Page 184 of Rough and Rugged

I need to know why she’s homeless. Hell, I want to know everything about her. I want to help her, so she’s not struggling anymore. I want to keep her.

I mean, keep her safe.

I can hear the laughter in my animal’s low growls. I reach the highway and slow my pace. I don’t think she’d be able to get down here faster than me but I make sure I sniff around well before heading back towards the cabins.

I catch a whiff of her and groan.

Her smell, although a tad sour due to fear, still has the same effect on me, if not stronger. My animal turns to chase the smell when a loud growl followed by two lows comes from my east, making me speed up again.

We developed this system as kids.

One loud two low meant almost home. I’m guessing they found her. This means that when another loud, longer growl means they’re chasing. Double growls come next, and my heart leaps.

WE GOT HER.

Braxton

Well, shit.

One of my brothers found her first. I can’t say I’m not a little bitter, but my mood brightens when I follow her scent and see Adrain pawing at a tree.

I look up in the branches and spot Tasha hanging on for dear life.

Damn, she’s scared shitless.

I slowly approach the area and join Adrain at the foot of the tree. I push my nose into his belly to stop him from trying to shake her out. I lay down and growl at him, pawing the ground.

Copy me, you idiot.

He looks at me, then plops his big ass next to me with a huff. I hear Drake approaching, but don’t look over at him. I keep my eyes up on Tasha. She’s shaking and bleeding from the bark, cutting into her hands and thighs.

I look at Drake, who’s standing on his back legs, and I swear he’s got his hands on his hips.

It’s the most ridiculous sight, and a rumble of laughter leaves me. I roll around, giddy and happy, breaking the tension. A small giggle comes from high above as I tackle Drake.

“You’re all cute and all, but could you maybe go play somewhere else.” I grin and let my tongue hang out of my mouth.

Adrain snorts and starts to shift back to human.

“OH MY GOD!” Tasha gasps when he’s fully naked and looking up at her in the tree.

“I think we should talk,” he calls up to her.

“No fucking way! What are you?” Her voice sounds more curious than scared.

I shift next and smile at her.

“We’re shifters, love.” She gapes at me like I’ve lost my mind, and her eyes are bouncing between us.

They met our faces and then dropped to our groins, which made me puff my chest out in pride.

“See something you like?” I tease her as Drake slowly changes back to join Adrain and me in our birthday suits.

“Wow.” I grin at her whisper.

“Wait. Did you hear that?” I nod at her, and she tries to cover her face so I can’t see her flush.

But she loses her balance and slips off the branch she was sitting on.

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