Page 180 of Rough and Rugged

I’m out the door and in my bear form without even thinking. We run at full speed to Drake’s cabin, where I find both my brothers standing on the porch waiting for me.

Adrain is wrapped in a blanket and Drake is still in his suit, minus the jacket and tie. He’s unbuttoned a few buttons and rolled his sleeves to his elbows, showing off the tribal tattoos he keeps hidden from the world.

I shift back and stand naked and panting in front of them.

“Feeling a little aggressive and territorial?” Adrain asks with an eyebrow lift.

“I want to kill you both. What the fuck is going on?” I admit, since I’ve never felt so out of control.

I am the least angry person on the planet. A true lover, not a fighter. So these emotions I’m feeling are not normal, and I honestly don’t fucking like it.

“Get in line. We’re just as confused as you.” I sniff the air because no matter how much I want to figure this out, I need to know where Tasha is more.

“She’s at my cabin.” That makes me growl again, and I take a step in Adrain’s direction.

“Easy. I fled as soon as I knew she was inside the bathroom. She broke in. I think she’s homeless.” That stops me with a frown.

“What?” Drake spins Adrain around to face him.

“When I caught her scent, I followed it to a campsite left abandoned in the woods. I tracked her back to my cabin, where I found that backpack she had near the front door, which she had barricaded. Which one of you hired her?” I shake my head when Adrain looks at me when Drake doesn’t answer.

“Something isn’t right,” I mutter as I think about our conversation at breakfast.

She had seemed so disappointed when she entered the buffet and starved as she finished off my plate.

“What?” Drake asks me as I remember our interaction.

“She hasn’t eaten in a while. I’m certain of it. I think you’re right.” Adrain frowns and turns in the direction of his cabin.

“You want to run to her. Feed her. Take care of her. It’s almost impossible to just stand here and leave her alone.” I grab his shoulder and turn him to face me.

“Yes,” he growls with golden eyes, looking back at me.

“Fuck,” Drake says, and he’s not in much better shape.

“So.” I look at my older brothers, lost for words.

“We mate her. Claim her. The longer we wait, the more feral will become.” Drake growls angrily.

“All of us? Together? Are you implying we just have an orgy?” Adrain drops the blanket and shifts.

I do the same and brace myself for his attack.

He hits me hard, and we roll into the snow, clawing and biting until Drake pulls us apart.

“Shift back, you fucking idiots!” he yells at us, but it takes me a moment to comply.

“Don’t you ever speak about her so disrespectfully!” Adrain says and throws a punch at my jaw.

“Fuck you.” I rub my face and spit out some blood.

“Don’t stand there and act like you weren’t thinking the same thing. Nothing we want to do to her is respectful.” Drake’s words shock us both.

He shrugs, and it makes me grin through the pain.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Braxton. I fucking propositioned her earlier. Ordered her to my cabin.” Adrain looks horrified, and I laugh.

“Careful what you wish for.” Drake snorts at me.

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