Page 17 of Mating Season

Danielle and Amber came crashing through the underbrush. Their matching sundresses were torn and dirt-stained. Amber limped along with straps flapping on one sandal. Mud streaked their faces and clumped in their hair. We’d been out here less than two days and they looked like we were in the apocalypse.

Why are they acting like humans?

Very funny.

Amber hung back a few steps, discreetly sniffing the air, while Danielle–the older by what must have been five minutes–stepped forward.

“This is crazy, right?” Danielle smiled big, showing her hands to prove she was no threat. “How are you two doing? Did you know the show was going to put us out here?”

“Did your sponsors give you something to eat too?” Amber muttered under her breath as if we couldn’t hear.

Fallon and I shared another look.

She held up the rest of the rabbit on the stick. “Here.”

The tension radiating from her was thick enough to cut with a knife, but the girls didn’t notice.

“Thank the Goddess.” Both rushed forward. Danielle’s delicate fangs poked out, but she grabbed the stick and handed it to her sister who snarled out a thank you to Fallon before chomping down.

There was a saying I’d heard once; that mankind was only nine meals from anarchy.

I had a feeling hormonal women only had about one missed meal before the feral set in. And I didn’t blame them. Though I wasn’t as hungry as usual with the coming heat. Maybe I’d packed on some storage calories with the free buffet line over the past few weeks.

Fallon softened a bit as the younger women settled down by the fire to eat.

“We must look so stupid.” Danielle picked at the fraying hem of her dress. “I swear we aren’t this helpless or pathetically unprepared at home.”

“And what is home like?” Fallon made the question sound nonchalant.

I busied myself with checking out the branches above us, trying to seem disinterested. There was no way I actually pulled it off.

“It’s beautiful,” Amber gushed. “Our territory borders Lake Superior. We have properties near our fishing docks, but we live most of the year up in a log cabin way back in the woods. The winters can be harsh, but the summers are perfect. And fall’s colorsare to die for. The O’Neil clan is tight nit. Everyone knows everyone, but we all pitch in to help.”

I could practically see the noose tightening around Fallon’s neck and rushed to intervene. “How is your uncle as pack Alpha? Do they respect him?”

Danielle gave Amber a knowing look.

Amber cleared her throat. “He joined the Marines right out of high school and was stationed with the shifter grunt unit. We didn’t think he’d come home to stay, but when he was visiting our grandma on leave, the old pack Alpha Oscar got drunk and challenged him. Uncle John tried to get him to sober up, even held him down, but in the end, his wolf took over. It was a clean kill.”

Fallon gasped, smacking her hands over her mouth.

“The old Alpha was shit anyway. Oscar always had a chip on his shoulder and didn’t like letting any of us leave. Especially the young ones,” Danielle explained. “Uncle John turned things around after his honorable discharge. He encourages us to go to college. I just finished my associate’s degree in business and came home for the season. I think I’m going to stay.”

“And we both convinced him to come to the show.” Amber nudged her sister conspiratorially. “He’s been Alpha for six years now and still hasn’t found a mate.”

Somewhere along the story time, Fallon had gone from terrified to dreamy-eyed.

I held in my laughter, but couldn’t not tease her, “He sounds like a real catch.”

I ignored her territorial little growl.

“What about you two? Have your wolves decided on anyone this season?”

“Mine wants to wait until after the run,” Danielle said. Her hand rested on the log next to her sisters’ hand and they interlaced fingers. I glanced away, pretending not to notice as she gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I think that’s what I’ll do too.” Amber forced a smile.

“What’s wrong?” Fallon frowned. “Who do you want to mate? I’ll chase him down for you… Er… I mean… I’ll go talk to the guy.”

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