Page 52 of Baseball and Shifters

“Rachel. We would never think that,” Derrick growls, interrupting my rambling.

“You might not, but my father does. And Liam does. That’s why he ran when I forced the bond on him.”

“I’m gonna kick his ass,” Derrick growls under his breath, and I wonder vaguely if he’s talking about Liam or my father.

“Oh, Moonbeam,” Lucas sighs. “That’s not why he ran at all, sweet girl.”

“It’s not?”

“No.” He smiles sadly and shakes his head.

“How do you know? You weren’t even there.”

“I know my brother. We just told him about your dad and his views on you having multiple mates on the bus. Then he went and added himself to your harem and he’s probably losing his shit thinking he’s put a bigger target on your back. Especially with that beautiful new mark he gave you.” He glances at my hand and the black wolf spanning the length of my forearm.

“Still gonna kick his ass,” Derrick grumbles, making me laugh.

It doesn’t take long for us all to settle back in and focus back on the movie and by the time the ending credits roll, I’m a converted fan and a little sad that it’s over.

“Alright. Pee break then we start the next one,” Lucas says, sitting me up before helping me stand.

I stretch my back before his words catch up to me. “The next one?”

“Oh, yeah. Every year for my birthday we have a movie marathon. We won’t be able to get through as many as we usually do thanks to the game today, but I think we can do one more. Unless you’re ready to go back to your dorm.”

“I’m not going back to my dorm, silly. I’m staying the night, remember?”

“Hmmm. I don’t know. Did we talk about that?”

“Well, I just thought-”

“I’m playing with you, Moonbeam. Of course I want you to stay the night. I always want you to stay the night.”

“You’re a jerk,” I huff as I head to the bathroom. When I get back, everyone gets resettled in their positions, and Lucaspresses play on the next movie. I don’t make it all the way through the movie though and next thing I know I’m in Lucas’s arms being carried to his bedroom. When he places me in his bed and crawls in next to me wrapping his arms around me, I fall back into a blissful sleep.

Rachel

Soft moonlight filters in through the canopy of trees above me. The forest floor is striped in streaks of silver light illuminating my path forward. The air is cool, but still and silent. Something, or someone, is missing. Something feels off.

A shiver rolls down my spine as the cool air delivers a familiar scent that wraps around me urging me forward.

Lucas.

Up the path I see a streak of white move through the trees and I pick up my pace. I finally reach a clearing and standing in the middle is my magnificent white wolf bathed in moonlight. The tension in my chest eases as he shifts and steps forward. His golden hair is tousled, falling just right over his forehead. His signature happy smirk is tugging at his lips as he steps closer.

“You’re not alone, Moonbeam,” Lucas murmurs, his thumb caressing my cheek. “I’m here. Always.”

His lips brush my forehead but even as our bond sings I can still feel the emptiness weighing on my soul.

A playful growl echoes around the clearing. My pulse quickens as a tiger slinks from the shadows. His forest-green and brown eyes lock on me as he stalks towards me like I’m his favorite prey. When he’s just a few steps from where Lucas and I stand, Bas shifts effortlessly, his cocky smile firmly in place as he approaches. The moonlight highlights every inch of his toned arms as he reaches for me and pulls me into his embrace.

“Miss me, Firefly?” He growls into my neck making my pulse jump again and my core ache.

“I miss you always,” I reply much more breathily than intended.

His lips brush my ear and I can't hold back the small gasp followed by a sultry moan.

“You never need to miss me again, that’s a promise, Firefly.” His whispered words have warm desire coiling low in my belly but the ache in my heart grows stronger.

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