Then the sound changes. No longer the pounding of heavy paws on the ground. Instead it’s the sound of a man walking with confidence and taking determined strides. It’s softer, yet just as intimidating.

  He shifted.

  The knowledge brings me hope that I’ll be able to follow through with my plan and find the courage to speak. I try to lift my head again, but I’m still frozen in place. My body is incapable of moving in the presence of such dominance. My breath picks up as he walks past my head, stopping at my side to tower over me.

  In this moment there are only two things I am sure of. A naked shifter is hovering over my bowed body, deciding what he wants to do with me. And I am completely at his mercy.

  My body jolts as a large, strong hand settles on my lower back. A low growl erupts from him as I move instinctually against his touch. I didn’t mean to, but my body reacts on its own accord and tries to escape his hold. His other hand splays across my shoulder blades and pushes my upper half back onto the ground. The firm shove doesn’t hurt, but his power over me is evident. His desire for me to remain submissive has been made clear. I press my lips together and pray for his compassion.

  It’s a heady feeling to be at the mercy of someone who possesses so much strength. Someone who could ruin you without much thought or energy. My blood heats as his hands slowly move, lessening in pressure and traveling leisurely over my body. His fingers barely graze my skin and send tingles of want through me. His touch makes me writhe faintly beneath him. I resist the urge as best I can and concentrate on keeping my breath even.

  A short, low groan vibrates in the air as his hands leave my body. I finally lift my head and dare to look at him. I slowly rise on all fours, waiting to feel the shifter’s hands on me again. I keep my head bowed, but he allows me to raise my head and chest off the ground with no objection.

  A white wolf with piercing blue eyes within my arm’s reach watches my movements but doesn’t protest them. He stands tall scrutinizing me with an unyielding gaze. My lips part at his beauty and the obvious strength he possesses. His massive body stands out against the forest with dominance; the very nature surrounding us is bowing to him. His eyes are cold and hard, watching me as though he’s waiting to pounce on his prey. The sight of him makes my breath hitch and blood scorch.

  A movement to my left makes my eyes dart to the shifter standing over me. My eyes widen as I take in the vision of the broad-shouldered man, his tanned skin taut over hard muscle. His thick, black hair falls wildly just before his shoulders, his silver eyes heat as I meet his curious gaze. I feel an intense pull to bow to him, to lower myself back to the ground and wait for his orders. Dark stubble lines his masculine jaw as a small, sexy grin slips into place. He’s pleased by my reaction. A purr of satisfaction vibrates through me, as though his approval is all that’s necessary.

  Between the two beasts, I’m not sure which is the Alpha, they both have an air to them that demands obedience. But there’s no question that they could both destroy me.

  The werewolf’s grin morphs into a cocky smirk as his eyes roam my body. “Come.” He speaks his command in a low, masculine tone as he turns his back to me and walks away, leaving me to stare at the corded muscles in his arms and legs and his bare ass that has my pussy aching with need. He’s confident that I’ll follow him. And he’s right. My mouth opens to speak, but immediately I slam my jaw shut. I can’t question him or his authority.

  I move to my knees and ready my still-shaking body to obey him, but as my eyes reach the wolf’s gaze ahead of me, I still. I’m afraid to even breathe too loud as the intense stare from the wolf entraps me. My body chills as he continues to glare at me, as if daring me to follow him. I feel trapped between the two of them. One commanding me to follow and the other warning me to stay away. It’s not until the other shifter passes the wolf that the beast turns to move deeper into the forest, releasing me to make my decision.

  Owen

  It takes too fucking long for her to get her sweet ass up off the ground and follow us. I glance to my left and glare at Luke. “Knock it the fuck off.” I scold him in my head, but he still doesn’t turn away from her. “What the fuck is your problem?” I don’t understand why he’s so pissed off. He should be grateful. “Aren’t you happy we have her now?”

  “She’s human.” His low voice echoes in my head as he turns away from her and starts to walk with me, deeper into the forest and closer to home. We still have two days until we’ll be back to our pack, and I can’t fucking wait to get our mate into bed.

  Our mate.

  “Obviously.” My chest aches thinking we may never have come across our mate had we not stopped to see who was trailing us.

  “She’s weak.” He practically snarls the words, and I stop in my tracks to stare him down. My fists clench and my nostrils flare in anger. I hear her steps come to a halt behind me and smell her fear. Shit. She thinks my anger for her, as though she’s done something to disappoint me. I snort at the thought and relax my posture for her peace of mind. Her submission was perfect; there’s not a single thing she did to make me angry. She knew exactly how to behave, and it was a damn beautiful sight to see someone so stunning and vulnerable carry themselves with courage and confidence. She’s at least a foot shorter than both of us and there’s no way she’d be able to keep us off her, but she had the bravery not to run and the wisdom not to challenge us. Weak isn’t a word I’d use to describe her, and it infuriates me that Luke thinks so little of her.

  Our mate has yet to move, and the smell of her distress makes my gut twist and my wolf whine. Her breathing comes in short, panicked pants and it’s a fucking sexy sound, but I hate that it’s caused by fear. Especially fear of me. My fingers itch to comfort her. I shift, reveling in the feel of my joints stretching and the burn of my muscles morphing to fit the beast I am. Our little mate takes a hesitant step back as I turn to face her in wolf form.

  She’s fucking gorgeous. She’s curvy, but somehow still athletic in build. Her dark hair nearly hits her waist. Without a second look, one may think she’s plain because of the simple clothes she wears, but her natural features reflect nothing but beauty. Her sweet vanilla smell fills my lungs. Her dark eyes captivate me and her pale, plump lips tempt me to take them with my own. The smell of her sweet arousal nearly has me pushing her down and fucking her in the dirt.

  Desire stirs inside of me as I remember how she pushed against me, as though she’d fight me. I love her submissive behavior, but it was rehearsed. I can’t wait to put it to the test and I fucking hope she does fight me…that she would enjoy pushing my boundaries and I could do the same with her. I could prove my dominance to her in a way we’d both enjoy.

  I can just imagine what it would’ve been like to have my way with her, licking across her collarbone and up to her ear. I bet she tastes as sweet as she smells. And if she struggled against me, like she did initially… I repress my groan of pleasure. I’d enjoy it far too much. I’d push her knees apart, spread her legs wide with my hips and fuck her into the dirt like an animal. With her sweet scent in the air, I know that pussy has to be slick and wet for me. I could thrust easily into her welcoming heat and feel her tight, hot walls pulse around my thick cock as she comes. At least then I would’ve been able to take this edge off.

  The pull to her is undeniable. And judging by her scent, she feels something for me as well. I’ve known of mates and fated bonds all my life, but this is something I could have never prepared for.

  I’ve never felt this need for someone. Not just a need to fuck her, but a need to be her everything. A need to live for her. She’s the only one who matters now.

  Not even my twin.

  The undeserving prick who glares at our mate simply because she’s human. He’s an idiot and a liar if he says he doesn’t want to claim her beautiful ass as much as I do. I’ve never felt this pull and desire to possess like I do with her. She did this to me. She’s awoken something deep in my soul. She woke a savage part of the beast inside me.

  I’m on edge and itching with need. I’ll only calm down once I take her as my beast demands. I pace around my mate, watching as she attempts to lower herself again. I move closer to lie on the ground beside her and wait for her to realize I want her to ride me. I’ll be able to get her home that much faster without the need to slow to her pace, and then she can really ride me. A satisfied rumble in my chest fills me with warmth.

  “I want her first.” Luke’s voice breaks through the intoxicating thought I have of her delectable mouth, sucking every bit of lust I have for her out of me. I have to hold back the growl growing inside of me. I’ve always shared everything with my twin and I know I’ll have to share her, but the thought of giving him access to her when he doesn’t hold her with the respect he should pisses me off.

  “You said she was weak.”

  “She is.” His blunt statement puts me even further on edge. It’s been years since we fought, but I’m more than ready to tear into him if he keeps up this attitude. Between the two of us, I’m the peacekeeper, the one who keeps things light around the pack. Luke is too dark and intense and too much of a hothead. I grunt a response to him as our mate slowly spears her fingers through my black fur, finding her confidence again now that she’s sure I’m not angry with her. I love the feel of her hands on me. She lets out a surprised squeak as Luke pushes his nose against her ass to get her on top of me. “And I’m not sure I want to wait until we get back.” His words barely register with me as she settles on top of me and grips my fur in her tiny fists. “I can smell her heat.”

  She doesn’t know it yet, but soon enough she’ll know exactly who she belongs to. She belongs to us. The Alphas of Dark Valley.

  Emma

  After hours of holding on, I’m so tired and my hands and thighs are killing me from gripping onto the wolf. My muscles are sore from straining for the hours that I’ve been on his back and my entire body is stinging from holding on with every jolt as the two werewolves raced through the forest. I think they enjoyed my reaction when they barreled through the trees and ducked under branches. My heavy breathing and tight grip on him only seemed to motivate the wolf to move harder and faster.

  If I’m honest, it’s exhilarating. I can’t imagine anyone else has ever gotten to feel this before. Maybe their mates, the women they’ve chosen at offerings. My heart races yet again and I know I need to speak up the first chance I’m given. I have no idea where we’re going or what the shifters want with me, but I need them to know what I want.

  It’s nearly pitch black out now and we’ve slowed down. The only light we have shines down from the crescent moon. I’m not sure what’s going on or where they’re taking me. We moved so fast that I lost track of where we are. I don’t think I could get home now even if I wanted to. Logically, I know I should be scared about the fact that I’m stranded and at their mercy, but instead I feel calm and protected. Maybe that makes me stupid, but at the moment I don’t seem to mind.

  The noises of the night silence as we enter a small cave in the side of the mountain. It can barely fit both wolves, but they settle down and get comfortable, shifting their weight slightly. I’m finally given a moment to lift my body off the black wolf. I take a moment to stretch my sore muscles and rehearse in my head what I need to say first, though the ache of my body takes all my attention. Even my eyes are sore. I close my eyes, enjoying the free movement of my body. My heart jumps up into my throat and I scream as the black wolf’s teeth nip my hip. I throw my body off the wolf and hit my back hard against the jagged rock, shoving my small frame between the massive beast and the unmoving wall.

  A snarl rips through the small cave, echoing off the walls. It’s then that I really take the situation for what it is. My heart races and my breath staggers as my back scrapes against the rock behind me. The wolves don’t seem to pay any attention to my reaction, instead they engage in a silent discussion. I recognize the way they look at each other and the small movements that mirror conversations. I part my lips to speak, but the white wolf stares back at me, silencing me before I’ve even uttered a word.

  I press my lips together and restrain myself from cowering. If they intended to harm me, they would’ve done so already. The black wolf acts as a barrier between me and the white wolf. I feel safe with him between the two of us. Something about the white wolf makes me feel uneasy. My skin tingles and heats looking at him. Waiting for him. That’s the feeling that’s overwhelming me. I’m waiting for him to make a decision. And I have a bad feeling that when he does, I’m never going to be the same.

  Just as I come to that realization, my protector stands and leaves the cave, freeing the space between me and the white wolf. I stand still against the wall, holding my breath as the tips of my fingers dig into the rock behind me. It’s only for a moment though. The other wolf returns and nudges me with his snout to the center of the cave, pushing me closer to the white wolf, exactly where I don’t want to be.

  He’s obviously displeased with my hesitation and reluctance to be close to him. He lowers his body to the ground and closes his eyes, suddenly disinterested in my presence. I don’t feel any sense of relief though. The black wolf does the same behind me, lying low to the ground and resting. The two massive wolves come up past my hips while I’m standing, but being surrounded by the two of them is both exhilarating and intimidating. I’m left standing between the two, trapped in the small cave.

  A moment passes and the chill of the night creeps through the thin tank top. My eyes search for the backpack, but I must’ve dropped it when I was startled earlier. Panic sets in. I could climb over the black wolf and dig between him and the wall, but I’m not sure how well that action would be received. I also don’t want to turn my back on the white wolf. I could speak, but I’m terrified to push boundaries. I’m not sure what the protocol is, but I know that when they’re ready to speak with me they will and if I’m smart, I’ll keep my mouth shut until then.

  I settle down between the two mammoth beasts and just like earlier, there’s a pressure, a force I’ve never felt before. I immediately feel relaxed surrounded by their warmth. A sense of peace settles in my chest as I push my back snuggly against the thick fur of the black wolf. It’s heady like a drug. It’s undeniable that my control drifts from me. I’m conscious of it and yet I don’t mind. I wish I had my recorder, I pray I don’t forget this feeling. It’s nearly magical. A masculine woodsy smell fills the air and I breathe it in, loving the scent. A small sigh leaves my lips as my heavy lids close. They open slightly as the wolves shift around me getting themselves comfortable, closing me in even more. As they settle, I drift off, feeling my body lighten and my breathing even and submit to the need to sleep.

  A slight chill makes my shoulders hunch and my hands search for my blanket. I slowly part my eyes, waking from the deep sleep and remember the day before.

  The shifters.

  My body nearly jackknifes off the ground as I search the cave for the wolves. With my heart racing, I realize I’m alone. My backpack is in the very back of the cave, left opened. But other than that, the cave is empty. My heart sinks and my body numbs with a sickening feeling that they’ve left me.

  They’ve gone. I had them here with me and I didn’t say a damn word. I didn’t get a single recording.

  Tears prick at my eyes as my fists clench. My heart shatters and the sadness surprises me. I’ve always wanted this, but the strong reaction is unwanted and not something I’m used to. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve cried. I have no idea why I’m feeling such intense emotions, such sadness. It’s illogical. I don’t understand and yet I can’t control it. A noise at the entrance of the cave makes me tense.

  Although his hair is blond, in the same wild style as the other shifter, he has a darkness about him. The way he carries his weight is as though he’s stalking a prey. Hunting something. A lump grows in my throat as he approaches me without taking his striking blue eyes off me. My eyes widen as they travel down his muscular body. His massive dick is so hard, it barely moves as he walks, standing straight up. My bottom lip drops open in both shock and awe. He palms his cock and chuckles, making me realize that I’m staring. A hot blush travels up my chest and into my cheeks. I lower my gaze to the ground although I can still track his movements in my periphery. He stops right in front of me, lies on the ground, and then props up on his elbows. The heat from his body radiates toward me. The sight of his muscular frame sends a shiver of need through me, heating my core.

  I’m ashamed by my reaction. I know wolves don’t react this way. They only have urges for their mates. Yet here I am, turned on by both shifters and aching with the need to be touched by both of them. I close my eyes and try to will the thoughts away. I’m only here for research.

  I can’t cave to a primitive desire, though I’ve never felt this need before. I’ve never allowed myself to get close enough to a man, let alone had any of the feelings that devastate me in the presence of the werewolves. Just as I push my feelings aside, the shifter speaks. Startling me with his low, baritone command. “Suck.”

  My eyes shoot to his in shock as he strokes himself. I watch his large hand grip his cock and slowly wrap around the top, spreading the precum around his head. My mouth waters at the sight, and my entire body wants to pounce at the invitation to take him into my mouth. But I can’t believe what I’ve heard. This goes against everything I know. I stare back at him in disbelief.

 

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