Page 116 of Rebel Fates

He leans down and whispers in my ear, “The hunt.” His deep purr vibrates down to my clit.

“Hunt?” When my widened eyes land on the faces of my mates, I think I know what he means to hunt. “Me?” I practically squeak.

“Yes, my treasure,” Zeek says gently. “Will you allow us to chase you down and claim your body?”

The idea frightens but excites me.WillI be able to handle it? “Can I have a safe word? In case I can’t?”

“Of course,” Rok purrs and strokes my cheek. “What is it?”

“Let’s keep it simple,” I suggest. “Yellow for slow down and red for stop.”

They all hum their agreement.

“And if you can’t speak, or remember to communicate through our minds,” Crax offers. “We will try to keep our wits about us enough to check in that you are enjoying this as much as we are.”

“Now, my goddess, my queen, my sweet treasure…Run,” Serrat commands.

My adrenaline spikes and my heart pounds in my chest. I know they won’t hurt me. But they look like andarepredators, and my body knows this.

I race to the ramp and charge forward into the jungle. There are palm trees and tall grasses. And other bushes that I don’t take the time to admire. I’m running because I’m going to be chased. My brain and body are taking this seriously.

Thank goodness the guys had the forethought to give me slip-on shoes. But it doesn’t appear the ground has any sharp rocks or branches.

As I race through the dense foliage, zigzagging back and forth to make a path, I realize that I’m moving faster than I ever have. I’m stronger and more agile with my change, even in my human form.

I’m so fast that I think I might have a chance to outrun my mates. The competitive part of me wants to win. Although my pussy knows I’ll only win when I get caught and they have their way with me.

Just when I start to feel cocky about my new skills, I hear someone closing the distance behind me.

They are quieter than I’m being, but that’s their skill at play. I don’t dare look behind me and slow down. It’s a challenge now to see how long I can evade capture.

It occurs to me I want them to teach me self defense. Not that I worry they will hurt me. Damn, that is the first time I can say that about someone I’m with. And I have four someones I can say that about.

However, when the LunaTek leader grabbed me, I realized I have had no training.

Even though I’d been able to take down Norcross, I want to protect myself properly. I want to prove to myself and to my mates that I’m strong and fierce like they are. I want to be able to rely on a warrior’s training.

Pulling up from behind, I sense two of my mates… on my left and to my right.

Frex, and one is closing in from ahead of me. How did he move so fast?

I double check my senses to confirm that it’s Crax. Damn, he’s quick.

I dart to my left, the widest window to squeak through. But then I come up with a plan. With an intention, I transmit through our bond that I’m still heading that way. As soon as I sense them narrow in on that trajectory, instead I turn and head in the other direction.

By the time they realize I’ve misdirected them, I’m pulling away from their trap.

I hear their surprise in my mind and hear a bark in the distance.

I realize that I’m leaving a trail on the ground for them to follow. I look at the tall, skinny trees surrounding me and then at my hands. In my shifted form, I will have claws. I kick off my shoes.

At the thought, I shift, growing sharp claws on my fingers and toes. I run and leap and use my new ability to scramble up the tree.

Within minutes, I see Serrat stop at my discarded shoes and glance up.

Daring to get caught, I leap down to tackle him. He shouts in surprise as he hits the ground with my attack. His huge arms flail out to grab me, but I spring straight up and back into the safety of my tree.

I race up toward the top and jump over to a nearby tree. My weight is barely supported and I swing precariously from its flimsy trunk.

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