Something in the pit of his stomach told him Joe wasn’t joking around. There was something scary coming. Caleb only hoped for all of their sakes that he’d be able to handle it. This wasn’t the best time or place to start mating. Not if a war was coming.
****
Bethany sat on the boarding house steps waiting. There was a chill in the air and she checked her watch not for the first time. Brian had told her Caleb would be meeting her at the boarding house.
As she ran her fingers through her hair, her nerves started to pick up. She stood and started to pace.
Some rustling across the road drew her attention. She thought she saw a shadow and as she was about to make her way over, she suddenly stopped. Clearly, her mind was playing tricks on her because of last night.
There was nothing there at all.
The rustling started again and she frowned. What could it possibly be? Just as she was about to march right on over there, she came to a stop as Caleb’s truck appeared down the road. Finally.
She waited for him to pull up. Bethany smiled and tucked some loose hair behind her ear. It was good to see him. All last night she’d dreamed about him. The full moon. Sex. She’d woken with this aching need, something she’d never experienced.
Caleb climbed out of the truck and she noticed him tense. She offered him a smile, one he didn’t return, and she wondered what was the matter. He didn’t look happy to see her, which didn’t exactly help her nerves.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Get in the truck.”
“Caleb?”
“Do it,” he said, growling.
She jumped. Rather than tell him to go and drop dead, she climbed into the truck, hating herself for conforming. Why was she jumping in the truck? She wasn’t his kid and right now, she didn’t need to follow his orders. She stayed put in her seat even as he ran toward the wood’s edge.
So much time passed.
She didn’t know what to expect, then Caleb reappeared. He ran to the truck, putting it into reverse without a backward glance.
“Caleb, what’s going on?”
“Just a couple of bears. Nothing to concern yourself with.”
“I don’t like this. I think I should go back to the boarding house.”
“You wanted to see my place and I didn’t exactly leave it at a good place last night, did I?”
“I had a good time.”
She’d been the one to bring their date to a close. After the bear attack and him not seeming to have a scratch on him, she’d been a little nervous. Now, her hands shook and her body ached. She fought with her own needs to throw herself into his arms, to beg him to take her. Rubbing at her chest, she tried to calm herself, but being close to him, he smelled amazing.
Why did he smell so amazing?
“Me too.” He reached over taking her hand.
The moment he touched her, she felt heat envelop her. The pleasure rushed through every part of her body, overwhelming her.
“Fuck,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” she said, moaning. “Caleb?”
“I’ve never heard of this happening before.”
She felt the truck jolt forward. Pressing her thighs together, she tried to alleviate the ache, but that only served to make her want him more. This wasn’t what she wanted. Closing her eyes, she tried to count to ten, to remember her life. To feel anything but the consuming need that had struck her.
“It’s okay, Bethany.”
Even his voice sent a wave of pleasure washing over her. The deep timber irresistible. She arched her back, wishing for his hand to touch her.
The journey suddenly came to a stop.
Opening her eyes, she released a moan, seeing the men she’d served with Caleb a few days ago.
“What’s going on?” one of them asked.
“Do you smell that?”
“She’s in heat?”
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, but keep Joe far away from me,” he said.
“Why Joe?” she asked.
“I’ve got you,” Caleb said.
“You should read books. You have a really nice voice. I like it when you talk to me. Everything is so much better.” She cried out as he jolted her with each step he took. They were inside his home. She didn’t get to see much of it. All she wanted was his touch. “Caleb, what’s happening to me?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“I dreamed of you all night long. I kept hoping you’d come to me. You make me feel safe. I never want to stop being with you.” She mewled as he lowered her to the bed. Spreading her thighs, she reached up. “Please.”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t do this to you. Not tonight.”
“Why am I like this?” she asked.
“Because you’re mine, but I don’t understand why you’re feeling this way.” He suddenly pushed her cardigan out of the way. “Did I hurt you last night?”