Page 88 of Shattered

The two girls embraced each other while Kalkin took Grey over to check-in for the night. Like Liam, the young male shifter carried a backpack and a sleeping bag.

Keeley had graciously volunteered, much to the dismay of Kalkin, to watch Abby for the night since they wouldn’t be participating in the run. The Sheriff hadn’t looked too pleased and told Keeley as much. The tiny fae-like woman crossed her arms and stared her much bigger mate down then reminded him, he was on duty for the night. Even then, Kalkin was pissy. Of course, the minute Keeley promised to take care of him after work and after all the young kids were picked up, he grinned as if he’d won some battle of wills.

Kalkin and Mackenzie came back out of the community center together, and Aurora’s breath got caught in her throat. The Raferty men, every single one of them, were big badasses who left the female population of Window Rock panting. Aurora was proud to have claimed the eldest Raferty brother—Mackenzie as her own.

The brothers gathered their daughters up and walked them to the back of the large building. Like the boys, they carried bags and sleeping bags, but unlike the boys, the girls were cheerful and chirping like little magpies.

When Kalkin returned once more, he called out to her, “See you later, Aurora.” With a wave, he lumbered to his Enforcer. Within seconds, he was driving away from the building.

“Guess in this instance it sucks to be the Sheriff,” she said to Mackenzie once he returned to the truck.

He turned to look at her. “What do you mean?”

“It’s the full moon, and he’s working.”

Mackenzie snorted. “Kal comes off as a hard-ass iceman. There’s no denying it. But under all his bluster, he’s got a heart of gold. He willingly works the first day of the full moon every month to allow his younger, unmated deputies the opportunity to have fun and possibly find their mate. Caden usually does the second night, and Jace does the last night—when the pull of the moon isn’t so bad.”

“That’s sweet of the brothers.” Mackenzie smiled and Aurora wondered why. “Is it because the older you get, the less intense the pull of the moon is for the male?” She wondered out loud.

“It’s just as intense if not more because you experience the knot with your fated mate. It’s different, more acute with the pleasure off the chart. At least that’s what my siblings tell me.” Mackenzie winked at her, and Aurora realized in a couple of hours they’d both know and be able to compare it. “According to Kal, he’s got more control of his need, and his wolf knows Keeley is at home, taking care of their pups, waiting for him. He tells me it trumps any pleasure he gets during the full moon.”

“Do Jace and Caden say the same?” she asked, her curiosity piqued at all things dealing with mating.

Mackenzie shrugged. “Caden and Jace aren’t as verbally forthcoming with their sex life as Kalkin is. Kal will tell a ninety-year-old, little old lady, in detail, how he nailed Keeley the night before, given half the chance.”

“He’s blunt,” she said.

Mackenzie snorted. “That’s an understatement.”

“It works for him.”

Mackenzie agreed before he started his truck and began to drive back towards the Raferty homestead. It was silent during the short drive, and Aurora didn’t mind it. She used the time to study the sky. The last bit of the sun had set right after they pulled away from dropping the kids off, and the night sky had taken over, revealing the twinkling stars and a full moon, peeking in and out from between the clouds.

It was a bit chilly out as well. Aurora had assumed, wrongly, being out in the desert, didn’t mean it couldn’t get cold. It did, mostly at night once the sun set. It could be eighty degrees during the day and drop to thirty overnight. Tonight, was proof. The gauge on Mackenzie’s truck showed the current temperature in the low forties, and Aurora knew it was also windy out there, making it feel even cooler.

By morning, they’d get into the mid to high thirties and although it wasn’t a huge deal for the shifters, it was for her. She didn’t have a coat of fur to keep her warm. It was yet another negative against her being a human and not a shifter.

“Having second thoughts, Aurora?” Mackenzie asked when he eased into an empty spot in the large parking area at the Raferty homestead.

She shook her head. “The only question I have is, how thehellam I supposed to stay warm during the run?”

Mackenzie chuckled. “Not going to lie to you, it’ll be cold, nippily night.”

Aurora giggled.

“It’ll shock your system for sure. If you keep moving, running, it’ll help. Once I catch you, I promise I’ll warm you up and keep you that way all night.” He wiggled his brows, and the last bit of her worry and fear dissipated into the night.

“I’m ready,” she said, her tone a bit husky.

Mackenzie groaned, then reached down to palm the bulge he was sporting. “I know, star, I can fucking smell your sweet, little pussy. It’s driving me nuts.”

Her cheeks flushed, not in embarrassment but with desire. “Mac...”

“Can’t wait to get a taste of you and knot you, my little star,” he growled, low and deep.

Aurora swore she could feel the vibrations in her core, and she moaned.

“I need to get out of the car, otherwise I’m going to end up knotting you here and now,” he stated before throwing open his vehicle door with such force, Aurora worried he’d done permanent damage to the innocent door.

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