firm, flat tongue only ignited her fire. She wanted more than a teasing sample. He suckled her clit, mercilessly bringing her hurdling to the finish line. But he stopped just short of bringing her over the edge. She gasped for breath when he sat up, feeling bewildered. “More,” she repeated, more animal than woman at this point. Matthew shook his head, refusing to give her what she required. “We only have an hour. I plan to use our minutes wisely.” He reached out his arms, offering for her to climb on his lap. She crawled over to him on her hands and knees. Patrick cupped the globes of her ass from behind as Matthew kissed her lips. His kiss was sweet and addicting. He added a layer to her ménage that had been missing. Matthew really was the fifth element needed for the relationship. She felt Patrick’s hot tongue trail from her pussy to her asshole. Her folds were excessively moist from Matthew’s attention. Patrick continued to rim her ass with his tongue sparking hundreds of cells to come to life. It was an explosion of sensation. She should stop him because it was unnatural, vulgar. But she didn’t stop him because it felt too fucking good. “I want a piece of your ass, Cassidy. Will you give that to me?” asked Matthew. “Yes.” She was like a robot, programmed to obey. He turned her around, pulling her up onto his lap. His cock was waiting for her. She could feel him transferring her excess moisture to her rear, preparing her for his invasion. She was so wet, a slow trickle coating her inner thigh. Patrick rose to his knees and helped to lower her down. Matthew guided her over his erection until he speared her

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tight asshole. It burned deliciously. She didn’t want to go slow today. She wanted it fast and hard. Cassidy sank down heavily, impaling her ass over his rigid cock. She felt so full, his pubic hair tickling her ass he was buried so deep. “You’re going to kill me, Cassidy. Your ass is the sweetest thing I’ve ever felt wrapped around my dick.” “Open her legs.” They switched places now, and Patrick lowered in front of her pussy. Only this time there was a cock balls deep inside her as she sat on Matthew’s lap. The first stroke of Patrick’s magic tongue sent shock waves cascading through her womb. The dual stimulation was overwhelming, so she decided to just succumb to it. She dropped her head back against Matthew’s shoulder as Patrick continued to eat her. Their hands were everywhere. Matthew had a breast in each hand, his cock pulsing in her ass. Patrick gripped her thighs, holding her legs wide for his invasion. “Make me come,” she demanded. Everything they did was beautiful, perfect, but she couldn’t take it for an hour. She swore she’d die if she continued to peak without going over the edge. It was sadistic, yet skilled lovers, knowing the right combination to drive her wild, make her lose all inhibitions. “Not yet,” said Matthew, kissing the side of her face. He licked her erogenous zones, making her shudder. Patrick pulled back to his knees. He inserted two fingers into her cunt and began to finger-fuck her. At the same time, Matthew began to work her from underneath, lifting her up and thrusting his pelvis up to meet her. His cock slid in and out of her ass in smooth strokes, and she knew the other man could probably feel him against his fingers. “You’re such a bad girl,” said Patrick. “I like it.” She held his face, pulling him to her breasts, wanting to feel his mouth on her sensitive nipples. He didn’t disappoint, suckling her tits like a starved infant. Cassidy was quickly becoming addicted to sex

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with her lovers. She had five virile men now, so she doubted she’d ever go unfulfilled. “Give me your cock,” she said. She craved to feel that thick meat, full of lifeblood, between her tongue and pallet. It was time for Patrick to get a sample of his own medicine. Once she was done with him, he’d want release as much as her. Patrick didn’t hesitate before rising and offering her the head of his penis. The cock was dark from arousal, the mushroom head nearly as big as a plum. It filled her mouth, and she savored the heat and his musky scent. The three of them worked as a team. Each time Matthew would bring her down on his cock, she’d gasp around Patrick’s erection. She was so attuned to their ministrations that she anticipated each thrust, knowing how intense it would feel ricocheting through every cell. Her body felt lighter than air, as if she were drifting, only anchored by the continuous stream of intense bliss she wouldn’t relinquish. “I’m going to come, Cassidy.” Patrick held the side of her head, attempting to pull away, but she wouldn’t have it. What she didn’t expect was the heat surging in her ass, bringing her to a precipice so quickly. She thought she’d have to trick the men into letting her come before daylight, but it seemed her body was taking control of the situation. “She’s close,” said Matthew. “I feel her clamping down on me.” He reached around and rubbed firm circles over her clit, which was the final push she needed to explode in a burst of color and light. Patrick’s seed sprayed the back of her throat, but she continued to suckle his cock while her body settled. Cassidy collapsed, never so exhausted in her life. Matthew’s strong arms came around her, holding her in place, his flaccid cock still in her ass. Patrick stood up, running both hands through his unkempt red hair. His body was sweat-glistened, his tats giving him a unique masculine edge. “I’m going to get the truck and bring it to the road

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just north of here. As soon as she’s able, bring her to Garret’s place in the woods. I’ll head back to Climax and let Garret know we’ve found you.” Matthew agreed to bring her to the little cottage in the woods safely. All she wanted to do was sleep. She hoped when she woke up Matthew was still real and not a figment of her overactive imagination.

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Chapter Nine Matthew spent the rest of the hour just holding Cassidy in his arms. She fell asleep almost immediately after Red left the cave, exhausted from the sex and general lack of sleep. He wanted to doze off himself, but had to stay awake and get her to Garret’s as agreed upon. The loggers wouldn’t give up their hunt for the brown wolf easily. The old-growth forests owned by Garret would be invaluable to greedy men looking to profit from nature’s loss. It amazed him the lengths some humans would go just to make a buck. As he carried Cassidy to the truck, she barely woke, only snuggled into his arms. The fact she trusted him so soon touched his heart. He wanted to be everything she deserved in a mate. There was no denying Patrick’s feelings for the girl. He could see love in his eyes, even though he doubted the crazy wolf would admit to it. Once at the truck, he used the emergency blankets to wrap around Cassidy. The keys were in the ignition, but Patrick was gone. As he drove out to the lot where they’d need to start their trek out to the remote cabin, he couldn’t help but scan the sides of the road. That Rockford wolf had saved him, and he felt indebted to him. He prayed to the gods that the loggers hadn’t found him in their hunt. Matthew would have his revenge on those crooked humans. He let Cassidy sleep once arriving. She was a beauty. For hours, he was content to just sit there and watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest. He easily understood how his alpha fell in love with the girl. Garret, the stoic businessman who claimed he’d never settle down, had fallen hard for the brunette. Enough to keep her for the pack. Even now, Matthew could see the future when he looked at her.

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“Wake up, little human.” There were more provisions in the cabin than he remembered. Garret usually kept the place empty, a shelter from the elements and nothing more. He was able to start a fire in the woodstove, and create a makeshift bed from an assortment of blankets. “Where am I?” She didn’t open her eyes to see the gentle cast of pink and red coloring the floor beneath the window. The sunrise was breathtaking this morning, the first since his captivity. He would never be so careless as to be captured alive again. He’d avoided a bear trap only to be ambushed and shot by a tranquilizer dart. When he was lucid enough during his captivity, he cursed himself for being so stupid. He should have scented those loggers long before they had a chance to snare him. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. And now he had a stronger reason to stay safe—Cassidy Lyons. “You’re safe with me in Garret’s cabin. You need to eat.” She made sounds of protest, twisting amongst the blankets. He brushed her hair from her face and sat on his heels to study her features. Matthew knew his alpha well, and he could see why he’d chosen Cassidy. She was a mix of sweet innocence and sensual fire, the perfect mix for a wolf-shifter mate. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d fit in as he did before. Had the pack moved on without him? Would they even want to share their prize? “I’m not hungry.” “You’re impossible.” He settled down on his side next to her. After more stirring, she peeked open her eyes. She saw him staring down at her and smiled. She had the prettiest lips. “I don’t even remember coming here.” “You were dead to the world and quite the load to carry through the forest,” he teased. “I’m sorry. You should have woken me.” He only shook his head. Carrying her made him feel connected— the warmth of her body, the feminine scent of her skin, and the steady beat of her heart.

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“So…you still haven’t told me why you were out in the woods alone. It doesn’t seem like something my friends would allow.” “Long story. Very long story.” She took a deep breath and then brought her forearm up to cover her eyes. “It started with me trying to find my half brother, the one I told you about.” “Your brother is in Climax?” “I’m not so sure anymore. He was here looking for me, but there doesn’t seem to be any sign left of him.” Matthew noted the pain in her voice. For whatever reason, she desperately wanted to find her brother. If he could make it so, he would. Matthew knew what it felt like to be an orphan, to not have family to support him. It was Garret who finally made him feel like he belonged in both the human and werewolf world. To live without a pack was a slow death sentence for a wolf-shifter. They all needed that bond, the camaraderie, and mental link. He’d excelled in his place on the Gregor Mining team since arriving and never looked back. “I’ll help if I can.” Her eyes seemed to clear, and she shifted to look at him, a slight smile on her lips. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m really glad you’re okay. You have no idea how happy Garret will be.” “And you? What do you think about having a new man in your life? Is five a crowd?” Now she laughed, rolling to her back. “I was expecting you. They certainly wouldn’t let me forget that they share their woman and hoped you’d return to claim me.” “And? Are you disappointed?” “No. You left me very satisfied.” “That’s not what I mean.” He tilted her chin to the side so she’d look at him. “Well…you’re more handsome than I expected, caring, and Garret thinks the world of you which says a lot to me.” Then she sat up, pulling her hair around to one side, sitting cross-legged. “Wait a minute. What about you? How do you feel coming home after

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everything you’ve been through just to have a strange woman thrust at you? I know you guys live differently than the norm, but don’t you want some say in who you spend the rest of your life with?” “You’re cute,” he said. She had no idea how enamored he was with her. Shifters were unlike humans in matters of love. Wolfshifters relied on chemistry and instinct when choosing a mate. The woman who carried a certain scent would call out to the pack as a whole as if the gods themselves had chosen her for them. It was the same way with Cassidy. He just knew. His wolf knew. She was his and he wouldn’t let her go. Unlike the human world, he didn’t need a dozen dates to confirm his feelings. Matthew just wanted to claim what he already considered his. “Stop that.” She swatted him. “I’m serious.” He cupped her face and kissed her lips. She looked adorable when flustered. “You’re my prize. Something to soften the hard feelings I had after escaping.” “They really kept you in a cage? Are you going to contact the police?” “We have a more self-help justice system in Climax.” “What? Vigilante justice? I’ve already had more than enough to worry about with Garret running off in the middle of the night trying to find you. I don’t want you doing anything dumb. Let the police deal with those criminals. They deserve to spend a long time behind bars.” He wouldn’t argue with her. When she looked up at him with those big, blue eyes he couldn’t refuse her. But life in Climax was not like anything she’d ever known. Wolves didn’t run to police, not that there were many around to start with. They handled threats head-on with claws, teeth, and intimidation. “Don’t worry yourself.” He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger on her soft skin. “When I speak with Garret, we’ll make things right. I promise.”

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He’d make sure his alpha did the right thing and marked the human as theirs. It gave him a complex knowing she wasn’t officially claimed for his pack. He’d also tell Garret to teach her their ways, introduce her to their wolves. It was only a matter of time until she found out or became suspicious. Matthew wasn’t exactly the best at keeping secrets. “It will be nice having you at the mine. I hear you’re the best machine operator Gregor has.” “I’m the best at a lot of things.” He smirked when she blushed. The girl was an enigma—one moment completely wanton, the next blushing like a virgin. “I’ll bet you are.” She reached out and ran her hand over his chest, nibbling her lower lip. “Aren’t you cold?” He had to control the need to force her to the wooden floor and fuck her all over again. She must be sore, and he didn’t want her to think he only wanted her for sex. Their relationship started with sex and needed to develop into something rich and lasting. He could feel her lust, see it in her eyes, scent it in the air. But he’d behave and resist. The next time he enjoyed her body it would be with Garret. **** Cassidy enjoyed talking with Matthew. He had a deep, rich voice, and his eyes were so beautiful she could stare at his face all day. The longer they spent together the more she wanted him—body and mind. When he didn’t reciprocate her advances, it only made her more anxious to have him. “So what do you do at the mine?” “I’m the new dispatcher. But Garret still hasn’t shown me everything. Life has been crazy lately.” “I’d be happy to teach you,” he said. “I’ll even show you the inside of my mining excavator.” Nobody knew how to use the machine except Matthew. It was one of the reasons production had

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been so affected since his disappearance, and why Garret suspected the men from the Rockford Mine when Matthew went missing. Now they were all proved wrong, so maybe there could be some semblance of peace around Climax, at least between the two mines and maybe even the hunters. “I’ve never been in it. It’s so big.” He licked his lips, his head tilted. God, the man has broad shoulders. He draped one arm over the knee of his bent-up leg, assessing her. “I’ve always wanted to christen my truck…with my woman.” “Oh?” “Is that too improper for you, Cassidy? Would you have a problem with sitting on my cock while I’m in the driver’s seat of my excavator?” Her pussy began to throb, her nipples tingling as they tightened. She had a wicked imagination and Matthew insisted on fueling it. “I guess we’ll have to see.” It wasn’t easy to tease when she wanted to scream yes, yes, yes. The door to the cabin burst open. Patrick scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on the two on them sitting near the woodstove. “Patrick,” she said, happy to see her rugged-looking Viking. He brought the fresh pine scent from the outdoors rushing in. “Where’s Garret?” asked Matthew, getting to his feet. He wore a pair of Garret’s low-rise Wranglers, worn around the knees and ass. She couldn’t look away as he walked over to the door. He must have haphazardly dressed her when she slept. She was wearing some of the clothes she’d left at the cottage on her last visit, a T-shirt and old blue jeans. “Problem.” Patrick grabbed Matthew’s arm and pulled him outside the cabin. She got up, wanting to hear what had happened, but he closed the door. Her heart rate picked up. She didn’t like the sense of urgency in Patrick’s voice.

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She pushed open the wooden door. “What’s wrong? Where’s Garret, Evan, and Travis?” He stood there for the longest time, his face stoic, not saying a word. Finally, Matthew stalked off, cursing under his breath. “I couldn’t find them. I spoke with Ryder. Apparently Garret’s out for blood, convinced the Rockfords killed Matthew.” “Why does he think that?” “After they kidnapped you, he thinks they’re capable of anything.” She swore her heart stopped. “Can’t you find him? Tell him we have Matthew with us?” Cassidy was desperate for the two men to reunite, to get life back in order for the six of them. All she wanted was peace, a family of her own, true love. She’d finally found that with her men but now her entire world was in jeopardy once again. “Ryder’s gone after them. They’ve got their missing man back, but Corbin doesn’t know that, just as Garret doesn’t know we have Matthew.” “So he’ll find them. He’ll tell them and they’ll all come home?” He scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “They’ve gone deep into the old forests, up into the mountains. There are thousands of acres out there. They could be anywhere.” She began to panic. It seemed she was destined to lose everything good in her life. What did they plan to do out in the wilderness? Kill each other with their bare hands? It was illogical and drove her mad. “Call search and rescue!” “Nobody would send a helicopter out here for that. Climax isn’t high on the government spending list, Cassidy.” She didn’t want to hear any more. Patrick seemed to have given the other three men up for dead. She was angry, seething, also terrified to her core. After trudging through the forest for a few minutes, desperate to be alone with her thoughts, she found Matthew sitting on a downed log. Moss had nearly claimed the bark. It was a virtual fairy tale

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around them. The blue sky peeked down through the mess of leaves in the forest canopy. At any other time she’d savor the sights, sounds, and smells around her—not now. “Hey,” she said. Matthew was leaning over his knees, his face buried in his palms. He looked up, his green eyes glistening. “It’s all my fault,” he said. “They’re doing this because of me.” “No.” She stepped over the thick vegetation and sat beside him. “They love you. Don’t blame yourself.” “I’m just so fucking tired. I feel like I could sleep for a week.” She stroked his bare back, still warm despite the chill in the shadow of the trees. “My body will need time to recuperate, to regain the fat and muscle I lost. I need to be at my peak now, so I can fight for my pack.” “Fight? No!” She wouldn’t lose him again. Why did men have to think like animals? This was as far from civilized living she’d ever come. “It’s my fault, Matthew, not yours. If I hadn’t gone in search of my brother, Scott, I wouldn’t have been tricked by Corbin, and we’d all be at the mine now, not a worry in the world.” She had his attention now. He twisted to face her, collecting both her wrists in a fist. “Look at me!” he demanded. “Garret’s kept a lot from you. I don’t know why, but it’s not my place to question him. But we’re different, Cassidy. We fight for what we believe in, protect what we love with our lives. Our passions rule us, not our pocketbooks or reputations.” He held her firm when she struggled. “So what? That’s it? We just wait and see if he returns?” “The choice is yours, little human. Patrick and I will leave immediately and do our best to track them down. Or we can stay here with you.” How could she send him away? He’d just come home. But she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if Garret, Evan, and Travis never

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returned to her. No matter what she chose, the decision was going to break her heart.

End of Book 3: Matthew’s Return To be continued in Book 4: Taming Travis WWW.STACEYESPINO.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stacey Espino resides in beautiful Ontario, Canada where she is busy raising her five school-aged children. She loves being a Canadian, but could do without the brutal winters. She enjoys writing erotic romance that will have you squirming in your seat. From hardcore cowboys to alpha shifters, she has you covered! Stacey also writes alternative M/M romance as Winona Wilder.

Also by Stacey Espino Siren LoveXtreme Forever: Wolves of Climax 1: Surrounded by Wolves Siren LoveXtreme Forever: Wolves of Climax 2: Garret’s Domination

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/stacey-espino For titles by Stacey Espino writing as Winona Wilder, please visit www.bookstrand.com/winona-wilder

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com