Feral (Wolf Ranch 3)

The mountain was the safe place to roam, so that’s where we usually found each other, up in the hills above everyone’s homes. We had the pack lodge most started from. Everyone of shifting age kept a change of clothes there in case that’s where they ended up.

Willow and I had arrived early, so she could practice shifting without an audience. The more times she tried, the easier it came, but she’d only done it with me in observance. Having an entire pack watch her, not just because she was a new shifter but because she was my mate, would be daunting. In this freedom, we ran and played. I showed Willow all the best places to roam—my favorite spots.

Eventually we headed back toward the lodge and found most of the pack gathered. The Wolf Ranch shifters—Boyd, Colton, Clint, Rand, Nash, Johnny and Levi—circled up with us right away. Our royal guard, making a horseshoe around us. Willow had not seen anyone else in wolf form and didn’t know one from the other. Yet.

The rest of the pack scrambled to assemble as well, many dropping to their bellies to show submission to their mysterious new alpha she-wolf, the beautiful ginger by my side. I waited until they’d all formed a cluster around us, then trotted through them to the lodge, Willow at my side.

We shifted inside and dressed privately, in the bedroom. I wasn’t normally shy—shifters were used to being naked around each other, but none of them were going to see my mate’s gorgeous body naked. Not without them losing a big hunk of fur from their hind quarters.

Besides it being awkward with my brothers.

When we walked out to join the others, I heard gasps of surprise and whispers like That’s the Shefield girl, and I thought she was human.

Janet was the first to approach, gathering Willow up in her arms. “Well, didn’t you surprise us all?” She leaned in to sniff Willow’s neck. Willow stared at me over Janet’s shoulder, eyes wide. Her hands were at her sides as if she’d never been hugged before. “Your scent has changed. Your shifter DNA just surfaced? Are you a half-breed?”

“Come on, mom, give the female some space,” Rand coaxed, throwing a muscled arm around his mother’s much smaller shoulders and tossing Willow a wink.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so excited to finally have a daughter.” She waved a hand at me and Rand and Clint, Boyd and Colton behind us. “I had all these wonderful boys, two of my own and then the Wolf trio. But now I’m getting daughters. I’ve got Audrey and Marina… and now Willow. Welcome to the pack, sweetheart.” She kissed her cheek. “You’re exactly what we needed.”

Janet let Willow go, but when she moved to step away, Willow gave her a quick hug of her own. Never knowing a mom, I knew Janet was going to fill that role for her now.

I cleared my throat and the room went silent. Everyone was dying to know what was going on. How I’d ended up mated to this lovely she-wolf who hadn’t been a wolf at all just last week. She’d been at the picnic as the Shefield niece and now...

“I’d like to introduce you all to my mate, Willow Johnson. Fate brought her here to me as an undercover agent with the DEA.” I set my hand at the back of Willow’s neck. It was a show of possession but also of protection. There was no doubt to everyone witnessing that she was mine. “She will be staying on as my mate. I expect you will make her feel welcome.”

Excited murmurs rippled through the room and everyone filed forward to offer their welcome and congratulations. I noted they were all here—none of my pack had defected, even knowing I’d planned to mate a human. Not everyone had heard my threat on my porch, but I had no doubt word of it had spread.

Even Nathan Brown came up, tail tucked, throat bared. “Forgive me for questioning your judgement, Alpha,” he said. “Looks like it all turned out fine.”

I didn’t believe he meant the apology, but I didn’t care. He knew his place, and while I doubted he’d be any less difficult in the coming years, he wouldn’t doubt me again. I had Willow. Everything would be perfect, even if she wasn’t a wolf.

I knew my thoughts leaned toward sappy romance and poetry, but hell, I was fucking happy. I’d expected the worst, moon madness to finish me. Alone.

Instead, I had my mate by my side. My parents would have been pleased with Willow. She was strong, independent. Feisty. Brave. Everything to keep me on my toes, just as Mom had with Dad.

I wished they could have met her. Audrey and Marina, too. To know all three Wolf boys were home and leading the pack into the future. With Audrey, one baby at a time.