AlphainHiding (12 page)

Seth’s anger was building. No, he didn’t want to touch any
of these bitches with a ten-foot pole, but that didn’t mean they deserved to be
treated like shit. He looked quickly around for someone else to step forward,
to stop the male from harming the female. When no one moved he took a deep
breath, ready to beat the male if needed. A growl rumbled in his chest.

“Let her go, Luke.” Seth’s voice sounded strange even to his
ears.

“Fuck you, newbie. You don’t know what you’re stepping into,
so just turn around and leave the bitch to me.”

“I don’t think so. You need to let her go. Now.”

“Or what, pretty boy?” Luke scoffed. “You had to have Emily
protect you just the other day. If you keep pushing this you’ll be sorry.”

During the exchange the female hung limply in Luke’s hands,
baring her throat. She whimpered when he squeezed her arms tighter. The noise
triggered a primitive response in Seth. There was something about a weaker
female being abused that just set him off. With a deep growl he took two steps
toward the male and felt his powers coursing through his veins. He pushed them
out instinctively. “You will let her go.
Now
.
”

Luke growled but slowly released Lyndsey. He staggered back
from the group and rage twisted his face. “You will regret doing that to me.”

Other males had gathered around the group. Some were
actively gawking at the spectacle, others were glaring at Seth. Those turned to
follow Luke out of the barn, throwing angry looks over their shoulders. Great.
He’d made some enemies already and he hadn’t been in the building for more than
twenty minutes.

“Thank you.” The quiet whisper pulled his head around.
Lyndsey was rubbing her arms but was already back to her overly flirtatious
stance. What was it with these people? She’d been manhandled, abused in front
of friends and potentially family, and she was already over it?

“No problem.” He turned to find Emily. He needed to be near
her, especially if the behavior he’d just witnessed was the norm with this
group. He needed to protect her, keep her safe.

A small feminine hand stopped him. He looked down to find
Lyndsey plastered to his side, looking up at him like he was her favorite
flavor of ice cream. “Now that you’ve run Luke off, let’s you and me go find a
quiet corner and I can thank you properly.”

“No, that’s fine. I just did what any decent person would
do.” He tried to turn away again, but she was holding him in place. He didn’t
want to be rude and pull away but she was pushing him toward that.

She leaned in and whispered. “Look, I get it that you have a
thing for Emily, but let me clue you in. She’s a bitch of massive proportions.
She’s never taken a male in one of these events and has sent many of them home
hurting. She’ll never let you mount her. We, on the other hand, would love to
run with you.”

Anger boiled just under his skin. He didn’t have a problem
with the women approaching him and letting him know they were interested. Hell,
it fed his ego. To have her badmouth Emily to his face, though, in a room full
of shifters who could hear every word, was enough to make him forget he was a
gentleman. He growled at her and whipped his arm out of her grasp. “You know
nothing about Emily and you certainly don’t know anything about me. I would
suggest you go run after Luke or one of those other puppies if you want a quick
roll in the grass.”

He stalked off, unsure of his direction or destination, but
he needed to get away from them. Their eyes were still on him. He could feel
their perusal and it made him shiver. His mind was working through the events
he’d just witnessed and he was quickly coming to the conclusion that the
shifter world was much more animalistic than he’d originally thought.

Someone’s voice sounded over a loudspeaker. “Everyone.
Please meet in the field for the rules of the run.” Everyone’s excitement ramped
up as they filed toward the door. Seth still hadn’t caught a glimpse of Emily
and he was starting to get worried. What if she’d seen him talking to those
females and she’d got angry? What if she’d left? He growled. If she had he’d
just track her down and force her to listen to the explanation. He wasn’t
losing her over some stupid gaggle of bitches.

Before he could get worked up about her leaving, her scent
wafted to him on the breeze. He sucked her into his lungs and reveled in the
sense of calm that descended over him. He turned his head to face the wind and
caught a glimpse of her walking with her father. She was smiling and laughing
at something he’d said. Seth started moving through the crowd toward his
intended mate. He’d been away from her long enough. Time to pull her into his
arms and seal their unspoken deal before they were required to shift.

Chapter Seventeen

“I know most of you have attended pack runs before, but for
those new to the pack I will go over the rules. If you are found in violation
of any of the following you will be brought in front of me for punishment. The
rules are in place to protect both males and females and ensure that all
activities are consensual.” Ben Prescott stood on a log, talking into the
night. The Alpha didn’t need a megaphone when he could project his words into
the minds of every shifter at the gathering. Seth stood and watched Emily’s
father command the group with power and grace.

“Rule one. Females make the final choice whether they will
allow mating in wolf or human skins. Males will not try to force a female to
submit. Rule two. All matings during the run will consist of a single male and
single female. If you want threesomes or something take it off my property.”
Ben scowled at the group and glared specifically at a few individuals. “Rule
three. If a male and female are negotiating you are not permitted to interfere.
If the male and female decide they aren’t willing to continue, then you are
permitted to approach the one you want. There will be no fighting over females.
If a legitimate challenge is needed you are required to find a referee. There
will be referees in the woods with you. You will listen to them and obey their
rulings if it seems that any of the rules I’ve outlined are being broken.”

Seth could tell the lecture was winding down because the
anticipation and lust in the air strengthened. The males around him started
shifting from foot to foot, twitching in expectation. A few low growls vibrated
in their chests.

“None will leave the clearing until the signal is sounded.
Females are allowed to run on the first horn. Males must wait until the second
horn before leaving the field. You may all strip and shift now.”

As soon as permission was given, every shifter in the field
started removing their clothing. Seth paused for just a moment before stripping
off his own clothes. Modesty was obviously another thing he’d have to get over.
When he’d finished he lifted his head to find a field full of gleaming naked
bodies. Some had already shifted to their wolves and those magnificent animals
were prowling through the throng of naked skin. He called his wolf forward and
shifted quickly. No need for anyone to see his blush. He might not mind seeing
people unclothed, but he still couldn’t stop the rush of blood to his cheeks.

In his wolf skin he could detect the dense perfume of lust
hanging on the air. It made him sneeze and if it wasn’t un-wolf-like, he would
have buried his nose in the grass. He raised his head, trying to get his nose
above the scents. He caught another small whiff of Emily on the air and it
pulled a sharp reaction from his body. He growled and fought the urge to run to
her. She was aroused.

Emily turned her nose to the wind and sucked in a cleansing
breath. The females around her were fidgeting, waiting for the sound of the
horn. Arousal was thick in the air. She wanted to talk to Seth before the
actual run but her father had kept her talking to council members until he
called everyone to order. She knew he was manipulating the situation, the
sneaky bastard. She’d be angry if she didn’t know he was doing it for her.

As she stood waiting, her body twitched with pent-up energy.
She wanted to run, race through the woods, howl at the sky. She wanted to hear
Seth racing behind her, tracking her, planning his attack. She knew he’d have
no trouble bringing her down and that knowledge made her all the more ready. In
wolf skin she fully understood that he was her mate and would be strong enough
to make her submit. She wouldn’t make it easy, though. If he truly wanted her
he needed to understand that she was strong, fast, hard-headed and powerful.

The first horn sounded and she raced off into the woods.
Some of the other females entered the woods and stopped, ready to lie with
their chosen males before even enjoying the woods. Emily pushed herself hard,
racing at a full sprint through the undergrowth. She ran over rocks when she
could, doubled back on her trail a couple of times, and yipped with joy as she
splashed through a small creek. She reveled in the filtered light of the moon
as it played across the forest floor. The night was perfect for a pack
run—perfect for her mate to claim her.

The second horn drove her even faster. Her sleek black body
was a ghost in the night. Her tongue hung from her mouth, her breath panting in
and out of her lungs. Her muscles screamed with exhaustion but she kept going.
It wouldn’t take long for Seth to pick up her trail. He was fast and strong.
Her scent would be a clear path for him to follow once he got downwind of her.
Need spiked and her steps faltered. A whimper slipped from her muzzle. Her wolf
wanted him so badly that she almost burned inside.

It took hours that might have been minutes before she
finally heard other wolves in the woods near her. She’d circled back around toward
the field to try to get a handle on Seth’s location. She caught a few female
scents and the unmistakable sounds of human sex. Many shifters still preferred
sex in their human skins. The woods would be filled with human voices and the
slapping of skin against skin until almost sunrise.

She heard a familiar growl from behind her and the thrill of
being hunted coursed through her body. She sprang forward, pouring on more
speed, and shot off through the trees. She tried to pinpoint which of the
running wolves behind her was Seth but it was impossible. It sounded as if
there were five or six wolves running behind her, either chasing her, chasing
Seth or just moving in the same direction.

Seth’s sexy voice sounded in her head.
I can smell you
and you want me.
She almost fell from the surprise. She loved that he could
get into her head without her knowing. There was something primitive about
being under his control.

She pushed her mind along the connection he’d created and
felt the passion banked high in his body as well.
Hmm, you want me too, wolf
boy. Come get me. I’m impatient and horny.

The chuckle that vibrated in her mind caused a rush of heat
through her body. His words whispered into her mind like a caress.
Stop
running, little wolf, and I’ll make it all better.

A few moments passed while she ran along through the
moonlight. Every sound made her twitch with anticipation. Would he rush her as
he had on their last run together? Would he pin her down and force her to
submit? She took a moment to slow and look over her shoulder. She couldn’t see
anything moving behind her but she could sense wolves nearby.

She swiveled her ears and picked up the sounds of
approaching paws just before a warm body slammed into hers. Gentle jaws nipped
at her shoulder before he lifted off her. Seth stood, large and smiling a
toothy grin. His tongue hung out one side of his mouth as he sucked air into
his barrel chest. She’d forgotten how beautiful he was in wolf form. His coat
shone silver in the moonlight. She slowly rose to her feet and nudged him with
her head.

Run, little wolf. I want to chase you again.
His
words made her bark her laughter. He truly was an Alpha. So sure of himself.
She gave him a quick lick and took off into the woods again. She loved this
game. To actually be able to play with him was a gift.

He slammed into her again a few minutes later. He took her
down to the ground and stood over her, straddling her body. He licked her jaw
before backing off.
Again.

She didn’t even stop to think this time. She took off again,
running hard and fast away from him. He was turning her into his prey and she
couldn’t help but enjoy it.

The next time he took her down it was from behind, using
nothing but strength and agility to subdue her. Instinctively she fought him,
growling and baring her teeth even knowing he wouldn’t really hurt her. He
tripped her back legs. When she collapsed on her side he straddled her again
and grabbed her by the throat. Sharp teeth clamped on her skin. A small amount
of fear skated down her spine. He could clamp just a little tighter and kill
her and there wasn’t anything she could do about it. With the last resistant
piece of her mind she pushed against his with her power.
Get off me.

Make me.

She tried to make him, she really did. She pushed everything
in her against him, trying to force her release. The only response was a shiver
that shook through his body. She relaxed into his grip, signaling her
acceptance of his dominance. He’d won. He’d beaten her fair and square. He was
stronger, quicker, more powerful. He was her perfect mate. With a tilt of her
head and a whimper, she submitted fully.

“Well, isn’t this touching? The wannabe Alpha has pinned his
bitch.” Luke’s voice, angry and snide, echoed around the trees.

Seth released her throat and growled, backing off her body
enough that she could stand. Surprise and anger flowed between them along their
connection. Both seemed surprised they’d been caught unawares. Seth was pissed
about being interrupted, and if Emily was honest she was as well. She wanted to
be on her back with her legs spread, Seth buried balls-deep. She didn’t want to
deal with some fucking male who didn’t get that he wasn’t wanted.

Four males still in wolf skin entered the little clearing
Seth had used to ambush her. The wolves were all flashing teeth and growling.
Luke wasn’t one of them, so he had conned four of his friends into helping him.
She was getting pissed. Fucking males and their asinine ideas about things. She
stretched her thoughts and pulled her powers around her. If they wanted to
interrupt her mating, then they were going to suffer. Screw the rules about
finding a referee. She could pull all five males to their knees without much
effort. A slow grin pulled her wolf lips away from her teeth. She growled deep
in her chest and watched the four wolves take an involuntary step back. She
projected her thoughts into their heads, twisting her hold on them while
snarling,
That’s right, assholes, you aren’t dealing with a weak female.

Seth growled next to her and moved to put his body between
the males and her. His thoughts were starting to cloud with anger and
possessiveness. The wolf would completely take over if she didn’t do something.
She didn’t want to take the fight away from Seth—he deserved the right to
challenge them—but she didn’t want to see him kill anyone. If his wolf was in
control when the fighting started she was sure every one of those males would
be dead by his teeth.
Seth, calm.

No. You are mine.

I am yours
, she agreed.
You need to calm or the
wolf will take over.

No. Mine
.
He took another step forward,
protecting her with his body. His aggression and baser instincts were taking
over.

She decided a change in tactics was in order. If she
couldn’t get him to back down maybe she could get the fools challenging him to
back off. She shifted quickly to her human skin. “Luke, call them off. Seth is
losing it and I won’t hold him responsible for the carnage when he kills you
all.”

“Shit. He can’t kill us all at once. Stop trying to protect
your boy toy. You and I know he’s nothing but a plaything for you. You want a
strong male to take charge and control you and this one just ain’t gonna cut
it.”

She was surprised he had enough brainpower to talk and blink
at the same time. Did he not see and feel the power radiating from Seth? The
hairs on her arms were standing up and fluttering in the waves of Alpha power
flowing off him. “You are so stupid sometimes. Don’t tell me you can’t feel his
powers? Seth carries Alpha blood stronger than mine. You’re attempting to stop
an Alpha wolf from taking his chosen mate. Want to die, much?”

She watched understanding finally light the ass’s face. Fear
crept across his features just before it was hidden behind a mask of bravado.
Fuck, he was stupid. He was going to push it anyway. Luke shifted to his wolf
skin and stalked Seth.

She shook her head at his stupidity and started backing away
from Seth and the other wolves. Seth’s approval washed over her. He wasn’t so
far gone that he didn’t know what was going on. He wanted her safe. She wanted
him to be safe, but understood the need for him to protect her from the
perceived threat.

Without a signal that she could detect, all five wolves
attacked Seth. Teeth snapped, growls and snarls filled the air. Blood splashed
across the ground and covered fur. Five tremendously powerful bodies charged
and retreated, ripping into each other with teeth and claws. Whimpers sounded
in the pile of animals and yelps of pain cut through the still night. The first
body that went down and stayed down was one of Luke’s friends. He shifted to
human form, covered in blood. He lay, unconscious, under the pile of snarling
flesh. Blood seeped slowly from wounds along his ribs.

The second and third bodies to shift back to human form
belonged to two more of Luke’s lackeys. They, too, were covered in oozing sores
and were unconscious. That left a single lackey and Luke against Seth. All
three wolves were covered in blood, black in the moonlight. Seth lunged at Luke
and grabbed him by the throat. With a quick shake of his head Seth had the male
on the ground. The wolf went still, then muscles went slack. He was either dead
or unconscious, like his comrades. The last wolf whined and lay on the ground,
showing his belly to Seth. The pup didn’t want to fight any longer.

Seth stood still, sucking large gulps of air, before
throwing his head back and howling his triumph. The sound echoed through the
trees and raised the hairs on the back of Emily’s neck. She fought the urge to
answer his call. She felt the beginning of the shift and marveled at the power
he possessed. She could hear answering howls throughout the area, others
raising their voices in acceptance of his power and dominance. A shiver of
recognition shot down her spine. He’d just forced the pack to accept him, with
nothing more than a howl. No wonder her father was happy with the pairing. Seth
would be the new Alpha when her father stepped down.