Doe and the Wolf (Furry United Coalition, #5) (17 page)

There was one stalker who wouldn’t be targeting any more women or campers.

“Holy shit.”

Whirling, Dawn’s blood-thirsty satisfaction shriveled as she beheld Everett’s shocked expression as he hadn’t just watched her kill a man but also had beheld her mutant shape. Eep! What must he think?

Hurriedly, she thrust her doe back into the corner of her mind and morphed back to her human form, her nakedness the least of her concerns. But hiding her other shape couldn’t make him forget what he’d seen.

She waited for him to turn away from her, to express his disgust in her less-than-perfect animal, to...

He enveloped her in a hug and lifted her feet off the ground as he swung her around. “Holy freaking shit, little doe. You were awesome!”

She blinked at his response. “I was?”

“Totally.”

“You’re not mad I killed him?”

“Mad? What on earth for? If you hadn’t charged the bastard like you did, Tom and I would be the ones feeding the fishies. You saved us!”

“I guess I did.” It slowly sank in that she’d not just defended herself, she’d fought back. She, a weak and fragile deer, according to her mother and father at least, had taken out a psychotic, wanted criminal. The reality hit her in the knees, which folded, but thankfully, Everett was there to hold her up.

“I gotta say, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t show us your animal before.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She was a freak of nature, a monster like Joey, just less inclined to killing people.

“Um, no. I mean, sure you were a tad more ferocious looking than Bambi, what with the red eyes, giant hoofs and your somewhat larger than normal size, but, hey, at least you didn’t have an extra tail or something.”

“But I have antlers!”

He peered at her with puzzled eyes. “So? Don’t most deer have them?”

“Not female ones. Male bucks have horns. Girls don’t. Especially not gigantic ones like mine with sharp pointy barbs at the end.”

“Really? Well, I’m sure glad you had them because they saved the day.”

Didn’t he grasp the problem? She explained it to him. “They’re the reason I have to hide. Even from my family.”

“Why? I don’t see the big deal.”

“It’s the equivalent of being a bearded lady.” Except, shaving wasn’t an option. “If FUC knew I had them, they’d lock me up.”

“I think you’re making too big of a deal. I mean, sure, maybe you look different from other deer, but that doesn’t make you bad or evil. Heck, those horns saved the day.”

Way to remind her. She just hoped the blood didn’t permanently stain them.

“My family would have a heart attack if they saw.”

“So don’t show them. No one needs to know unless you choose to say something.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“Because it is. Hey, even though all of the other reindeer made fun of Rudolph and his nose, eventually everyone came to love him, even Santa.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Aw, come on, little doe. Give me a break. You know I suck with pretty words. Does it help if I say that, horns or not, even the fact that your doe is bigger than my wolf doesn’t make me love you any less?”

She resisted an urge to shove a finger in her ear and wiggle because she’d surely misunderstood. “Excuse me? What did you say?”

Everett coughed and peered at the sky then down at his scuffing toes. He cleared his throat, his discomfort palpable. “I, um— That is— Oh damn it all. I love you, Dawn.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Although this wasn’t exactly how I pictured telling you.”

“And how did you picture it?”

“For one, I wasn’t bleeding like a damned pig, and two, I was planning to have my cock inside you making you moan in incredible pleasure as I told you.”

Romantic poetry would never be Everett’s strong suite, but she’d not fallen in love with him because of his way of speaking. But was love enough? “You know we can’t be together.”

“Why not?”

“Because now my secret is out. I’m a mutant just like Joey.”

“You’re special.”

“Exactly my point. What if FUC decides I’m a menace to society and decides to lock me up?”

“Then I’ll bust you out, and we’ll run away to Canada or Alaska. I don’t care where so long as we’re together. Although I would prefer somewhere with cable. And beer. A wolf needs his necessities.”

Why did she get the impression Everett wouldn’t let her walk away?
Because he loves me.
So why exactly was she arguing? She sighed. “You’re crazy, and it must be contagious because, as it turns out, I love you too.”

“Awooo!”

He howled in joy before swinging her around in his arms. “So that means you’ll stay?”

“If FUC will let me, and—” she admonished before he could howl again, “if you patch things up with Tom.”

“No patching needed.” Tom stated as he arrived limping and bloody, but alive. “However, an apology is in order.”

“I’m sorry,” she promptly said.

“Not from you,” he exclaimed. “From me. I’ve been acting like an ass.”

“He gets that from his great great grandfather, who was a donkey,” Everett interjected while at the same time doing his best to keep her naked parts covered—using his own body which was quite distracting.

Tom shook his head and stripped off his shirt, which despite its holes and blood, provided at least some attempt at modesty, something Dawn appreciated. As did Everett, who took her back in his arms for a normal hug instead of a shielding one.

“I judged you based on a piece of paper saying you were a criminal instead of who you were as a person. That was wrong of me.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault. According to FUC, I am dangerous. And, as we just saw, capable of hurting things.”

“But only because you had to. You did more than most would have in a bad situation. You even stood up for me when I didn’t deserve it. I misjudged you, Dawn, and for that, I’m sorry.”

Leaving the circle of Everett’s arms, Dawn went over to Tom and gave him a hug. Not a long one because a possessive growl let her know that a certain wolf didn’t like it one bit.

“Oh give your dog a bone,” Tom said to his friend. “I’m not stealing your woman, although I won’t say the same for her cooking.”

“You’ll always have a place in our home and at our table.”

“But no more sleeping on the couch,” Everett added.

More talk had to wait because it was at that moment the cavalry arrived. A tough looking dude sporting a FUC badge led the team from his perch atop a massive fox with giant golden orbs. When that freaky gaze turned their way, Everett took up a spot behind Dawn, as did Tom.

When she turned to peer at them over her shoulder, Everett shrugged. “Hey, I’m not too proud to let my vicious doe protect me from a giant vixen.”

But Renee—who introduced herself later along with Viktor and the rest of the team—wasn’t interested in eating them, even if she could have with one gulp. She knelt down on the grass and peered over the edge of the cliff while Viktor, having first aid experience, patched Everett’s and Tom’s wounds. Not wanting to be in the way, and sensing a kindred spirit, Dawn stroked the fox’s soft fur. She relaxed enough to finally remember to ask, “Hey, does anyone know if Miranda and the baby are okay?”

Viktor choked, and Renee chuffed, but it took a moment for Dawn to realize it was in mirth.

“Oh, don’t worry about Miranda. When we came across them, Miranda was demanding we bring her some carrot cake, the baby was sleeping in her arms, and Chase was passed out face first on the ground.”

The laughter surrounded her in a warm wave, but not as hot as the hug she got when Everett clasped her in his arms after being pronounced fit to get in more trouble until a real doctor could assess him.

“What do you say we go home?” he whispered in her ear. “And we huff and puff our way to heaven.”

“But what about your injuries?”

“You can tell me what a big booboo I have and kiss it better. And then I’ll show you what a big di—”

She slapped her hand across his mouth. “Don’t say it. Show me.”

Unfortunately, the showing aspect took longer than expected. The medics insisted on patching Everett’s various wounds, most of which had begun the healing process. The man possessed great genes—and not just the blue kind that hugged his perfect butt.

Once the doctor declared him in no immediate danger, they got waylaid some more. FUC needed answers. So off they trooped to Chase and Miranda’s hotel room to Skype with Kloe, head of the nearest FUC office. Once they filed their reports on the takedown, filled in the paperwork for the bounty, oohed and awed over the new baby—lest Chase act upon his threat of ripping their arms off and beating them with them for not admiring the world’s most perfect cub—and got a very drunk Tom home, it was late. Real late.

Dawn could barely keep her eyes open and kept yawning in a most unladylike manner. However, Everett didn’t seem to mind. He stripped them both, his hands barely lingering on her flesh before he tucked her into bed, his body spooning against her back, his hand resting atop her tummy. It was comforting. Peaceful.

And so not what I want.

After the arduous day she’d spent, she couldn’t deny her body needed rest, and Everett, despite the semi arousal pressing against her back, seemed willing to let her get it. But she didn’t want to sleep. Not yet. Not when she’d come so close to losing him today. Not when she still stood a chance of losing him tomorrow if FUC decided to come after her. If this was their last night together, then she wanted something to remember. A last moment of pleasure.

She wiggled, a little jiggle of her bottom against his rigid shaft. It stiffened with interest, but Everett didn’t get the hint because the rest of him didn’t move.

Did he sleep? She squirmed again, and in case he didn’t get her subtle hint, she placed her hand over the one splayed across her belly. She slid it up her ribcage until it cupped her breast. He squeezed and his lips nuzzled the back of her neck as he murmured, “What are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing?”

“You’re tired. You should rest. It was a long day.”

Yes, it was. And fatigue did pull at her, and probably him too. Was that why he didn’t roll her over and do naughty things? Or were his injuries more serious and painful than he let on?

Suddenly, she felt bad. Perhaps his lack of interest was because he fought to put on a stoic front. “Are you still hurting? Do you need some painkillers?”

“A little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t help the almost sigh of disappointment as she resigned herself to a night of sleep instead of the lovemaking she desired.

“Is something wrong, little doe?” He brushed his lips against her skin again, a light caress that sent shivers dancing down her spine.

“No.”

His thumb stroked over her nipple, casually, with none of his usual sensual fervency. “Why do I get the impression you’re not telling me the entire truth?”

“We should get some sleep.”

“Is that what you want?” He tweaked her taut peak.

She made a sound. Should she lie? “No.”

“Thank the full moon because holding back was killing me.” He no sooner said that than she found herself on her back. His lips crushed hers in a kiss which stole her breath. Passion flared hot and fast. Her hands clutched at his head, her fingers tearing at his long strands, while he devoured her mouth, his tongue insistently weaving and sliding with hers. His hips undulated and dragged the head of his cock against her cleft. The hairs on his chest rubbed against her breasts providing friction.

Dawn couldn’t get enough of him. The taste of his mouth. The touch of his skin. The heat from his cock. The warmth and happiness being with him always brought.

Skin to skin, breath mingled and souls practically touching, they made love. They connected on a level she couldn’t have explained in words but cherished with every ounce of her being.

Right here, right now, there was no fear or doubt about tomorrow. No worries. Just the two of them, rising on a tidal wave of bliss, a perfect storm of pleasure.

When he rolled to his back, she was read y for him, her pussy drenched with desire, her body flushed with heat. His hands gripped her waist and steadied her as she angled herself to take him, the thrilling penetration of his shaft drawing forth a cry.

“Love me,” she practically sobbed as she rode him, her body undulating atop his.

“Until my very last breath,” he promised, his eyes staring into hers with an intensity that stole the last of her sanity.

Head thrown back, fingers digging into his chest, she let herself ride the wave of their passion into orgasm and dragged him with her. Together, they yelled their pleasure to the waxing moon high in the night sky. Their hearts raced in time, and mangled breaths huffed and puffed as their moment of ecstasy took them prisoner and cemented their bond of love and life.

The last of her energy spent, Dawn collapsed atop him and his arms came around her in a loose hug.

“I love you, Dawn.” Such a simple statement, yet she could hear the sincerity in his words.

“I love you too,” she murmured on the edge of sleep.
I love you so very, very much.

A part of her still worried about tomorrow. Would FUC arrest her for being a mutant, or would they grant her clemency?

Only time would tell. No matter what happened, they’d find a way to be together. To carve their own happiness.

And if her greatest fear manifested and FUC came for her? She heard the Canadian Rockies were a nice place to hide.

Despite her anxiety over what the future held, it was nice to know the nightmare was over. Joey was dead. Everyone was safe. Even if it was for one night, Dawn could sleep and pretend she’d gotten her happily ever after with her big, bad wolf.

A
few days later...

In the end, it turned out Everett didn’t need to bust her out of FUC jail, to his chagrin. Especially since he’d planned it all out and lamented more than once,
“What will I do with the stink bombs I bought? Pépé doesn’t give refunds.”

Given her bravery in protecting Miranda and her baby, as well as her crucial role in getting rid of Joey, all outstanding warrants for Dawn were dropped so long as she agreed to let some FUC doctors keep an eye on her. She was a free-ranging doe again.