Page 61 of Baseball and Shifters

Lucas

I’m still riding the high from receiving the best gift I’ve ever gotten when I hear a voice that instantly makes my blood boil.

“Yo, foxy momma, how you doing? Ready to ditch this loser and take a shot on a real man?”

My jaw clenches so hard I worry about cracking my tooth. I don’t turn towards him right away. If I do, I may lose what little hold I currently have on my wolf and I don’t want to scare Rachel.

“Walk away, Trent,” I growl through clenched teeth.

I feel Rachel tense beside me, her bond pulsing in fear. Torn between comforting my mate and confronting the asshole behind me, I choose the former and move towards Rachel. Stepping closer to her, I shield her with my body while keeping my back to Trent. She’s my priority here and I won’t let that prick anywhere near her ever again.

“Didn’t realize you were a guard dog,Barker. Makes sense though.” Trent’s voice is laced with a cocky arrogance that makes me want to unleash my wolf on him.

“Trent,” I say, turning towards him, my voice low and menacing, “I’m telling you for the last time. Walk. Away.”

“Why?” He snickers, stepping closer. “Scared she’ll finally realize she deserves better than some scholarship slum?”

My vision goes red.

“Lucas…” Rachel’s soft voice echoes around my head but it’s not enough to calm my wolf who is practically foaming at the mouth in rage.

“Come on, man,” Trent taunts, getting even fucking closer. The cocky smirk on his face is just begging for me to lay him out. “Let’s be real here. You and I both know she’s too good for you so just let her come with…”

A feral growl tears from my throat, so low and guttural that Trent’s smirk finally falls.

“Run”

Trent’s eyes widen, the scent of his fear mingles with the rancid odor of him pissing himself and it all only eggs my wolf on.

“Shit,” he mutters under his breath, finally realizing that he fucked with the wrong wolf’s mate.

My wolf surges forward, claws pushing through my fingertips, my vision sharpens, and instinct takes over. Before I know it I’m on four legs and locked onto Trent’s quivering form.

My wolf is big, even for a shifter. Pure white fur ripples over powerful shoulders, and my ice-blue eyes lock onto my prey like a missile. I know what I look like when I shift. I’ve heard all the nicknames, ghost wolf, glacier fang, storm eyes, and most of those were from my pack. But right now, I don’t care what anyone calls me. I’m just hers. Her protector.

Hunt. Protect. Destroy.

Trent takes a stumbling step back before he morphs in an explosion of brown fur and limbs. His kangaroo bursts free and is a blur as he bounds off on those powerful legs.

Smart move but you’re still not fast enough, rat boy.

I catch up to him in seconds and nip at his heels as he frantically surges forward. Only a second before I pounce on him, I feel her. Her worry, her anxiety, herfear.

Fuck, I caused that.

Skidding to a stop I let the bouncy asshole go and turn back towards my girl. When I get back Rachel is still standing right where I left her. I shift back to human form and her emerald eyes lock onto mine. My muscles are so tight they feel like coiled steel; my hands still tinged with the faint tremble of claws barely sheathed. Sweat clings to my back and my shirt is damp from how hard I’ve been breathing. I don’t even know how I made it home without shifting again.

The moment I’m back on two legs her fear fades and my wolf settles.

“Lucas…” Her voice is soft but the concern slices right through me.

Shit. I fucked up.

“H-he’s gone right?”

“Yes, Moonbeam, he’s gone. I’ll never let him touch you again.” Pulling her into my chest I wrap my arms around her and hug her close. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You didn’t scare me. He did.” She assures me. “You were only protecting me, thank you so much, Lucas. I love you so much.”

---