Feral (Wolf Ranch #3) - Renee Rose Page 0,42

fucking wolf—chase the bull back farther and farther until it bellowed and crashed through the wood fence onto Markle’s land.

I kicked my heels into the horse’s flanks and tugged the reins to turn back to Natalie’s house. I hadn’t been on a horse in a while, but it was like riding a bicycle. I never really lost the touch. Rob’s animal was smart and knew exactly what I wanted him to do. When I got there, I dismounted and let the reins fall, giving the animal a quick pat on the neck. I went inside and grabbed my gun where I’d left it under the basket by the front door.

I walked back outside and aimed it at the wolf approaching the porch.

18

ROB

Well, shit.

Having my mate point a gun at my chest was getting to be all too familiar.

I lowered my head and shifted back to human form—right there in broad daylight on Natalie’s porch—something that went against every pack rule. Never show yourself to a human. Never let the secret out. She was pointing a gun at me and knew damned well how to use it. I needed to show her who I was before she shot me.

I hadn’t meant to shift back there. I’d planned to distract the damn bull, but when it got too close and my mate’s life was threatened, my wolf leapt to the surface without warning.

I hadn’t even considered shifting. My wolf had made the choice all on its own.

The gun in Natalie’s hand didn’t waver, and she didn’t look surprised to see me rise to my full height and stand there, buck naked, except for the tattered clothes hanging off my limbs.

“Hold it right there.” She sighted me over her left arm. She wasn’t fooling around. “You’re not coming any closer until you tell me exactly what you are.”

She looked sexy as hell in her little running shorts and snug tank top. Her skin glistened with sweat and her hair, while pulled back mostly in a ponytail, was wild about her head.

I held out my palms. My cock had the unfortunate idea to get hard at the sight of my mate, such a beautiful badass in her fighter’s stance and my hat on her head.

“Easy, angel.” I advanced slowly. “I think you already know what I am. And you should also know that I’m no danger to you. I told you before I’d never hurt you. I’ll always protect you from danger.”

“You’re a werewolf.”

Slowly, I shook my head. “We prefer the term shifter.”

Standing there silently, she studied me with those fierce green eyes. Considered. Finally, she glanced down at my boner and her lips twitched. She lowered the pistol and took my hat off with her right hand, then tossed it to me.

“Thanks.” I used the hat to cover my jutting erection. “Can we step inside? I don’t make it a practice to stand out in public with my dick swinging in the wind.”

“Oh, I didn’t see it swinging.” A smile formed on her face as she backed into her house and let me pass. “Looked pretty sturdy to me.”

“That’s all for you, angel.” I shut the door behind me and advanced on her.

She stopped retreating, letting me in close. She gripped my wrist and pulled the hat away from my crotch, guiding it up to my head instead. “Is this why you’re so big? Because you’re a wolf?”

“My dick?”

“All of you.”

I offered her a shrug and a small smile. I was reassured she hadn’t shot my ass, and I was inside, both good signs. I’d fucked up before. There was a chance I’d do so again. “Something like that.”

She peered up at me for a moment, then shook her head. “This is nuts. I don’t believe it.”

“I think you do. Question is, what are you going to do about it?”

She looked down at my erection and reached for it. Wrapped her fingers around the base in a firm grip. Stroked. “About this?”

I groaned.

I should’ve had a serious conversation with her. Answered every single one of her questions about what she’d just seen, what I was. Why. How. Everything. I should have made sure she wasn’t afraid of me. Made sure she wouldn’t tell anyone. But her little hand was short circuiting all brain power, so all I could do was choke out, “Yeah.”

“I can think of a few things.” She held my gaze as she slowly lowered to her knees. “Tell me you don’t turn into a monster at the full moon.”

My breath