~Parker’s Point of View~ *You’ve had her for three days, cut the shit,* Rafe barks, over mind-link as I rub my face and try to wake up. How could I possibly want to get out of bed with the sexiest female alive in my arms? I feel like we’ve really turned a corner, like we have real trust. She was so vulnerable when her wolf or whatever was happening to her came through. I can’t lie to myself; it freaked me out. It's not like any wolf shift I’ve ever seen though she never fully developed into anything. There were some sprouts of fur on her arms and even her face. Though I haven’t told her that. There’s definitely some kind of shifter inside her, of that I have no doubt. And so what if she’s a bear or a tiger or some shit? It changes absolutely nothing. She is my mate. Only the question remains: is she also Rafe’s? *What can I say? Words mean so little. She’s more than showing me who she wants,* I taunt, over mind-link. *Boy is she! We’re going to have to send out for more condoms a
~Hannah’s Point of View~ “She puuuuur eddd… She … purred, and then the male wolf … mmmm ooo uuu… mooohh…” I trail off, making a face at the words. I cock my head to the side as I try to sound it out in my head. “Mounted… Mounted his female,” Scarlett says, nodding enthusiastically. My mouth drops as she moves to turn the page. What?! “It gets REALLY good after that so keep going. This is one of the graphic novels I have,” she says, excited. “What do you have me reading,” I say, stunned. I mean after the times I’ve had with both Parker and Rafe nothing should shock me. But she’s 14! They actually put this stuff in books?? At 14 I was nowhere close to having extremely intimate thoughts about males! “I told you! It's called, “Love Under The Moon.” I’ve read it like four times, soo soo good,” she swoons. I gape at her, not sure what to think. “I hardly think that you should--” KNOCK KNOCK Scarlett groans, quickly tucks the book under her pillow then rolls off her bed to answer
~Rafe’s Point of View~*Rafe? Rafe!! I forbid you to leave!! This is treasonous behavior!! I’ll call the team back,* my father barks, over mind-link.Our caravan is already on the outskirts of the pack. All the males with us are far more loyal to me than my father so if he barks at them I doubt they’ll listen. I hope not.*Don’t do this to your pack Rafe! There will be no forgiving it, get back here to your fiance,* my mom shouts, just as the connection breaks due to the distance.I sigh in relief and then realize I’m resting my head on Hannah’s shoulder. If she minds, she doesn’t say so. We stay like that for a long time as everyone in the caravan mind-links a strategy. We decide to go about three-quarters of the way between where the boys were last sighted and the pack. By the time we get there they should have made good progress.We stop only once so that Parker can send a letter to the Barclay Mountain pack with how many will be coming and when to expect them. Us? There’s no way
~Hannah’s Point of View~ “Why don’t you finish the end,” Pax says, handing me the book. I make a face, hating that he’s putting me on the spot. But it’s been two days of everyone taking turns reading the story on and off. I’m ready to hear the end already! “It’ll take me ten times as long to get through it,” I whine, hating that I sound pitiful. He shrugs. “It’s a few pages,” he says, like it's no big deal. “We all had to learn sometime,” Kyle says.. “Yeah but I bet you learned a decade ago,” I insist, but snatch the book out of Pax’s hands. He grins. I sit in front of the fire, though it's the middle of the day the air is a bit crisp and chilly. I’m glad that Parker packed sensible clothes for our trip, no fancy dresses or shoes. I’m really starting to like blue jeans, I’d never had a nice pair before. There are two search teams out right now, and Parker has gone too. My heart is heavy with each passing hour that we don’t find any clues. I need the distraction so I clear my
~Parker’s Point of View~ I groan and try to move but the pain is all too paralyzing. When a soft hand touches what I think is mine, it calms me. But only a bit. I try to talk but it’s easily several minutes before my mouth actually moves and something comes out. “Bee hive,” I mumble, though it takes me nearly a minute to say the entire sentence. I know a shitstorm reigned down upon me, but it started with bees. I’m probably going to have nightmares about them for weeks, I freakin’ hate bees! My eyes try to open and can’t. I search my mind for Crush’s brain wave and while it’s there… It’s weak. There’s only been one other time he was like that and it damn near killed me. But we were badly beaten while out about nine months ago. Rogue attack in the night. Took a month to recover. “You… Took a hell of a lot. Oh Parker, I’m so so incredibly sorry,” I hear, and I try to lick my lips. Then a cool, wet feeling is on them, and I lick at it, needing water. My body reacts to Hannah’s touch
~Rafe’s Point of View~ I pace for what seems like an hour outside of Parker’s tent. When Jake and a few others came out they at least brought a proper bed for him, and he’s comfortable. I sent Dave off to follow Hannah and I can only pray they stay within mind-linking range. He has strict orders to call for someone else to help him if they go that far out. “Bad news I’m afraid… The Alpha and Luna are coming out. Someone ran out far enough to get cell phone coverage to call and check in. They left about an hour ago,” Chuck says, making a face. I blow out a hard breath. “It’s to be expected, thanks man,” I say, nodding. Though I don’t know what that’s going to mean for Hannah. There’s no way my parents won’t blame her for this. *Maybe we send her on to the Barclay pack, get her out of here,* Cruz says, then immediately back tracks. *We’re not leaving her, no way,* I tell him. My head jerks toward Parker’s tent when I hear him moan, and I instantly move. Once inside, I see Jake c
~Hannah’s Point of View~Jeez, having a wolf right now would sure be fucking nice. Do I sleep with Rafe? Tell him to go to hell? I literally have no resources, though the boys have proven they can make it in the wild for weeks on their own. With my help we’d do fine I’m certain. But it's so hard. Too hard. It’s not the life they should be living. I don’t want them to struggle. Hell, I don’t want to struggle. It’s lazy perhaps but I can’t lie … living in the packhouse and having everything done for me was nice. But Nightwind ugh… Can I go back there? What about this other pack they talk about?“You are the ultimate tease,” I hear, just over my shoulder. The subtle but sweet waft of fresh berries hits my nose and it nearly wraps around me like a warm blanket. It’s Rafe, it’s all Rafe.Then his arms are around me, his warmth at my back. He moves my side ponytail to find the spot on my neck he likes. My body relaxes, and welcomes him. It’s as easy as breathing to let him join with me.
“Hannah’s Point of View~ “There won’t be any hiding our scents all over each other,” I say, as we both jog back toward the camp. He stops quickly, and takes my hands in his. “Good. Maybe my mom will get it through her head once and for all. You’re my world Hannah. There is no way in hell I’m giving you up,” he says, but it’s not just words. I see the promise in his eyes and practically throw myself at him, lock my wrists around his neck and kiss him. It lasts a couple of minutes, until he groans and pulls away. “My father’s just mind-linked me. They’re pulling into camp now. Come on,” he says, as a sinking feeling hits in my gut. While I do feel like Rafe and I turned a corner, there’s still a lot between Parker and I that needs to be said. There’s no ignoring that. Those few blissful days Parker and I had together in his cabin … he should have told me then who he was and the fact that he didn’t, hurts. Yeah I’m hardly smart or sophisticated, though I’ve felt like Parker fin